Chapter 13
Today’s meeting of the Solar Fellowship was held in the picture-perfect garden of Grand Duke Rebladian’s estate.
Under a deep blue pergola, darker than the sky, a group of elegant noblewomen greeted Helene with practiced poise.
“Countess Emeldia, welcome.”
The ladies, with the Grand Duchess of Rebladian at their center, welcomed Helene warmly.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Helene took a seat with the escort of her attendant.
She was still just a guest of the Solar Fellowship.
To become a full member, Helene Emeldia didn’t meet the requirements in terms of wealth, status, or reputation.
Before the glow of the “reformed stepmother” image faded, she had to win their hearts and be formally accepted into the Fellowship.
Helene looked at the Grand Duchess of Rebladian.
Born the daughter of General Kelso of the Hersen Empire, she had a small frame but carried a commanding presence that could silence most men.
Since the Empress’s death, she had flawlessly fulfilled the role of the empire’s first lady, earning the love and respect of the people.
Her influence was nearly equal to that of the Emperor.
How could Helene win her favor?
Her strategy was to speak once for every ten things she heard.
In her previous life, Helene had worked in both male-dominated and female-dominated companies, in the service industry, enduring every kind of rudeness and power abuse.
If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was how to be likable.
So, despite being a guest, Helene aimed to blend in naturally without drawing attention.
Smile. Listen. Empathize.
That was her mission for today.
When the high priest arrived, the ladies of the Fellowship all sat down to read and interpret the scriptures of the Solar Faith.
Helene followed the lesson with surprising ease, not what one would expect of a first-time attendee.
That was thanks to all the late nights she’d spent struggling to stay awake, reading the thick holy text of the Solar Faith.
“Then, Countess Emeldia, as it’s your first day, would you like to read and interpret a passage for us?”
The high priest’s question was innocent, but the noblewomen’s eyes lit up like hawks spotting prey.
It was a test—to see how much she had studied about the Solar Faith in preparation for joining.
Helene looked down at the scripture passage.
Carefully, she read aloud:
“‘Fear not, believe. Even if the sun does not rise, my wings shall remain by your side. Even if you are deceived by black wings, I will send wings of light to embrace you once more.’”
Now, she had to interpret it.
“…I believe this is a prophecy of the Sun God sending his incarnation. Even if we cannot recognize the savior sent by the Sun God, he will still come to save us.”
Helene offered her interpretation with confidence.
This passage also appeared in The Complete Revelation, and was a long-standing prophecy of the Sun God.
When Angelina was later revealed to be a Saint, the high priest realized the true meaning of these words—that Angelina was the savior sent to rescue the empire in crisis.
“…Pfft.”
As soon as Helene finished, the Duchess of Drebis let out a rude snort of laughter.
Under the spotlight of all eyes, she looked at Helene with a bold and unembarrassed expression.
“Countess Emeldia, I understand that you’re unfamiliar with the Solar Faith, but your imagination is rather excessive. Do you know what a metaphor is? The ‘wings’ here symbolize faith. It means that as long as we have faith, we can overcome any darkness within us.”
At her words, the other noblewomen—except for the Grand Duchess—let out quiet, mocking laughter.
So that was the standard interpretation, before it was revealed Angelina was a Saint.
In hindsight, Helene realized her reading would seem out of line without that future context.
She had wanted to stay inconspicuous, but she had already made a misstep.
Flustered, she couldn’t say anything in return.
“How interesting! I didn’t know there was such an interpretation!”
But the high priest, looking intrigued, widened his wrinkled eyes and even scribbled Helene’s interpretation down in his notebook.
The laughter stopped immediately.
‘No, wait—now the Duchess of Drebis will hate me!’
“A-ah, no… I still have much to learn. I’ve gained a lot from the Duchess’s explanation. I’ll rely on your guidance going forward.”
Helene tried to recover quickly, but the Duchess of Drebis—famous for her grudges—looked far from pleased.
The Duchess opposed Helene’s membership in the Fellowship. If she objected, her close friends, the Marchioness of Pirdy and Countess of Kelex, would surely object too.
And if that happened, Helene would never be accepted into the group.
The Duchess of Drebis…
She was the key to Helene’s membership.
