Beate ran until she was out of breath. She barely managed to climb over the orphanage fence and hid in the back garden that led to the temple’s priests’ quarters.

‘There they are…! Thank goodness.’

As she had hoped, several supply wagons were visible in the distance. The workers were busy moving unloaded goods, and the coachmen were preparing their wagons for departure.

Beate crouched low and crept toward the wagons, but just then, people emerged from the priests’ quarters.

Leading the group was a petite woman completely covered in a long robe, followed by four other priestesses. Under the hood of the leading woman, her face, wrapped in bandages, was briefly visible.

‘Could it be… the faceless saint?’

It was unmistakably Rosaria, who would later be known as the “Faceless Saint” for always being wrapped in bandages.

Cardinal Ian had found her after receiving a divine revelation, and in the future, she would manifest her holy powers as Saint Rosaria.

In her previous life, Beate had heard about Rosaria through the gossip of the maids at the Grand Duke’s residence. Since Rosaria was only declared a saint after Gis ascended the throne, she was not yet recognized as one at this time.

Her face hidden, it was hard to guess her age, but judging by her height and build, she seemed to be about Beate’s age or a little older.

Beate hid behind a low shrub, anxiously waiting for them to pass so she wouldn’t be discovered.

As the group passed by the shrub where Beate was hiding, there was a soft clatter as the rosary that Rosaria was holding snapped, and several beads rolled to the ground.

Rosaria stopped walking. One of the beads rolled right toward where Beate was hiding, as if it were seeking her out.

‘I hope she doesn’t notice the bead that rolled over here!’

While Beate stared nervously at the bead nearby, the priestesses stepped forward to help Rosaria.

“Lady Rosaria, let us pick them up for you.”

“It’s all right.”

Rosaria lifted her hand to stop them, indicating she would do it herself.

Despite her vision being blocked by the bandages, she seemed highly sensitive to sound—or perhaps she could already use holy power.

Without fumbling, Rosaria picked up the fallen beads with precise movements of her fingers.

The priestesses watched her in awe.

After gathering the beads at her feet, Rosaria straightened and approached the shrub to retrieve the bead that had rolled toward Beate.

Beate hugged her knees, curling up as small as she could.

‘I can’t get caught here.’

As Rosaria drew near, Beate buried her face between her knees and squeezed her eyes shut.

The footsteps stopped right in front of her.

“……”

There was only silence, not a single movement. Had Rosaria found the bead? Or had she discovered Beate hiding there…?

Beate held her breath, tense with anxiety.

After a moment, the footsteps started again, growing more distant.

When Beate opened her eyes, Rosaria was walking away with the priestesses, leaving the bead right where it was.

Beate picked up the bead. It was a rosary bead made of an unknown rose-tinted gemstone.
Looking closely, she could see Rosaria’s initials engraved on it.

‘This is no time to get distracted!’

She snapped back to her senses. The unexpected encounter had delayed her.

She hurried out from behind the shrub and rushed to where the wagons had been parked.

But with her thirteen-year-old body, she couldn’t have run very far, and in the meantime, the wagons—perfect for hiding her small frame—had already departed.

“Ah… How could this happen?”

Clutching the rosary bead in her hand, Beate watched as the last wagon exited through the back gate, letting out a deep sigh of despair.

Her one thread of hope vanished just like that.

All she could do was fiddle with the bead, the engraved initials clear beneath her fingertips.

‘What do I do now?’

As she despaired, she heard two people talking quietly near the storage building.

Peeking from behind a tree, Beate saw who they were and immediately covered her mouth with both hands.

‘Oh no.’

The orphanage’s vice director priest was there.

Frozen in place, Beate listened to the two people’s conversation.

“I heard you came to the temple to offer a memorial prayer donation for Miss Riley’s anniversary, and yet you’ve also come all the way to support Larre Orphanage directly. Thank you, Lord Kerner.”

“I’m only here as a representative.”

“Please convey our gratitude to His Excellency.”

“I will.”

The vice director priest and the man called Lord Kerner exchanged formal greetings.

