Chapter 206: Part-Timer for a Day
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 206: Part-Timer for a Day
“May the Goddess’s… blessing be with you.”
Constine’s voice, utterly exhausted, cracked harshly at the end.
“Saintess, you haven’t asked for the believer’s name yet,” the priest standing behind her pointed out reluctantly.
“Ah, right. Your name is?”
“It’s Dahlia.”
A faint tremor ran through Constine’s lips as she forced a smile.
By the time she reached the tenth person, her holy power had completely run dry. She had been barely managing to go through the motions of a blessing.
Constine gritted her teeth and raised her hand.
“May the Goddess’s blessing be with Dahlia.”
Finally, it was over.
Feeling like she wanted to throw the whole concept of blessings out the window, Constine stepped down from the podium.
“As expected, the Saintess is truly remarkable!”
The Grand Duchess, who had been flirting with the Grand Duke, approached with a cloying smile.
“To think you didn’t lose your composure for a single second… I suppose a strong spirit is indeed one of a Saintess’s virtues, isn’t it?”
The Grand Duke met the Grand Duchess’s gaze and answered tenderly.
Disgusted by the unsightly display, Constine lifted her chin.
“The calling and responsibility bestowed upon a Saintess are not things one can avoid. I simply consider it the Goddess’s will and carry out my duties with fortitude.”
At the very least, Constine had maintained her position until now out of a sense of duty.
“In truth, there is nothing one cannot achieve if the will is there.”
At those words, the Grand Duchess spoke in a soft, melodious voice.
“That is a relief. Because there is one more event scheduled.”
“…What did you say?”
“We are planning to hold an outdoor tea party.”
“Ah, is that so?”
For a moment, a curse nearly slipped out.
Constine let out a silent sigh of relief. Finally, it seemed a proper banquet was about to begin.
I can finally sit at a table.
Constine followed the Grand Duchess’s lead and headed outside.
The garden in front of the hotel was filled with numerous round tables covered in white tablecloths. Those who had already received their blessings were already enjoying the festivities outdoors.
As Constine emerged into the height of the atmosphere, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause.
“The Saintess is here!”
Someone even let out a whistle.
While she was certainly pleased to be welcomed, the cheers felt somewhat… frivolous for a Saintess. It wasn't exactly the reverence or adoration she expected. It was more like the cheers one would give an actor or a musician who had livened up the mood.
However, Constine was currently in no state of mind to discern such subtleties.
Scanning the area, she noticed the head table was empty. She was naturally making her way toward it when—
“Wait a moment, Saintess.”
The Grand Duchess stopped, took something from a staff member, and approached Constine.
Then, without warning, she pulled Constine into an embrace.
The Grand Duchess wrapped something around Constine’s waist, tied it securely, and then stepped back.
Constine looked down. A tacky, floral-patterned apron was tied around her waist.
“What… is this?”
Instead of answering, the Grand Duchess pointed to a stand set up nearby. A large notice was hanging in front of the counter.
*
[Outdoor Tea Party Commemorating the Opening of Blois Hotel]
A chance to enjoy unlimited snacks paired with 30 varieties of fruit wine from Porcelain Village!
To celebrate the hotel’s opening, the Saintess will serve as a staff member for the day. Do not miss this chance to taste holy refreshments!
*
You want me to act as a shop clerk?
“Everyone! From this moment on, the Saintess will personally take your snack orders at the counter!”
The people seated at the tables all began to clap excitedly.
“We have plenty of refreshments prepared, so please come and order as many times as you like!”
“Wooooo!”
Constine wanted to rip off the ridiculous apron and hurl it at the Grand Duchess’s face right then and there.
But if she gave up now, even the blessing ceremony she had just performed would become meaningless. Moreover, the crowd was so excited that the atmosphere made it impossible to refuse.
In the end, Constine found herself standing behind the counter before she knew it.
The Grand Duchess pointed to the bewildered priests standing nearby.
“Surely the priests will join in as well, won’t they?”
If the Saintess was doing it, the priests couldn't very well just stand there and watch. Ultimately, the priests were also forced to don aprons.
“Saintess, you can take orders by looking at the menu here.”
A hotel staff member standing beside her gave instructions with a bright, innocent face.
Scones, cookies, puddings, jellies… why are there so many kinds?
