Chapter 66: The Villainess and the Saint

Time had flown by like an arrow before I knew it.

The time I had spent with my mother, being pampered, had passed so quickly. And finally, the day of the grand banquet, eagerly awaited by the entire empire, had arrived.

“Tina!”

In the banquet hall, filled with the chatter of countless nobles, a loud voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.

The owner of the voice, a woman with long, flowing purple hair, looked at me with an ecstatic expression and called out.

“Lady Sharione!”

“Tina…! How long has it been!”

One of my main patrons, Sharione, showed a clear sign of joy as she welcomed me, forgetting her usual dignified noble demeanor.

Had she missed me that much? I held back the twitching corners of my mouth and instead gave her a pure and bright smile.

“It’s been a while, Lady Sharione. I’ve missed you so, so much.”

Without hesitation, I rushed into her arms. Sharione gently embraced me, and we spent time catching up on each other’s well-being.

The star of the banquet, the Saintess, had not yet arrived, and because of that, the nobles were chatting leisurely around the venue.

In the meantime, other young noblewomen began to gather one by one around Sharione and me, and I naturally blended into the social circle.

“You have no idea how empty it felt without someone to stroke beside me now that you’re gone, Tina.”

One of the noblewomen gently patted my head and spoke softly.

“That’s right, the atmosphere became much gloomier without Tina’s smile around.”

Amidst the warm words of the passing noblewomen, I had completely returned to the social scene before I realized it.

Another noblewoman gazed at me with a kind look and said.

“Still, I’m so glad you’ve returned like this. You’ll continue attending banquets from now on, right, Tina?”

I lightly sat me on her lap. I smiled brightly, enjoying the attention of the noblewomen.

“Yes! Now that I’m finally free.”

I noticed a slight twitch in the corner of Sharione’s eye, but she quickly regained her bright expression and smiled warmly, stroking my hair.

‘She’s pretending not to know, as always.’

Though I could guess the emotions hidden behind her smile, I simply kept up a cheerful front to match the mood.

She must have heard about what happened at the Merdellia Duchy. Yet, seeing her remain completely silent on the matter only made me realize once again how powerful the ducal house truly was.

As we exchanged a few more pleasantries and small talk, the conversation naturally shifted toward the star of this banquet.

“By the way, the Saintess… It was such a surprise!”

“Right? They say it’s the first oracle about a Saintess in 500 years!”

As soon as the topic of the Saintess came up, the atmosphere around us grew even more heated. The only news that had spread was the oracle proclaiming her existence, but no one knew anything about her—what she was like, her personality, or even her age.

No one even knew if she was a young girl or an old woman, making the curiosity surrounding her all the greater.

‘I wonder what kind of faces everyone will make when they find out the Saintess is a commoner.’

I had a feeling they would be utterly shocked.

The Saintess was of a lower status than even me.

It was only natural for Lillian to become the subject of gossip among the nobles.

For a while, many would speak ill of her behind her back and mock her. Especially those from high-ranking noble families, like Sharione, were bound to be even more hostile toward Lillian.

No matter how much of a saint she was, it wouldn’t be easy for them to accept that a commoner stood on the same level as themselves.

Moreover, since the saintess served to strengthen the power of both the emperor and the temple, she was far from a welcome figure to the wealthy nobles.

In the game, too, Lillian had to endure the nobles’ checks for a while. But unlike Viviana, this wasn’t a big deal for Lillian, who had a strong mental fortitude.

Her main goal as a character was to slowly gather her allies, expand her influence bit by bit, and firmly establish her position in society.

The process of winning over the nobles who initially looked down on her—that was one of the greatest pleasures when playing as Lillian.

In fact, it wasn’t even that difficult.

Expanding her power as Lillian, whose charm stat was nearly maxed out, was one of the easiest things to do.

The first time I saw the NPCs’ favorability rise just from a simple greeting, I couldn’t help but think,

‘Is there any other character with this much of a cheat?’

In about two years, the entire empire would likely be praising the saintess, revering her as an angel descended from heaven.

‘Not that it’s any of my business.’

Honestly, it didn’t matter to me what happened to Lillian.

In the early stages, Lillian faces a lot of opposition from the nobles.

I have no intention of getting involved and suffering any damage.

She has her life, and I have mine.

Now that I’ve finally paid off my family’s debt, all that’s left is to slowly accumulate wealth and enjoy a peaceful life in the mansion with my mother, free from any worries about old age.

“Tina.”

Sharione’s soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I naturally leaned my head on her shoulder, showing a bit of affection.

“There’s actually someone who’s really looking forward to seeing you right now.”

“Someone who wants to see me?”

“Yes.”

There’s no shortage of people who want to see me, though.

“They’ve been eagerly waiting for you over there on the balcony.”

Sharione said no more, offering no clues about who it was.

A sense of wariness toward the unknown figure arose, but it didn’t seem like there would be anyone at the emperor’s banquet who would dare do anything suspicious.

“Hmm… okay. I understand.”

With a puzzled heart, I got up from my seat. Sharione smiled and lightly caressed my hand.

“It’ll be alright, Tina.”

I had been fine just moments ago.

But her words started to bother me.

Still, there was no reason to mention that to Sharione. She wasn’t quite as influential as Viviana, but she was still a noble from a fairly powerful count’s family.

Leaving a brief smile, I moved away.

I took a moment to catch my breath, escaping from the chaotic atmosphere of the banquet. And as I opened the door to the terrace, the cool night air greeted me.

At the edge of the balcony stood a woman.

