CHAPTER 36
“You mean we can’t go into the temple?”
“Yes, there’s a huge crowd waiting from the temple entrance all the way down the stairs.”
Everett was puzzled.
‘There are already people waiting outside just to see the Saint?’
She quickened her pace to see for herself.
“…It’s true.”
Just like Daisy had said.
The line that began at the tall entrance of the temple stretched all the way to the alley.
“Has word about the Saint spread this fast?”
“What should we do? Should I stand in line for you? Or maybe I could speak to one of the priests since you’re a baron’s daughter?”
Everett slowly scanned the people in the queue.
Their faces and hair were unwashed and dirty, yet oddly enough, their clothes looked brand new and neat. What’s more, they were all dressed similarly, as if coordinated.
‘They dressed them in new clothes to make them look like commoners, but most of them look more like vagrants or gypsies.’
Though the Saint Angelus had appeared earlier than in the original story, her way of offering consultations hadn’t changed.
The order in which people could meet her was determined by how much they donated to the temple.
She had already confirmed that through a noblewoman from a salon.
‘Even nobles can’t see her without money… These people don’t look like donors. If anything, they look like they should be the ones receiving charity. So why are they waiting?’
Daisy’s eyes sparkled, seemingly touched by the sight.
“My lady, the Saint must truly be a remarkable person. She must be very compassionate to meet all these people.”
Already, many things were diverging from the original story.
‘Could it be… She accepts donations from nobles, but gives prophecies to everyone else regardless of status?’
Everett took a closer look at the people’s faces.
Rather than hopeful anticipation, they looked exhausted and drained.
Then she heard a small but irritable curse muttered by a woman.
The voice came from near the very end of the line.
Unlike the others, the woman was flamboyantly dressed in worn-out clothes. Her face was full of blemishes, twisted in a constant grimace as she muttered complaints. Her long, dirty hair was braided up using bright-colored ribbons in an unusual style.
‘A gypsy.’
Everett approached her slowly, her eyes wide and innocent like the most naive noble lady in the world.
“Excuse me… Are you here to see the Saint?”
The gypsy, whose eyes were dark and sickly-looking, didn’t answer right away.
She looked Everett up and down with a calculating gaze, easily recognizing her as a young lady from a wealthy family.
“…Yes, I am. I mean, I would like to meet her, if that’s even possible.”
Her reply was curt and unenthusiastic, but it was easy to figure out why she was there.
‘She’s not actually here to see the Saint.’
Everett held out her hand toward the gypsy.
“What is it?”
“I came to the temple because I really, really want to meet the Saint.”
“And?”
“But the line is so long—I was quite shocked. So… I was wondering…”
Everett raised her voice slightly as she continued.
“…Would you be willing to sell me your spot in line?”
“What? Sell my spot?”
Everett smiled sweetly.
“Yes, and if it’s not too much trouble, would you also stand in line for me until it’s time to go in?”
She opened her palm, revealing a single silver coin.
The gypsy, baring her yellowed teeth, responded.
“This spot? Miss, do you know how long I’ve waited to get this far?”
But she wasn’t far in the line at all.
Only five people stood behind her—it was practically the end.
True to her seasoned nature, the gypsy quickly assessed the situation.
A naive noble lady like Everett probably had more than one silver coin to spare. Her response was full of greed.
Everett clasped her hands together and feigned an apologetic look.
“Oh my, I see. Of course, you must’ve waited a long time. After all, it’s to meet the Saint.”
“I’m telling you, miss, I’ve been here for days and nights, driven only by my desire to see the Saint.”
Everett blinked her round, dark eyes.
She looked like someone completely sheltered from the world.
“Of course! Without true devotion, no one could wait this long.”
“And yet, knowing that, you’re only offering a single silver coin for such a precious spot?”
The gypsy almost scolded her.
People bored from waiting began to turn their attention to the two.
“I guess I was being inconsiderate. I didn’t realize the weight of such a wait.”
Everett opened the small purse hanging from her wrist.
The gypsy didn’t take her eyes off it and swallowed hard.
