I said I would donate gold, and since I had no reason to refuse, I accepted his compliment.

“Hello, Archbishop. I’m just showing the appropriate respect as a believer.”

“I heard you made a significant donation today.”

“I couldn’t contain my excitement at the appearance of the Saint.”

I acted like an impressed young lady, moved by the presence of the Saint.

The archbishop was a two-faced person. Aside from the Saint, he was one of the closest individuals to the gods within the temple, yet he still coveted money.

Where there is money, there is salvation.

He was someone far removed from the lives of those who humbly served the lowest individuals.

Therefore, putting on an act like a generous and supportive young lady might help ease his suspicions.

“If it’s used for a good cause, I’ll be happy.”

“Thank you for your kind intentions, my Lady.”

Aslan replied politely. Ugh, so fake.

After exchanging pleasantries with me to an appropriate degree, Aslan revealed to Sienna the reason for coming here.

“Saint, we must now prepare for the evening Mass.”

Upon hearing that, Sienna’s lips pouted.

“I want to talk more with Vivian.”

“The other priests have already started their preparations. We have promised to carry out our duties faithfully and honestly, have we not?”

“Ugh, can’t it wait even for a little while? Please, Aslan.”

Sienna whined at Aslan’s kind scolding.

I was quite surprised to see this, as it seemed to me that Sienna was following Aslan quite closely.

It seemed like a relationship that wasn’t portrayed in the original version.

“Only thirty minutes, please? Just a short moment. I promise I’ll go to the Mass right after…”

“Sienna.”

Aslan interrupted Sienna, calling her by her first name instead of her title of saint. Sienna flinched as the sweet voice turned stern.

“Sienna, meeting fellow young ladies is understandable, but remember, you are the Saint. You know that, right?”

“Yes…”

“During the afternoon Mass, even the beggars from the outskirts will join us. So, we must prepare thoroughly. Now, let’s get up.”

Eventually, Sienna stopped her whining and nodded her head. She got up from her seat, and just then, another knock was heard at the door.

“Archbishop, it’s Tasha.”

This time, a woman with a tear-shaped mark below her right eye entered the room. Aslan directed her to take Sienna to the preparation room.

“Please accompany the Saint to the dressing room.”

“Yes, Aslan. Sienna, let’s go.”

“Yes… Vivian, I’ll go ahead then. I’ll see you again later!”

Sienna bid me farewell with a disappointed voice and left the room.

Once she was gone, only Aslan and I remained in the room. He asked me.

“Then, Lady Rosiere, would you like me to escort you to the prayer room?”

“No, thank you. It seems you are busy, so I’ll get up now.”

I skillfully declined Aslan’s offer and quickly left the temple.

Lisa was waiting for me right in front of the temple entrance.

“You came out faster than I thought, Miss.”

“Yeah, let’s go quickly, though.”

I exhaled the breath I had been holding as soon as I got on our family’s carriage again.

“Haah.”

My heart was pounding. In fact, it had been racing since earlier when the priest entered the room.

The sight of her face reminded me of a feature of her that I had forgotten.

– She had a tear-shaped mark near her eyes, and she had been very friendly towards Sienna since childhood.

The one who had planned to kidnap Sienna and drag her to the heretic’s lair.

Tasha was that person!

After returning home, I had someone look into Tasha separately.

Tasha lost her husband and young son to a demon, survived and wandered alone, and joined the Church of Yuphiter about five years ago.

She currently held the position of an apprentice priest, mainly managing Sienna’s schedule and taking care of her personal affairs.

Among the other priests, she had a good reputation for handling her tasks cleanly and efficiently.

She must be a tidy person. After all, she managed to move around as the Saint’s closest aide for five years, hiding the fact that she was a heretic.

“She must have been in constant contact with the heretics.”

There’s no way to know the exact method.

There’s still time until the Sienna kidnapping incident. However, there might be unexpected variables before that, so I had to act quickly as well.

It would be foolish to miss the opportunity to elevate my status when I know everything about the future, right?

