<Chapter 22>
Another staring contest.
I focused my gaze, refusing to yield. My eyes started to water from the strain.
Theodore’s eyes, meeting mine, flickered with light, then flared like fire, and finally subsided.
Just as I felt I was reaching my limit, Theodore spoke again.
“…God teaches you strange things.”
And then, he returned to his usual demeanor.
He leaned back against the backrest.
‘Ah, I can finally breathe.’
I didn’t know what change had occurred within Theodore, but he seemed to have calmed down after my explanation.
I was mentally exhausted. My heart had clenched so many times that I wasn’t sure if it was even beating properly.
Still, I mustered my strength and delivered my closing statement.
“Isn’t this beneficial for Your Majesty as well? As the Saintess, I can observe everything right next to the High Priest without suspicion. I can also exert considerable influence over the Maelta religion.”
“Yes. I understand… roughly.”
“You don’t have to believe me, but you’ll be convinced-”
“What’s your gain?”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t believe in shallow righteousness. Purifying the world by helping God?”
His low, resonant voice sounded like a predator’s growl, its prey within reach.
“What benefit does joining forces with me bring to ‘you,’ not God?”
Tsk, he was sharp.
I truly intended to tell Theodore only the truth.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t lie, but I was worried that if I told even a single lie in front of this perceptive man, everything would fall apart if he caught me.
‘Don’t try to be clever with the blessed man of intuition.’
So, I told him every truth I could…
But there was one thing I couldn’t say.
“The gods promised to grant my wish if I resolve this matter successfully. It’s for that wish.”
“What’s your wish?”
It was my wish.
The gods couldn’t connect with me, but they were watching, weren’t they?
My wish was, ‘Please remove gods and ghosts from my life,’ and I couldn’t bring myself to say that in front of a god.
And choosing common wishes like wealth and fame felt disingenuous, since those already came with the Saintess position.
It was awkward to make up a fake wish, and I couldn’t tell the truth.
“…That’s… a secret.”
I ultimately chose secrecy.
“You choose to keep it a secret at this crucial moment?”
“I told you I would tell you the truth. Isn’t this more honest than fabricating a lie about something I can’t possibly say?”
Theodore tapped the table a few times with his long fingers.
“I’m starting to think the High Priest put you up to this.”
“I know the location of the High Priest’s secret vault. I’m willing to tell Your Majesty. Is this enough of a weakness to make you believe me?”
“Secret… vault?”
Theodore’s eyes gleamed. He seemed very interested.
“The High Priest’s secret vault. It seems she cherishes it dearly. She’s been stashing embezzled donations there.”
The secret vault was a place the High Priest had ‘personally’ prepared, worried about rumors leaking. That’s why she immediately believed me after I mentioned it.
Even Theodore wouldn’t have been able to find it. But that would change if I helped him.
“Where is it?”
Theodore asked, his voice laced with excitement.
‘He’s hooked.’
I smiled inwardly and continued nonchalantly.
“Well, where do you think it is?”
“…You said you were willing to tell me.”
“Yes, I am. If you agree to cooperate.”
“So you’re proposing a deal.”
Theodore raised an eyebrow. He seemed displeased.
“Your Majesty, just as you don’t trust me, I’m also afraid of you. You’re the Sun of the Empire. I value my life too, you know.”
I changed my expression and spoke my honest feelings.
“What am I supposed to do if I reveal the location of the secret vault, and you just raid it without cooperating with me? Only the High Priest and I know about this vault.”
The High Priest, the Emperor.
I was well aware of how precarious my position was, caught between them.
“Wouldn’t it be over if the High Priest was arrested?”
“What? Even if she’s arrested, the High Priest is someone who would find a way to kill me.”
“You seem to understand your situation well. And the High Priest’s as well.”
“I have to, to survive.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Theodore readily agreed.
‘Come on, just agree already.’
Shouldn’t he be persuaded by now? I even mentioned the vault.
“Have you made your decision?”
“…I’ll… consider it.”
“Really?!”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, thank you!”
Getting him, that cold and calculating man, to even consider it was a huge achievement. I beamed and thanked him profusely.
“I’ll find more weaknesses you’ll like, besides the secret vault, so I hope you make a good decision!”
I even added a service-oriented closing remark, like a salesperson.
