Episode 10.

A few days had passed since the funeral.

Gordon Black's horrific crimes had spread quickly throughout the Empire, and by extension, my name became known as well. Moreover, thanks to the bereaved family repeatedly expressing their profound gratitude to me, the Good Deed Gauge had shot up rapidly.

To think the gauge would go up even if I just sat still. What a sweet deal.

I sprawled out arrogantly on my plush sofa, sipping a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. I hummed a cheerful little tune to myself. I had been told my official duties of bestowing blessings upon those in need would start next week, so I was determined to rest up in advance.

"Status window," I muttered.

"The temple is the best. The Pope is the absolute best."

The Pope was truly taking his role as my guardian seriously.

A light tapping sounded at my door.

"Yep!" In stark contrast to my arrogant, sprawling posture, a highly disciplined, cute voice burst from my lips.

"Saintess, I think you need to come out and see this……"

Hearing the nervous tremor in the priestess's voice, I leaped off the sofa, scurried over, and opened the door. The young woman looked around anxiously before leaning down to whisper to me.

"Well… envoys from the Imperial Family have arrived."

"……?"

"They say they have an urgent favor to ask of the Saintess."

I instinctively had a hunch. My mind flashed back to the terrible state of the Crown Prince I had encountered during my first night here—and the fact that his condition hadn't improved despite the Pope's direct treatment.

I really wanted to refuse.

I followed behind the priestess, my face twisted in a reluctant pout. The news that a Saintess had appeared after three hundred years had turned the Empire upside down. Just yesterday, throngs of people had flocked to the front gates of the temple, clamoring to see me. Naturally, the Imperial Family must have caught wind of my existence, too.

But could I really cure someone that even the Pope couldn't help? If I went and failed, I might just end up exposing my incompetence and causing political trouble for the temple.

As I walked down the grand hallway, the low hum of conversation I had been hearing suddenly cut off.

I stuck my bottom lip out.

"We greet the Saintess."

The heavy mahogany doors opened. The Pope, the cardinals, and the high priests were all gathered inside, welcoming me. The Imperial envoys instantly dropped to their knees, bowing their heads so low their foreheads practically touched the marble floor.

I inwardly marveled at my drastically changed status.

The envoys, clad in heavy black cloaks adorned with the golden imperial crest, spoke with desperate urgency.

"We earnestly beg of you, Saintess! His Highness the Crown Prince is in critical condition. We humbly request that you look into his state!"

"……The Crown Prince?" I asked softly.

"He suffers from agonizing nightmares every night, and when he wakes, he exhibits completely bizarre and unmanageable behaviors."

The Pope let out a deep, heavy sigh. "Diane, come here."

I awkwardly padded over to the Pope's side. He leaned down, speaking in a low whisper meant only for me.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to. It is a request, not a royal command."

"B-but, Your Holiness!" the panicked envoys cried out, clearly having caught the gist of his words.

"I have already attempted to treat him for six years, but there has been no improvement," the Pope whispered, ignoring them. "If you fail to cure him this time, they might harbor ill intentions and speak ill of you, Diane."

It was a realistic warning. It seemed the Pope genuinely believed I couldn't cure the boy, and rightfully so.

"He hasn't gotten better even after six years of your treatment?" I whispered back.

"They say his bizarre behaviors repeat the moment he leaves the holy grounds. It's not something easily fixed."

"……"

"Of course, he stabilizes slightly after drinking holy water here, but the Crown Prince of the Empire cannot reside in the temple indefinitely."

If I had my way, I would have feigned ignorance and let the whole thing pass. However—

I clicked my tongue and nodded my head, forcing a bright expression.

"I'll try."

"……!"

For a moment, the Pope's eyes grew wide with surprise.

I quickly added some words to reassure him. "It's fine. I'll just check on his condition and come right back."

"You don't need to overdo it. You still need to rest," the Pope urged gently.

But if the system was offering a whole ten Good Deed points, there was really no reason not to go.

"When should we leave?" I asked, turning to the envoys.

"We have a carriage waiting right now!"

