PSTBW 06

Chapter 6 

Cardinal Cario’s orange eyes showed faint fear as he looked at Pope Linus Kay Carmine. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke with difficulty.

“Your Holiness… it was the Saintess herself who accused Anne and Father Claude.”

“Evangeline did that?”

“Y-Yes… I’m not sure what she was thinking. We wanted to send her a letter, but since the lord of the territory, Duke Nigel Clyde Este, and his knights have returned, we can’t act rashly…”

“…”

“I… I’m sorry, Your Holiness.”

As Cario bowed deeply, the gentle smile faded from the Pope’s face. The more Cario spoke, the more that serene expression vanished—something that terrified him.

He knew all too well what happened when the Pope’s smile disappeared.

Linus finally spoke after a long, chilling silence.

“I don’t understand why you’re apologizing, Cardinal Cario. Please, lift your head.”

“…Your Holiness.”

“You did nothing wrong, Cardinal Cario. But…”

“…!”

“You were a little foolish.”

“Your Holiness…?”

“You recommended that foolish disciple to me—claiming he was capable—yet he couldn’t even control one silly little Saintess.”

Cario’s face turned pale. He pressed his forehead to the ground.

“P-Please forgive me, Your Holiness! I have committed a grave sin!”

Linus chuckled softly, then patted Cario’s shoulder kindly.

When Cario raised his head in surprise, Linus was smiling gently.

“If your sin was so great, you should’ve just died here instead of talking so much.”

“Y-Your Holiness!”

“Haha, I’m joking. As I said, you haven’t done anything wrong. I won’t punish you… However…”

Linus paused briefly, then continued.

“Those two—Anne and Father Claude—who failed to fulfill their duties properly… they must be punished.”

“W-What do you mean, Your Holiness?”

“Send a letter to Cardinal Stefan, who oversees the northern part of the Empire. Tell him to excommunicate them both for daring to harm the Saintess.”

“……!”

“Also, tell him no one is to interfere or try to save them. This matter must be treated as their personal misconduct—nothing to do with us. Understood?”

His voice remained calm, but his smile had vanished. Cario nodded with a pale face.

“Y-Yes, Your Holiness. But… what about Saintess Evangeline? If she truly turned against them, shouldn’t we take action as well?”

Linus’s lips curved slightly upward.

“Of course. The Saintess will pay the price too.”

“…!”

“And while we’re at it… that wicked child living in Este Castle should also be removed.”

He smiled faintly—a kind, gentle smile that somehow looked far more terrifying.

The next morning.

After waking up, Kim Ji-won—in the body of Evangeline Roxanne Este—ate a simple breakfast, got dressed, and immediately went out.

Her destination, of course, was Olivia Rose Este’s detached house.

She quietly opened the garden gate and stepped inside.

There, sitting on a bench hugging a doll, was Olivia.

I smiled and called out cheerfully,

“Olivia!”

The child flinched and shrank back in fear. I approached her gently and said,

“Did you sleep well? Did you have breakfast?”

“…Why did you come again today?”

She asked cautiously, eyes wary.

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest.

“To apologize again. I mean it this time—it’s not a lie.”

“…”

“Everything I said before wasn’t true, Olivia. The rumor that bad things happen or curses spread if someone touches you—it’s all nonsense. It was my mistake for saying it. You didn’t deserve any of that.”

“…”

“I’ll tell everyone it’s not true. And I’ll keep apologizing until your heart forgives me. So please, don’t hate me too much, okay?”

I knelt down so I could look into her eyes.

Olivia pouted, hugging her doll tighter. Her small voice trembled.

“…You’ll just blame me again when something bad happens.”

“No! I swear I won’t.”

“Liar… you’re a liar.”

“I’m not lying, Olivia. What can I do to make you believe me?”

She suddenly lifted her head and glared at me.

“Then can you hug me with your bare hands?”

“…What?”

“The other maids said the same thing as you. They called me a sweet and lovely lady but never touched me. Then they whispered that anyone who touched me would get cursed. They said if my uncle didn’t pay them gold coins, no one would ever go near me.”

“Olivia…”

“I know it was you who spread that rumor. Cathy told me. I hate you! I’ll never forgive you!”

Tears welled up in her eyes. My chest tightened painfully.

Without saying a word, I wrapped my arms around her.

“……!”

She gasped sharply, frozen in shock. I gently rubbed her back and whispered,

“You’re right. It’s all my fault. I’m really sorry, Olivia. I’ll never do it again.”

“……”

“And if anyone says something mean to you again, tell me, okay? I’ll scold them all for you.”

“…Liar.”

Even though she denied it, she clung tightly to me.

I held her close, feeling her small body shake and her tears soak my chest. I said nothing, just stroked her soft hair.

After a while, Olivia tapped my arm, asking to be let go.

I released her gently. Her face was flushed red from crying.

I took out a handkerchief and offered it to her.

“Here, want to use this?”

“…No. I don’t need it.”

She wiped her face roughly with her sleeve.

Her resentment ran deep—too deep to be washed away by a few apologies and a hug. Feeling awkward, I tucked the handkerchief back into my pocket.

“……”

“……”

A quiet, heavy silence fell between us.

Then Olivia took out a gold necklace with a blue gemstone the size of an egg.

“Wow, that’s beautiful,” I said softly. “Is that yours, Olivia?”

“It’s mine! I’m not giving it to you!”

She glared at me, clutching it protectively.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“I know. That’s from your father, right?”

“…Yes.”

“It suits you perfectly.”

She blinked in surprise, then lowered her head shyly with a tiny smile. The sight was so endearing that my heart melted.

Just then, a maid came running out from the building.

“Lady Olivia! Where are you, Lady Olivia?”

Olivia turned to her happily.

“Sophie!”

“There you are, my lady. It’s time for your snack, but you weren’t in your room, so I was worried.”

The maid Sophie caught her breath as she spoke. Then she noticed me and froze, eyes widening in shock.