Fortunately, it seemed Beate’s disappearance from the orphanage had not yet been discovered.

All the wagons headed for the imperial capital had already left, but the carriage that Lord Kerner had come in was still there.

‘I’ll have to take that carriage.’

Beate quietly crept to the back of the carriage, slipped into the makeshift cargo compartment, and pulled the cover over herself.

“The children at the orphanage made this precious handmade cheese from goat’s milk themselves. It’s a gift filled with gratitude and the children’s sincerity.”

“I’ll be sure to deliver it to His Excellency.”

Once the farewells were finished and preparations complete, the carriage set off.

The scent of cheese filled the cargo space. Beate had helped raise the goats and milk them with the other children, but she had never tasted this rare, handmade cheese herself.

She hadn’t even had lunch, and her stomach growled loudly. Fearing she might be discovered, she nibbled on a little cheese to stave off her hunger.

Not knowing where the carriage was headed, Beate tried to endure the queasiness of the bumpy ride but soon dozed off.

She knew she should get off at the right moment, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.

* * *

How long had she slept? She tossed and turned, unaware that the carriage had stopped, when the cover was suddenly yanked away.

It was already evening, and the sunset glow fell across Beate’s face.

“Huh? Looks like a little mouse has snuck in and stolen some cheese.”

The coachman scowled and grabbed Beate by the scruff of her neck, pulling her out of the cargo compartment.

“You little rascal. Where did you get on?”

The coachman was so focused on Beate that he didn’t notice the people from the manor approaching the carriage, chatting amongst themselves. Their voices grew closer.

“Did you say the orphanage sent a gift?”

“Yes. They wanted me to tell you it was a meaningful and precious gift. It’s in the carriage’s cargo compartment—please bring it inside.”

“Certainly.”

The elderly but still robust chief butler and the representative, Lord Kerner, whom Beate had seen at the orphanage, walked over together.

Two maids and a manservant followed behind. The coachman, unaware of the people behind him, continued to scold Beate.

“Are you going to speak up before you get in real trouble?”

“I’m sorry. I had my reasons.”

Seeing the coachman scold the child so harshly, the chief butler stepped forward.

“What’s all this commotion?”

“Well, I found this child in the carriage’s cargo compartment.”

The coachman pointed at Beate with an annoyed expression. Lord Kerner looked back and forth between the already opened cheese and Beate in confusion.

“Huh? The gift…”

“Are you saying this child is the gift sent from the orphanage?”

“That can’t be. I was told it was handmade cheese from goat’s milk. But someone’s already touched it…”

Both the butler and Lord Kerner turned to look at Beate.

“I’m sorry. I was so hungry I ate it without permission. But I can make it for you again.”

Beate bowed low and begged for forgiveness.

“You can make cheese?”

“Yes. The children and I at the orphanage made this cheese ourselves. We cared for the goats and milked them, too.”

Beate explained gently, afraid they wouldn’t believe her, but the only word the butler seemed to hear was “orphanage.”

“So, you’re a runaway from the orphanage.”

“I had my reasons. I didn’t do anything bad—except for eating the cheese without permission, which was wrong. I’m sorry.”

Beate confessed her fault in a small, timid voice.

“I’ll have someone take you back to the orphanage.”

“No, please. Could you let me work here instead? I’ll be useful—I’ll do anything.”

Beate pleaded with the butler, clinging to him, but the two maids nearby pulled her away.

“I can’t go back there, ever.”

With all her strength, Beate shook off the maids’ hands and dashed toward the manor.

“Stop her! Don’t let her inside!”

The butler shouted to the servants. Beate ran desperately, determined not to get caught.

“The master is returning!”

A servant shouted loudly. Just then, a carriage bearing the family crest entered the passage to the main building.

“Huh? Who’s that child?”

Startled by the child who suddenly darted out, the coachman pulled on the reins, and the horses reared to a halt.

“What’s going on?”

The carriage door opened and the master of the house stepped out. The servants nearby all bowed their heads in greeting at once.

‘That person…’

Beate recognized him at a glance and froze in shock.