Theodore sighed and stood up.
“Ah, and also!”
“What is it now?”
He asked, pressing his temples. His large hand covered his face.
“I’m truly sorry for deceiving you last time.”
It was something I had to address. A quick apology and a quick resolution were always best.
“…Indeed, Maria.”
Theodore used my alias again, his face cold.
‘He didn’t tell me he was the Emperor either.’
Was I the only one deceived? He deceived me too. But I didn’t have the courage to argue, so I just bowed my head and expressed my apology.
“Are we done now?”
“Yes!”
“Tell the Marchioness I left first.”
“Of course!”
Theodore didn’t reply and turned around. He strode out of the garden.
Perhaps because of his long legs, his gait seemed leisurely, but he moved very quickly.
There was a possibility that Theodore wouldn’t accept my proposal, but I still felt good.
Because I would become even more useful. He would have no choice but to accept eventually.
‘I’ll show you the tenacity of a Korean…!’
I recalled my past life and burned with determination.
While looking at the child ghost faintly visible in the distance, as soon as Theodore disappeared.
‘I will… definitely get rid of all these things from my sight in this life.’
I returned to the mansion, trying to ignore the ghost’s persistent stare.
When I returned to the reception room after the conversation, there weren’t many people left.
According to Agatha, the Marchioness had ended the party early due to the tense atmosphere.
Everyone had left. And thanks to that, the High Priest couldn’t carry out her scheme.
If others were present, she could have claimed that a bad oracle about the Emperor had been delivered only to the Marchioness, and then silenced her.
“Saintess, what… did you talk about?”
Only the Marchioness, the High Priest, and I remained in the reception room.
I thought we would leave immediately, but the Marchioness stopped me and asked. She must have been very curious, since the conversation was quite long.
“I earnestly pleaded with him to be devout to achieve peace and prosperity.”
I lied to the Marchioness with a gentle smile. Her face brightened immediately.
“Really…! Did God say such a thing?”
“Yes. It was a revelation asking me to persuade His Majesty.”
Come to think of it, I did use God as an excuse. I continued to lie without batting an eye.
The Marchioness hesitated and asked with a worried expression.
“Did His Majesty accept?”
“Well, that’s…”
Since I hadn’t joined forces with Theodore yet, it was difficult to give a positive answer. I trailed off with a troubled expression.
The Marchioness’s face clouded over.
“…It must have been difficult. Even for the Saintess.”
“But he said he would consider it.”
“What?”
“That he would… think about it…”
It wasn’t a complete lie. I thought it wouldn’t be good if the Marchioness became depressed. This was where my abilities as a Saintess should come into play.
“Really? Oh my. Saintess! You’ve done a great deed.”
She clapped her hands joyfully and praised me. I gave a sheepish smile.
“Actually, I’m having a birthday banquet soon. Saintess, you should come too. Many of my acquaintances are quite devout!”
“Would it be alright… for me to be invited?”
“Of course. You’re the noble one who persuaded the Emperor! They say the Saintess’s existence itself is a blessing to the empire, and it seems to be true.”
Somehow, contrary to my intentions, my presence seemed to be growing excessively… I glanced at the High Priest. Agatha, understanding my intent, spoke.
[She’s very angry.]
As expected. Like a terminal patient of attention-seeking, she was filled with rage.
“I’d like to invite the Saintess as a guest of honor. You must come.”
“Oh my. Such an honor… Thank you. It’s a privilege!”
Since the Marchioness was influential, it wouldn’t hurt to get close to her. I nodded and smiled.
It felt like my value had skyrocketed just from a single conversation with Theodore. He was quite the valuable brand.
“Ah, I’d like to see you before the banquet, but when is the Saintess-”
“Marchioness, we should be going now.”
The High Priest, who had been silent until now, interrupted as the Marchioness was about to make plans with me. The Marchioness looked at the clock in surprise.
“My, how time flies. I’ve kept you busy people for too long. Please be careful on your way back.”
We finally left the room.
Of course, leaving didn’t mean it was over. I could clearly see the High Priest fuming.
It had been a busy day. Truly, a day where I had to face one thorny situation after another without a moment’s rest.
“That conversation… took quite a while.”
The High Priest’s gaze was especially sharp.