<Episode 33>
* * *
It had already been two weeks since Cayden bought the newspaper company and published the articles.
I was enjoying a rest in the warm sunlight.
'Though it's the calm before the storm.'
I had no intention of doing anything before the Marchioness Arland's party ahead.
The Empire was currently in an uproar over the 'truth of the Berardi Duke family.'
At this point, where anything would get buried in the hype, there was no need to force my way in to promote my existence.
His media play was going well.
My strategy had worked quite effectively.
Nobles and commoners alike sympathized with Cayden.
The reason the talented second son had lost his family and gone mad was none other than his family's own villainy.
Thanks to that, the mood flowed favorably toward Cayden.
The wastrel brothers were completely excluded from succession and shunned by noble society.
Cayden was perfectly confirmed as the next family head. Along with that, his brilliant childhood and pre-loss exploits were reexamined.
Cayden seemed more talented than I'd thought. I was truly shocked by the story that at just seventeen, he'd doubled the Berardi trading company's profits.
Cayden thanked me profusely several times, saying he owed me too much and begging me to let him repay it.
Music to my ears.
[Who knew Cayden would gain this much? Using the media is always so convenient. It was the same during the war.]
Agatha murmured softly.
[Right? That's why it's even more regrettable.]
[That you couldn't buy the newspaper directly? I think so too. You could've used it brilliantly, Dorothy.]
Agatha was starting to pick up my villainous talk.
Exactly.
It was great getting the newspaper easily, but I couldn't help thinking how convenient it would be if I ran it myself.
But.
After hearing the purchase price from Cayden, that thought vanished.
[Regrettable, but... where would I earn 700 million gold?]
[Ugh. Even hearing it again, it's an enormous sum.]
The money I'd won at Demong's casino was about ten million gold.
With the gods' help, I'd secretly stashed away around three million of the remainder.
Three million could buy three carriages.
Of course, I hadn't thought I could buy a company with that. But I figured one more casino trip might make it possible.
But 700 million?
That was...
'Impossible even pulling all-nighters for days.'
Even if possible, shelling out 700 million in one lump sum...
As a small-minded commoner, my heart would've pounded too hard to endure.
After hearing the price, I worried Cayden had overreached and asked if the Duke had approved the purchase.
His response was astounding.
'Why would I need the Duke's permission when using my personal funds?'
The second son—not even official heir—had that much wealth... Dizziness ensued.
'Truly fortunate to connect with Cayden.'
Harboring deep gratitude toward Horte, I held Cayden's letter to a candle flame and burned it meticulously.
Knock knock.
"Yes!"
"Saintess, it's Becky! May I come in?"
"Ah, one moment!"
I swept up the ashes of Cayden's letter and tossed them out the window.
My room's window faced the unused rear of the Temple, so no risk of discovery. I even wiped the table clean.
"Yes, come in!"
After finishing, I permitted entry, and Becky came in.
"Sorry for the sudden visit. I have something for you!"
Becky had been assigned as my maid a week ago.
Unlike the previous attendants who'd cared for me adequately, she actively showed affection.
And for good reason.
'She applied to this stingy Temple for a low wage just to serve me...'
She was my fan.
An embarrassing and burdensome title. A fan, of all things.
But the burden faded quickly.
"A gift? What is it?"
"I brought some dessert fit for you! I remembered you liked this last time!"
"Oh! Thank you."
Becky offered pancakes topped generously with honey and fruit.
She arranged them prettily, quickly scanned the room, and busied herself.
She checked the dust on the lined-up god statues, adjusted the curtains for proper lighting, and tidied the chairs and cushions.
Then she asked me again.
"The sun's warm, so the room feels a bit stuffy. The outside breeze is nice—shall I open the door?"
Come to think of it, it did feel a tad oppressive.
I nodded, and she securely fixed the window against the wind before returning.
All that took just two minutes.
Yes.
Becky was quick-witted and incredibly competent.
Her thoughtfulness brought me comfort, melting away any burden swiftly.
Lately, her presence was most welcome.
"It's been a while since lunch, so perfect timing for a snack, right?"
Becky smiled adorably.
"Thank you, Becky."
I smiled back warmly.
"Hehe... No problem."
[That girl really adores you consistently, Dorothy.]
Watching Becky's flushed face, Agatha spoke fondly.
[...Yeah.]
[Hehe. Fans are great. All thanks to Cayden, right?]
[Haha, yes...]
I replied listlessly. My face burned.
A fan...
Here's how it happened.
Cayden, consulting me on his affairs, frequently reported progress.
Our correspondence was disguised as fan letters.
Fan letters and gifts came occasionally after the Saintess's return announcement, but not frequently.
So constant single-page fan letters would raise suspicion—Cayden started a project.
"Sa-Saintess! Today's 'Saintess's Daily' was so moving!"
Yes. That.
Thanks to Becky boldly handing me the paper, I faced the embarrassing corner Cayden created.
「Saintess's Daily」.
This corner, occupying the bottom right of the front page boldly,
Collected reports of my good deeds.
From my Demong days meeting people and reading fortunes, many tipsters existed—enough for daily serialization.
It started three days after Cayden bought the paper, so over ten days of runs already.
I'd requested adding 'Thanks to a certain god's help, the tipster's life improved' at the end each time, and Cayden did so.
Unexpectedly, Cayden used his head well and fulfilled my request.
Strategically perfect for boosting faith...
'It's good, really good.'
Yet it made my face burn with embarrassment.
Reading my praises without urgency to fool someone...
Saintess's daily! Saintess Dorothy's good deeds...!
'I expected protective articles as his benefactor. But this...'
I just wanted to oust the High Priestess and claim newspaper space for big events.
Not... this kind of praise.
"Hehe. I'm scrapbooking them all. Hehe."
"R-Really?"
"Yes! Saintess, you're such an inspiration. I'll become a good person like you too. Helping others, living kindly."
Becky showed fan fervor with shining eyes.
"Ah. Haha. Th-Thank you."
"Want to see today's story? From 27-year-old James. He got a message from his late grandma thanks to you. Broke up with his fiancée per her words, and turns out she was a criminal."
"...What?"
「Saintess's Daily」—not my praises, but a soap opera corner...?
Too embarrassed to read, but the unexpected news piqued my interest.
"Oh, Saintess, did you hear? Lately, victims of the Berardi wastrel young lords are gathering in front of the ducal mansion. All sorts: fraud, threats, embezzlement, gambling... Protests."
"Oh my. They did all that?"
No surprise from child-kidnappers.
This solidified Cayden's succession. Good.
No wonder Cayden said, 'Regular services impossible until things stabilize. Will start later and contact then.'
Before I knew it,
A month had passed since arriving in the Capital City.
Time flew, luck seemingly on my side.
* * *
"So, so beautiful!"
Becky covered her mouth, nodding in感動.
Preparations for the Marchioness Arland's birthday party, started at dawn, were finally done.
'Sun's setting...'
As an honored guest, I couldn't skimp.
Today, Ephrosyne ignored my 'that's enough' and over-blessed excitedly before collapsing. Her power still weak.
"Saintess, how are you so... Wh-What to do. I want to capture this moment. Maybe hire a painter?"
"That might be a bit..."
I smiled awkwardly, checking my mirror image.
Anyone would see holy, beautiful, dazzling. Features unchanged... yet wondrous.
Like human charm maxed out.
Knock knock.
"Yeees."
"Saintess, preparations com—"
The entering High Priestess froze, staring at me.
"...Overdone. You're the Saintess, not aiming to be society’s flower."
Oh dear, the incarnation of jealousy appeared again today.
