Seijo ni Narunode Nidoume no Jinsei wa Katte ni Sasetemoraimasu ~Outaihi wa, Zensei de Watashi wo Fu

     Sheena was talking to the prime minister in the corridor of the Royal Palace. The prime minister is on good terms with Duke Igner and seems to ask him about Sheena, though he doesn’t really know that she was Emilia.

     As Keefa passed by, he saw Sheena talking to the prime minister, he stopped and looked at them.

     The prime minister grinned and gently laughed,

     “I’ve just heard from Sheena stories about Colorado. No, Sheena is very much like a saint.”

     ” No…please stop. I’ve only done what one could.” Sheena looked down.

     “The saint of Colorado is modest. No, if I’m young, I won’t let you go. I’m envious of His Royal Highness who’s adored by Sheena. Well then, I’ll excuse myself.” The Prime Minister laughed heartily and walked away after looking at the both of them with meaning. The Prime Minister is pushing Sheena as Keefa’s wife.

     “Are you close to the prime minister?” Keefa asked, frowning.

     “No, no, no, no. I’m only a saint of Colorado, and he only spoke to me.” 

     Keefa is silent, placing  his hand on his mouth, thinking. 

     She smiled modestly. “Your Highness Prince Keefa, I have something I want to talk about—”

     “I’m sorry, but I just remembered that I have an urgent business to do. I’m sorry.”

     “…I see.” She says in a disappointed voice, pulling back. 

     He had already made up his mind and was determined and yet he also felt disappointed and angry. What on earth should he do? Whether he attacks or withdraws as the duke says, Keefa will not look at Sheena.

     “Oh, that’s right.”  As he was leaving, he remembered something and looked back. Sheena looked relieved. His expression changed and Sheena’s face shone with anticipation. 

     “I think it’s better for you to consult priests and maids instead of me. I heard that you’ve consulted matters to those who aren’t relevant to the duties at the temple. However, the priests and maids are closer to you. I’m sure they’ll understand more about your anxiety and worries.” He said.

     Sheena’s smile stiffened. Why? Why isn’t it working? She had the character and face of what he liked. In other words, she’s his ideal type. And yet, why?

     Liz is the exact opposite of Sheena, opposite of his ideals.

     Her unanswered questions kept on swirling in her mind. Why? Why? was the only thing that comes to her mind. Why doesn’t it work? Why can’t it go through her way? Even though she’s working so hard.

     She looked down and clenched her hands tightly.

 

     * * * * *

     In the Igner family’s study. The duke of Igner, who had received a report from a servant, was so angry that he smashed his wine glass on the floor. The liquid scattered and dyed the expensive carpet red. 

     “Why? Why isn’t Prince Keefa falling in love with Sheena?”

     She has Cecil’s face. It’s the same as the lover that he had been thinking about till his last moments in Keefa’s previous life. The duke, who was his former butler in that lifetime, knew best that he loved her so much even though he thought that she had betrayed him.

     He had no doubt that Keefa recognized Cecil’s face since when he first saw Sheena, he was pale and stiff like he saw a ghost. She’s the “Saint of Colorado” and her character is an imitation of Cecil. And yet he hasn’t fallen in love with her, why?

     “Is it because of her? Liz Stefan—”

""

     A daughter of a commoner, a female saint candidate, who’s said to be who Keefa favors.

     ――Isn’t this the same as before? He wanted Eugene to marry the Gould daughter, but Cecil, a commoner, got in the way. When he had cleared all the obstacles and made up a lie that Cecil had betrayed Eugene. Still, Eugene never gave up Cecil.

     Even  now. He wanted Keefa and Sheena to get married, and be around him, but Liz, a commoner, is in the way. Even though Emilia had been made into Sheena, Keefa doesn’t seem to take any interest in her.

     The duke grinded his teeth.

     He doesn’t want it to end like in his last life. In this lifetime he will surely fulfill his wish. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know why he was reborn with the memory of his previous life.

     The duke raised his head, the best thing to do is do as the magician says.

     “Call the magician.”

     “I’m already here.” The magician showed up behind the curtains. He smiles at the startled servant and duke.

     “You’re in trouble. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to have that magic stone in the temple?” 

