SWGL 07

Chapter 07

We all gathered together again when lunchtime came.

“Lady Cassini really worked hard today. It was definitely faster making rounds through the wards with two people using divine power.”

I got ahead of everyone by praising Lumiela first. Since she really had been helpful, the status window remained silent.

“I saw it too. She really worked hard treating the children.”

“You flatter me. It was my first time, so I was inexperienced… I was worried that I might be a burden to the Saint.”

“Inexperienced? You were originally the real Saint…”

Someone made a serious slip of the tongue.

Although they belatedly shut their mouth, the meaning had already been conveyed perfectly.

Everyone looked flustered and watched my reaction, but perhaps because I had already developed some immunity after what happened earlier, I calmly finished the sentence for them.

“That’s right. Since she was originally the Saint, there’s no way she could be inexperienced, even if it was her first time.”

“Saint…”

Lumiela spoke with a distressed expression.

“I… I’m uncomfortable with things like that. Saying I’m the real Saint, or that I was the original Saint… Even though there is already another Saint here…”

“It’s all right, Lady Cassini. Please calm down.”

I comforted Lumiela without losing my gentle expression.

“After all, you were the one God chose first. Although I took over this position because of an unfortunate accident, that fact hasn’t changed.”

“But…”

“As you said, what matters is the present. So please don’t worry too much about it. God will decide what happens in the future.”

It was vague, but ultimately I wrapped up the conversation by saying, I’m the real one now.

Even so, Lumiela still looked uncomfortable as she stared at me, and the other young ladies continued to watch my reaction.

Just as I was about to say something else to lighten the mood—

“More importantly, Saint, I’m truly sorry about yesterday.”

Ah, this time she had gotten ahead of me.

I looked at Lumiela with the most peaceful expression I could manage.

What is she trying to say now?

“Yesterday, you accidentally tripped over my foot and fell… I think your knee was even bleeding.”

No, even if it was an accident, you caused it, not me. Why did she phrase it so strangely?

“Oh my, did you fall that hard?”

Naturally, everyone’s eyes turned toward my knee.

But of course, it was perfectly clean. I had healed it with divine power yesterday.

Lumiela wanted me to say that I had wasted precious divine power at a hospital, where even a small amount of divine power was valuable, just to heal a scraped knee, didn’t she?

Perhaps she had even done what she did yesterday because she knew I would be volunteering at the hospital today. Of course, she probably wanted to vent her frustration as well.

“Archbishop Formoso is someone who can never ignore an injured person right in front of him.”

I smiled awkwardly as I spoke.

“I told him I was fine with such a minor injury and tried to stop him, but he insisted on using his power. He said I needed to be in good condition if I was going to be moving around the hospital so much today.”

“Indeed, does the Saint not go around volunteering with quite a lot of enthusiasm? The Archbishop made a wise decision.”

Fortunately, the matter seemed to pass without incident.

But if someone provoked you, it was only natural to return the favor.

“More importantly, I’m really grateful—and relieved—that you came here, Lady Cassini.”

I smiled brightly and turned the spotlight back onto Lumiela.

“I was quite worried. I wondered if you might shut yourself away because of what happened yesterday due to my carelessness…”

“…”

“But seeing you come out like this and contribute to such a good cause…”

I had dressed it up as my carelessness, but in reality, I was poking at the embarrassing little performance Lumiela had put on because she didn’t want to donate.

Seeing the corners of Lumiela’s lips stiffen, I put on a touched smile.

“I’m almost ashamed of how narrow-minded I was to think that you might be embarrassed over such a small matter.”

“Of course not.”

Lumiela’s lips were curved upward, but her eyes were empty.

I had to work hard to keep myself from laughing.

“Rather, I’m simply grateful for the Saint’s generosity in trying to cover up my timidity. I’ve also decided to join you in volunteer work more often from now on.”

“I’m so happy and grateful that yesterday’s incident became the reason for that. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Everyone finds it difficult to share what they have at first.”

I smiled as I took Lumiela’s hand and gently patted it.

Everyone watched this touching scene with pleased expressions and added their own words.

“That’s right, Lady Cassini. The first step is always the hardest. Once you get used to it, it can be quite fulfilling and rewarding.”

“Come with us often from now on.”

Lumiela continued smiling and repeatedly thanked them.

The warm atmosphere continued for a while.

Then, suddenly, a group of sturdy men began streaming into the hospital carrying enormous boxes.

Everyone stared at them in confusion, and then the hospital director appeared in our field of vision.

He approached us with an excited expression and spoke to Lumiela.

“Are you Lady Cassini?”

“Yes, I am. Why?”

The hospital director bowed with a deeply moved expression.

“Duke Cassini has sent a large amount of donated supplies in the name of Lady Lumiela Cassini. We are truly grateful.”

Everyone looked shocked by the sudden situation.

Meanwhile, the relief-supply boxes continued to pour in without stopping.

The young ladies watching them gasped in admiration.

“The Duke is truly amazing! He donated this much?”

“And in Lady Cassini’s name, too. He must love you very much.”

“He must have done this so you wouldn’t feel discouraged during your first volunteer work.”

Unlike the cheering young ladies, however, Lumiela looked somewhat depressed.

“I’m grateful for the donation, but… please don’t put it that way.”

What kind of nonsense is she going to say with that expression?

I watched her with interest.

“I was worried that it might make the Saint feel bad.”

Me?

“I’m not the only younger sister he has, yet he made the donation only in my name. My brother really should have been more considerate.”

Ah, is this that tiresome real-versus-fake frame again?

But there was a reason Lumiela kept bringing it up.

According to the memories I had inherited, Justitia had fallen into this very trap, been absurdly accused of being jealous of Lumiela, and eventually died.

That was how effective this frame was.

“You don’t need to think that way, Lady Cassini. The Duke’s real younger sister is Lumiela.”

Everyone stared at me in surprise.

Even Lumiela.

She raised her voice in flustered protest.

“Saint, you shouldn’t say things like that…!”

“That doesn’t mean I’m his fake younger sister, but we aren’t related by blood, are we? I know it’s an inappropriate expression, so I hope you’ll kindly understand.”

I continued with a smile.

“I’m not upset at all. If anything, I’m simply grateful to the Duke. Don’t you think he gave such a generous donation to encourage you to develop a charitable spirit?”

I thought for a moment before adding,

“He has always been a kind man, after all.”

[Lie Gauge increased by 0.4%.]

[Current Gauge: 1.4%.]

I guess even the status window knows that was my most powerful lie just now.

Kind, my ass.

“D-Duke?”

The young ladies stared over my shoulder with surprised expressions.

A sudden ominous feeling came over me.

…No way, right?

It can’t be.

Please don’t let it be.