Chapter 7
After becoming Stern, Seria received a townhouse located on the main street near the temple. As Stern, the cost of maintaining the house's prestige was also paid monthly.
Despite the amount received being quite large, Seria spent almost all the money on jewels. The jewels were expensive. Since she decided to pay the monthly payments, she had to use all incoming maintenance expenses, except for living expenses, to pay off all the debt.
Every day she wanted to drink champagne, which was as valuable as gold, and bathe in pearl-infused water. The dresses were also replaced every week, not to mention the handbags, shoes, gloves, and accessories.
Seria was a beautiful woman blinded by material things, receiving quite a few gifts from male nobles who had a soft heart for her. But, in fact, most were useless gifts. Flowers, jewels, fans, ribbons, and things like that.
"Flowers wither and the rest aren't worth much money."
Additionally, they were all gifts for women, and there really wasn't anything that could be given to Kalis. The only good thing was an amethyst bracelet. It was very valuable until Lina found it later.
After looking closely at the bracelet, Seria spent time having tea with Abigail and the priest.
Knock, knock.
There was an urgent knock at the door. Then the door burst open with a snap.
"Priest! We have a problem!"
It was a trainee priest.
"Calm down. What is it?"
"The Saint has fainted!"
"What?"
The priest jumped out of his seat, while Seria rose in panic. The trainee priest who brought the news also informed them with more news.
"Additionally, the keystone was transparent next to her."
"What?"
Seria doubted her ears for a moment. That only meant one thing. It was discovered that Lina was a Stern.
The villain was living quietly trying to save her life, but why did it happen so quickly?
It was still in the early parts of the original story, so how could this happen?
Additionally, unlike the original story, Lina had not yet stabilized her divine power. She could really die. Suddenly, Seria got goosebumps.
What if the heroine dies? What will happen to the original story?
However, there was no way to know. This was something Seria had never thought of.
"His Highness told me to bring the priest and Lady Seria!"
"Me?"
"Yes, my lady!"
"Why me?"
She didn't know why she had been summoned, but she couldn't refuse Lesche's order, so she followed along. Abigail followed immediately.
I suppose the incident hasn't spread yet.
In this Berg castle, there were many nobles from the Haneton estate and various territories. However, since the separate house where Lina was staying was quiet, maybe the news hadn't spread yet. Only those who were treating Lina were busy running around.
"What happened to the Saint?"
"She just escaped death! Fortunately, the Grand Duke and the Marquis Haneton were in the castle!"
"That's a relief..."
With a sigh of relief, the priest saw Lesche standing at the door and hurried to greet him.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I greet you on behalf of those who worship God."
Thinking the crisis was over, surely good news would come after that. The priest, who had run wildly, said, holding his breath.
"Who would have thought that the Saint would also be a Stern. She will surely stay in the Berg estate and observe the glacier."
Lesche had a strange kind expression. No, to be precise, it was the first time in her entire life that she had seen him like this.
Was he aware of his heart after seeing Lina hurt?
However, contrary to these expectations, Lesche's words were unexpected.
"I would like it to be documented."
"What?"
"As you know, Berg is sensitive to the matter of the glacier guardian. I hope the priest takes charge and writes it down. Linon?"
As soon as Lesche called, the chief assistant handed the paper to the priest.
"Of course, I prepared it in advance. Priest. Now, sign here."
The priest signed the document.
'It's a real trick.'
Seria tried to walk away. For some reason, she thought he would tell her to stay here for the three winter months. At that time, she would go in search of Kalis.
"Lady Seria."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
She stopped immediately to respond to the Duke's call.
"Did Lady Stern suffer like this when you appeared as Stern?"
"No. I'm not as sacred as a saint."
Lesche frowned at Seria's response. She was surprised and tilted her head thinking.
'What did I do? Did I say something wrong?'
"Priest!"
Lesche's red eyes turned to the priest who had just signed his signature.
"Didn't you know that the influence of the Sacred Relic increases the amount of divine power? Didn't the Saint take her lessons properly? There's no way she didn't know that her body would be filled with divine energy. However, how dare she touch the Relic like that?"
"That is... I wonder if it's because she didn't think she was Stern."
