Chapter 232: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (25)
Chapter 232: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (25)
The Saintess had been in a foul mood for some time now.
The reason was simple.
An annoying woman had latched onto the side of the man she loved.
Elsie Lainella—the notorious 'Little Villain' of the Academy’s senior class.
She was someone originally famous for her cruel methods. The Saintess knew this well, having personally treated several students who had fallen victim to Elsie’s whims.
She understood exactly why such excessive violence was so terrifying.
The students Elsie targeted would, without exception, refuse to testify. They knew all too well what would happen to them if they even dared to think of retaliation.
Elsie was cunning.
She never committed a crime so heinous that even the prestige of the Lainella family couldn't cover it up. Her targets were primarily lower nobles and commoners.
It meant she was calculated, choosing only to torment the weak.
Naturally, to the Saintess, who grew up as an orphan, her perception of Elsie was the absolute worst.
Is she not a cruel and despicable woman?
One had to acknowledge her appearance, at least. She was a girl as cute and lovely as they came. However, her inner self was more than deserving of the moniker 'Villain.'
And yet, that very woman had been defeated by a single man.
Since that day, the girl had submitted to him. At first, she wore an expression of utter humiliation, but before long, she had turned into a submissive pet.
Then, the attitude she showed toward the man shifted once again recently.
The way she clung to his arm, looking up at his face with those vacant, sweet eyes...
There was no way the Saintess wouldn't recognize it.
After all, the Saintess often made that same expression herself.
A small crack appeared in the Saintess’s usually benevolent smile. She bit her lip slightly to hide it.
Seated beside her was a noblewoman of exceptional beauty.
She looked young enough to be mistaken for the Saintess’s sister. The mistress of the house, known as 'Lady Percus,' wore a worried expression.
As a devout believer in the Heavenly God Religion, she showed a great deal of interest in the Saintess.
It was similar to how Viscount Percus paid special attention to Elsie, and Aaron to Seria. However, the nature of Lady Percus’s interest in the Saintess was slightly different.
Elsie and Seria were being scrutinized as Ian’s prospective brides.
Viscount Percus had already heard the Lainella family’s stance from Reynold. One way or another, he couldn't help but pay attention to Elsie, who might become his daughter-in-law.
Furthermore, the prestige of the Lainella family, who would be their in-laws, was higher than that of the Percus family, making it even more significant.
Seria, meanwhile, was earning a lot of trust from the stoic Aaron. True to his heavy personality, Aaron valued loyalty, and Seria’s single-minded devotion seemed to have won him over.
Or perhaps it was just two socially awkward people finding a sense of shared sympathy.
On the other hand, Lady Percus’s interest in the Saintess was primarily related to faith.
It was difficult to meet a proper member of the clergy in a rural estate. So, when a high-ranking cleric like the Saintess visited, it was only natural for a believer to show interest.
In fact, Lady Percus had a different person in mind as her preferred choice for Ian’s bride.
"…Saintess, do you really think Ian can get along well with the Lainella family?"
At that sigh-laden question, the Saintess flinched.
She was already annoyed by Elsie clinging to Ian. To make matters worse, Ian had been far too soft on Elsie lately.
She had heard that Elsie had called Ian 'Master' in front of dozens of people, and the change had started from that point.
The Saintess particularly disliked that fact.
He didn't even care when I was the one who actually touched his body.
Feeling a bit petulant, she replied in a carefully leveled tone.
"That, too, will depend on Brother Ian. The Heavenly God grants righteous trials to the righteous. What matters is having roots strong enough to withstand the wind. Whether it be faith, or a sense of justice… Immanuel."
In her heart, she wanted to pour out all sorts of slander against the Lainella family.
She wanted to say that a son-in-law from a minor family might face discrimination, or that he might be sent only to dangerous and difficult positions.
But right now, Lady Percus was seeking advice from a member of the clergy.
She could not distort the will of God by injecting her personal feelings. This was the Saintess’s conviction as a priestess.
Even so, it didn't stop her heart from feeling bitter.
Whether by luck or misfortune, Lady Percus’s anxiety didn't completely vanish despite the Saintess’s advice.
