Saintess (10)

There was still plenty of time left until evening, yet I had no strength remaining. Hunting through the books had been exhausting and tedious enough on its own, but the side effects of Mana Sight had been far worse. The strain had drained my mental energy so thoroughly that all I wanted was to rest.

“Ah, I want something sweet.”

Was it because I had overworked my brain? The craving for sugar hit me hard.

“I’ll inform them to prepare some.”

“Th-that’s not what I meant.”

I truly hadn’t ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠intended anything of the sort… I had simply forgotten that I needed to watch my words carefully in this place.

“Not at all. You’ve worked hard today, so you ought to enjoy something delicious.”

Sister Mary! Please let me refuse! In the end she seized me and marched me straight to the dining hall, where I found myself eating a sweet cake.

Its appearance was a little rough around the edges, but the taste was excellent.

“Do the cooks here make cakes as well?”

“Only because a special guest has arrived.”

“A noble, then.”

When Maximilian said so, Sister Mary nodded at once. She went on to explain that desserts were rarely served except on special occasions.

While we ate cake together, my sister asked why, and Sister Mary answered with a smile.

“Desserts require a great many expensive ingredients.”

Well, sugar was a luxury item… Compared to salt, which was relatively easy to obtain, or spices that could be found with a little effort, sugar was costly.

Sister Mary added that cooks who sometimes tried to curry favor with the sisters might bake simple sweets, but proper tea cakes almost never appeared unless guests were present.

“I truly cannot understand why nobles demand so many sweets for their tea times.”

Maximilian’s mouth twitched as though the remark had struck a nerve.

“Who knows…”

I simply focused on eating my cake. The sugar really did lift my spirits.

After a solid snack, Sister Mary guided us on a tour of the temple. I worried we might run into nobles, but what were the odds?

“Just being in the chapel makes me feel calm…”

It had been the same when I visited the temple in the barony. The moment I entered a chapel, my heart grew warm and peaceful. It felt almost like being held in a mother’s arms. Perhaps it was the Goddess’s grace?

I prayed quietly in a corner of the chapel.

Goddess, I’ll keep working hard from now on… so please give me a chance to become a man again!

Once I finished praying I returned to my room and ate the dinner Sister Mary had brought.

After the meal I decided to rest early, even though the hour was still young.

“You’re going to sleep already?”

My sister asked with concern, probably because I had lain down right after eating.

“Yeah. I used my head so much today that I’m exhausted.”

“Still, you shouldn’t lie down right after a meal.”

“I know.”

In that case, maybe some light stretching?

Considering my age I was still in my growth period. Honestly, even as a girl my height was far too short. I would do exercises that stimulated the growth plates and try to grow even a little taller!

My sister and I did some gentle gymnastics together. Hoping my body would stretch out, I earnestly extended my arms and legs.

“Whew, exercise really does make sleep come easier.”

“Mm.”

I had done a fair amount of work today… time for a good night’s rest.

The next morning I headed to the library first thing. I had discovered the Mana Sight spell, but it was not a magic I could put to practical use. I decided not to cling to a failed spell. Still, there might be other magic waiting to be found, right? Someday I would have to leave this place, so I needed to search as thoroughly as possible while I was here.

“The library’s empty.”

“Everyone is busy preparing for the exchange gathering today.”

Ah… so that was it. Since it had nothing to do with me, I would ignore it and focus on my own work.

“You’re here early again today.”

Maximilian had also come to the library first thing in the morning.

“Young Master? Why not rest comfortably instead of coming here?”

“Haha, I have nothing else to do anyway.”

That was fair enough. Searching alone was slower than two people, and two were slower than three…

“What will you look for today?”

“Have you ever heard of magic that can appraise objects?”

“Does such magic exist?”

Even a noble like Maximilian had never heard of it… so it probably did not exist.

“In that case…”

Just like yesterday, I asked them to bring comprehensive magic tomes and books related to attributes.

“I’ll be imposing on both of you again today.”

Sister Mary and Maximilian told me not to worry and to leave it to them. I also wandered about diligently searching for books.

Whenever a promising volume caught my eye on a shelf I pulled it out, skimmed it, and if it was not what I needed I put it back. As time passed my sister eventually arrived as well.

“You’re here, Sis?”

“Yeah. Yuli, you’re so mean for leaving me behind.”

“Hey, that’s because you couldn’t get up this morning.”

Of course I had not woken her. She had worked hard yesterday, so I had simply let her sleep in.

“You didn’t wake me, and you didn’t even eat breakfast with me.”

My sister puffed out her cheeks in full indignation.

“You need to learn to get up on your own.”

“Muuu…”

She inflated her cheeks even further to show her displeasure.

“I’m still not going to wake you. You have to get into the habit of rising by yourself.”

I would not always be able to wake her forever.

“Fine.”

With my sister joining the search we continued looking, yet by lunchtime we still had no major finds.

“Ugh, it’s really hard to find anything.”

“Haha, staring at books for so long has made my eyes ache.”

Maximilian pressed the bridge of his nose between his eyes, clearly feeling the strain. My sister, unused to this sort of work, had already retired to a chair. Only Sister Mary, accustomed to such tasks, remained perfectly fine.

“Let’s go eat lunch.”

We stepped out briefly for the meal. This time, to avoid imposing on anyone, we ate quietly in a suitable spot.

“It tastes even better because it’s free.”

I laughed as I ate the meat served for lunch.

“Mm.”

“If you say it was delicious, the cooks will be delighted.”

Would they? If the chance arose, stopping by the kitchen to thank them might be nice.

After finishing lunch we returned to the library. They had said everyone was busy with the exchange gathering, and just like yesterday the place was empty of people.

I was about to head inside when a priest at the entrance stopped me.

“You are the Saintess, are you not?”

