Chapter 69: The Daughter of the Baron Blanc

The social circle is much like an invisible battlefield.

Words are sharp like swords, and gazes aim at people like arrows.

A single slip of the tongue can plunge one’s reputation into ruin, so everyone exercises caution with their dignity and speech.

There are occasionally ladies who act frivolously, but even they have received rigorous training before stepping into this world.

Into such a place appears a woman who, until yesterday, was but a commoner.

Though she was bestowed the title of Saint, a commoner remains a commoner. Changing the deeply ingrained views of the nobility overnight is no simple feat.

“I think it would be wise to be a bit more careful, Saint…”

With my testimony, the woman’s mishap became reality, and all eyes turned on Lillian.

Nobles who had harbored discontent toward her wore expressions of satisfaction, while her supporters couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Amidst countless piercing stares from the nobles, Lillian’s pink eyes trembled with anxiety once again.

“I, I…”

“It’s not just about this incident… Touching others thoughtlessly isn’t a good habit.”

At my words, many nobles nodded in agreement.

The woman who orchestrated this spectacle approached me, giving a slight wink in thanks. Behind her crimson fan, a satisfied smile was hidden.

“What will you do, Saint? Thanks to you, my dress is ruined.”

Lillian’s eyes were still filled with injustice.

It was understandable, as the wine had spilled solely because that woman had tripped herself.

But unable to withstand the increasingly oppressive gazes of the nobles, Lillian eventually had no choice but to accept the situation.

“I… I’ll pay for the dress.”

In Lillian’s voice, which had sunk with defeat, the woman scoffed, shrugging her shoulders.

“You’ll repay it? Very well, ten gold coins.”

“T-Ten gold coins?!”

Lillian’s eyes widened in shock.

“Why so surprised? Ten gold coins aren’t that expensive.”

Ten gold coins roughly amount to about 1.5 million won in South Korean currency.

Yet, by displaying shock at such a meager amount, she would once again become a laughingstock among the nobles.

“Surely, Saint, don’t tell me… you don’t even have ten gold coins?”

The surrounding nobles murmured.

In the end, they concluded that the Saint was merely a lowly commoner, saying that there was no trace of the Saint’s nobility in her clumsy display.

Rumors began to circulate throughout the banquet hall, casting doubt on whether she was truly chosen by the goddess.

Each interpreted the situation in their own way, busy tearing down Lillian’s character.

Within those words, I felt a strange sense of comfort.

Yes, this is humanity.

A life form born close to evil.

A being willing to pierce others for its own gain.

This is normal.

I am not the strange one.

I am not astray.

I am simply an ordinary person.

The only abnormal person here is you, Lillian.

In the end, you are the one who is wrong.

I glanced at Lillian with a sneering gaze.

She lowered her head, looking as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

“I-I don’t have it now… but if I gather it…”

Perhaps unable to hold it back any longer, a single tear formed in Lillian’s eye.

Yet, that tear never fell.

“What on earth is going on here?!”

A loud voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.

A young lady, appearing to be of the same age, made her way through the crowd, her vibrant blue hair flowing.

Arien Caltry.

She was the heir of the Caltry Marquisate, which had grown with the history of the imperial family, and like Viviana, she walked the path of the sword.

She approached Lillian in one swift movement, took her hand, and gently yet firmly pulled her into an embrace.

“Instead of welcoming her, how dare you show such disrespect to the Saint!”

Her voice carried a strength unique to knights.

The trembling in Lillian, held in her arms, seemed to gradually subside.

“Disrespect? You speak as if the Saint holds a higher status than us,” the woman who had caused the commotion raised an eyebrow and asked.

Arien glared at her with a look of disbelief.

“The Saint is a chosen being, directly selected by the Goddess. Naturally, she deserves our respect, does she not?”

“Is there a law in the Empire that dictates so?”

Arien’s body tensed for a moment.

While there were countless laws addressing noble status, nowhere in the Empire’s legal code was the Saint’s position mentioned.

In the end, the Saint was merely a transient figure.

Had it been explicitly stated in the Empire’s laws that the Saint ranked above the nobility, no one here would dare treat her lightly.

“While it may not be part of the Empire’s law, such behavior is no different from blasphemy against the Temple.”

At Arien’s words, the woman hid a smile behind her fan and gave a slight shrug.

“But the disrespect started on her end. When she suddenly grabbed my hand, it ruined my attire, you see?”

“Do you have any evidence that it was the Saint who did so?”

“No evidence, but I do have a witness.”

The woman smiled, pointing at me.

Arien’s blue eyes naturally followed her direction and met mine.

“You…?”

Hmm, I had planned to observe quietly and slip away unnoticed, but I hadn’t expected to be called out directly.

