~Chapter 105~
“Sophie. On the way back… I want to be alone with my thoughts.”
I spoke weakly to Sophie, feeling drained.
“Yes, My Lady. Speak to me whenever you wish.”
She nodded, then leaned back in her seat, giving me space.
The carriage began to move.
Resting my chin on my hand, I gazed out the window.
My head was spinning with tangled thoughts.
“Did I make the wrong decision?”
Did I cause unnecessary trouble for Albert, interfering in the male lead’s path?
“Haah… Huh?”
Just then, another carriage passed by us.
As we left the Imperial Princess’s palace, one carriage brushed past us, entering instead.
It bore the emblem of the temple. At a glance, it looked like someone from the temple of the Hasit Empire had come to visit.
But—
“That man…”
Through the slightly open window, I caught sight of someone inside.
A man I had once seen during a train trip, at the Harmen Temple.
The High Priest of Harmen Kingdom’s Temple.
He was unforgettable—his presence stood out, as though he were a key character in a novel. Yet his true role was unclear, and that had confused me.
But why was he here…?
I tilted my head, momentarily forgetting my worries.
“Could it be that the Princess is so devout she even meets privately with the High Priest of Harmen?”
But I had never heard anyone say Princess Alicia was particularly religious.
“Ugh, whatever.”
Why should I care if the Princess met with the High Priest or not?
I was the one standing at the crossroads between life and death.
“…So frustrating.”
I pouted and muttered with a bitter heart.
This happened one week before Irene’s birthday.
Time passed quickly, and at last, it was Irene’s birthday.
From early morning, Sophie held me down, dressing me up with endless effort.
Because Sophie was somehow more passionate about making me pretty than I was myself, I ended up stuck in front of the mirror for hours.
“Done!”
Finally, Sophie sprayed a mist over my face and smiled.
“Now it’s perfect. You look so beautiful, My Lady.”
“…Thank you, Sophie.”
I gave a shy smile.
In the mirror was a version of Irene that looked a little different from usual.
A pure white dress that reached my ankles, pearl earrings, and long straight hair tied with only a simple white ribbon.
The all-white look drew even more attention, like it shone on its own.
“And to think I was stuck for hours just for this…”
It really hit me—noble ladies had to put in hard labor just to look like this.
“I’ll go change my clothes and clean up the cosmetics. Since it’s almost time, please wait just a moment, My Lady.”
“Mm, alright.”
After saying this, Sophie quickly left the room with the makeup box.
Click. The door closed, leaving me alone. I bit my lip and whispered to the mirror.
“So… it’s finally today.”
[What’s happening today?]
The divine beast, who had been quiet all this time, tilted its head at my serious tone.
‘What else? Today is Emily’s awakening.’
Today was the day Emily would realize she was the real Saint.
The day she would awaken to the holy power gifted by Goddess Irene.
Emily’s birthday, and Irene’s birthday—both the same day.
I quickly turned to the divine beast.
“You, come with me today.”
[Really? What’s this? You’re always busy leaving me behind.]
“Just… today is my birthday.”
According to the original story, Emily awakened in the evening.
But just in case things turned out differently, I thought it was better to keep the divine beast with me.
If Emily awakened during the birthday party itself, I could hand it over immediately.
‘Besides, it might look dramatic for her to awaken in front of all the male leads…’
If that happened, all the attention the male leads had been pouring onto me would naturally return to where it belonged.
The moment was almost here—the divine beast returning to its true owner.
I tied a small ribbon around the chick’s body. It was my own way of saying goodbye.
[Saint, you’ve grown up. You’re being so nice to me now?]
The little chick, clueless about what I was really planning, puffed up happily as I decorated it.
“Divine beast, thank you. I wanted to say this beforehand… in case I can’t later.”
[……Why do you sound like someone saying farewell?]
“I just wanted to say I’m grateful for everything. Especially for listening to my requests all this time.”
[Hmmm…?]
The chick tilted its head, confused, staring at me.
Knock, knock.
By then, Sophie had already changed and came back, peeking into the room.
“My Lady, you’re ready now, right? It’s time to go.”
“Yes!”
I nodded firmly, following Sophie out—
the divine beast perched on my shoulder, and a solemn feeling heavy in my chest.
The Hartmann family’s garden.
As I entered, a large rectangular table came into view.
It was covered with a white cloth, wide and elegant.
Fresh flowers decorated the top, and all sorts of antique dishes and plates were neatly arranged.
“Wow… Sophie, it looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.”
It felt like a dining place hidden deep in the forest, where animals might gather.
Now I understood why Sophie had dressed me in a pure white gown today.
The white dress and the white table matched so well—even I could see how perfect it looked together.
“Hehe. Not bad, right? Didn’t I tell you to just leave it to me?”
“You’re right… Sophie, you really have talent for this kind of styling.”
Not just makeup, but the entire party’s design and even the guests’ looks—
Sophie’s sense was flawless.
“Oh! Lady Hartmann!”
As I approached the table, the young ladies who had already arrived stood up and greeted me warmly.
They were the same group I had first invited for tea to help Sophie’s reputation, and after that, we often kept in touch.
Sophie whispered softly at my side:
“Only people who could sincerely celebrate your birthday—regardless of status—were invited.”
“Yeah… it really feels that way.”
I gave her a gentle smile, then turned that smile toward the young ladies as I greeted them.
“Thank you all for coming to my birthday party. How have you been doing?”
“Yes, very well! It’s truly an honor for us to attend your birthday party, Lady Hartmann.”
But then, my eyes landed on one guest.
The Countess Elina’s daughter. She hadn’t even noticed I had arrived.
Her gaze was fixed firmly on the man sitting across from her—Fabian Alfonso.
“Ahem. Lady Elina, shouldn’t you greet Lady Hartmann first?” one of the others nudged.
“Huh? Ah…!”
Startled, Lady Elina quickly stood up.
“I-I’m sorry, Lady Hartmann. I was lost in thought and didn’t notice you. Happy birthday… truly!”
“…It’s fine. Have you been well, Lady Elina?”
“Y-yes, yes! I’ve been well…”
She answered timidly, and I simply smiled quietly.
“Whatever. She can like Fabian if she wants.”
I no longer wanted to bother with things like that.
If, by chance, Fabian developed feelings for Lady Elina, maybe that would even be a good thing.
After all, I was someone who would soon disappear from this world anyway.
I passed by them and sat at the head seat.
For just a moment, it felt like Fabian’s eyes flickered in my direction.