Her long blonde hair, flowing down her back, subtly glistened under the moonlight. Among all the people I knew, only one person had hair that shone with such golden brilliance.

“…Huh?”

She turned around and looked at me.

Through her elegantly lowered long lashes, her crimson eyes stared at me. As I gazed into those eyes, my body instinctively froze.

“It’s been a while, Tina.”

“M-Mardian-nim.”

“I told you to call me sister when we’re alone.”

Her blazing red eyes, like those of a predator, seemed to ensnare me.

“Your expression doesn’t look too good, Tina.”

A smile spread across her lips. If you looked only at her lips, she might have seemed kind, but her demeanor, reminiscent of a villainess, kept my body from moving easily.

But that hesitation was brief.

Upon reflection, there was no reason to be afraid of her anymore.

Though I was startled to see her after so long, it made sense that Mardian would be here.

This was a banquet hosted directly by the royal family.

Missing it without a good reason would be unthinkable. It was my mistake for not considering her presence.

Besides, months had passed since that incident. The punishment she’d received for the crime of assaulting me was likely nearing its end.

“Tina, aren’t you happy to see me after all this time?”

Mardian spread her arms and approached me. I found myself stepping back instinctively.

Her red eyes, filled with dark desire, remained unchanged.

Although the situation was unexpected, there was no need to be afraid.

In fact, I could even consider it fortunate.

“It’s been a while, Mardian-nim.”

I took a step toward Mardian. She raised one eyebrow, as if surprised.

“Not the reaction I expected.”

“What kind of reaction were you expecting?”

“I thought you’d tremble like a frightened rabbit, but you seem much more composed than I anticipated.”

“Whatever happened in the past, it’s in the past.”

“…Oh my.”

Mardian’s arm wrapped around my waist, and in an instant, she pulled me toward her.

Before I even had a chance to be startled, Mardian leaned in close to my ear and whispered.

“How unfortunate. Seeing a little rabbit trembling in fear and crying would be quite adorable.”

“Urgh.”

Her voice, sticky yet elegant, seeped into my ears. Mardian buried her face into the nape of my neck and took a deep breath.

The sensation of her breath brushing against my skin made my body stiffen. A mixture of discomfort and strange tension swirled in my chest.

“Haa… You have no idea how painful it’s been not being able to smell this for so long.”

“…P-Please.”

“I want to shower you with love right now.”

“Ugh.”

Mardian’s lecherous hand caressed my side. Even now, she was still intent on pouring her abnormal desires onto me.

People really don’t change after all.

I was curious if she would change during her probation period, but our wicked villainess remained the same.

Now, she didn’t even bother to hide her sinister thoughts toward me.

But it was fine.

In fact, I was relieved that Mardian hadn’t changed.

“Mardian… I’m still really scared.”

Carefully, I slipped out of her embrace. Mardian looked down at me with her deep red eyes.

A single tear formed at the corner of my eye as I put on a sorrowful expression.

I deliberately shivered, gently clutching the fabric of Mardian’s dress, and looked up at her with downcast eyes.

“I really liked you, Mardian. I think I still do… I want to slowly build a relationship with you.”

Her red eyes were beating even more violently, but Mardian still said nothing.

As the night air on the terrace grew colder, after waiting for a long time, Mardian finally sighed briefly and nodded.

“Hehe, honestly, I’m just grateful that you’re not avoiding me.”

Avoiding her?

Mardian was the greatest villainess in this world. There would be no good in making her an enemy. Maintaining a decent relationship with her was the wisest choice.

“Just as you said, let’s slowly rebuild our relationship.”

“…Yes, Mardian.”

It’s unfortunate, Mardian.

Regrettably, I won’t have time to pay attention to you anymore.

[The Saintess has arrived!]

A booming voice echoed from the banquet hall. It was so loud that it reached the terrace outside.

I paused my conversation with Mardian and listened to the reactions of the people through the window. The hall had become quite noisy with the news of the Saintess’s arrival.

‘Nice timing.’

I felt grateful to our protagonist for showing up at just the right moment.

“Mardian, let’s greet the Saintess later and go see her.”

“…Hmm.”

There was only one reason why I wasn’t worried about Mardian.

It was because of Lilian.

She was Mardian’s soulmate.

The two were inseparable.

Lilian was the one who made Mardian the worst villainess.

Just as Batman completes the Robin, only Lilian could complete Mardian’s character arc.

In other words, Lilian was the reason for Mardian’s existence.

No matter which route was chosen in the game, the bond between Lilian and Mardian would remain unbroken.

Until the moment the executioner’s blade descended upon Mardian’s neck, their relationship would show a deeper color than even that of lovers.

In that situation, Mardian would no longer care about me like she used to.

“…It seems like you’re quite interested in the Saintess.”

Mardian looked at me with narrowed eyes.

I responded with a soft smile on my lips.

“Yes, she’s the Saintess who appeared after 500 years!”

Taking Mardian’s hand, I led him toward the terrace railing.

I gazed briefly at the wide night sky and glanced toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

‘Found her.’

There was no need to search hard—she stood out immediately.

Even from a distance, her pink hair shone with a lovely radiance. Her skin, even paler than my own face, seemed to evoke a delicate need for protection.

The white dress she wore reminded me of the purity and serenity you might expect to see on an angel, like a beautiful flower blooming beneath the endlessly sprawling night sky.

‘…She really is pretty.’

Beneath her fine, god-sculpted features, a shy girl’s smile appeared.

Liliane Eldoria.

At last, the second protagonist had made her debut in high society.