[The Saintess Realizes - 13]
[The Saintess Realizes - 13]
"Sister!"
Ellyn was the first to run out and welcome the Saintess-nim.
Panting as she approached, her appearance was childish, and it seemed she had no intention of hiding her desire to get along with her sister, no matter what anyone said.
I couldn't help but think that if the Saintess-nim had paid just a little more attention to Ellyn, they might have had a better sisterly relationship.
"I, I'm sorry. Because of me, Sister had to go through something like a kidnapping."
Since the kidnapping was practically aimed at Ellyn, it was understandable that Ellyn would feel that way.
"Don't worry about it, Ellyn. It ended like this because it was me. If it had been you, you might have really died. In that sense, this is a happy ending. There's no need to be sorry."
"......."
I was momentarily surprised and looked at the Saintess-nim.
I looked at her thinking, You knew how to say something like that? but the Saintess-nim was wearing a beautiful smile.
It was a smile so beautiful that one might truly mistake her for a 'Saintess'.
If I had been someone seeing the Saintess-nim for the first time right now, I might have been fooled by that perfect smile.
No.
Hmm.
Is she copying my smile right now?
I thought it was a smile I had seen somewhere before, but it seemed she had absorbed the formal smile I use for social life, modified it in her own way, and was using it even better than I was.
'Well, in any case, the Saintess-nim's words aren't wrong.'
Because it was the Saintess-nim, she could treat herself immediately after being hit like that, and if it had been Ellyn, she might have died in the worst-case scenario.
Or not.
I also thought that since Ellyn isn't the Saintess-nim, she probably wouldn't have said things to provoke the kidnappers while being kidnapped.
Then, it seemed like the situation where she would get hit wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Well, anyway, the Saintess-nim was safe and Ellyn was safe, so I decided to let it slide, thinking all's well that ends well.
Although she had treated herself, the bloodstains left on her clothes hadn't disappeared, so anyone who wasn't a fool could easily predict that she had been injured.
"Now that I think of it, Ellyn."
"Y, yes?"
"Thank you for sending me letters every year. To you, I am still your sister. I was able to know that."
"......Si, Sister."
No.
Who are you?
While holding Ellyn, who had thrown herself into her arms, the Saintess-nim looked at me for a moment.
That look, smiling slightly so only I could see, seemed to contain a sense of superiority, as if to say, 'See, I can do it if I have to.'
'What kind of wind blew into her?'
No matter how much I spoke, she rarely moved according to my words.
That was why I had tried to improve her methods starting from the 'unconscious parts'.
I had decided to educate her based on years, not days, and intended to do it slowly until the day she became an adult.
For example, accepting greetings from nuns of a lower rank than her, or not attacking people just because she felt annoyed—I had tried to get her to fix even the unconscious parts, starting from the low-difficulty areas.
The current appearance of the Saintess-nim was the appearance I had hoped she would eventually have, but I had thought that was a matter for the distant future.
I thought it would be a story for at least a few years later, but since she suddenly changed her attitude, smiled as if she were living a social life, and acted accordingly, I couldn't help but be flustered.
The Saintess-nim was stroking Ellyn's hair, smiling as if satisfied with my flustered face.
"Sir Adrian."
"You don't need to add 'Sir'. It is true that I have made a name for myself in war, but I am just a holy knight, after all."
"Thank you for saving my daughter."
"It is nothing."
"We will take responsibility for everything that happens due to this incident."
If this matter were to become public, the Frendisiv Family would naturally have to take responsibility.
After all, it wasn't just anyone; it was the Saintess-nim.
Since an incident occurred where that Saintess-nim was almost kidnapped, it wouldn't be easy to just let it slide.
In the worst case, they could receive a rather heavy punishment, so it was necessary to clarify where the responsibility lay.
"There is no need for that."
"Anastasia."
"I just got caught because I arrogantly overestimated my own power. The Frendisiv Family is not at fault, okay? Ed?"
"......I will report it as such. In any case, since that is the Saintess-nim's will, you will not have to bear a heavy burden even if a punishment is handed down."
"Thank you. ......Anastasia."
"Father."
"Hearing 'Father' from your lips feels awkward for some reason."
It felt like we had just met, but I didn't bother to point it out.
"That's because the time we spent together is short. I went to the Cathedral when I was 5, and we haven't even met since then."
"......."
It seemed like his ears hurt.
