Chapter 15: The Broken Candleholder (3)

Two days had passed since the dark-haired girl from the heavens descended. The imperial palace was in complete turmoil due to her presence.

“If I open the door and step outside, I will surely be bombarded with questions.”

Unable to endure her anxiety, Abigail started biting her nails. She then recalled the black-haired girl who had descended from the heavens.

“It was a completely unfamiliar appearance.”

Jet-black hair and eyes like obsidian. The moment Abigail made eye contact with the girl cradled in the crown prince’s arms, she knew instinctively.

“That child was the true Saint.”

Abigail accepted the reality calmly, without a hint of denial. She knew better than anyone that she was not the true Saint.

If necessary, she could simply relinquish the role of Saint and return to the Count’s household. What truly weighed on her mind was something else.

“…Alicia.”

The face of Alicia, who had been sitting alone in front of the Empress’s pond, lingered in her mind.

With a vacant stare, she had watched the black-haired girl, then collapsed and lost consciousness. She regretted not being able to say a single word of concern before sending her back to the monastery.

Knock, knock, knock.

Startled by the knocking sound, Abigail turned around.

“Saint, Father Revencio from the Central Temple is here to see you.”

“…Let him in.”

As Revencio’s unmistakable white hair appeared through the open door, Abigail muttered with her head bowed.

“…So, has he come to demand that I relinquish the role of Saint?”

Her voice, seeping through her lips, carried a faint edge.

“That’s hardly the case. I’m here today just to check on you. Saint…”

“…Since when have we been close enough for you to inquire about my well-being? Just state your business and leave.”

Even with her cold tone, Abigail couldn’t make a dent in Revencio’s shameless demeanor.

“Do not be too harsh on an old man with no power. If it’s the answer you want… the girl who descended from the heavens has been decided to be treated as a distinguished guest of the empire.”

Given the circumstances, being merely treated as a guest, rather than being handed the role of Saint?

“Truly, you have a reliable guardian. The Emperor even personally visited the Central Temple. It was all according to His Majesty’s will.”

Revencio’s wrinkled fingers rested on Abigail’s shoulder.

“…You’ve done very well, Saint. Thanks to you, the role of Saint can be fully maintained. For now… for now, that is.”

A leech-like breath settled on her nape. Overwhelmed by a terrible sense of revulsion, she pushed Revencio away with the back of her delicate hand.

In response, Revencio’s wrinkled hand twisted her shoulder painfully. The rough touch brought tears to her eyes.

“…I picked up an ordinary girl from the mud and carefully groomed her to become a Saint, and now you are utterly ungrateful. Noble Saint, I am your creator. Have you forgotten?”

“You made me? Don’t be ridiculous!”

“How foolish and pitiable you are. Did you really think your fate was chosen by the gods?”

Revencio’s fingertips began to delicately trace Abigail’s cheek.

“…Young and beautiful Saint’s shell, that’s all you are.”

It felt like insects were crawling over her. The hand that traveled along her cheekbones, cheeks, and jawline gripped her chin tightly.

“It was a mistake in the interpretation of the prophecy. With a single word from me, you would fall into ruin. It would be nothing to push your father, Count Miller, into being branded a heretic blinded by power.”

‘Not only are you using me, but now you bring up my father’s name!’

The pain in Abigail’s jaw made her lips tremble.

“Ah, ugh…”

“Count Miller, who blinded by power, betrayed his own child and slandered the royal family! His assets and lands will be confiscated, and he will soon be left on the streets. No amount of regret will help him now.”

Normally, such trivial threats could be dismissed with a mere ear, but the mention of her father’s name made her heart race in fear.

“…What do you want me to do?”

As she spoke in a trembling voice, Revencio finally released his grip on her chin.

“Now we’re communicating. There cannot be two Saints under the heavens. No matter how the girl came from the sky, I will remain by the Saint’s side until the end. But as a mere bishop, I have no power.”

Revencio’s cheek began to twitch uncontrollably.

“Noble Saint… Grant me the position of Pope. If you do so, I will help you secure your place in the history of the Empire as a merciful Saint.”

It was not a request but a clear threat. Watching a greedy old man like Revencio become Pope was not something she could tolerate.

“You say I’m just a powerless woman who walked through the mud. You know better than anyone that I have no significant divine power. How could I possibly elevate you to the position of Pope?”

Revencio’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Can’t you use the deception that you call divine power? Whatever trick you used, it seems quite plausible for something that came from your head.”