"Every time I hear news of my son lately, my heart feels like it's going to drop. Fiends, the Dark Cult… how could our fragile Ian possibly defeat such horrible monsters?"
He was defeating them just fine, though.
The Saintess felt the urge to retort immediately.
It hadn't been that long since she saw Ian taking down dozens of demonic beasts with a single axe. During the Homecoming Festival, as he cut down the beasts without leaving a single one behind, he was the brightest star on the battlefield.
The corners of her smiling mouth almost wavered, but the Saintess managed to control her emotions once more. She simply listened to Lady Percus’s continuing lament.
"Actually, you don't necessarily have to be famous to be happy. I'm worried because it feels like Ian is getting involved in things that are far too dangerous… I thought he’d just graduate from the Academy quietly, marry Celine, and live a sweet, happy life together……."
As she spoke, Lady Percus looked toward a certain girl with affection.
The girl, who was giggling and chatting with the people from Ian’s hometown, was 'Celine Haster.'
She had maintained a connection with Ian’s family for a long time and was very sociable, making her quite popular at today’s banquet. Reto, sitting beside her, was the same.
The fact that they were less intimidating than high-ranking nobles like Elsie or Seria, or the highest-ranking official of the Holy Kingdom like the Saintess, also played a part.
There are just too many rivals.
Even if she excluded Seria, who was too timid to speak her mind, Celine—who had the support of the family—was a somewhat threatening opponent.
And Elsie, for whom a marriage between families was already being pushed, went without saying.
The Saintess felt like her insides were parching.
So, without thinking, she accepted the drink Lady Percus poured for her.
Lady Percus realized a moment too late and her eyes went wide in surprise.
"Oh! I-I’m so sorry… To pour a drink for a member of the clergy……."
Generally, the clergy of the Heavenly God Religion did not drink. It was common knowledge that offering alcohol to a priest, even by mistake, was a grave discourtesy.
To offer a drink to the Saintess, who was a guest, no less.
What a massive rudeness this was.
It didn't take long for Lady Percus’s face to turn pale. Fearing she might have hindered her son’s future, she began to fidget restlessly.
It was then that the Saintess snapped back to her senses.
Seeing Lady Percus about to bow her head in apology, the Saintess hurriedly shook her head.
"A-Ah, no! There’s no need to apologize. Actually, drinking isn't strictly forbidden for the clergy… I-If it’s just to get into the spirit of things!"
Then, as if to prove it, the Saintess downed the drink in one go.
Lady Percus still looked a bit dazed, but soon let out a small laugh.
She had felt a sense of human warmth from the flustered Saintess.
The Saintess felt a burning sensation sliding down her throat that almost brought tears to her eyes.
Nevertheless, she couldn't bring herself to refuse the drinks Lady Percus offered, and after several glasses...
With a face flushed and loose from the alcohol, the Saintess blurted out her concern.
"……Are men only interested in a woman’s body?"
It was a sudden, out-of-the-blue question.
But drinking sessions often allowed even contextless questions to slide. Lady Percus, who was also sporting a rosy glow from the alcohol, took a quick glance at the Saintess’s figure.
Even to another woman, her curves were admirable.
It was obvious what a man would think. So, Lady Percus spoke without much thought.
"That could be the case. Your body is just so, well… you know? But I’m sure many women would be envious of you, Saintess."
"……Envious?"
"Yes. If there’s a man you like, you could just go to him that night and firmly……."
As she continued her playful remark, Lady Percus suddenly realized who she was talking to.
Her face instantly went pale.
She cleared her throat several times, trying to change the atmosphere.
"……F-Firmly go and express your feelings~?"
Lady Percus’s voice, as she feigned innocence and tried to fix her slip, was incredibly awkward.
Normally, the Saintess wouldn't have failed to notice this, but unfortunately, she was very drunk right now.
Of course, this was a state shared by the majority of the people at the banquet.
So, even when the Saintess secretly slipped out of the banquet hall, few people noticed. At most, Yuren glanced her way, but he only offered a meaningful smile.
He could guess roughly where the Saintess was headed.
And so, the Saintess ended up raiding Ian’s bedroom.