CHAPTER 110…………………
“Your Highness. Princess.”
“Mm…”
“Please wake up. Priest Hebzel has already come by to inform you that the aptitude test will begin soon.”
Seshil gently shook me, careful not to jostle too much.
“Has it come to that already?”
“Yes.”
I slowly pushed myself up from the bed, still feeling drowsy, rubbing my eyes.
I flexed my hands and found no pain.
He put me to sleep before the pain could hit fully.
Recalling Pope Maridris’s face from last night, I stepped out of bed.
Seshil extended her hand, and I took it, following her out of the duty room.
Outside, Hebzel was waiting for us. He bowed politely and smiled warmly.
“Did you sleep well? Any discomfort?”
“No, I feel refreshed.”
“I was worried, so that’s a relief. Now, everyone is waiting—let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Hebzel guided us to the Great Blessing Hall, where the aptitude test would take place.
Upon entering, Yevgeny, Isabel, and their accompanying priests and voting nobles stood in a line, waiting.
At the head sat Pope Maridris, dressed neatly for the test.
At the far end, I saw Marquess Iolin’s expression brighten immediately upon seeing me.
He bowed to me, gesturing for me to come to his side.
“Have you been waiting?”
I asked, and he replied confidently:
“Not really! I had a most enjoyable time!”
“An enjoyable time…?”
I glanced at the nobles accompanying Isabel and Yevgeny, who were grinding their teeth at Marquess Iolin.
They must have been discussing who will enter the central noble council.
Otherwise, why would they glare at Iolin, who had maintained neutrality all along?
Besides, Iolin had made achievements through me.
Earlier, when Jaster had given me Solia fruits at the magic tower, I asked that all the fruits be sent to Marquess Iolin.
This created a stepping stone for my ally to enter the central noble council.
Initially, Lady Iolin had sent letters asking what I planned to do with so many Solia fruits. After explaining the situation, the gentle lady transformed completely.
“Princess, you truly keep your promises.”
Acknowledging her past alliance, Lady Iolin immediately assumed authority in the royal household and began assisting me instead of her husband, Marquess Iolin.
She was perfect in every way—enhancing her own position while crediting her husband’s achievements.
For instance, it was said that it was Marquess Iolin who secured the Solia fruits.
No wonder everyone says Robin Iolin should be the one entering the central noble council.
Unlike voting nobles, those in the central council could use their votes to enact decisions.
“I am honored to assist such a wise Your Highness. Thank you.”
“Thanking me is premature. Even if achievements are made, if one isn’t selected, it’s all for nothing.”
“That may be so. But I have no regrets assisting you. Even if you aren’t chosen to light the signal fire, I, Marquess Iolin, pledge to be your support.”
“That’s reassuring.”
I smirked at Iolin, exchanging a sly glance.
Just then, Pope Maridris tapped his long staff on the floor, drawing attention.
“The aptitude test begins now.”
A gulp echoed quietly.
“The first to be tested is…”
The Pope’s gaze swept over Yevgeny, Isabel, and me with a commanding air.
Even Isabel, frowning, did not dare oppose him.
“Let’s start with Yevgeny de Caliburg, Second Princess.”
“Me?”
Yevgeny looked puzzled.
Normally, the order is by rank: Dimitri absent, then Isabel, Yevgeny, and me. I was last due to childhood seniority.
Procedurally, Isabel should go first. But…
The protagonist always appears last; the later you appear, the more memorable you are.
I recalled the Pope smiling at me previously and mirrored it with a small smile.
“Isn’t it because you’ve done the most deeds here?”
The Pope nodded in agreement.
“Yes. By merit, Yevgeny has achieved the most first, so she goes first. Is that acceptable?”
“Then… yes.”
Yevgeny climbed the stage, nervously adjusting her posture.
“Place your hand on the pillar.”
The Pope indicated a small pillar at waist height, topped with a transparent crystal sphere.
“Upon contact, the divine power test will begin. The water that rises in the sphere indicates the strength of Your Highness’s divine power.”
“Yes.”
Nervously, Yevgeny placed her hand on the crystal sphere.
“Ah…”
The sphere glowed, and a small amount of water appeared inside.
It was too little for healing someone but enough for a minor priestly role.
Yevgeny seemed pleased. She was, like me, someone without significant divine power until now.
Wait… wasn’t I the one the goddess granted divine power to?
Yevgeny stepped down, hiding her twitching smile.
“Well done, Yeny.”
“Ora…”
Isabel patted Yevgeny’s shoulder. Yevgeny shyly smiled and returned to her original spot beside Count Amelie.