‘I can bleed this one dry.’
The gypsy felt triumphant, convinced she’d found an easy mark.
Then Everett raised her voice so everyone nearby could hear.
“How shameful of me to offer just one silver coin… I’ve been reflecting on the time you’ve spent here and your deep faith.”
All eyes—including the gypsy’s—were glued to Everett’s clenched right hand.
‘She’ll probably offer two silver coins. Should’ve asked for gold…’
The gypsy’s eyes were full of anticipation.
Then—
“Excuse me, miss? I’m ahead of that woman in line.”
A man near the temple steps raised his hand and shouted.
“I’ll take one silver coin! I’ll stand in line for you until it’s your turn to meet the Saint.”
“Over here! I’m even closer.”
“I’m almost at the entrance.”
As if that was the signal, more and more people volunteered to sell their spots.
The gypsy glared at them venomously.
“You filthy rats. Hands down! This young lady wants my spot. You dare try to steal my money?”
She turned quickly back to Everett and asked urgently,
“Right? You said you wanted my spot, didn’t you?”
Everett tapped her cheek with a finger and pursed her lips.
“Hm… But they are farther ahead. Wouldn’t that mean I could meet the Saint sooner?”
“That’s right, miss! I’m closest. No need to wait long.”
“This really is a tough decision. I first asked you, but their spot is better…”
“N-no… This spot is…”
The gypsy started to speak but swallowed her words.
It was clear she was near the end of the line.
Her eyes darted, calculating her next move. She couldn’t lose the chance to earn big money.
Everett gave a sly smile and slightly opened her hand where the gypsy could see.
“Whose spot should I buy?”
A gleaming gold coin sparkled in her palm.
The gypsy rushed forward in desperation, but Daisy quickly raised her arm to block her.
“Uh, excuse me… Miss, I have something to tell you.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“This… this isn’t about just selling a spot. It’s way more valuable than that. If you give me what’s in your hand, I’ll tell you something very good.”
The gypsy whispered conspiratorially.
“A valuable tip, you say?”
“You’ll be shocked. You might even… forget about wanting to meet the Saint entirely.”
Everett covered her mouth with her hand, as if startled, and gave a nod.
“But let’s not talk here. How about that alley? And, uh, if you give me what’s in your hand, it might jog my memory a bit more…”
Pretending not to hear, Everett turned to Daisy.
“Daisy, shall we go have something sweet for the first time in a while?”
“Oh! That shop in the square?”
Everett smiled at the gypsy and said,
“She’s offering me a valuable tip—shouldn’t we treat her to something in return?”
The gypsy’s cloudy eyes twinkled greedily.
Later…
“Wow, this is really good.”
The gypsy devoured the desserts like someone trying to taste everything on the menu.
Daisy frowned in distaste, her lips jutting out.
Everett simply watched her with a calm expression.
“No wonder this café is always full.”
Only after finishing the last bite of cake did the gypsy put her fork down.
“Was it to your liking?”
“Oh, absolutely. Thanks to you, miss, I finally got to experience a place like this.”
She chuckled, crumbs still in her mouth.
At that, Everett straightened her back.
Her gentle smile vanished in an instant, and her black eyes turned cold.
“Now, let’s hear that tip. Let’s see if it was worth all this cake.”
The gypsy stopped laughing and gulped down her food.
The way Everett stared at her sent shivers down her spine.
‘What’s with this atmosphere…? She’s like a different person.’
She couldn’t even look directly into Everett’s icy eyes.
“You’d better impress me. If you don’t, forget the gold coin—you’ll be paying for all this cake.”
“Huh? N-no… What do you mean? You’re the one who invited me…”
Everett gave a soft scoff.
“You’re the only one who’s eaten anything.”
She glanced across the table.
“You were curious about the information…”
“Exactly.”
Everett folded her arms and stared calmly.
“Depending on the information, the outcome changes, doesn’t it?”
The gypsy involuntarily swallowed hard at the chill in her voice.
Everett shrugged.
“…You really did eat a lot.”
