Chapter 22

“Whenever you wish, I shall be waiting, Schulvestel-sama.”

Reluctantly, I saw Schulvestel off together with Solene.
Once his carriage disappeared from sight, Solene spun around sharply.

“Onee-sama, please do the embroidery in my place.”

From the very beginning, Solene had no intention of attempting it herself.
Even though Schulvestel personally requested confirmation of her being a Saint, she abandoned the task so easily.

“…Solene, even if I embroider it, it’ll just be an ordinary handkerchief, you know? What His Highness the First Prince desires is a handkerchief embroidered by the Saint herself. Isn’t it important that you sew it stitch by stitch with your own hands?”

She made a face as if she had bitten into something unbearably bitter.
I’ve never seen anyone suit that expression as perfectly as Solene did.
Reluctantly, she seemed to accept it and returned to her room.
Even from her back, you could sense her emotions, something close to anger.

“Ugh… seriously… what is this… hurry up and get me a new handkerchief…”

Every day, screams echoed from in front of Solene’s room.
The atmosphere inside the mansion was so tense that recently, I found myself spending most of my time by the flowerbed.

“Finally, some buds are forming.”

After Solene had cut them down, the new shoots were finally starting to bud.

“…Carlotta-sama… Carlotta-sama…”

“Oh my, what’s wrong, Cecily?”

It was Cecily, who had now become Solene’s personal maid, calling for me.

“Um… Carlotta-sama, I have a request. Would you please pray for my younger brother’s illness?”

“You should ask Solene directly for that.”

“No, I want to ask you, Carlotta-sama.”

“…Your brother still hasn’t recovered, has he.”

“…No…”

“I understand you’re feeling anxious. But Solene is working hard to become the Saint. Believe in her a little longer and hold on.”

“Even if Solene-sama prays, nothing will change. Carlotta-sama, you are the true Saint! Please, I beg you. Please pray for my brother’s illness. I’ll do anything for you if you do… anything at all…”

No matter how much she begged, I am not the Saint.
More than anyone, I know that fact.
I felt sorry for her brother, but there was nothing I could do.
Moreover… having known Cecily’s behavior from before, I couldn’t bring myself to trust her words.
Anything?
You were the first to abandon me back then.

“Cecily, I know it’s painful, but there’s nothing I can do. Support Solene so her abilities can awaken soon.”

I left the place almost as if fleeing.
Back around this time in the previous life, I had already heard that Cecily’s brother had recovered.

“This time, Solene’s abilities are taking longer to awaken…”