“Next, Isabel van Caliburg, Second Prince, please.”
“Of course.”
Isabel climbed confidently. Following the Pope’s instruction, she placed her hand on the sphere.
Her divine power was greater than Yevgeny’s, so more water appeared.
“Oh, higher than the Second Princess.”
The Pope complimented her, boosting her pride.
“Isn’t this enough testing?”
Count Hilind, Isabel’s temporary assistant, glanced at me skeptically. He assumed Yevgeny had the divine power.
“Further testing is a waste of time.”
“There’s no time. The results await their Majesties, so we must conclude swiftly—”
“Eh—?”
Pope Maridris looked over the nobles like a child spotting worms.
“You never know. Some develop divine power unexpectedly as they grow.”
“But Your Holiness—”
“Proceed. Lirien, please.”
“….”
Count Hilind looked dumbfounded. Pope Maridris could easily ignore nobles who couldn’t touch him.
“Place your hand on the crystal sphere.”
“Yes.”
While the nobles were displeased, I, the Pope, and Marquess Iolin were enjoying the moment.
The Marquess was unaware I had received divine power. He felt relief yet slight tension, anticipating the test.
Don’t worry.
He nodded as I placed my hand on the sphere.
“What…!”
Count Hilind gawked, rubbing his eyes repeatedly as the sphere filled entirely with water.
With water? Of course!
“Impossible…!”
Yevgeny screamed. She staggered, then collapsed from disbelief.
Isabel, shocked, supported Yevgeny and looked at me.
“How… how do you suddenly have so much divine power?”
I glanced at Pope Maridris. He gestured to the priests, who whispered among themselves and then chorused:
“It seems the goddess granted divine power to Lirien Sha Caliburg, First Princess!”
“By the goddess! This is a miracle!”
“I’ve never seen anyone except His Holiness fill the crystal sphere!”
The priests knelt, praising. I was momentarily stunned.
Wait, why are they reacting like that?
Then I remembered Hebzel’s whisper before entering the hall:
After the aptitude test, please act surprised and overjoyed.
“…Thank you!”
I quickly understood Hebzel’s meaning: the temple had been prepared for this since the Pope decided to support me.
“I’m happy.”
“The first aptitude test pass goes to Lirien Sha Caliburg, First Princess.”
The voting nobles’ faces drained instantly.
But they were not so easily defeated.
Like persistent black insects, they rushed to the Empress’s palace to conspire upon returning.
I, alone and at ease, walked leisurely back to my palace.
Coincidentally, Pope Maridris also alighted from the temple carriage and walked toward me.
“Your Highness.”
I turned at his call.
Ah, I almost forgot.
I hurriedly closed the distance and whispered:
“When will you retrieve the divine power you granted?”
“In two days, it will naturally return to me. Divine power is surprisingly discerning—it recognizes its true master. No need to worry.”
“Ah, so that’s why…”
I finally understood why I had to meet him monthly to receive the power.
I nodded, surveyed the surroundings, and bowed.
“Thank you for helping, though belatedly.”
“It’s nothing.”
He smiled kindly. I straightened my posture and asked:
“By the way, why did you summon me?”
“Oh, no reason. I noticed you seemed surprised by what I did without consultation, so I called you to apologize.”
“No… I was surprised, but I’m rather pleased.”
The priests must have known I received the Pope’s divine power to subtly cheat during the test.
Thus, the Pope must have persuaded them, preventing trouble.
I was deeply indebted to him.
“If you need anything, please ask without hesitation. If it’s about increasing donations, I can arrange that. And…”
“That’s unnecessary. You already contribute plenty. Just please convey to the goddess: appear in my dreams.”
The goddess finds you bothersome…
“Of course!”
I nodded, agreeing rather than explaining.
The Pope, satisfied, said, “Then I shall take my leave,” and departed with Hebzel.
Exhausted, I continued walking to my palace.
Upon arrival, I feasted on refreshments prepared by Ilia and Mullin, then took a short nap.
When I awoke, Ilia told me there had been chaos.
“What happened?”
“Count Amelie and Count Hilind took the Empress to visit the Crown Prince!”
“The Crown Prince…?”
“Yes! They apparently caused a scene, pleading and kneeling before him about something that happened at the temple.”
“I just heard from the Second Prince and Princess’s attendants—they went completely berserk, harassing the servants after returning from the temple. Normally cautious, but not this time.”
Mullin asked about the test.
“Is it true that the First Princess passed the first aptitude test?”
I nodded, as they were only going by rumor among the attendants.
“Yes. I passed. Me.”