✦✦✦
Once the scripture lesson ended, servants brought out tiered trays of colorful petit fours and sweets for tea time.
The Duchess of Drebis cradled a Siamese cat on her lap, stroking its soft white fur, though her eyes were fixed on Helene.
Having finished her silent assessment, the Duchess casually spoke up.
“Countess Emeldia truly is fascinating. It’s remarkable how people can change so quickly.”
She wasn’t the only one who thought so.
Many people had wondered the same, but few dared to say it aloud.
Could it really be true that the “Red Witch,” once the Empire’s shame, had been saved overnight by the Sun God?
But voicing such doubt would mean denying the Sun God’s grace—unthinkable.
Now, using the excuse of a private conversation, the Duchess was clearly probing Helene.
Helene could’ve acted hurt at having her faith questioned, but that would guarantee she’d never be accepted.
She had to tell a story believable enough to make them think she’d truly repented.
“…I’m surprised myself. If it weren’t for the Sun God, I’d still be wandering through gambling dens…”
But she couldn’t seem like a foolish woman who loved airing her dirty laundry.
She had to come across as a dignified noblewoman who had endured suffering with grace.
That’s how nobles earned sympathy.
“After my husband died… I met a man. Looking back now, he was a terrible person. He didn’t love me—he only wanted my money.”
Helene wore a sorrowful expression.
“I abandoned even my daughters to follow him, even went to gambling dens. When I finally came to my senses, I had lost everything. And he—he went to another woman, as if he’d just been waiting for the chance. I begged, but all I got in return were cold words and eyes full of disgust.”
Everyone knows that real-life stories are rarely as pretty as fairy tales.
Many must’ve suspected that something had pushed Helene to change.
She intended to use that to her advantage.
Behind Helene’s transformation was a woman betrayed by love.
She’d tell a version of the story closest to what they already imagined.
“Oh my…”
These noblewomen, who had everything, occasionally longed for reckless love affairs.
Hearing how it all ended in disaster through Helene somehow felt oddly satisfying, and their hearts softened toward her.
“Men are always like that…”
“It worked out for the best. You’ve got a second chance now, Countess!”
They were becoming more and more emotionally involved.
“I didn’t even have money for a carriage, so I walked home from the gambling den. That night, I happened to see the copy of the holy scripture I had given to Liriana and tossed aside. I used to hate reading, but I started reading it as if possessed. And at sunrise, I heard the Sun God’s voice: ‘It’s not too late. Forgive, and be forgiven.’ That day, I was reborn.”
The noblewomen began to genuinely believe that perhaps Helene had truly repented.
She watched their expressions closely.
They were completely absorbed in her story.
But long lies eventually lead to mistakes. It was best to wrap it up now.
“Looking back, no one loved me like my late husband did… I envy you all so much…”
Helene let a single tear fall—the final touch.
Helene Emeldia is a woman who envies me.
That’s how they defined her.
She pulled out her prepared handkerchief and gently dabbed her eyes.
“Don’t cry… Good things are coming your way, Countess.”
The Duchess of Drebis took Helene’s hand in hers.
Following her lead, the Marchioness of Pirdy and the Countess of Kelex also stepped up to console her.
“All I want is to be able to thank the Sun God and enjoy peaceful tea with you ladies…”
Helene, even at the end, subtly expressed her desire to join the Fellowship.
“We’d love to get along with you too, Countess.”
The Duchess, smiling in her superiority, spoke warmly.
After Helene left that day, the Duchess would say that Helene seemed more modest than expected and vote in her favor.
From a distance, the Marchioness of Lausen gave Helene a V-sign for victory.
Helene could sense that her entry into the Solar Fellowship was now within reach.
✦✦✦
But contrary to her expectations, a full week passed without any word from the Solar Fellowship.
Even the Marchioness of Lausen was now subtly avoiding her.
It was something Helene had experienced many times in her past life.
She had walked out of interviews thinking the atmosphere had been great, only to receive a brief message saying, “We regret to inform you that despite your impressive qualifications, we will not be moving forward with your application.”
But she needed to know why the Fellowship had rejected her.
After morning prayer, as the Marchioness of Lausen tried to flee in a hurry—Helene stepped directly into her path.
Well… nice take