But I couldn’t give Tasha my full attention.

I still had a more important event to attend.

It was the grand ball that would adorn the finale of the five-day founding festival.

“Good evening, Vivian.”

Before heading to the ball as promised, Daniel picked me up from the Marquis de Rosiere.

‘Vivian, what color dress will you wear?’

‘Um… I prepared a sky-blue one…’

‘Ah, I see. Noted.’

When we last parted, he asked about the color of my dress, and now Daniel was wearing a blue outfit to match my sky-blue dress.

Despite the bold color choice, his attire didn’t feel overwhelming, probably thanks to his handsome appearance that gave it strength.

Daniel extended his arm to me and said.

“Beautiful lady, shall we go then?”

“Pff, yes.”

I laughed lightly and accepted Daniel’s arm as he escorted me to the carriage.

He had prepared quite a luxurious carriage.

Daniel, did he already strike it rich even before inventing hair loss remedies?

Noticing my stare, Daniel responded teasingly.

“Not bad, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s nice.”

“I rented the best carriage. After all, you are my partner, Vivian.”

I blinked. Daniel’s words sounded somewhat meaningful.

At that moment, Daniel burst into laughter.

“If you can’t satisfy the lady of the Rosiere family, rumors will spread in the social world that you’re not good enough.”

“What? I never heard that!”

“Hahaha!”

As Daniel and I laughed and chatted, the carriage sped along, and before I knew it, I could see through the window the gorgeously lit imperial ballroom.

On the day I met Sienna and made up my mind, I immediately sent a reply to Kyle regarding the letter.

[ To my friend Kyle, who has become the little sun of the empire.

That day my mother said she was tired, so I returned home early.

I wonder if you were worried. If so, I’m sorry.

Having access to the crown prince’s palace at any time is amazing! I’ll definitely visit there someday.

I plan to attend only the grand ball on the last day of the festival. I’ll go with Daniel as my partner.

You’ll be entering with the Saint, right?

The Saint is a very kind and lovely person. Be sure to pay attention when escorting her.

Do you remember what I said? Treat those you like and have good feelings for with kindness, don’t push them away.

I’m really looking forward to seeing you dance with the Saint.

See you on the day of the ball.

Your best friend, Vivian.]

Addressing the Crown Prince informally and not using formal titles was my last remaining pride.

The pride that I am still your best friend.

The letter was delivered to Kyle right away, but there was no reply. I thought he must be busy.

From what I heard from my father, Kyle was busy meeting delegates during the day and nobles at night.

Yeah, that must be why.

Even if Kyle had a future with Sienna, I would still be his best friend forever, and I would support him as a friend.

With that thought in mind, I attended the ball…..

“Today, the Saint will not be attending the ball?”

“Yes, I heard that the Archpriest Aslan requested Crown Prince Kyle to escort the Saint, but Crown Prince Kyle refused.”

I heard unexpected news that made me doubt my ears.

What on earth is going on?

Kyle and Sienna won’t be dancing together.

Even if the original story was twisted, it has been twisted even more now.

***

I received the golden badge from Kyle, but I didn’t expect to use it so soon.

The very next day, I immediately applied for an audience with the Crown Prince at the palace.

I strutted down the vast corridors of the palace, and the servants barely stopped me.

It was because the golden badge hanging on my wrist swung with such a forceful momentum that it matched my strides.

Instead, they quickly averted their gazes from my enraged face.

Yes, I am angry right now.

‘Why didn’t you enter with Sienna?’

Why did you refuse to escort the Saint!

Does Kyle even know what that means? Kyle has just missed the most powerful card he could have ever held.

I don’t know what he was thinking when he backed down.

Kyle didn’t dance with anyone. Not with Sienna, not with me, not with anyone.

Instead, he watched intensely when I danced with Daniel.

Thanks to that, yesterday’s ball went off without a hitch, dancing and ending.

Even though it was the night of the ball, I returned home early and spent the night pondering, but I still couldn’t understand Kyle’s actions.

That’s why today, I plan to get the answer from Kyle.