Chapter 69

The social circle is like an invisible battlefield.

A single word is as sharp as a sword, and gazes are like piercing arrows aimed at people.

A small slip of the tongue can drag one’s reputation into the abyss, so everyone is cautious with their demeanor and speech.

Even the young ladies who seem to engage in lighthearted words and actions are those who have received thorough education and stepped into the social circle.

And into such a place, a woman who was just a commoner yesterday has appeared.

Even if she was granted the title of Saintess, a commoner is still a commoner. It’s not easy to change the deeply rooted views of the nobles in an instant.

“You should be more careful, Saintess…”

My testimony turned the woman’s farce into fact, and all the arrows were aimed at Lillian.

The nobles who disliked her were filled with satisfaction, while those who supported her couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Amidst the sharp gazes of countless nobles, Lillian’s pink eyes trembled uneasily once again.

“I, I…”

“Even if it wasn’t this incident… it’s not a good habit to act so recklessly.”

At my words, many nobles nodded in agreement.

The woman who caused the farce approached me, winked slightly, and expressed her gratitude. Behind her red fan, a satisfied smile was hidden.

“What will you do, Saintess? Thanks to you, my dress is ruined.”

Lillian’s eyes were still filled with resentment.

And rightfully so. The wine spilled solely because that woman tripped on her own.

But unable to withstand the increasingly intense gazes of the nobles, Lillian had no choice but to accept the situation.

“…I’ll pay for the dress.”

At Lillian’s defeated voice, the woman snorted and shrugged her shoulders.

“Pay? Alright, 10 gold coins.”

“T-ten gold coins?!”

Lillian’s eyes widened in shock.

“Why are you so surprised? 10 gold coins isn’t that expensive.”

10 gold coins roughly amount to about 1.5 million won in Korean currency.

But to be shocked by such a small amount—she’ll just become another laughingstock for the nobles.

“Don’t tell me, Saintess, you don’t even have 10 gold coins?”

The surrounding nobles whispered among themselves.

In the end, they said the Saintess was just a lowly commoner, and her foolishness showed no trace of the Saintess’s nobility.

Doubts about whether she was truly chosen by the goddess herself floated around the banquet hall.

Each interpreting the situation to their liking, the nobles were busy tearing Lillian down.

Amidst such words, I felt a strange sense of comfort.

Yes, this is what humans are.

Beings born close to evil.

Those who would gladly stab others for their own benefit.

This is normal.

I’m not the strange one.

I haven’t gone astray.

I’m just an ordinary person.

The abnormal one here is you, Lillian.

In the end, you’re the one who’s wrong.

I glanced at Lillian with a mocking gaze.

She hung her head, looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

“I, I don’t have it now… but I’ll save up…”

Perhaps she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

A single tear formed in Lillian’s eye.

But that tear never fell.

“What on earth is going on here?!”

A loud voice echoed through the banquet hall.

A young lady with flowing blue hair, seemingly of the same age, pushed through the crowd.

Arien Caltri.

She had grown up alongside the imperial family and, like Viviana, was the heir to the Caltri Marquis Family, walking the path of the sword.

She swiftly approached Lillian, took her hand, and gently but firmly pulled her into her embrace.

“Instead of welcoming her, you dare to be so rude to the Saintess?!”

Her voice carried the strength only a knight could possess.

Lillian’s trembling in her arms seemed to gradually subside.

“Rude? Are you saying the Saintess is of higher status than us?”

The woman who caused the farce raised an eyebrow slightly as she asked.

Arien looked at her with a disbelieving expression.

“The Saintess is a being chosen directly by the goddess. Of course, she should be respected!”

“Is that stated in the imperial law?”

Arien’s body stiffened momentarily.

There are countless laws dealing with noble status, but nowhere in the imperial law is there any mention of the Saintess’s position.

In the end, the Saintess was just a nebulous existence.

If the imperial law had explicitly stated that the Saintess was of higher status than nobles, no one here would have dared to treat her lightly.

“While it’s not stated in the imperial law, such actions are no different from blasphemy against the temple.”

At Arien’s words, the woman hid her smile behind her fan and shrugged lightly.

“But the rudeness started from her side. She suddenly grabbed my hand, which caused my dress to be ruined, didn’t it?”

“Do you have any proof that the Saintess did that?”

“I don’t have proof, but I do have a witness.”

The woman pointed at me and smiled.

Arien’s blue eyes naturally followed and met mine.

“You…?”

