Chapter 223
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 223
‘With this, the Saintess Ceremony is almost over.’
I kept my hands clasped for a moment longer before finally lifting my head.
High atop the Great Hall’s dais, Corico was being helped to her feet by high-ranking priests after finishing a long prayer on her knees.
People were already swarming around her, each one eager to win the new Saintess’s favor.
I wondered just when Corico would realize that she wasn't actually the protagonist here.
In fact, it would be more strange if she didn't have at least a vague inkling about the System windows. A Sacred Relic that looked exactly like Kim Ddong-byul and even bore the name ‘Han Ina’...
Corico, who claimed to be wearing my shell in order to kill me...
If she were merely a character born of this world, there was no way she would have appeared in such a manner.
‘And a Saintess, of all things.’
Technically speaking, this world was no different from a "post-ending" world for her.
Once the Saintess Ceremony concluded, the nobles were free to roam the vast gardens of the Grand Temple. Some headed to the prayer rooms, while others went to make donations.
I, too, found myself surrounded by a crowd of nobles.
“Grand Princess, my sincerest congratulations on your ennoblement.”
“I’d like to place a bulk order with the White Tulip Salon before the New Year’s Banquet. My husband and I agreed to gift the salon’s dyes to our vassals as a reward.”
“Come to think of it, the twins will be graduating from the Academy soon. They’ve always been so devoted to you, Grand Princess...”
‘Looking at it like this, it’s like Corico and I are leading two opposing factions.’
On my side stood the wealthy and high-ranking nobles; on Corico’s side, a circle had formed consisting of those with relatively less power or those who were deeply devout.
The social circle must have been quiet for a while, judging by the palpable excitement buzzing through the crowd.
It made sense. Before Corico’s appearance, it was the villainess, Tulia, who had ruled the social scene.
However, unlike the Tulia in The Milk Bread, I didn't have much interest in high society. The male leads were being tied to me by quests anyway, and the White Tulip Salon provided more than enough spectacle on its own.
Then, a sudden thought occurred to me.
‘Can I choose a man other than the male leads?’
I felt a pang of guilt about once an hour for hurting all the male leads’ feelings, so maybe I should just pick a decent-looking guy as a form of escapism?
No, wait. Now that I have power and a title, should I just take one husband and two paramours?!
“Sister Tulia.”
The surroundings suddenly fell deathly silent.
It wasn't just because Corico had approached. The nobles here were extremely sensitive to the expressions and gazes of others. In other words, the cause of this chill was...
‘What on earth did Corico say to make them glare at me like that?’
It was the icy stares of the nobles lingering around Corico.
The confrontational lines that had been vaguely forming were now officially drawn. In high society, once such factions are established, they never mix until one side collapses. It was an unwritten law.
“Congratulations on your ennoblement as Grand Princess.”
“Thank you. And congratulations to you as well for completing the Saintess Ceremony, Hyacinthia. Or should I say, Corico?”
I watched closely to see how she would react to that name.
The look in her eyes had definitely changed from before. The brown eyes that had once been timid and frightened now held a strange, chilling coldness.
“You said you were the one who came up with that name, right, Sister? I was quite surprised since I hadn't heard anything about it.”
“Names are traditionally given by one's elders. I made the suggestion to Grandfather, and he accepted it immediately. He seemed to like it quite a bit.”
“...”
Corico’s lips pressed into a thin line. A noblewoman standing beside me clapped her hands with an envious expression.
“As expected! His Grace the Grand Duke truly dotes on the Grand Princess!”
“Of course. For the longest time, has there been any ‘grandchild’ who received His Grace’s love other than the Grand Princess?”
Naturally, the expressions of the nobles following Corico soured.
Watching Corico smile while failing to offer a proper rebuttal, I thought to myself:
‘They call her the villainess among villainesses, but...’
Even monsters have a childhood. Having only just appeared, Corico still lacked the social finesse required to effectively attack me in this arena.
“Saintess Corico. It is time for you to enter the Sanctuary of Light.”
“Ah... yes. Then, I shall take my leave, everyone.”
Corico followed the high-ranking priest inside. As she left, a gentleman lingering by her side spoke with a smirk.
“A noble permitted to enter the Sanctuary of Light personally... As expected of the Saintess, she truly is different.”
“Only those permitted by the High Priests may enter the Sanctuary of Light, after all...”
The Sanctuary of Light was the name of the most famous backyard in the Grand Temple.
It was renowned for its haunting beauty and its notoriously strict entry requirements.
The Sanctuary of Light was partitioned off from the temple gardens where the public could roam. It was guarded by priests and enclosed by a low fence.
Unless one was a guest of the High Priest, they wouldn't dare cross that fence—not even the Emperor of the Brillant Empire.
People tend to go wild for things they can't easily see, but...
“Grand Princess Tulia. Why don't you ask Saintess Corico for a favor so you can take a look inside as well?”
It was almost funny to see someone trying to pick a fight with me even in Corico’s absence.
‘He’s one of the nobles who lost his dyeing business to the White Tulip Salon.’
Seeing him try to settle a personal grudge by pretending to take Corico’s side reminded me that being a noble didn't necessarily make one graceful or magnanimous.
‘Besides, I already know what the Sanctuary of Light looks like! I’ve seen it all in the game illustrations!’
But I didn't even get a chance to speak.
“A favor?”
The lady standing next to me snapped back sharply.
“Why should the Grand Princess have to ask for a favor? What is she lacking?”
“Exactly. Furthermore, shouldn't the Saintess have been the one to offer the invitation to the Grand Princess first?”
“They are cousins, yet she shows so little affection...”
“She’s likely just unfamiliar with etiquette yet.”
“She did live as a commoner for quite a long time, didn't she?”
“We, who have never experienced such a life, must be understanding. Don't you agree?”
They were certainly having a field day.
‘...These people must have been incredibly bored with the peaceful state of the social circle.’
Look at them jumping at the chance to tear someone apart.
Regardless, having these "bulldozers" on my side was certainly a good thing. I remained silent, fluttering my fan and tacitly allowing the nobles to continue their bickering.
Naturally, the verbal spat turned bloody.
“Living as a commoner? Why don't you try saying that to the Saintess’s face?”
“And why shouldn't I? What’s wrong with what I said? Are you insulting commoners right now, Sir? Can you truly call yourself a Blue Blood with such an attitude?”
“Ha! There’s a limit to twisting words! I never knew the Countess was so unreasonable!”
“Unreasonable? Did you just call my wife unreasonable?! Huh?!”
“I did! What of it?!”
“This is why you keep getting dumped by women! Tsk, tsk!”
“What did you say?! Count! There are things you should and shouldn't say!”
The sound of the nobles fighting viciously was like white noise to me.
Maintaining a cold, silent expression, I was busy contemplating other things.
For instance, how to strip away the mask of ‘Han Ina’ that Corico was wearing. And when that quest would finally appear.
‘But what if... what if Empress Olivia were still alive and had already completed the Saintess’s verification? Would Corico have tried to kill Empress Olivia too?’
Or were the fanatics already linked to Empress Olivia’s death?
My mother was the Saintess of the Summer Continent, and she was murdered.
Would it have been any different for Empress Olivia?
‘I can't know for sure with the knowledge I have now, though.’
It might just be my own speculation.
Lost in thought, I suddenly realized the noise had stopped.
Did someone actually crack their head open while fighting...?
The moment I lifted my head, my breath hitched.
Startled, I instinctively flinched back before quickly bowing my waist in a hurried greeting.
“Your Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince.”