Seeing the envoy's complexion instantly brighten, I let out a small sigh. They had definitely planned to drag me there no matter what.

"I'll be back, then."

And so began my 'official' first outing as the Saintess.

The Imperial Palace's carriage was on a completely different level of luxury. Thanks to the velvet cushions that perfectly enveloped my small body, I felt no discomfort even after sitting for a long time.

Amidst the tense, awkward atmosphere in the cabin, I opened my mouth to speak. To treat someone, I first needed basic information about the patient.

"Since when did His Highness start acting strangely?"

The envoys hesitated, exchanging nervous glances before one finally spoke. "He… he began losing his mind shortly after Her Majesty the Empress passed away."

"The mother and son were truly close. Her Majesty and His Majesty the Emperor, unlike previous generations, had a marriage of true love and were exceptionally fond of their family."

"But now……"

"You're saying it's due to the severe shock of losing a family member?"

Taking their heavy silence as an answer, I pondered the situation.

The distance between the temple and the Imperial Palace wasn't as far as I had thought. The palace was a space on a completely different scale than the temple. As the massive white iron gates opened, the sprawling manicured lawns, towering stone statues, and fluttering golden flags all boldly displayed the sheer majesty of the Imperial Family.

Clutching my pounding chest, I gazed out the carriage window in pure awe.

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, I was immediately ushered away.

"I will escort you to His Highness the Crown Prince's bedchamber," a maid announced, bowing deeply.

"……Wh-what? Already?"

"Please understand that these are unavoidable circumstances."

Sweating profusely, the maid guided me down the labyrinthine corridors with hurried, desperate steps.

Flustered, I scurried after the maid. As I speed-walked around the vast palace on my short legs, soft exclamations burst from the passing servants.

"Oh my, how cute~"

"Which noble family's lady could she be? She's truly adorable."

I could hear every whisper. Embarrassed, I covered my reddened ears with my hands and practically jogged to keep up.

Honestly, it didn't feel bad.

"It is right here," the maid said, coming to an abrupt halt. Taking a deep, shaky breath, she warned me, "Please do not be frightened. Making loud noises could actually worsen his situation."

"……Okay."

Half afraid and half curious, I waited for her to open the heavy double doors.

The door swung inward, and the scene that greeted me was shocking.

"……!"

Cabinets so beautiful they could be called a master artisan's life work were knocked over and half-shattered. Feathers and cotton from eviscerated pillows floated through the air like snow, and the expensive silk wallpaper was shredded to ribbons with what looked like actual claw marks.

I quickly spotted a figure crouching in the shadows under the heavy velvet curtains. The boy's pupils were blown wide, glaring at me while his small body trembled uncontrollably. He was utterly stricken with terror, his teeth bared in a defensive hiss.

This was not the arrogant, bratty Crown Prince I had seen before. This was…

Right then, the Crown Prince, who had been coiled tight, suddenly lunged forward. He launched himself directly at the maid standing in front of me, his fingers hooked like claws.

"Kyaaaak!"

Screaming in sheer panic, the maid forcibly shoved the Crown Prince off her, slipped out the door, and slammed it shut, leaving me behind.

Suddenly trapped all alone with a feral prince, I blinked.

"Wait, did she just run away by herself?"

The moment I let out an incredulous chuckle of disbelief, the boy snapped his head toward me, a low growl building in his throat.

To show that I had no intention of attacking, I immediately flopped down onto the floor, making myself as small as possible, and raised both empty hands.

"Calm down."

I locked eyes with him, but instead of staring aggressively, I blinked slowly. Then, I opened my mouth and let out a large, exaggerated fake yawn.

Seeing my completely relaxed demeanor, the Crown Prince stopped his advance. He slowly backed away from me, retreating into the shadows.

We must have sat there on the ruined floor, quietly staring at each other for about five minutes.

Just then, the afternoon sunlight seeping through the torn curtains shifted, pouring down directly over the Crown Prince's messy hair.

The Crown Prince's wild eyes slowly closed under the warm beam of light, and he let out a soft, strange cry.

"Maaang."

"……?"