CHAPTER 06
A Holy Attendant.
That was the title given to the priest who served the saint. As the name suggested, they acted as the saint’s aide and personal attendant.
In the original story, Elia had been Robellina’s Holy Attendant. That was why the two of them were always together.
It was considered an honorable position within the temple. So even though I chose Robellina, I had been a little worried.
Robellina was kind. She might think I had taken someone else’s opportunity just because she was my friend.
And judging from her reaction… that seemed to be exactly what she was thinking.
“That’s right. I chose you as my Holy Attendant.”
“Why? There are so many more qualified people. Why me?”
“In my eyes, you’re the most qualified. And since a Holy Attendant has to serve the Saint, they need to know everything about her. You’re the only one around me who does. Isn’t that true?”
“That’s… true, but.”
“And you would’ve done the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you had become the saint, you would’ve chosen me too.”
That was how it happened in the original story.
I crossed my arms and grinned. Only then did her stiff expression soften.
“…Do you think I can do it?”
“You can! And I won’t give you anything too difficult to handle, so don’t worry.”
“Isn’t that abusing your power?”
“I finally got some authority. What’s wrong with using it a little for something small like this?”
“Oh, honestly.”
She shook her head as if I were hopeless. But she was smiling now.
‘Sorry, Rina. There’s another reason I chose you, but I can’t tell you.’
As we laughed together, I thought about the original story.
It was a reverse harem romance fantasy centered on Robellina.
And I had been a passionate reader cheering for her love life.
Even though I unexpectedly became the Saint, I still couldn’t let go of the original plot.
So at the very least, to ease my guilt for taking her place, I would make sure Robellina got her happy ending.
To do that, there was something that had to happen first.
‘It should be about time.’
“Saint.”
Robellina quickly stepped away from me. Thankfully, the priest who approached did not scold her. Instead, he looked at me urgently.
“The High Priest requests your presence at once.”
‘Here it is.’
I glanced at Robellina, then nodded.
“Please lead the way.”
***
Clop, clop—
The steady sound of horse hooves echoed inside the carriage.
I was dozing off to the rhythm when Robellina’s voice reached me.
“Is it really okay for me to come along?”
“Yaaawn… Of course. You’re my Holy Attendant now.”
My sleepy tone must not have reassured her much, because she still looked anxious.
“I don’t know if I’ll do well.”
“You will. I trust you, Rina. And if you can’t trust yourself, then trust the me who trusts you.”
She stared at me with wide eyes.
I smiled at her, and finally she let out a small laugh.
“Okay. I will.”
“Good.”
We shared a quiet laugh.
Then, ever the planner, Robellina grew serious again.
“Why do you think His Highness the Crown Prince wants to see you?”
As she said, we were on our way to the imperial palace to meet the Crown Prince of the Empire.
He had summoned me personally.
‘I’m sorry, Saint Elia. I tried to delay it, but His Highness insisted. It seems you must go to the palace at once.’
High Priest Varion had looked apologetic, but I was actually glad.
First, because it meant the story was following the original flow.
And second—
“Saint, we are about to enter the imperial palace.”
At the priest’s words, Robellina and I both looked out the window.
“Wow…!”
“It’s incredible.”
We spoke at the same time.
I had always thought the temple was large and impressive.
But compared to the imperial palace, it was nothing.
The palace was dazzling, luxurious in a way completely different from the solemn temple.
“Rina, see that statue over there? Doesn’t it look like it’s made of gold and jewels?”
“Yeah. It’s so pretty.”
“With that many, they probably wouldn’t notice if one disappeared.”
She stared at me in horror.
“Ria, don’t tell me—!”
“I’m joking, I’m joking.”
Half joking.
I swallowed the rest of that thought when she sighed in relief.
***
We arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence and followed the chamberlain inside.
For some reason, I kept feeling eyes on the back of my head.
“…Holy Attendant Robellina, am I imagining it, or does it feel like everyone is staring at me?”
I whispered formally, mindful of the chamberlain walking ahead.
She smiled awkwardly.
“You’re not imagining it, Saint. They are all staring at you.”
“Ha…”
I let out a quiet sigh.
Perhaps the chamberlain heard me because he turned slightly and spoke apologetically.
“My apologies, Saint. I believe everyone is simply curious about the newly appointed saint. I will instruct them to be more discreet.”
“There’s no need. This is something I must bear.”
“Your character is truly admirable.”
He looked at me with respect.
I quickly looked away.
‘If he knew I was teasing Sierra the other day, he wouldn’t say that.’
Come to think of it, Sierra had been unusually quiet. Was she so shocked about not becoming the saint that she collapsed?
I set that thought aside when the chamberlain stopped walking.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is inside.”
Gulp.
I heard Robellina swallow nervously.
I was nervous too.
But more than nervous, I was excited.
“I will open the door.”
The large doors swung open.
The first thing I saw was a black-haired man sitting on a sofa in the center of the room.
He was lounging comfortably, one leg crossed over the other, watching us.
That was—
“His Highness Crown Prince Jacard Aizen Icart.”
The moment I met his sharp golden eye, I swallowed.
His other eye was hidden behind a half-mask that covered part of his face, making his expression unreadable.
Even so, his presence was overwhelming. It made me instinctively lower my gaze.
“…We greet Your Highness.”
“W-We greet Your Highness.”
Robellina hurriedly bowed after me.
After a brief silence, his deep voice filled the room.
“Sit.”
That was his entire greeting.
Robellina and I exchanged glances before sitting on the sofa to his left. As my Holy Attendant, she stood behind me.
Jacard’s gaze shifted to Robellina.
I quickly spoke.
“This is Priest Robellina. She is my Holy Attendant.”
“I see.”
That was all he said.
He immediately looked away from her.
I was the one who felt confused.
“…Is that all?”
“What do you mean?”
“I was asking if you had anything more to say after seeing my Holy Attendant.”
“Saint?”
I heard Robellina call me nervously.
It might have sounded strange, but I had my reasons.
In the original story, Jacard did not fall in love at first sight, but he definitely developed a strong interest in Robellina.
After all, he was one of the male lead candidates.
And in the ending, he was the true male lead who ended up with her.
That was the second reason I had been looking forward to meeting him.
As I waited expectantly, Jacard stared at me for a moment.
Then he suddenly said,
“Now that you mention it, there is.”
‘Of course!’
The true male lead really was different!
I was secretly grinning when he continued.
“Holy Attendant Robellina, was it? Would you step outside for a moment?”
“…Excuse me?”
For a second, I thought I had misheard.
But Robellina obediently left the room.
Only then did it hit me.
Wait.
‘This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.’
