Chapter 3: From Now On, I’ll Only Do Good Deeds
“If you thought I’d go easy on you just because I’m a Saintess, you’re terribly mistaken.”
That was the main tagline of the novel The Saintess Doesn’t Show Mercy, the one Han Gyeoul had possessed.
There had been several stories before that broke the stereotype that saintesses were always kind and holy. But this novel took it to the extreme, which made it quite controversial and popular in many ways.
The main character, Anila Media, was a saintess who loved men.
So, she tried to make the handsome male lead, Perik Trian, who had been forcefully engaged to her by Leriel Tenebris, the true power behind the kingdom, completely hers.
“In the name of the Saintess, I won’t forgive you!”
To achieve that, she ruthlessly crushed anyone who got in her way—using both brute force and clever schemes.
She was so thorough that sometimes she seemed more like a villain than the actual villains.
Still, with just one sweet and innocent smile, people forgave and trusted her.
That’s how Anila used her powers and beauty to get everything she wanted.
The story was considered over-the-top and wild, what people called a “cider” drama (full of justice and revenge), but thanks to the crazy main character and exciting writing, it still had a solid fanbase.
Then came the shocking ending.
In the name of “restoring royal authority,” Anila joined hands with the royal family and completely wiped out the Tenebris family.
“Purifying the world is also the duty of a saintess.”
Not only did she strip them of their titles and seize their wealth, but she also tracked down and executed even distant relatives of the Tenebris family.
The ending was so shocking that readers were deeply divided about it even after the story finished.
As someone who had possessed Leriel Tenebris, Han Gyeoul couldn’t hate that ending more.
“……”
Thinking about the story, her face turned pale. In the mirror, the reflection of Leriel also looked frightened.
With shaking hands, she touched her neck.
Only after confirming that her head was still attached did she lower her hand.
“Huh?”
Then something on the fourth finger of her left hand sparkled in the mirror.
What is that?
Han Gyeoul looked at it closely.
A ring…?
A wedding ring?
No, Leriel died before she ever got married.
And it was a public execution, meant to be an example for everyone, as part of the purge of the Tenebris family.
So this couldn’t be a wedding ring. But if it was on the fourth finger of the left hand, then…
“No way. An engagement ring…?”
She quickly realized the answer.
Her stomach churned.
She had to grab the edge of the vanity table to steady her swaying body.
“Ugh…”
The ring looked more like a shackle than jewelry.
So, she was already engaged to the crown prince. That meant she didn’t have much time left. If this continued, she’d definitely die.
Unable to hold back her panic, Han Gyeoul jumped up. The velvet-padded chair tumbled backward with a loud thud.
But her eyes were fixed only on the girl in the mirror—Leriel Tenebris.
“I need to escape.”
That was her first thought. It seemed like the smartest choice.
But it wasn’t the right one.
Soon, Leriel realized something important.
“Wait… even if I run away, can I survive?”
She wasn’t sure.
In the original story, the Saintess found and executed every last relative of the Tenebris family.
If she ran away clumsily, she’d be caught quickly. And maybe even punished more harshly for the attempt.
Just imagining it sent a chill down her neck.
Though her body trembled with fear, Han Gyeoul didn’t stop thinking.
“That’s not enough. Unless I cut ties with the Tenebris family entirely…”
She moved away from the vanity and began pacing the fluffy northern wool carpet.
Cutting ties with the family… Normally, being wild or acting disgracefully would be enough to get kicked out.
“I’m so proud of you, Leriel.”
“Our daughter will make a fine family head one day. Just look at how good she is at handling the maids already.”
But in this twisted villain family, doing bad things was seen as talent and skill.
Looking through Leriel’s memories, Han Gyeoul shook her head. She needed a different approach.
Knock knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Han Gyeoul froze like a kid caught doing something wrong.
“Miss Leriel, I brought the tea you requested.”
Tea? Oh… Maybe Leriel ordered it before the possession?
She didn’t know how to respond and nervously paced, but the maid outside didn’t seem like she was going to leave.
Looking at the shadow under the door, Han Gyeoul clenched her teeth.
What should I say? “Come in”? Or “I’m busy, come back later”?
How did Leriel talk in the novel again?
Since the story was told from the Saintess’s point of view, she wasn’t sure.
“Miss…?”
“I-I’m coming out!”
As the maid’s voice started to sound confused, Han Gyeoul couldn’t hold out anymore.
She flung the door open and stepped out.
It was already strange for the young lady of the Tenebris family to open the door for a maid, but Han Gyeoul didn’t realize that.
All she was thinking about was getting the tea and sending the maid away quickly.
“Eek!”
That’s why she didn’t expect the maid to be standing right at the door.
Startled by the sudden door swing, the maid dropped the silver tray and fell backward.
Crash!
The expensive tea, worth more than a commoner’s monthly wage, spilled all over the hallway.
Things had only gotten worse. Han Gyeoul’s mind went blank.
Forgetting she was now Leriel, she instinctively apologized like any normal person would.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you were standing so close! Are you okay, did you get hurt…?”
“Pardon…?”
But for a Tenebris maid, there was nothing more horrifying than being apologized to.
“Did… did you just apologize to me, Miss…?”
“……”
Oh, right. I’m the villain of this story.
Only then did Han Gyeoul realize her mistake.
Leriel Tenebris—who already had a terrifying reputation—apologizing for accidentally pushing a maid?
It made no sense.
As her mistakes piled up, her expression stiffened. But oddly, that serious look fooled the maid.
“O-oh, I must’ve misheard! Please forgive my rudeness!”
Seeing Leriel’s cold expression, the maid bowed repeatedly, as if begging for her life.
And in that moment, something clicked for Han Gyeoul. Like lightning flashed in her mind.
“…Just go back.”
“Pardon…? R-really…?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“S-sorry!”
Calming herself down, Han Gyeoul mimicked Leriel’s tone and sent the maid away. The maid quickly cleaned up the hallway and left.
After slowly closing the door, Han Gyeoul leaned against it, her eyes trembling.
Finally, she had a glimmer of hope.
“This is it!”
Watching the maid tremble just from a simple apology, she realized something.
If doing evil was considered honorable in this family, then doing good must be shameful and humiliating.
In the novel, the Tenebris family had always aimed to be villains. If the future family head started doing good deeds and rumors spread?
“They might disown me.”
Muttering those hopeful words, Leriel nodded.
Possessing a noble lady only to run away from her family might seem crazy to others—but right now, this was the best option.
If she wanted to stay alive, she had to do this—then maybe she could pursue romance with another male lead, or go on an adventure alone.
Taking a deep breath, Han Gyeoul opened her eyes.
Between her long eyelashes, dark green eyes appeared. Once filled with arrogance and coldness, they now burned with determination to survive.
“From now on, I’ll only do good deeds!”
