~Chapter 103~
There was one problem here.
The more I received treatment, the more I wanted to live.
“When I first started treatment, I didn’t feel this way.”
As I put my heart into it, I began to hope.
And because I hoped, I ended up disappointed.
I had tried not to expect anything, but in the end, I did.
And the disappointment from the results… that was mine to bear.
“…This is why I didn’t want to start treatment in the first place.”
I didn’t want to mortgage my present for useless hope and a future that would never come.
The feeling of being tortured by hope was never pleasant.
I had experienced it once in my previous life, which made it feel even worse now.
[But Saint, why do you keep worrying about strange things?]
“What do you mean?”
Lost in thought, I turned my head toward the voice.
The little yellow chick tilted its head, staring at me.
[Why do you, a Saint, keep worrying about dying?]
“Divine Beast. Like I’ve told you many times before…”
What should I do with this young divine beast who was still mistaken?
I spoke seriously.
“Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe I’m not really the Saint.”
[No. You are. You are the Saint. I can feel it.]
“Ha. Right…”
I was tired of telling the divine beast the truth.
So I simply turned my head away.
Anyway, once Emily awakened, I wouldn’t need to explain anymore.
‘Now that I think about it, Emily’s awakening should be coming soon. When exactly was it…?’
My eyes suddenly widened.
A scene from the original story popped into my head.
“…That’s right. Her birthday.”
[Birthday?]
“Emily’s awakening happened on her birthday. Yes, I’m sure of it.”
My head filled with memories of the original scenes.
As the heroine, Emily had faced many hardships even before becoming the Saint.
The head maid of Countess Elina’s household was the one who bullied her the most.
On her birthday, Emily had suffered terrible humiliation and was crying alone.
That was when Harry, who worked there at the time, approached her and comforted her…
“And in front of him, Emily awakened as the Saint.”
“Am I stupid? Why am I only remembering this now? It was definitely on her birthday.”
[…Here we go again.]
“When is Emily’s birthday? It’d be nice if I knew beforehand.”
[At this point, I think you’ve really lost it.]
I frowned and tried hard to remember the exact date, but unfortunately, it didn’t come to mind.
Still, that was enough. This was the world where Emily lived, after all!
‘Fine. If I don’t know, I’ll just ask directly. Hehe.’
With that thought, I quickly took out paper and a quill.
Technically, the proper rule was to send letters in the morning, but I couldn’t wait.
Letter to Emily:
Lady Emily, this is Irene.
I was curious about your birthday and wanted to ask.
I think we have a good connection, and I don’t want to miss the chance to celebrate it with you. Please let me know.
—Irene Hartmann.
P.S. I’ve been making good use of your Spicy Flour Dough recipe. Thank you again for teaching me.
‘Good thing I built a friendship with Emily in advance.’
After all, having ties with the main characters was always helpful for surviving in this world.
Praising myself for paying attention to her earlier, I tied the letter to a carrier pigeon and sent it off through the window.
Watching the bird fly away into the night sky, fatigue washed over me.
“Ugh… I’m so tired.”
Yawning, I rubbed my eyes.
It had been an exhausting night in many ways.
I drained the rest of my whiskey in one gulp, then collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
The next day.
“My Lady, my Lady. I thought about something overnight.”
After breakfast, Sophie came in as usual, pulling open the curtains and the window to air out the room.
“My Lady, I think you’ve been focusing too much on treatment. You need a change of pace!”
The fresh breeze blew into the room. Sophie spun around, her eyes sparkling.
“So I was thinking… Your birthday is coming soon, right? How about holding a birthday party at the mansion?”
“That’s true… my birthday is coming.”
I answered quietly, still holding a small piece of paper in my hands.
“Forget about the treatment results for a while and refresh yourself with a party.”
Excited, Sophie came closer.
“You can invite the young ladies you’ve grown close to. Maybe even His Highness the Crown Prince, Sir Eric, and Lord Fabian. Everyone together for your birthday!”
“Haha. I don’t really want to invite the male leads though…”
“Male leads?”
I slipped up and glanced at Sophie, who tilted her head in confusion.
“Haha. No, nothing.”
“Anyway, if you permit me, I’ll prepare the party. May I?”
Sophie clasped her hands earnestly, eyes shining.
“Actually… I really want to repay your kindness in some way. Because of you, my life turned around.”
“…Ah.”
I looked up at Sophie.
I knew what she meant—the makeup artist job.
Now Sophie had grown enough that she didn’t need my help anymore. She was earning plenty on her own, even giving lectures sometimes.
I couldn’t ignore her sincerity, so I nodded.
“Alright, alright. Go ahead and prepare it. I think I need a change too.”
“Great! Leave it to me. I’ll go make plans right now. Please rest, My Lady!”
Cheerfully, Sophie rushed out.
Her back looked so lively that I smiled.
The room grew quiet. The divine beast was dozing in the sunlight.
I unfolded the paper again, my expression hardening.
Letter from Emily:
Lady Hartmann! I’m so glad you’re making use of my recipe.
I didn’t befriend you to gain anything, but since you asked, I’ll tell you.
My birthday is May 16, 8XX!
—Emily Bell.
P.S. I also think our bond is very special. When I see you, it feels strangely comfortable… like I’ve known you for a long time.
The reply had arrived from Emily early in the morning.
I stared at the date for a long time.
May 16, 8XX.
“…Emily and Irene have the same birthday.”
Even the year was exactly the same.
Irene and Emily had been born on the very same day.
‘I didn’t know the original story had this setting…’
The villainess and the heroine sharing a birthday?
“This is way too suspicious.”
Of course, it could just be a coincidence. But it left me uneasy—like I had just uncovered a hidden detail no one told me.
‘It’s just my imagination.’
Sighing, I folded the letter.
Still, Sophie was right—I needed a change.
I had been buried in treatment for too long.
A birthday party sounded good. On that day, when Emily awakened, I’d return the divine beast to her.
…Grrr.
Suddenly, a strange sound came from nearby.
I turned my head.
At the window sat a white carrier pigeon I’d never seen before.
“…Huh?”
