🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 10
Did I really need to correct them when the favorability was already overflowing without any effort on my part?
“Thank you for seeing me in such a good light.”
“I merely described what I saw.”
‘When he was an enemy, he only annoyed me. But now… he’s like a puppy that follows me around. Not as bad as I expected.’
Since things had turned this way, I decided I might as well use the opportunity.
“Still, I’m a little worried. Will people truly accept that someone without divine power is being considered a Saintess candidate? I was thinking of seeking the opinions of the other cardinals. What do you think, Sir Leandros?”
I had meant to continue, to ask if he could arrange such a meeting for me—
“Pardon? You, without divine power? That’s impossible.”
Another completely unexpected answer.
“I think you may be mistaken. At the divine power examination, I was judged to have none.”
That ceremony was a unique tradition of the Imperial Capital—every child, regardless of status, underwent it at the age of ten. That was when I had been declared to possess no divine power whatsoever.
Leandros, however, only looked puzzled.
“That was also my understanding. But at the banquet, I sensed a clear aura about you—different from before. Even now, I can feel it. That’s the mark of someone with strong divine power.”
And then, cautiously, he made a suggestion.
“Perhaps your divine power has awakened. Would you consider undergoing the test again with me?”
His unwavering conviction made me hesitate. Thinking it over, there was only one possibility.
‘Could it be because of the relic?’
Since I carried it on my person, perhaps it had awakened some kind of divine force.
“I swear I’ve never possessed divine power before. But… maybe it has something to do with the situation I’m in now.”
Leandros tilted his head but did not press further.
“In any case, if you do have divine power, then you lack nothing in qualification. All that remains is winning the people’s support.”
“And the people will surely come to recognize your true self and rally behind you.”
“Even so, I’d like to hear the opinions of those with broader perspectives. Could you help me?”
“Of course. I’ll arrange it.”
He gave exactly the answer I’d hoped for, and I smiled warmly.
“I may not yet be fully settled in the temple, but knowing I’m closer to finding a way to protect you makes me glad. Thank you for your efforts on my behalf.”
“It’s nothing. Please, don’t hesitate to ask me anything.”
“Then… may I ask one more thing?”
He nodded without hesitation.
“Please, call me by my name.”
“What?”
“‘Lady’ is too formal. Anyone could be addressed that way. It feels stiff.”
“But… still…”
He, who just moments ago had answered so boldly, suddenly faltered.
“We’re companions bound by fate, aren’t we? Fellow travelers on the same ship—and perhaps something more. Don’t you think such a relationship deserves more than the same title everyone else uses?”
“S-Something more?”
His pale face flushed with color. I knew he was inexperienced with women, but this was almost too much.
“I only mean this: I want us to be true friends. Friends who can share joy, sorrow, even the things too difficult to tell others.”
“…That is what it means to be friends?”
“Is it not?”
He paused, thinking, before shaking his head.
“I’ve never had friends before, but hearing your words, I understand. Yes, that must be what friendship is.”
“Right?”
“Indeed. But I don’t think we’re merely friends. As you said, Grace, we’re bound together by fate.”
For someone so flustered, he spoke my name with surprising ease, as though he had practiced it many times already.
“So, I’d like us to be special friends. Only then can we act even more for each other’s sake, don’t you agree?”
‘Was Leandros always like this?’
Things were proceeding so smoothly that it almost felt suspicious.
“Besides, it will give me greater motivation to protect you, Grace.”
‘That’s exactly how a man speaks when confessing to a woman he likes…’
I quickly dismissed the thought. No matter how beautiful or charming I might be, this was Leandros.
A man who valued inner virtue far above outward appearance. The idea that he could look at me that way was absurd.
‘It’s guilt. That’s all.’
Ordinary friends didn’t usually exchange such words, but then again, neither of us had ever had true friends. There was no other explanation.
Still, since the mood was good and his favorability was high, I nodded readily.
“I’d like that. Special friends.”
“Then you must also call me by name.”
“We’ll be seeing each other often. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of chances to use it.”
He looked visibly disappointed at my deferral.
“By the way, aren’t you supposed to visit the orphanage children today?”
At my question, his eyes widened in sudden recollection.
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
I was just thinking I should let him go now that I’d gotten what I wanted when—
“If it’s not inconvenient… would you care to join me?”
“…Me?”
“It’s not a formal event. Just spending time with the children. If you truly become Saintess, you’ll see them often, so I thought it might be good to meet them in advance. If you’re busy, we can arrange another time.”
Apparently, my “friend” remark had worked wonders. For him to be the one suggesting shared plans—
‘Well, considering my future activities, it would be wise to show my face to the temple often.’
I nodded with a smile.
“I’d like that. Shall we go together?”
The temple orphanage was not far, and soon we arrived to find the children waiting.
But the moment I set foot inside, a single regret surfaced.
‘Why did I agree to this so easily?’
“Wow, big sister, you’re so pretty!”
“Your hair is like the night sky!”
“Look, this flower is just like you!”
“Come play with us!”
“Hide-and-seek! Tag!”
The children swarmed around me, and I had to force my lips into a smile to keep from betraying my unease.
They were only excited to see a new face, eager to play. But—
‘This is overwhelming…’
I’d never had children crowd so close to me before. The novelty mingled with a desperate urge to cover my ears from their shrill laughter.
Meanwhile, poor Mila, who had already been here, was completely forgotten.
“Children, don’t bother the lady. Come here—we were going to read together, remember?”
She tried to intervene, but—
“No! We want to play with the new sister!”
“We’ll play with you later!”
“Let’s play tag!”
Her efforts failed utterly.
I felt sorry for her, but the children’s high voices were both uplifting and headache-inducing at once.
Glancing toward Leandros for help, I found him watching us warmly.
“They say children can see the truth of a person. It seems that’s true after all.”
His affectionate gaze made it impossible to excuse myself.
‘So much for just showing my face and leaving.’
And of course, he wouldn’t let me slip away so easily. He knew me too well.
When the children wouldn’t stop clinging to me, Leandros stepped in.
“Grace is wearing shoes that make it hard to run. Why don’t we play hide-and-seek instead?”
“Yay!”
Their eyes sparkled with excitement.
‘A game? Really?’
The thought of lowering myself to such childish play irked me, but the sight of their hopeful faces—and Leandros smiling so happily—forced me to swallow my protests.
“Sir Leandros will be ‘it!’”
At their suggestion, he willingly complied.
“Very well. I’ll count to sixty.”
He pressed his hands to a tree and shut his eyes, beginning to count slowly. The children squealed with delight and scattered in every direction.
“Big sister, you have to hide too!”
One child tugged at my sleeve when I hesitated.