With a look of embarrassment, I turned to Arien.

“I… I only said what I saw. The Saint held the lady’s arm, and then the wine spilled. I didn’t expect it to escalate like this…”

My hesitant tone made Arien fall silent for a moment.

She glanced back and forth between me and the Saint before biting her lip and tugging on the Saint’s hand.

“Her Highness will be arriving shortly, so it would be best to discuss this matter later.”

With that, Arien led Lillian out of the banquet hall.

It was evident that Arien’s side had chosen to withdraw.

The woman who had caused the commotion smiled in satisfaction and gave me a light pat on the shoulder.

“Quite perceptive of you. No wonder the high-ranking individuals seem fond of you.”

Judging by her expression, she appeared to hold a favorable view of me. Since she seemed inclined to like me, there was no reason to refuse.

“Oh, no… I was merely worried that the young lady might be troubled…”

“Hehe… I’d like to invite you to our estate sometime. Would you be available?”

“Of course. It would be my honor if you extended an invitation.”

“Hehe. I’ll send you a letter soon.”

The woman looked at me with eyes overflowing with goodwill.

As I would soon find out, she was the young lady of a renowned Marquis household.

With Lillian and Arien gone, the incident wrapped up for the most part.

The previously boisterous atmosphere quickly regained its original calm upon the arrival of the Princess.

Almost frighteningly so.

***

In a relatively quiet guest room, a stark contrast to the bustling banquet hall, Arien handed Lillian a handkerchief.

“…Are you truly saying it wasn’t you, Saint?”

The Saint’s face contorted in sadness at her question.

“Does Arien also not believe me…? It’s true I held her hand, but that alone wouldn’t have spilled the wine…!”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Saint… It’s just… I had to consider every possibility…”

“It’s because of that young lady’s words, isn’t it…? Who is she, that no one believes me?”

“…She is the daughter of the Baron Blanc.”

The uneasy feeling lingered.

Even now, I was uncertain, wondering if perhaps the Saint had misunderstood.

The pampered young lady.

Or the sole daughter of the Baron of Blanc.

The young lady, rumored to be pure and harmless, indeed possessed the lovely appearance that matched the rumors.

It wasn’t just her appearance.

Her shyly opened eyes, the cherry-like lips that moved along with her somewhat clumsy voice.

Her personality was such that one couldn’t help but feel goodwill toward her, as if she was born to elicit affection.

Having heard so often that she was gentle and obedient, it seemed inconceivable that she would lie.

But if, just if…

If it wasn’t the saintess who lied.

If it was the daughter of Baron Blanc who made a false testimony.

And if that lie was intentional…

“…Ugh.”

A chill ran down her spine.

The thought that the young lady, whom everyone believed to be gentle and kind, might harbor other intentions filled her with an indescribable fear.

Currently, there were countless young ladies in society who held absolute favor toward her.

Starting with the daughter of Abrel Dane, who occupied the ‘flower” position of the social scene each year, down to many reputable countesses’ daughters.

Even the princess of Merdellia, who had once reached the peak of swordsmanship, was among her admirers—she was an aristocrat no one could easily oppose.

Perhaps exaggerated, but it was said that her mood could alter the dynamics of society, and her single word could end a young lady’s social life.

Just look at the situation now.

Even she, who held goodwill and loyalty toward the saintess, was feeling doubt because of the testimony from this ‘pet lady.’ What would other nobles think?

Surely, they would all believe only the words of the daughter of Blanc and criticize the saintess.

‘…I just hope I never have to face her.’

She could protect the saintess from nobles driven by ugly jealousy and ideological rivalry,

But the thought of having to face the ‘pet lady’ was something she didn’t want to entertain.

‘However, one who walks the path of chivalry cannot afford to be ruled by fear.’

Just in case, it would be wise to remain cautious for the time being.

To fulfill her father’s order to guard the saintess, she would have to prepare thoroughly for all possibilities.

“…Thinking about it carefully, I think I was indeed at fault.”

It was then, in the midst of her steely resolve.

The saintess suddenly rose from her seat, her face lighting up with a bright smile as she clenched her hands lightly.

The gloomy atmosphere had vanished without a trace, and her eyes sparkled brightly.

“Saintess?”

“I just didn’t understand the world of nobility well enough. Anyway, it was wrong of me to touch it carelessly.”

“Pardon? All of a sudden, what…”

“I’ll apologize. And… I think I can somehow manage to earn those 10 gold coins. So please, cheer me on, Arien.”

Arien blinked blankly for a moment, dazed at the saintess’ sudden, bold demeanor, a stark contrast from her near tears just moments ago.

Was it… needless worry?