A deception? Every accomplishment she had achieved as a Saint was with the help of Alicia. The miraculous divine power was neither a cowardly trick nor deceitful. It was an unblemished truth.

“…So, choose. Will you live your life as a Saint or be cast out as a heretic and end up on the streets?”

* * *

Abigail was invited by Victor for afternoon tea. Even though she would not see anything pleasant, she couldn’t understand why she was being summoned.

She headed to the prince’s garden in a long, flowing white dress that was ill-suited for afternoon tea.

Revencio’s thunderous voice still echoed in her mind. She was certainly not in the mood to enjoy tea today.

“…It’s rare to see such a distinguished face. Please, have a seat.”

At the tea table, the Crown Prince and the black-haired girl were sitting together in harmony. It seemed they had already been deep in conversation, as the cake on the table was cut in half.

“I didn’t expect there would be other guests besides me.”

“Oh… I didn’t realize you’d be uncomfortable. If you find it so, perhaps you should go back.”

After making the effort to come all the way to the prince’s residence, now being told to leave was infuriating.

“…It’s not that uncomfortable.”

Abigail took her seat at the table. The black-haired girl was right in front of her. From a distance, she seemed mysterious and radiant, but up close, there was an undeniable roughness to her appearance.

“I’m sorry if my presence here was bothersome.”

Abigail could hardly believe her ears. To be so rudely dismissed on their first meeting was shocking.

“Is it customary in your country to be so dismissive to strangers?”

Abigail forced herself to suppress her displeasure and smiled, sipping her tea.

“…Well, I am a distinguished guest here. Isn’t that the least one can expect?”

The black-haired girl looked at Abigail with round eyes like a rabbit. It was hard to tell whether this was audacity or simply bad manners.

“But if you’re here, you should introduce yourself first. How can you just sip your tea without saying a word?”

With a tone that seemed almost patronizing, Abigail was at a loss for words. After calming her startled heart, she finally spoke.

“Isn’t it polite to introduce yourself before asking questions?”

As soon as Abigail finished speaking, a sardonic smile flashed across the black-haired girl’s delicate lips.

“…How rude.”

In that moment, Abigail couldn’t believe her ears. To hear such open disdain right in front of her was as shocking as being hit with a hammer. Moreover, the Crown Prince, who should have intervened, only watched with a look of amused curiosity.

“…I am Abigail Miller, the Saint who protects the Empire. And who are you to use such harsh words in my presence?”

“I’m Sua. But did I say something harsh? And you, stop with the condescending tone. Who are you to lecture me in front of a guest?”

“Hah…”

Sua was a completely unreasonable person with whom communication was impossible. The Crown Prince, who had been sitting with his legs crossed in silence, finally spoke up.

“I’d rather not watch a fight during a pleasant tea time. Both of you calm down and let’s continue with other topics.”

Thanks to the Crown Prince’s mediation, the argument ceased, and the conversation resumed. 

However, Abigail could not bring herself to speak, merely sipping the cold tea in her cup due to her restless mood.

On the tea table, Sua’s lively and playful voice filled the room. Though hostile towards Abigail, she refrained from making sharp comments to the Crown Prince.

“Hah…”

Abigail sighed deeply. After dealing with the morning’s visit from Father Revencio, she had a headache and did not want to remain in this unpleasant situation.

“…I think I’ll leave now. I’m not feeling well.”

As Abigail stood up, Sua’s black eyes, which had been laughing heartily, suddenly turned toward her.

“Pfft, you’re not leaving because you feel left out of the conversation, are you? If you had kept up, I might have answered some of your questions.”

Abigail suppressed her rising frustration. Indeed, it was better to avoid further confrontation. Prolonging the argument would only be counterproductive.

“Hmm, who does she think she is, a princess or something? Victor, did you really choose someone with a face like that as the Saint? How is she a Saint? What criteria did you use to choose her?”

The mocking laughter behind her made Abigail bow her head in defeat. Suddenly, the unpleasant voice of Father Revencio echoed in her mind.

‘Young and beautiful Saint’s shell, that’s all you are.’

Sua’s tearing laughter and the eerie voice of Revencio mixed together. Their discordant sounds brought tears to Abigail’s eyes.

“Ugh…”

Abigail pressed her palms against her face and quickened her steps. She needed to return to her room. Once there, touching the butterfly brooch that Alicia had given her would hopefully soothe her troubled mood.