"...."
"So she might have touched it by mistake."
Lesche raised an eyebrow. Then he turned his gaze to Baron Aison. Baron Aison's face turned pale. He was Lina's master.
"Viscount. Tell her what you said before. Why did the Saint touch the relic?"
"Well, Saint Lina."—Baron Aison looked at Seria.—"She has a vague admiration for Lady Stern..."
That response seemed to have surprised Lady Seria.
Vague admiration?
So, was he saying that Lina touched the Relic on her own decision? Because Lina admired her? Did she want to check if she was a Stern? Why out of the blue?
All sorts of questions went through her head.
"Your Highness."
Baron Aison knelt on one knee. He was also a proud noble who received the fifth rank, but he couldn't deal with Grand Duke Lesche. No one thought it was too much, even if he knelt like that.
Baron Aison said with a pale face.
"It's all my fault."
However, Lesche remained expressionless. It was cold and somehow scary. Then, a person entered.
"Your Highness! The Saint is awake!"
Aside from the blossoming faces of the priests, Lesche's expression didn't change much. She could hear his chief assistant Linon whispering to Lesche.
"Your Majesty. Still, if you go in once, it's good for your relationship with the high priests..."
"Am I a nanny?"
"For that matter..."
Lesche sighed with an annoyed expression. He seemed to think about it briefly, then entered and the priest followed right after. Kalis was in the bedroom. To be precise, he was sitting by the bed where Lina was lying, holding her hand.
"I wondered where he had gone."
Seria frowned slightly, and suddenly there was a whispering voice beside her.
"Lady Seria."
The man who suddenly spoke to her was Lesche's chief assistant.
"The Marquis Haneton takes turns with His Majesty to stabilize Saint Lina's divine power. Don't misunderstand."
I didn't misunderstand. Speaking reflexively, she sighed a bit.
"Actually, I almost misunderstood. Thank you for your concern."
Linon's eyes widened.
"You are very honest."
He said with a tone of admiration. She didn't know how her words impressed him, but he smiled happily.
"It's natural for you to be aware. Since now you are the most valuable Stern of Berg. If you stay here for a thousand years, I can do more."
Seria almost forgot the situation and laughed at his whisper. It was then that Lina opened her eyes, emitting a painful sound. Her face was pale, and her lips were colorless. She looked like a corpse.
Despite the maids continuously wiping her forehead, she couldn't stop sweating coldly.
"Saint, are you okay?"
Her black pupils moved slowly from side to side. She murmured when she saw Kalis, who was holding her hand and stabilizing her divine power.
"Kalis...?"
"Yes, Lina! It's me! Are you awake?"
Kalis grasped Lina's hand tightly. Seria's gaze was fixed on those two hands.
"It hurts..."
"You'll be fine now. Don't worry, Lina."
His reassuring voice comforted her. Seria could feel the maids sitting next to Lina watching her.
Linon, who had explained to her not to misunderstand the situation, was now silent.
Then Abigail whispered to her.
"Should I cut their hands off?"
(N/T: I love her, and you all will love her too)
"Huh?"
Seria was puzzled after hearing Abigail's casual words.
"Priest."
Lesche spoke up.
"You know, Berg castle is very busy in winter. I can't afford these kind accidents in the castle."
At the moment, everyone seemed to doubt their ears. Lina's eyes widened when she heard she was now implicated as a troublemaker.
Regardless of her expression, Lesche called Linon.
"Linon, as soon as the Saint can move, return her to the temple."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Your Highness!"
Hearing that, Kalis jumped up and called Lesche's name. He was very angry. Seria felt his anger more than anyone because she was very good at reading Kalis's expression.
"Your Highness, isn't that too much? Do you have to say that in front of the patient?"
Lesche made a sarcastic expression.
"Can't I speak my way in my own castle?"
"... Still, it's too much. Saint. Lina is a patient."
"You're right, she is a patient."—Lesche said while gesturing towards Seria.—"Your fiancée isn't in good condition either, don't you think you're caring for the wrong person?"
Kalis paused for a moment. Then, Lesche continued speaking.
"Some might think your fiancée is the Saint and not Seria Stern."
