<Episode 22>
Eye contact once more.
I put strength into my eyes. Staring like a staring contest, my eyes started to sting as if tears would fall.
Theodore's eyes I faced shone brightly, then ignited like fire, and soon subsided.
Just as I felt I had reached my limit in straining my eyes, Theodore opened his mouth again.
"......The gods teach you all sorts of things."
And with that, he returned to his original demeanor.
He leaned back against the chairback, reclining his body.
'Ah, now I can breathe a little.'
I didn't know what change had occurred within Theodore, but it seemed he had softened somewhat to my words.
The mental fatigue was considerable. My heart had clenched so many times, I wasn't even sure if it was beating properly.
Even so, I mustered my strength and delivered the closing line.
"Isn't this beneficial to Your Majesty as well? As the Saintess, I can see everything right beside the High Priestess without raising suspicion. I can wield great influence over the Maelta Church too."
"Yes. I get the gist."
"You don't have to believe me, but surely it makes sense—"
"And your gain?"
"Pardon?"
"I don't trust flimsy senses of justice. Helping the gods purify the world?"
His low, rumbling voice sounded like the growl of a beast with prey in sight.
"What does allying with me gain 'you', not the gods?"
Tch, spot on.
I had genuinely thought I should tell Theodore only the truth.
It wasn't that I couldn't lie, but I worried that if I slipped up even once before this perceptive man, he'd catch it and everything would fall apart.
'Don't try to fool a man blessed with sharp instincts.'
So I told him all the truth I could......
But there was one thing I couldn't say.
"The gods said They'll grant me a wish if I resolve this matter well. It's for that wish."
"What wish?"
It was my wish, precisely.
The gods weren't connected to me but were watching, weren't they?
My wish was 'Please remove gods and ghosts from my life,' but I lacked the courage to say it before them.
Choosing a common wish like wealth or fame felt off, since those came with the Saintess position anyway.
It was awkward to fabricate a wish, and I couldn't voice the truth either.
"......That's a secret."
In the end, I chose secrecy.
"A secret, at this crucial moment?"
"I told you. I'd speak the truth. Isn't this more honest than fabricating a lie for something I absolutely can't say?"
Theodore tapped the table a few times with his long fingers.
"It crosses my mind that the High Priestess put you up to this."
"I know the location of the High Priestess's secret vault. I'm willing to tell Your Majesty. Would that weakness convince you?"
"Secret vault?"
Theodore's eyes gleamed. He looked quite pleased.
"The High Priestess's secret vault. She cherishes it terribly. She stashed embezzled temple funds there."
The secret vault was one the High Priestess had personally prepared and moved things to, fearing rumors. That's why she believed me at my word alone.
Even Theodore must not have found it so far. It would change if I helped, though.
"Where is it?"
Theodore asked in a somewhat excited voice.
'Got him.'
I smiled inwardly and continued nonchalantly.
"Well now. Where could it be?"
"......You said you were willing to tell."
"Yes. If Your Majesty agrees to cooperate."
"You're bargaining with the Emperor, then."
Theodore raised one eyebrow. He seemed displeased.
"Your Majesty. Just as Your Majesty doesn't trust me, I fear Your Majesty too. You're the sun of the Empire. I value my life as well."
I changed my expression and spoke my honest feelings.
"What if I reveal the secret vault's location, and Your Majesty takes it without cooperating with me? What then? You're the only ones in this world who know of it: me and the High Priestess."
High Priestess, Emperor.
I knew well how precarious my life was, caught between them.
"Once the High Priestess is caught, it's over, no?"
"Pardon? The High Priestess is the type to find a way to kill me even while being dragged away."
"You grasp your position well. And hers too."
"I have to, to survive."
"Yes, fair enough."
Theodore replied readily.
'Come on, give in already.'
Shouldn't he be persuaded by now? I even mentioned the vault.
"Have you made your decision?"
"......I'll think about it."
"Really!?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, thank you!"
Getting even "I'll think about it" from this cool-headed man was a huge accomplishment. I beamed with joy and thanked him effusively.
"Besides the secret vault, I'll gather more weaknesses you'll like, so please make a good decision!"
I even threw in a service remark like a salesman closing a deal.
