A blue satin dress adorned with white lace.
Iric knew exactly what this was.
This was the dress Count Kiris had bought for Ordell on the day she first came to the Temple of the Sun as a saint.
Ordell treasured it deeply because it was a precious gift from her father. She always handled it with care, and if a maid so much as touched it carelessly, she would erupt in fury.
And now she was saying she would sell it off without hesitation.
Even lying that she had bought it with her own pocket money.
"Wasn't this planned with Count Kiris? Is she really thinking of leaving the temple?"
Come to think of it, she had said she would willingly deceive the Kiris family.
Had she had a major falling out with the Count?
Ordell had been loyal to Count Kiris, but the Count had never truly cherished her.
Perhaps she finally realized that and decided to turn her back on him.
"That would explain everything."
Her sudden change in demeanor, her desire to stop being a saint and leave the temple, even the look of deep emptiness she had when she said it.
Now everything made sense.
"I think we should sell it… We're running more and more short on operating funds," Dietrich said carefully as Iric stared seriously at the list.
He didn't want to miss this chance.
In truth, the temple's finances were a mess because of the saint's extravagance.
"…Alright. Let's do as the saint wishes. Begin tomorrow. You'll be in charge."
"Yes! Understood!"
Relieved to get a positive answer, Dietrich nodded with a brightened expression.
He needed to act quickly, before either Ordell or Iric could change their minds.
"..."
But unlike Dietrich, Iric couldn't bring himself to smile.
To be honest, he welcomed Ordell's change…
But the fact that she wanted to sell even that cherished blue dress kept bothering him.
Even more so because she insisted on keeping the money from that sale for herself.
It meant that even though she was angry, she hadn't fully let go of her attachment to the Kiris family.
Recalling the emptiness on Ordell's face that day, Iric let out a sigh.
* * *
"Ah, I feel refreshed."
Having handed the list over to Dietrich the night before, I welcomed the morning with a fresh and light heart.
A weekday morning without having to go to work—how blissful.
"Maybe I'll just stay here."
If I go outside, I'll have to work again to make a living…
But here, as the saint, I'm the highest authority—no need to work.
They feed me, clean for me when it's time.
Isn't this the perfect cushy job?
"Should I just stay at the temple and save up money little by little, then leave when Idella shows up in a year?"
It's kind of embarrassing to tell Iric now that I've decided not to leave… but he already opposed the idea anyway.
However, my brilliant plan was completely shattered in less than ten minutes.
"F-forgive me, Saintess…!"
I stared blankly at the woman kneeling and prostrating before me.
The maid who brought my breakfast had looked terrified from the start.
At first, I didn't think much of it.
Ah, she must've been mistreated by Ordell.
So maybe I'll start with her and offer an apology, one person at a time.
That was all I had in mind.
Until she trembled so much that she bumped into me while placing the tray on the table.
"I-I'm so sorry! Please, p-please forgive me…!"
"..."
Wow. I'm speechless.
She just barely brushed against me, and now she's groveling like this?
What on earth had Ordell been doing around here?
"…I'm fine. You can go now."
What can you even say to someone trembling in fear like they're about to be hit?
I figured even if I apologized now, she wouldn't be able to process it properly—so I just told her to leave.
"…Uh, what?"
"I'm not even a little bit angry. So it's okay, you can go."
Thinking she'd just get more scared if I insisted, I turned my attention to my meal instead.
Eventually, she gave a hesitant bow and hurried out of the room.
Ironically, even in her panicked rush, not a single footstep could be heard.
Actually, no—it's not funny at all.
"Guess I really do have to leave the temple."
Forget image rehabilitation. For the sake of everyone's mental health, I should just go.
With a heavy heart, I continued eating my meal.
After finishing, a new problem arose.
Yesterday, Iric and Dietrich had cleared the dishes, but today I'd sent the maid away early, so there was no one to take them.
I'd rather take them myself than watch another terrified person come in shaking like a leaf.
"…But where's the kitchen?"
From what I recall, the kitchen is connected to the dining hall… So where's the dining hall?
On top of that, I have no idea where this bedroom even is.
That's because, right after arriving at the temple yesterday, I was half-unconscious from hunger and motion sickness, and Iric had to carry me.
What do I do now? Should I call the maid back?
"What if this time they really think I'm angry and faint on the spot…?"
I was seriously contemplating this while staring at the empty tray.
[Per user request, the "Map" system will now be activated.]
A system message popped up in front of me.
"Oh, you were here?"
Maybe because it's been so useless, I completely forgot it existed after just one day.
As if offended I had forgotten it, the system screen suddenly expanded dramatically.
In the top-left corner, it read:
Of course. A system in a possession-type novel should at least have a map function.
"Show me the route from where I am now to the kitchen."
A red dotted line appeared on the map, showing the way to the kitchen.
I take it back—it's actually helpful.
I immediately followed the red dots.
I considered going straight to the kitchen, but it was only connected through the servants' corridor. So I decided to go through the dining hall instead.
Hmm… I hope no one in the dining room has a panic attack when they see me…
But, naturally, my wish was completely shattered.
"Ah."
The moment I stepped into the dining hall, dozens of eyes turned to me in unison.
Ah… so it is mealtime for everyone.
Faces went pale the moment our eyes met.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your peaceful meal…
"Saintess?"
Iric noticed me and immediately stood up, rushing over.
"What brings you here…?"
"I was just trying to bring the empty dishes to the kitchen. But I guess I mistimed it."
I felt sorry for showing up during their mealtime and making everyone uncomfortable.
Trying to express my apology gently, Iric quickly took the tray from my hands, almost snatching it.
"I'll take care of this."
"Oh, if you'd be so kind…"
"And please know—there is no place in this temple you are forbidden from entering. You may go wherever you please, whenever you like."
Huh? That's a bit… dramatic for just walking into the dining hall, isn't it?
"Uh, okay. I'll keep that in mind…"
Though I'll be leaving soon anyway… Still, I nodded politely.
I was just about to quickly slip out for everyone's sake when—
"…Huh?"
Something strange caught my eye.
"Saintess?"
I ignored Iric's puzzled voice and strode forward toward what I'd just seen.
Sorry to the children whose faces turned blue from fright—but I couldn't ignore it now.
"What… is this?"
Standing at the very end of the long dining table, in front of a small group of young children huddled together, I opened my eyes wide in disbelief.