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Chapter 14
Ah… this familiar scene. No, that couldn’t be.
Arpessian had nodded when she told him to come.
So he had to be somewhere.
He wasn’t very social, so maybe he was hiding in a corner.
Helicia looked around the Grand Hall carefully.
The nobles didn’t pay attention to her anyway.
Why would nobles greet a Saintess from a fallen temple, born as a commoner?
Thinking about it, Arpessian had politely thanked her at the coronation.
That was unexpected. In that way, he was better than most nobles.
Helicia even checked above the chandeliers.
She lifted the tablecloths with her foot and looked underneath.
But there was no sign of his red hair anywhere.
As she kept moving around, the hall became quieter.
Soft whispers filled the air behind the music.
“She’s younger than I thought.”
“If she says something wrong, it might anger His Majesty…”
“She’s too young for this kind of event.”
Suspicious eyes watched her closely.
Then someone spoke in a light but sharp voice,
“Are you questioning His Majesty’s character?”
A short, fat man with a greasy face spoke mockingly.
He wore flashy clothes and many diamond rings.
“His Majesty showed kindness, yet you find fault? This is why low-born people shouldn’t be brought in.”
“Baron Potten, that’s not what we meant…”
“No, you said it well. Why did she even come here? If treatment is needed, they can call her. It must be Crown Prince Arzen being soft-hearted.”
Helicia thought,
‘He says the same thing every time.’
It was actually helpful.
Lato frowned and tried to step forward, but Helicia stopped him.
“Even if the temple has lost power, this kind of insult is too much.”
It was understandable for Lato to feel angry.
Helicia quickly grabbed his cape.
“Lato, we’re wearing the same clothes!”
“Yes, we are from the same temple.”
“People might get confused. We both have blonde hair.”
“Our builds are too different.”
Even while answering, Lato kept watching Baron Potten.
Soon, the music changed.
Helicia pulled Lato’s hand.
‘Let’s see if the practice worked.’
She walked confidently and stood in front of Baron Potten.
Everyone looked confused.
He smiled unpleasantly and asked,
“What is it?”
Helicia stretched out her hands innocently.
“When I got off the carriage, there were so many stones!”
“Oh, really? That suits you well, Saintess.”
Someone laughed quietly.
Helicia smiled brightly and asked,
“Do you know what happened to them?”
“I wonder?”
What else? They were crushed.
Helicia slowly stepped forward—
and lightly stepped on his little toe.
A small crack sound was heard, but it was covered by the orchestra.
“Ugh.”
Baron Potten couldn’t bear the pain and fell to the ground.
When pain is too strong, people can’t even scream.
Helicia clasped her hands and looked at him.
“I’m sorry. Does it hurt a lot?”
He looked like he was about to cry.
The nobles started whispering.
“What happened?”
“The Saintess must have stepped on his foot by mistake.”
“That happens with people who don’t know etiquette.”
Of course. You said I didn’t know etiquette, so I showed you.
Most people didn’t think much of it.
Instead, they looked down on Baron Potten.
“How embarrassing. Making noise over a child.”
“She’s so small, it shouldn’t hurt that much.”
Soft laughter spread.
No one cared about him.
‘This is why you should live kindly.’
Baron Potten’s face twitched in anger.
Helicia quickly looked toward the door.
‘He should come soon…’
Just then—
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The loud voice echoed through the hall.
Everyone quickly stepped aside.
Helicia blended into the crowd with Lato.
Baron Potten limped away, trembling with anger.
The doors opened.
Emperor Pero entered.
Red hair. Golden eyes. Just like Arpessian.
But his appearance was rough and careless.
He didn’t look like a proper emperor at all.
His steps were wild and dangerous.
‘Compared to him, Arpessian is like a gentle deer.’
Then came the Empress, Libel Estar.
She had long light brown hair and green eyes.
She looked kind, but her expression was cold as she looked around.
But Helicia wasn’t looking at them.
She looked behind them.
The doors closed after Arzen entered.
Arpessian was still not there.
The hall became tense.
Emperor Pero looked around and spoke coldly,
“What is this noise on Arzen’s birthday?”
All eyes turned to Baron Potten.
He couldn’t answer.
He couldn’t say he made noise because a child stepped on his toe.
Silence filled the hall.
The Emperor spoke again,
“So many people, yet no one speaks? Then this banquet will be quiet.”
The atmosphere became terrifying.
Helicia raised her hand.
The Emperor pointed at her.
“A priest should be honest. Saintess, what did you see?”
“I accidentally stepped on Baron Potten’s foot like air, and he fell like this!”
She dramatically dropped to the floor as if collapsing.
