Chapter 26
Light novel: Episode 26
Manhwa: Chapter 12
「Monica had soft brown bobbed hair and vivid blue eyes. The charming freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks were part of her allure.
Idella, captivated by the bold and charming Monica, became her inseparable friend not long after.」
Right, that was definitely how the original novel described her.
Glancing at the sentence from the original work that the AI had displayed, I then turned my gaze to Monica.
Just as in the novel’s description, she was a girl overflowing with loveliness.
“I’m sorry for coming at such a late hour! There was something I really wanted to say, but you seemed far too busy during the day, so I just couldn’t approach you.”
That was true. From this morning, Gale showed up and caused a commotion, followed by Lute Sieri, then I had to extort—i mean, collect money from the Sun God, swap a sacred relic for a divine relic, destroy said sacred relic, and host a meat party.
It really had been quite a day.
“It’s alright. Did you have a good dinner, Miss Hindel?”
“Yes! Sir Dietrich said it was all thanks to you, Saintess, that we were able to have such a delicious meal today. Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it alone, but I’ll gladly accept your thanks.”
After only seeing people who avoided me all day, hearing someone thank me so sincerely lifted my spirits.
When I smiled softly, Monica’s cheeks flushed and she lowered her head deeply.
But what’s this? It feels like I’ve seen her somewhere before…
Is it because I’ve read the novel so many times that I feel this inner sense of familiarity?
“P-please just call me Monica…”
“Alright, Miss Monica.”
“Without the ‘Miss’ too… just Monica…”
“Sure thing, Monica.”
Despite trembling all over, she still managed to make her requests. She was so cute I couldn’t help but nod.
Over something as small as being called by her first name, Monica blushed and grew bashful.
Seeing her like this really made her seem young. How old was Monica again?
【‘Monica Hindel’ is currently eighteen years old.】
That’s only half my age in my previous life. Cute. Really cute.
“So, what brings you here to see me?”
“Please make me your exclusive attendant!”
Pffft.
At Monica’s sudden declaration, Victoria spit out the tea she was drinking. It was meant to help digestion, but it looked like it might cause indigestion instead…
“My exclusive attendant…?”
“Yes! You don’t have a personal attendant yet, do you? I’d like to volunteer!”
Well, no one in their right mind would want to serve someone like Ordell, who was infamous for her nasty temper and vicious outbursts.
There had never been any applicants, and even Airek had been reluctant to assign anyone, worried that one misstep might end with a corpse on the floor.
In fact, in the original story, Ordell never had a personal bodyguard, let alone a personal attendant, until her death.
“I can really do a good job! I may not look it, but I’m actually the most promising among the apprentice priests. I swear I’d never bring shame to your name!”
The Saintess’s attendants wasn’t just an ordinary servant. Among the apprentice priests, only the most talented were chosen.
This was because simply serving the Saintess or Saint and learning how to use divine power is already a great benefit to them.
Monica was indeed an apprentice priest brimming with potential.
It’s no coincidence that she became close friends with the real Saintess, Idella.
“Alright. If Monica’s willing to take the role, I’d be very glad.”
If someone like her was offering to help, then I’d be crazy to refuse.
Of course, once it’s revealed that I’m a fake saintess, Victoria and Monica will probably feel betrayed…
But by then, I will have already left the grand temple, so even if I feel a little guilty, it can’t be helped.
“R-Really? You’ll really accept me?!”
Monica was overjoyed, clearly not expecting me to agree so readily.
“I actually prefer having someone who volunteers. But I’m severely lacking in ability, so I won’t be of any help to you. Are you really okay with that?”
The divine power Ordel originally possessed amounted to a mere 2%.
Thanks to the money I poured out with blood and tears, I’d managed to reach 10%, but I still wouldn’t compare to a promising talent like Monica.
Furthermore, since I rely on skills when using power, I’m even less capable of teaching her how to use her divine power.
“Saintess, how can you say you’re lacking in ability…! Please don’t say that. Even if you don’t teach me anything, that’s fine. Just being by your side and serving you is enough to make me happy.”
Even so, Monica pleaded with both hands together, asking to be taken in as my personal attendant.
With her wanting it so badly, what else could I do? I’ll just leave it to Idella to teach her on how to use divine power, just like in the original story.
