After my meeting with Marquise Larose, I came to the main church, participating in the annual prayer. As usual, the emperor was not attending. Strangely, this year, the empress and the first princess were attending. Every heavyweight also attended the prayer, as this was the first time in a decade that the saintess had officially led the annual prayer. I could see Duke Ellon sitting near the Pop and Marquise Larose and Duke Melbon sitting near the empress. It felt like they did it on purpose, placing me in the middle. For three days, the atmosphere was so tense. I felt like everyone was on edge. Yet, I felt that only the saintess remained calm. Was it due to the effect of the drug? However, I could not find the time to have the conversation with the saintess. I even brought the thing that High Priest, no, Bishop Leon, prepared for. We, the natural faction, decided to be bystanders during the whole ordeal.

  It was only on the last day that I had the chance to talk with the saintess. It was after the empress and the first princess departed. I approached the saintess while Duke Ellon was occupied with his daughter.

  “I am delighted to see you in great health, Your Holiness.” I gave my salute to the saintess.

  “I pray to the goddess for your glory.” The saintess calmly gave her priest-greeting, “It has been a long time. How have you been?”

  We could not openly get to the main topic as Duke Ellon was moving to our place. “Thanks to the goddess’s blessing, I am in great health.”

  “I am delighted. How is Iris doing?” The saintess, too, sensed it. So, we decided to use Iris as a cover.

  “Iris is doing fine.” Yes, this is the most natural topic between us.

  “I hope she won’t cause you too much trouble.”

  “That is not the case. It is the opposite. We have been indebted to her. She has always been the mother figure to them.” I tried to pass on the information that Iris was taking care of Lilia, and Lilia was doing fine.

  I could sense that Marquise Larose was observing me. I also sensed that Duke Ellon was approaching closer.

  Since we did not have much time, I tried to pass on the thing that Bishop Leon prepared for the saintess. “On that note, Iris and I have prepared this small gift as a celebration of your good health.”

  It was a golden box. Inside was a pair of earrings and a hairpin. One of them was imbued with divinity by Iris and Bishop Leon. The other one was imbued with divinity by Lilia. It was a message to her about the current progress of Lilia and the safety of Bishop Leon.

  “Since it is from you and Iris, I would gladly accept it. May I open it?” Knowingly, the saintess tried to check these messages. As if pleased with it, she said with a smile as she caressed the hairpin.

  “Indeed, you and Iris have been working hard. I can see that it is of good quality. It seems like Iris never neglected her training. It is overflowing with divinity.” So, it was the praise.

  “Iris would be joyful if she heard that. She has been working hard after all.” I have to say, Lilia has been working hard after all. She never skipped her training.

  Then, suddenly, the saintess asked the standby deacon to call that child. “Child, could you call Aria here?”

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  As she was about to leave to follow the saintess’s order, Duke Ellon and his daughter appeared behind the door.

  As I saw them, I could not help but express my discontent, especially when I saw that girl walking behind him.

  “Ah, you came at the right time, Aria. Come here.” The saintess gestured for that child, Sister Aria, to come closer to her with a smile.

  And Sister Aria politely replies. “Yes, your holiness.”

  “Did you finish with your reunion, Duke Ellon?” While observing Sister Aria, the saintess redirected her attention to Duke Ellon.

  “Yes. I apologize to disturb you. It seems you were in the middle of a conversation with Duke Willow.” Duke Ellon replied as he directed his gaze at me.

  The saintess tried to soothe his suspicion as she showed him my gift. “Yes, we were talking about Iris. They even prepared a get-well gift for me.”

  “I am just delivering the gift that Iris prepared for her holiness. Iris has been worrying about her holiness all this time after all.” I try to go with the flow.

  “I see.” Duke Ellon replied as he stole a glance at the deacon. Only after he had seen her nod her head did he drop his suspicion.

  “Come here, Aria.” Then, the saintess passed the box to the deacon and took out the earrings.

  “I believe it would look good on you.” After saying that, the saintess put the earrings on Sister Aria.

  I was a little uncomfortable about the saintess’ action. These earrings were the ones Lilia had worked so hard to prepare for her. She even cut down her rest to make it. However, considering the circumstances, I could understand her action.

  “I am honored. However, I don’t think it would be appropriate for me—” Out of courtesy, Sister Aria tried to refuse. However, I must say that if one truly wishes to refuse the gift, it should be done from the beginning, rather than after it has been put on. I could see it as nothing but an act. It seemed the report that she was actively accepting the “offering” was true after all.

  “This is my gift to you, Aria. You have been working hard, taking care of me all this time. Moreover, you are a grown woman. You cannot go without any accessories anymore.” The saintess kindly said that as she placed her hand on Sister Aria’s head.

  “I know you are concerned about the rule.” As the saintess said that, she picked up the hairpin and put it on. “I, too, will wear this hairpin. So, we can get a matching set.”

  “Aria, you should not decline the saintess’ goodwill.” Duke Ellon chimed in.

  “…. I understand, Father. Thank you very much, Your Holiness; I will treasure it.” Sister Aria said as she bowed down.

  The saintess just smiled as she gently stroked Sister Aria’s head.

  I see. So, it was her attempt to show her good relationship with Sister Aria? The saintess was trying to appease Duke Ellon with this move. Although I feel dissatisfied that she gave the earring to that girl, I could only accept this outcome. The sight of that girl touching the earring as if she treasured it made me feel disgusted.

  As if sensing my feeling, Sister Aria trembled as she lowered her face.

  “I think it was about time for me to go to rest. It was regretful, but I have to bid farewell to everyone now. Duke Willow, may you have a safe journey. And please bring Iris with you next year. I really miss her.” The saintess looked into my eyes as she said that. I feel that her eyes were a bit sharp. Her tone, too, carried a hint of hostility. I think it was another attempt by her to hide our connection. “And Duke Ellon, too, please have a safe journey. I am sorry that I have to disrupt your reunion. But I would like to borrow Aria for now.”

  After bidding her farewell, as if kicking us, she directed her gaze to Sister Aria. “Aria, could you escort me to my chamber? I feel a bit tired now.” She said so as she gently stroked sister Aria’s head.

  “Yes, saintess. I bid you farewell, Father. Please, return home safe. Duke Willow, please have a safe journey.” Sister Aria began to escort the saintess after she said that.

  “Then, I will see you off, Your Holiness. Please be healthy.” I also said my farewell. After that, I try to leave the main church, as I have to prepare for my audience with the emperor. As I was about to leave the building, I saw Marquise Larose looking at me as he mockingly muttered. “You have failed.”

  I couldn't deny that I had failed. The surveillance around the saintess was tighter than expected. However, I could, at least, achieve my main objective as I delivered the news about Lilia’s progress to the saintess.