The menu was packed with all sorts of desserts, categorized by type and flavor.
As if they had been waiting for this, people lined up in front of Constine once again.
“Saintess! I’ll have a strawberry scone, please.”
“A-A strawberry scone. Here you go.”
“Thank you! I’ve never eaten such a holy scone before, hahaha!”
“I’ll have the almond cookies and the chocolate chip cookies, please.”
“Almond… chocolate chip cookies.”
“Saintess, do you know my name?”
“You gave me a blessing earlier.”
“Oh, my, I’m Selina. You must remember me next time, okay?”
“Saintess, which dessert would go well with cherry wine?”
“…I wouldn’t know such things.”
“Then please recommend your personal favorite.”
She was already drained.
As she handed over a pudding, Constine glanced toward the garden. She saw the Grand Duchess moving between tables, laughing and chatting with the guests.
I should be the one standing over there!
They said the tea party was a free event, and it truly seemed like everyone in Blenheim—from nobles to commoners to hotel workers—had flocked there.
Perhaps the rumors had spread further, because instead of shrinking, the line in front of the counter only seemed to grow longer.
“My goodness! To think I’d meet the Saintess in my lifetime! It’s such an honor.”
“What can I get for you?”
“I’m not sure what to eat. More than that, I really wanted to talk to you! I’m getting married soon; could you perhaps offer a short prayer for me?”
Constine looked back at the display.
Cookies, scones, puddings—all sorts of snacks were piled high. To make matters worse, staff members were constantly bringing out trays of freshly baked, warm treats from inside the hotel.
It didn't look like they would run out of food and end early.
Constine gritted her teeth and resumed attending to the customers.
Finally, the line came to an end.
Constine had never performed such intense manual labor in her life—at least, not since becoming a Saintess. Her hands and legs were trembling uncontrollably, independent of her will. Even the smell of sweets made her feel nauseous.
“These cookies are so delicious, perhaps because the Saintess gave them to me!” someone shouted as Constine stepped away from the counter and passed the tables.
The people were already in the middle of enjoying the banquet amongst themselves.
But it wasn't a total waste of time, Constine comforted herself.
A Saintess who blessed hundreds of residents and handed out bread in the North.
Judging by the passionate response of the people, Constine was bound to be the talk of Blenheim for a while.
The High Priest should be satisfied with this much.
However, she couldn't let herself be remembered as someone who handed out snacks in an apron. She had to finish the event with an elegant speech.
Before she knew it, a beautifully lit stage had been set up at the very front.
It was likely a stage for the Saintess. Since it was technically a welcoming ceremony for her, it seemed the Grand Duchess had at least maintained some semblance of decorum.
If I just nail the speech, my mission is complete.
Just as Constine was about to rip off the apron—
“Eek! Is that Antonel over there?”
The startled screams of noblewomen echoed through the outdoor garden.
Antonel?
She had heard the name of an actor who had recently gained fame in the opera scene.
An opera singer is here?
As Antonel walked between the tables, the noblewomen sprang to their feet, desperate to even catch a glimpse or touch him.
“Everyone, please maintain order.”
A familiar face followed behind him.
What is this now?
It’s Countess Asellino.
“Please refrain from any behavior that might inconvenience the actor. If everyone sits down, everyone will be able to see him clearly.”
The ladies who had been approaching Antonel were firmly stopped by the Countess and eventually sat back down.
Soon, Antonel, dressed in a dashing dark navy suit, stepped onto the stage.
“Greetings! I am the actor Antonel.”
“Master Antonel! Welcome!”
A roar of cheers, incomparable to the one Constine had received, filled the air.
“My word, how did Master Antonel get here?”
“I know, right? He must be incredibly busy these days.”
“I am here today to celebrate the opening of the Blois Hotel. First, I shall dedicate a song to all of you!”
Antonel began to sing in a sweet, melodious voice.
“It’s so wonderful.”
“Truly, how can a voice be so charming?”
Constine clenched her trembling fists tight.
What on earth was going on?
You call me here, work me like a dog for hours, and then bring in an opera singer at the most important moment?
The Grand Duchess and Countess Asellino, seated at the table closest to the stage, were listening to Antonel’s song.
There wasn't even anyone to guide Constine.
It was as if everyone had completely forgotten the Saintess even existed.