“Ah, yes.”

“If I might have a moment of your time…”

He called me over quietly. Since he said it would only take a moment… When we reached the desk he held out a neatly folded sheet of paper.

“His Eminence the Cardinal asked me to deliver this.”

“I’ve received it.”

I quietly tucked the paper away and moved to a corner seat.

“What is it?”

Both Maximilian ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and Sister Mary looked curious about the contents.

“Let’s see.”

When I unfolded the paper, the results of yesterday’s meeting were written there.

“So they combined magic and Holy Magic into one category.”

“These are the results of yesterday’s meeting, then.”

“Yes. Now that it’s decided, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the matter has truly left my hands.”

I had no idea how large the project would grow… but it had genuinely left my hands. I refolded the paper and set it casually on the desk.

“Shall we go look for books again?”

Everyone scattered to resume the search.

I headed deeper into the library.

“It’s quite dark.”

No sunlight reached the inner stacks, making the titles hard to read. I cast a light spell to create a source of illumination, and the letters became clear.

I had just discovered an interesting book and begun reading when someone approached.

“You’re here again today.”

When I turned my head, hair like living flame greeted me. He was so tall I had to tilt my head far back just to see his face.

I glanced at him, then casually looked away and pretended nothing had happened.

“Haha, are you feeling shy?”

I ignored him, pretending not to hear.

“Excuse me?”

Apparently offended, he clung persistently. Ignoring him had not been the best approach after all…

I snapped the book shut and faced him.

“What business do you have?”

“Must I have business?”

He was smiling, yet the expression felt ominous. My earlier snub had clearly soured his mood.

“So why are you sticking to me so tenaciously?”

When I pressed him, the corner of his mouth curled upward.

“Because I’ve taken a liking to you.”

The blunt words froze me for a moment. They were so direct that no interpretation was needed.

“Wh-what did you say?”

“I said I’ve taken a liking to you.”

The instant his eyes raked me from head to toe, goosebumps rose on my skin.

“I’ve never seen your face before. Where are you from?”

“Do you need to know?”

“I want to know about you.”

How could I escape this place? My mind raced. The best outcome would be for my sister or Sister Mary to appear… Had I made a mistake coming so far inside?

Then a brilliant idea struck me.

The only thing lighting this dark corner was my light spell. If I dispelled it, the area would plunge into darkness for a moment. I could slip away in that gap!

I shifted slightly and slid the book back onto the shelf.

“I don’t even know who you are.”

“Oh my, I haven’t introduced myself, have I?”

I glared at him.

“My name is Daniel.”

He bowed with elegant grace.

Now! I closed my eyes and flared the light intensely, attacking his vision. Then I dispelled the magic and darted past him. Success! All I had to do was run—!

Just as I thought that, someone seized my arm.

“Attacking my eyes out of nowhere is rather harsh, don’t you think?”

He rubbed his eyes as though they still hurt and yanked my arm.

“Ugh.”

The priest who had introduced himself as Daniel was as strong as his bulk suggested. I could not resist and was dragged helplessly along.

“Ah—ow!”

The difference in height was so great that when he lifted my arm I dangled in midair. I tried every trick I knew to free myself, but nothing worked.

Damn it… In a fair fight I was confident I would not lose, but this—this was impossible.

“What did I do wrong that you would go so far? Do you dislike me that much?”

His expression was furious as he pressed me. Maybe I should have just spoken instead… Attacking without warning had been a mistake after all…

The situation was so mortifying that tears threatened to spill.

I clamped my mouth shut and held them back.

“Miss Julian?”

A voice of salvation came from behind me. It was Young Master Maximilian. The moment I turned my head he was already there, moving like a gale, and he rescued me. His speed was so great I could not even follow how he had moved.

“Are you all right?”

I was now held in his arms in a full princess carry. I could not even scold the person who had just saved me for holding me in such an embarrassing posture.

“P-put me down!”

Flustered, I shouted at him, and he set me down gently. Once my feet were on the floor I worried about the cardinal’s son Maximilian had just sent flying.

“I-is he going to be okay?”

“I wanted to kill him, but I didn’t.”

No, no matter what, you cannot just casually kill people!

“Y-you! Do you know who my father is?!”

Priest Daniel tried to rise, but he could not properly control his body.

“You took a hit to the jaw, so you’ll have trouble standing for a while. It would be best if you simply stayed lying there quietly.”

Maximilian’s voice was ice-cold.

“Let us leave.”

The right wrist Daniel had gripped still ached. I answered while trying to hide it.

“Yes…”

For now I would follow the words of the young master who had saved me. I had no idea how he had appeared at such perfect timing, but I was profoundly grateful.

“Damn it, just you wait! I won’t let this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠go!”

Maximilian gently pushed me forward, shielding me with his body.

“The one who will regret this later is you.”

I wanted to add a word of my own, but Maximilian quickly stopped me.

“It’s fine. You can simply ignore the likes of him.”

I did not know why the thought came to me, but today Maximilian’s handsome face seemed to shine even more brightly than usual.

Priest Daniel, was it? I felt a little sorry for him… but I would have to report this matter directly to the cardinal.

When we reached the desk where Sister Mary and my sister waited, my racing heart finally began to calm.

Maximilian said nothing to the others about what had happened with Priest Daniel. Had he noticed how embarrassed I was?

I had not wanted to cause unnecessary worry, so that was for the best.

Just recalling the earlier incident still made my heart pound.

Damn it, I never expected the difference in strength to be that great… I was so flustered I never even thought of reinforcing my body with Holy Power.

Sitting at the desk and thinking it over carefully, I realized there had been an easy solution all along.

There was no one else around. Why didn’t I just reveal my identity? I could have resolved it so easily!

To only think of it now!

I really, truly had been an idiot.