Theodore let out a low sigh and rose from his seat.
"Ah, and!"
"What else?"
He pressed his temple firmly as he asked. His large hand covered his face entirely.
"I'm truly sorry for deceiving you last time."
It was something I needed to address. Better to apologize quickly and resolve it fast.
"......Fine, Maria."
Theodore said my alias again, his face cold.
'I didn't tell him I'm a guide.'
Did he fool me alone? He fooled me too. But lacking the courage to argue, I meekly bowed my head to show my remorse.
"Is that all?"
"Yes!"
"Tell the Marchioness I left first."
"Yes, of course!"
Theodore turned without replying. Then, with heavy steps, he exited the garden.
Perhaps due to his long legs, he walked leisurely yet vanished quickly.
There was a chance Theodore wouldn't accept my proposal, but I still felt good.
I'd become even more useful. He'd have no choice but to accept eventually.
'Behold the tenacity of a Korean......!'
I steeled my resolve, recalling my past life.
As soon as Theodore disappeared, I spoke while glancing at the child ghost peeking from afar.
'I will. In this life, I'll banish all those things from my sight.'
With that, I returned to the mansion, studiously ignoring the ghost staring persistently at me.
* * *
The reception room was nearly empty when I returned after the talk.
According to Agatha, the Marchioness had ended the party early due to the sour atmosphere.
Everyone had left. Thanks to that, the High Priestess couldn't scheme.
If others were around, fine, but telling the Marchioness alone about a bad oracle regarding the Emperor would just get her silenced.
"Saintess. Did you...... discuss something?"
Thus, only three remained in the Marchioness's reception room: me, the High Priestess, and the Marchioness.
I thought we'd leave right away, but the Marchioness grabbed me and asked. The conversation had been long, so she must have been very curious.
"I earnestly pleaded that Your Majesty must be faithful to achieve peace and prosperity."
I gave the Marchioness a serene smile and a white lie. Her face brightened instantly.
"Really......! Did the gods say that?"
"Yes. It was a revelation asking to persuade Your Majesty."
Come to think of it, I had used the gods as an excuse. I continued the lie smoothly without missing a beat.
The Marchioness hesitated, asking worriedly.
"Did Your Majesty accept?"
"Well......"
I hadn't allied with Theodore yet, so it was hard to spin it positively. I trailed off with a troubled look.
Clouds immediately gathered on the Marchioness's face.
"......It was difficult, then. Even for you, Saintess."
"But he said he'd think about it."
"Pardon?"
"He said he'd consider it......"
It wasn't entirely false. If the Marchioness grew depressed, it wouldn't be good for me either. As the Saintess, I needed to perform my role.
"Really? My goodness. Saintess! You've done something tremendous."
She clapped in delight and praised me. I gave an embarrassed smile.
"Instead of this, yes. My birthday banquet is soon—come as well, Saintess. Many faithful people among my acquaintances!"
"May I...... accept the invitation?"
"Of course! You're the noble one who persuaded the Emperor! They say the Saintess's very existence is the Empire's blessing, and it seems true."
For some reason, contrary to my intentions, my presence was skyrocketing...... I glanced at the High Priestess. Agatha informed me of her thoughts.
[She's very angry.]
As expected. True to her terminal attention-seeker illness, she harbored fury.
"I want to invite the Saintess as an honored guest. You must come."
"My goodness. Such a precious...... Thank you. It's an honor!"
The Marchioness had strong influence anyway, so befriending her wasn't bad. I nodded with a smile.
It felt like my value had skyrocketed vertically after one conversation with Theodore. What a fine signboard he makes.
"Ah. I'd love to see you before the banquet too—when are you—"
"Madam. We should be going now."
The hitherto silent High Priestess cut in as soon as the Marchioness moved to set a meeting. The Marchioness startled and checked the clock.
"Goodness, look at me. I've held up busy people too long. Take care on your way back."
Thus, we could leave the room.
Of course, leaving didn't end it. The High Priestess's seething rage was plain to see.
It had been a busy day. Truly, a day of facing thorns without a moment's rest.
"The conversation. Took quite a while."
The High Priestess's gaze was particularly sharp.