“Alright, Monica. It’s already late today, so let’s start tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Saintess! Now that I’m your attendant… would it be all right if you speak to me more casually? Right now, I feel like there’s too much distance between us…”
This girl really knows how to slip in every request.
And the fact that she actually manages to get them accepted—her social finesse was impressive.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll do so.”
“Kyaa! Thank you so much!”
“Ahem. Then… I as well…”
Just then, Victoria, who had been listening quietly, gently raised her hand and cut in.
“It’s been over a week since we’ve been together. Isn’t it about time you spoke casually with me as well? Before, you used to speak informally to people of all ages, even to the High Priest and the Captain of the Holy Order…”
That’s because I was a different person back then…
“I didn’t realize you wanted it that much. Then, starting today, I’ll speak comfortably with both of you.”
Since they were the ones asking for it, I had no reason to refuse, so I accepted readily.
A skilled knight and a capable attendant.
It was the perfect ending to a day where I’d gained so much.
* * *
“Yes!”
Stepping out of Saintess Ordell’s bedroom, Monica silently clenched both fists in triumph.
She had come fully prepared to be turned away, so the fact that she’d been granted permission so easily still left her dazed.
‘She looks even more amazing up close.’
It hadn’t even been half a year since Monica entered the grand temple.
She had unexpectedly awakened divine power and ended up here.
Everyone in the grand temple was kind and warm, so there was nothing uncomfortable about living here.
Except for one thing.
Saintess Ordell.
Everyone had warned her never to draw the Saintess’s attention, so Monica did her best to avoid her.
Every time she saw someone tearfully holding their cheek after being struck by the Saintess, she would only become more determined to stay far away from her.
But then, just a few days ago, the Saintess, that violent Ordell, had suddenly apologized to everyone!
Of course, no one believed it. The other apprentices whispered among themselves that the fickle Saintess could snap at any moment, so it was best to keep their heads down and stay quiet.
Monica, too, had avoided doing anything that might draw attention.
But then—
“Right… who are you again? What was your name?”
When she had been slapped across the face simply for blocking Count Kiris’s retainer, and was holding back tears in frustration—
The Saintess had suddenly appeared and humiliated Baron Gale in front of everyone. And that wasn’t all.
“Oh my, thanks for letting me know. But by the way… that face definitely looks like it’s been hit. Doesn’t it hurt? Someone take this apprentice priest and get her treated, please.”
After hearing his name, she had genuinely shown concern for Monica.
Monica hadn’t been able to take her eyes off the Saintess’s transformed demeanor.
The very person she had been desperately avoiding now looked proud, radiant, and beautiful.
Maybe that was why… the moment her eyes met those honey-gold irises, she found herself wanting to become the Saintess’s attendant.
She wanted to stay beside someone who seemed so blessed by the divine.
“I’ll be able to see her every day starting tomorrow.”
Some were concerned about her decision, but she had no regrets.
It was impulsive, yes but never once in her life had decisions like this led to anything bad.
And so, Monica resolved to trust her instincts once again.
* * *
The next day, at exactly 6 a.m., Monica came to assist with the morning routine.
She must have heard that I trained at this hour.
I felt bad about making both Victoria and Monica wake up so early because of me, so I told them they could take turns. But that suggestion was immediately rejected.
Apparently, knights and attendants had different roles, or something like that.
The two of them were already getting along well.
What was surprising, though, was that Airek hadn’t opposed Monica becoming my personal attendant.
All he did was ask her if she was really okay with it.
This, from the man who never allowed the original Ordell to have a dedicated attendant.
It made me happy as it clearly implies how I did a good job reshaping my image.
And so, Monica became my official attendant.
“Saintess. A letter has arrived from the House of Count Kiris.”
Thanks to Duke Lute Sieri, we finally had some funds. I was sitting at the table mapping out my next plans when Monica brought over a letter.
I glanced with little interest at the double dahlia seal, used exclusively by Count Kiris, then tore open the envelope without ceremony.
Why did Duke Lute Sieri visit the grand temple?
That was basically the summary of the long-winded contents of the letter.
SoundlessWind21’s Notes:
If there are any errors, whether it be grammatical, spelling, translation, or website-related issues, feel free to let me know. (´◡`) Anyway, thank you for reading!