The Saintess-nim was probably just listing facts, but from the perspective of a parent, it could be interpreted as, 'It's awkward because you didn't even come to see me after I was 5.'
And generally speaking, hearing it that way wasn't such a wrong interpretation.
"Still, thank you for letting Ellyn send me letters every year."
"......I was afraid of you."
"I know."
"Because it seemed like you didn't even view us as the same kind of people, let alone family."
"......."
It looked like her mask was about to crack for a moment.
It seemed it was the truth.
If I were to say it was similar to when I first met her, the Saintess-nim probably wouldn't have given her family special treatment back then either.
Other than the knowledge that 'blood is connected', there was nothing else, and since it was childhood where social common sense hadn't been established, it was highly likely she acted even more recklessly.
If there was one fortunate thing, it was that she probably had almost no means of attack at that time, so she wouldn't have resorted to violent means.
"I am sorry."
"I'm sorry."
After a moment of silence, the Saintess-nim said.
"Every year, I will come on your birthday. Since I am a Saintess, I cannot move around too freely. I won't stop you if you come there, though."
"......."
Franz had an expression as if he were about to shed a few tears, moved by the Saintess-nim's words. And it was no different for her mother, Emily.
Her younger sister, Ellyn, also looked very happy, as if she thought the family had finally reconciled.
No, not only them, but some of the servants watching from behind were also moved, and some were even shedding tears.
The family relationship, which hadn't crossed the line yet, was restored like this. At least, it must have looked that way on the surface.
"Hmm, I treated myself, but there are some wounds....... I'll celebrate your birthday properly tomorrow. Ellyn."
"Yes, go and rest. Sir Adrian. I leave her to you."
He says 'Sir' isn't necessary, but it seems he really must attach it.
I can't refuse once out of courtesy, but from the second time on, it could be considered rude, so I didn't say it in words and just bowed my head.
It's not that it's unpleasant, I just refused because it's a bit awkward to be called that.
If he really wants to call me that, I won't stop him.
"Then let's go, Saintess-nim."
"Yes."
"I will have the bath prepared on this side. I will call you as soon as it is ready. Should I call a priest?"
"That is not necessary. It will be fine if you just prepare the bathwater."
"That was a foolish question. Yes."
The maid quickly withdrew.
Normally, one would naturally call a priest to treat her, but there is probably no one among those priests who handles healing magic better than the Saintess-nim.
As a little distance grew between us, the expression disappeared from the Saintess-nim's face.
"How was it?"
"What do you mean?"
"As a daughter, and as a sister, you want me to give you a score? It was quite excellent for a first attempt, so I think I can expect a good score, right?"
"You did it so well it gave me goosebumps. I couldn't believe it was your first time."
"I copied you. In my own way, the attitude of yours that I felt."
"......."
"What, did you know?"
"I had a feeling."
"What a boring reaction, really."
Despite saying it was boring, the Saintess-nim's reaction seemed quite enjoyable.
The way she smiled slightly seemed to have changed in some decisive part.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this kidnapping drama was definitely a useless problem, but it seemed it wasn't a useless problem for the Saintess-nim.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to give you an interesting reaction every time."
"What are you talking about, you've never given an interesting reaction."
"So, it is a passing grade, and I can say you are the Saintess-nim I wanted. But I'm surprised because you changed so suddenly. I thought it would take several years, so what kind of change of heart is this?"
"I told you earlier."
"I am asking again because I do not understand that well. Perhaps a different answer might come out this time?"
The Saintess-nim looked up at me and smiled.
"There is something you don't know, and that fact comes to me as quite a pleasant fact. ......I think it would be fine to stay like this for a while. But I will not tell lies. I want to be a good person to you."
"......."
"For that, I will wear a mask for a little while. A mask befitting a 'Saintess'. Yes, I am not in a bad mood right now."
"Why is that?"
Even as I asked, the answers were fitting together in my head.
I don't know the reason.
But at least the Saintess-nim had started to feel value in me. In that forest, the moment I came to save her and we made eye contact.
It felt as though many things had been decided within the Saintess-nim, and the value of many things had been re-established.
The wind blows.
It passes by, shaking the Saintess-nim's hair.
"Well, I wonder why. It would be good to think about that question. ......Let's go, you need to teach me tonight what actions I should not take at the birthday party tomorrow."
It seemed to be the first time she was this passionate about education.
I watched the Saintess-nim walking ahead for a moment, then followed her.
"Yes, let's prepare."