Hmm, I was planning to tease a bit and slip away… I didn’t expect her to point me out directly.

I made an awkward expression and looked at Arien.

“I… I only said what I saw. The Saintess grabbed the lady’s arm, and then the wine spilled. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.”

At my clumsy words, Arien was momentarily speechless.

She alternated her gaze between me and the Saintess for a while, then bit her lip and pulled the Saintess’s hand.

“Her Highness the Princess will be arriving soon, so it’s best to discuss this matter later.”

With those words, Arien led Lillian out of the banquet hall.

A clear retreat from Arien’s side.

The woman who caused the farce smiled contentedly and lightly patted my shoulder.

“You’re quite clever. No wonder the higher-ups favor you.”

Judging by her demeanor, she seemed to hold goodwill toward me. No reason to refuse if she wants to like me.

“N-no… I was just worried the lady might be in trouble…”

“Hehe… I’d like to invite you to our mansion sometime. Would you be available?”

“Of course. It would be an honor to be invited!”

“Hehe. Then I’ll send you a letter soon.”

The woman looked at me with eyes dripping with goodwill.

I soon found out that she was the young lady of a prestigious marquis family.

With Lillian and Arien leaving, the incident was more or less concluded.

The noisy atmosphere quickly returned to its usual calm with the arrival of the Princess.

It was almost frightening how quickly it happened.

※

Unlike the noisy banquet hall, in the relatively quiet guest room, Arien handed Lillian a handkerchief.

“…Are you sure it wasn’t you, Saintess?”

At her own question, the Saintess twisted her face in sorrow.

“Do you not believe me either, Arien…? I did grab her hand, but that didn’t cause the wine to spill…!”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Saintess… but just in case…”

“Is it because of that lady’s words…? Who is she that everyone doesn’t believe me?”

“…She’s the daughter of the Blanchard Baronet Family.”

A sense of unease lingered.

Even now, I was confused, wondering if the Saintess might have been mistaken.

The Pet Lady.

Or the only daughter of the Blanchard Baronet Family.

The young lady, rumored to be pure and harmless, indeed had a lovable appearance.

It wasn’t just her looks.

Her shyly upturned eyes, her somewhat clumsy voice, and her cherry-like lips that seemed to tremble.

She had a personality that naturally made people feel goodwill toward her.

Having heard countless times about her kindness and obedience, it was hard to believe she would lie.

But what if.

If the Saintess wasn’t lying.

If the daughter of the Blanchard Baronet Family gave false testimony.

And if there was intent behind that lie…

“…Ugh.”

A chill ran down my spine.

The thought that the young lady, whom everyone believed to be kind and pure, might have ulterior motives filled me with an inexplicable dread.

Currently, countless young ladies in the social circle hold absolute goodwill toward her.

From the daughter of the Abrelldeyn family, who holds the position of the social circle’s flower every year, to the daughters of numerous prestigious count families.

Not to mention the Princess of the Merdelia Ducal Family, who has reached the peak of swordsmanship—all nobles of status that no one dares to antagonize.

It might be an exaggeration, but depending on her mood, the dynamics of the social circle could change, and a single word from her could end a young lady’s social life.

Just look at it now.

Even I, who holds goodwill and faith toward the Saintess, am doubting her because of the Pet Lady’s testimony. What about the other nobles?

Surely, they all believed the Blanchard daughter’s words and criticized the Saintess.

‘…I hope I never have to face her.’

I can protect the Saintess from nobles who antagonize her with ugly jealousy and prejudice,

but the thought of having to confront the Pet Lady is something I’d rather not entertain.

‘But a knight who walks the path of chivalry cannot afford to be afraid.’

Just in case, it’s best to be cautious for the time being.

To fulfill my father’s order to protect the Saintess, I must prepare for every possible scenario.

“…Thinking about it, I think I was wrong.”

It was the moment I was making a firm resolution alone.

The Saintess suddenly stood up, smiled brightly, and clenched her small hands.

The gloomy atmosphere vanished, and her eyes sparkled brightly.

“Saintess?”

“I didn’t know much about the world of nobles. Regardless, it was my fault for acting recklessly.”

“Huh? Suddenly, what are you…”

“I’ll apologize. As for the 10 gold coins… I think I can somehow earn them. So please cheer me on, Arien.”

“…”

The person who was about to cry just moments ago had suddenly changed. Arien blinked in confusion at the Saintess’s bold demeanor.

Was I… worrying for nothing?

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