Chapter 13
“Doesn’t the saint candidate feel… kind of different today?”
“Doesn’t it look like she’s wearing clothes that don’t really suit her?”
Those who whispered quietly swallowed their doubts as soon as Milla approached and followed behind her.
After all, as low-ranking priests, they had no choice but to obey those closer to God and learn how to approach Him through them.
Thick wooden pillars were planted into the ground, the framework of roofs was assembled, and clean white tents were spread over the frames to create shade.
As several tents appeared and relief supplies were stacked neatly underneath them, the people of the slums—who had been scattered—began to gather with interest.
Milla took her place at one of the tents and, smiling brightly at the gazes focused on her, called out loudly.
“We have come to deliver God’s love to you. Please cooperate so that we may provide what you need!”
Even though she didn’t explain exactly what would be given, the slum residents cheered at the familiar sight of Milla.
“Waaah, Saint!”
“Thank you, Saint!”
In this place filled with discomfort, she always arrived smiling and provided food and clothing, so to them, she was already no different from a saint.
Just as Milla’s smile deepened at the sight—
“Huh, what’s that?”
At someone’s words, their gazes turned away from Milla toward the opposite direction.
A large, luxurious carriage—completely out of place in the shabby alleyways—was approaching.
“Miss, we’ll arrive soon.”
Perhaps because the poison’s effects hadn’t fully faded, fatigue washed over me the moment I strained myself. I pressed my brow when I heard the announcement.
“Wouldn’t it be better to turn back even now? Today’s schedule might be a truly unpleasant experience for you. What if your mood is ruined?”
Even before getting off the carriage, I felt surrounded by unending stares.
“You really don’t know the meaning of moderation, do you?”
“It’s because I’m worried…”
“I’ll handle it myself, so don’t concern yourself.”
Just as the curt exchange ended, the carriage stopped. The driver rushed over and opened the door, and as expected, countless gazes turned toward me.
Others might have felt burdened, but I didn’t care in the slightest.
From the moment I said I would come to the slums, I knew I would draw the most attention.
‘It’s fortunate Leandros isn’t here.’
Considering what I was about to do, it was better he wasn’t by my side.
“Welcome, Lady Aperdita.”
The one greeting me was neither Leandros nor Milla, but the person in charge of this place—a cardinal with long gray hair.
With a kindly smiling face, he welcomed me coldly, matching the chill of his braided gray hair.
“It may feel unfamiliar to you, my lady, but this is where today’s relief work will take place. Thanks to the temple’s efforts, it has at least become a place where people can live.”
What he showed me was indeed cleaner than when I had once fled here and hidden myself.
The roads were uneven but not jagged, fairly leveled; under white tents, priests bustled about; Milla stared in surprise; and people stood in lines with some form of order.
“Of course, it may not look that way to your eyes.”
Since I kept staring, the cardinal snorted faintly in mockery.
“You are a noble lady of Aperdita. With your refined standards, it must look lacking. Still, for whatever reason, you’ve honored this place with your visit—so it must be a blessing for them.”
‘For whatever reason.’
It was clear how much he disliked me, scratching at me with words disguised as courtesy.
“If you find this beneath your station and wish to return immediately, the temple will not hold you responsible. If it is difficult, feel free to say so.”
His voice was neither rude nor kind. Wendy’s eyes twitched at my side.
Before my maid could speak up, I did.
“Are you serious?”
“Pardon? About what?”
“Well… what do you think?”
I deliberately answered vaguely, and his brows knit together. He looked like he wanted to reprimand me, but before he could, Milla arrived.
“It’s been a while, Lady Nepur.”
“Indeed. Was your journey here comfortable?”
“Not at all. The road was terribly uneven; it’s been a long time since I rode in such a shaking carriage. And the way people gather without order—it looks like schools of fish rushing for thrown food.”
“…Pardon?”
“Isn’t that the kind of answer you expected?”
Her eyes blinked rapidly, clearly not understanding.
“I’m joking. The cardinal seemed to expect that sort of reply, so I decided to meet his expectations. There’s no high or low in volunteer work. All that matters is sincerity.”
Struck by her words, the cardinal’s face flushed red.
I had no desire to deal with him further, since I would see him plenty in the future anyway.
“I see… um… ah…”
Flustered, Milla continued the conversation by asking what I thought of the place.
“I was relieved that it looks more like a place where people actually live than I expected.”
“If not for the temple’s efforts, this slum would truly be unlivable.”
Milla seemed satisfied with that answer and regained her pace.
I nodded in agreement.
The temple’s management had indeed made the people’s condition look better—though it was surely only part of the truth.
Those who had never lived in the slums did not know the hidden reality of this dark city.
People who needed help, people who couldn’t refuse help, and people who sank even deeper into filth because of it.
This place was full of people who were simply used when others wished to use them.
I knew this because I had once lived here.
“Then, Lady Aperdita, I will guide you.”
With a gentle expression, Milla personally led me to my assigned place.
It was a tent made with pure white cloth, clearly showing its affiliation with the temple.
Under it, a massive pot of stew boiled, and beside it, stacks of bread were neatly arranged.
“Today, we will distribute this food and goods to the people here.”
“There are two tents.”
“Yes. There are many people. Now, please distribute from here.”
Milla kindly moved me in front of the blankets and then walked back to her own tent.
The priests who had arrived earlier greeted me and welcomed me.
Following their guidance, I stood at the front of the tent. Someone rang a bell to announce the start of distribution.
Not only those who were already gathered, but people who seemed to have been hiding everywhere rushed out.
And they lined up naturally—
In front of Milla.
Finding such orderly lines in the slums was rare.
I smiled faintly at the empty space before my tent.
My tent held clothes and blankets, while Milla’s held food.
‘Since the weather is warm, they don’t need new clothes yet.’
Unless it was bitter winter, slum residents cared more about eating than clothing or daily goods.
‘And of course, hygiene is neglected.’
When survival was the priority, who had time to wash and keep clean?
Most of them didn’t know that warm weather brought food poisoning and disease, or that being unclean made illness more likely.
‘That’s why epidemics spread so quickly.’
In one life, I had even been rumored to be the one who spread the plague and was punished for a crime I didn’t commit.
That was why I had come—to prevent such disasters.
The position I wanted in the temple, preventing future false accusations, improving my villainess image through volunteer work—
This volunteering had many benefits for me.
‘But this is a bit much.’
People crowded eagerly over there, while it was conspicuously quiet in front of me.
Saying they didn’t need clothes because of the weather was just an excuse.
No matter how nice the weather, daily necessities were still needed.
‘Are they ostracizing me?’
Even here, it seemed human bonds existed.
“Saint, thank you so much!”
“Thank you for your constant kindness!”
“Saint Sister, the food you give is the best!”
It was obvious—they were rejecting me to support Milla.
‘Hmm.’
This wasn’t something to be hurt over.
‘I can’t act yet anyway… so I’ll watch for now.’
I continued smiling in front of my empty tent, ignoring the glances cast my way.
And this situation continued for three whole weeks.