     The duke gave out a hearty laugh and smiled wryly at the magician while loosening his tie.

     “Quite so. At first, when I heard about it, I thought it was overkill.”

     “No, It’s only now during the selection—it’s only now that woman changed her appearance. Unlike you, I’m the only one who has ever been there. I could get rid of her as planned.”

     “You don’t have the least of fear at all.”

     The magician lightly laughed.

     The duke re-tied his loose tie. He can’t back out now after that. If you can’t pull it down, you have to win. For sure.

     He opened the window curtains and under the moonlight, he could see the royal palace and the roof of the temple.

*****

 

     Just after Liz and the Holy Dragon destroyed the manastone. The priests who gathered in the inner garden began to make a fuss.

     “Why didn’t the chief priest come? He’s late!”

     Lloyd nodded. He was anxious. Then, a priest came running. The ends of his robe were burnt black and his face was covered in soot. Above all, his expression was pale and stiff.

     He looked at Lloyd and asked, “Was there a manastone here?” Soon after he cried out, “..What the hell is going on?”

      “Also, a manastone was found in the hedge beside the small shrine in front of the gate of the ninth tower! One was sealed up by the chief priest, and the other by the candidate, Manon. She managed to contain it, but Manon suffered a great  injury! She was just taken to the clinic!”

     Lloyd turned pale. His heartbeat quickened due to his anxiety.

     “Lloyd? Is something wrong?” Liz asked behind Lloyd as he ran towards the clinic.

     Before the clinic were several priests whose faces were clouded with worry. They’ve brought Manon there.

     “Oh Lloyd—hey, what’s the matter?”

     Without looking at them, Lloyd rushed into the clinic.

　In front of the examination room was the chief priest. There are no assisting priests around him as usual. They’re in the temple to settle the situation.

     The chief priest’s hands were clasped in front of him, and his eyes were closed to pray. He must’ve burned the back of his left hand, it’s red.

     “Chief priest”

     “Lloyd.” He said, opening his eyes.

     “What is the state of Manon—of the current saint?”

     The chief priest was faintly surprised, but he soon relaxed.

     “When did you notice? She’s sleeping now. I hear you’re still looking. But what was that manastone?” The chief priest who was smiling earlier darkened his expression, “When did you find out Manon’s identity? Well, at that time, the first selection, I thought that it might’ve been possible when you had found and brought the pot containing a sacred seed.”

     “Liz had found it, though I’ve only noticed it recently. It was Manon who buried that pot. Manon— because it’s a seed made by the saint. Was that seed a hint to anyone who found it?”

     “Why do you ask me?”

     “Is the chief priest also a guru, right? Otherwise, the selection cannot be made. Perhaps she turned into Manon because she wanted to see the natural character of the candidates. Also, I’ve seen the current saint since I was a child. So I understand.”

""

     Lloyd gave a small sigh. This is not what he wanted to ask. 

     “The current saint has changed herself to Manon. Only the current saint is able to use magic like that. So did Sheena? Was it her who changed her face?”

     The chief priest opened his mouth wide. Lloyd wasn’t sure whether he was really surprised or if he knew it. 

     He continued, “If Sheena was Emilia, as Liz said, it would be the saint who has given her the healing ability—”

     “Wait, wait!” Chief priest exclaimed with a startled face.

     “What are you talking about? Who is Emilia?”

     “Emilia Kafen. She’s from the same village as Liz, and the first candidate I went to pick up from—”

     As he was explaining, he was relieved that the chief priest apparently knew nothing. The chief priest patted his white beard thoughtfully, but after a while he let out a long breath.

     “I understand the story. However, that mage isn’t the saint. Manon has been in this temple all the time, and it has no point for her to do it.”

     “…I don’t know.” 

     The chief priest shook his head from side to side. At that time, a priest rushed in.

     “Chief priest! I’m glad you’re here.The current saint has sent for you. You have to come to the first temple at once.”

     Lloyd looked up and rushed into the room. There surely is a pale Manon asleep on the bed. The chief priest who was shocked, let out a hoarse voice, “…Is the saint now in the first temple?”

     “Yes, what’s wrong? She has been calling for the chief priest as usual.”

 

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