It was the next day after the annual prayer.

  Right after the sunrise, I received an important guest. Apparently, he has been waiting for me long before dawn.

  “It has been a while, Your Holiness.”

  “Indeed, Mr. Roy. So, what brings you here?” In response to his respectful bow, I lightly dismissed it and decided to proceed to the main topic. I had to go back to the saintess candidate to check on Aria after all.

  After the annual prayer, my movement was no longer restricted. You could say that I was working at full capacity as a real saintess should. So, I could visit Aria at any time, anywhere I wanted. Fufufu, I wasn't abusing my authority, okay? Please don’t judge your grandma, Lucy.

  Back to the topic, noticing my intention to cut our meeting short, Mr. Roy neatly placed many boxes on the table in front of me. “I came bearing my master’s gifts to Your Holiness.”

  “Oh.” I raised my eyebrow at that news. It was yesterday evening, yet he had already prepared this many replacements. Did he anticipate this development? I thought to myself. So, Lucy, could you ask him for me?

  Then he gently opened the boxes to show the contents, “Master personally selected them himself. He hopes they are to your liking.”

  They were one of the master pieces. Each piece of that set could buy a prime mansion in the middle of the capital. And he threw them out as if they were nothing.

  “Hmmm, I never knew that Marquise Larose is a jewelry expert too.”

  “hahaha, Master specifically put more effort into it since the previous matter. Now is the time for him to put it to great use.” Perhaps he perceived my inner thought, he let out a wry smile while looking troubled.

  Yet, I could see his hidden motivation. From the very beginning, it was not meant for me. Everyone should have known that blue is my color. It was the color to represent me. Yet, he had no intention to play polite. Every piece was deep red.

  “I don’t think this earning suits me. It is too red to my liking. I believe he already knows it.”

  “You jest, your holiness. You can choose this blue hairpin instead.” Was it a bribe? He just produced another box; the inside was a crystal blue hairpin. That, too, was a fine piece. It was so beautiful.

  Yet, I could understand his hidden message. “Hm, I already have this hairpin gifted from my daughter. I don’t need it.” How could I forsake Iris? After all, she was also my daughter.

  With his question about how we should deal with Duke Willow, and his question about whether I would give up on him, I told them that I would still hold them dear.

  Then, I decided to cut our conversation short by accepting his request. “I hope you don’t mind if I send them to Aria instead?”

  “..I could not ask for more. It would go well with her necklace.” Hearing that, Mr. Roy smiled and nodded in understanding.

  I could see that he and your teacher loved Aria dearly, Lucy.

  Then I decided to send him off as I needed to receive a troublesome guest. “Alright, you may leave.”

  However, when I tried to dismiss him, he showed me his hesitation. “… About that…......”

  “…. She is not in a condition to go out right now.” Understanding his intention, I reported Aria’s condition to him.

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  The night before, everyone tried to contact me, perhaps wanting to inquire about Aria’s condition with the divine messenger bird. Yet, I could not find my heart to reply to them. That was why everyone came to ask me personally that early in the morning.

  I believed you still remember it, Lucy. That night, I asked Andres to bring you to us. You, Aria, and I slept together in Aria’s room for the first time that night.

  The room has nothing but a bed and a desk as the furniture. The room was filled not with luxury, but with piles of books and papers—the room that smells of, not perfume or flowers, but ink and burning lamp. That's how your mother has lived all this time, Lucy.

  At that time, although Aria tried her best not to show her sadness… Although she did not cry out loud… I could see it. When both of you fell asleep, I could see tears silently falling from her eyes as she slept. I, too, also silently cried that night.

  I lament it. For the first time in my life, I question the goddess out loud. Why did the goddess put this young girl through this kind of trial? Why did this kind child have to suffer like that?

  Sensing my sadness, Mr. Roy meekly replied and took his leave. “… I see. Please send my regards to Lady Aria.”

  “I will do so.” I did not stand up to send him as I had to address another guest. “So, why are you here too?”

  After I turned to look at him, Duke Melbon put down a piece of jewelry. He did not even wrap it properly, let alone put it in the box. “Oh, I heard you fancy new jewelry. So, I brought some with me.”

  “I never said that.” I looked at him in displeasure. I had not yet forgiven him for the previous incident. Yet, he still had the nerve to show his face to me in person.

  Unfazed by my hostility, he grinned at me. “You can give it to that little girl instead. This is a snow-tear diamond earring. It is also the heirloom of our Dukedom.”

  “… You never change.” He still has not given up the idea of marrying Aria to his son.

  When I glance at him, he just gave out a wry smile as he scratched his head before fleeing. “Hahaha, I hope you don’t mind. I will take my leave.”

  Then, the next day, someone I couldn't ignore arrived.

  “I pray to the goddess for your glory.” I give the first princess a priest salute. After all, she came as the representative for the emperor.

  “I am delighted to meet you again, Your Holiness.”

  After we sat down, I immediately asked for her motivation. “… May I inquire about the purpose of your visit today?”

  “… I came here as a representative of his majesty to present you this accessory. It is for the celebration of your return to official duty.” As she said that, Duke Raven placed a box in front of us.

  “… I am honored. About this set, I feel it is too exaggerated for my age.” However, I denied it before they even opened the box. That was already the third time. I could see where this conversation was turning to.

  Yet, she appeared to misunderstand my words and perceived it as my refusal; she began to panic. She decided to flatter me. “… Please don’t. Your youthfulness is still the admiration of us, women.”

  “You flatter me, your highness. I think a young woman like Your Highness is more suitable for it.” I warmly smiled at her as I placed my hand on that box. When they saw me do that, both the first princess and Duke Raven sighed in relief.

  “If you said so, Aria is more suitable than I.” That was her request to send it to Aria.

  Responding to her earnest request, I closed my eyes and gave a slight nod. “Then, I will send it to her.”

  “Thank you.” Then both Duke Raven and the first princess lowered their heads to me. It made me very uncomfortable. She came as a representative of the emperor. It was not a small matter to lower her head. It was like the emperor bowing his head to me. However, neither of them seemed to care about it.

  Then, the first princess hesitantly asked about Aria. “… Speaking of Aria,………… where is she right now?”

  “Please do not misunderstand, your highness. Aria is not in a condition to go outside right now.” I looked at the direction of the saintess candidate hall as I said that.

  The first princess also followed my gaze. “… I see. I hope my stupid brother does not bring her too much scar.”

  Then I turned to look at her. “… Moron is still moron, your highness, and he is not the only one. Let by-gone be by-gone. I have no right to decide. It is up to Aria to make the judgment.” Yes, that word was also directed at me. I, too, was a moron. I, too, hurt Aria. I had no right to ask for her forgiveness. Instead of helping her, I was nothing but a burden. I always bring harm to Aria.

  Yet, ignorant of my tumor, she innocently asked for my assistance. “I see… Still, I hope you put some good words for us.”

  “…. Trust in the goodness of Aria’s heart.” That is what we always believe. We will always believe in Aria.

  “… I trust and respect her, Your Holiness.” And then, they lowered her head to me again.

  Then I went out to see them off. Before they departed, Duke Raven broke the protocol and spoke to me.

  “… I am sorry. I could not stop his highness that day.” I could sense his guilty conscience.

  I, too, broke the protocol and replied to him. “… You should, Duke Raven. You should.”