The young prime minister, who had received a report as he awaited their approach at the front gate of the Imperial Palace, tilted his head.

“‘That’ Saintess Evanessa said that?”

“Yes, Prime Minister. I heard it directly with my own ears.”

“Hmmm. This is a big deal.”

Evanessa Halyn.

The noble saintess of the Empire that has appeared after a hundred years. The manifestation of God sent by Lunium himself.

That is the perception externally. However, in reality, the temple, which considers image management important, thoroughly cultivated the Saintess’ image since childhood like a plant.

Saintess Evanessa, who has been sincerely serving the temple until now, made a remark that might degrade the image of the temple. It was also said to the citizens, who are the greatest support backing the temple.

If it was the original Evanessa, the situation would have become worse as she would have disembarked the carriage and proceeded to shake the hands of the citizens. But for that Evanessa to speak so roughly?

Beneath a fringe of hair long enough to cover his eyes and go all the way to the tip of his nose, the man smirked slightly.

“I wonder if it was the devil possessing the Saintess for a moment.”

Mark, the vice-commander of the 1st Knights, who had run ahead to report the delayed arrival of the Saintess, trembled in response.

“You can verify it yourself.”

The carriage of the Saintess, who succeeded in breaking away from the crowd, was approaching the gate of the Imperial Palace.

As soon as the door to the carriage opened, Daniel came down first. And before Daniel could turn around, a small beautiful woman jumped off from the carriage. The thin veil was blown back revealing the face of the lady for a moment before it disappeared.

“……?”

“……?”

Everyone looked at each other and then back at the Saintess who was brushing off the hem of her dress.

Daniel opened his lips, then quickly shut them again. The hand he offered to the Saintess was pulled back. He seemed embarrassed at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was clear he was holding in his laughter.

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The young prime minister felt the laughter hiding behind his lips, as he watched the situation with deepening interest. As he took a step forward, Evanessa felt his presence and turned her head. Her blue eyes finally met his gaze through the veil.

“Welcome, Saintess Evanessa. We sincerely welcome your safe arrival at the Imperial Palace.”

Would getting your rear beaten feel as painful as this?

Inside the moving carriage, Evanessa gritted her teeth. After sitting in the carriage for so long, her pelvis felt like it was about to shatter.

‘In this era where magic exists, why aren’t there any cars…?’

With furtive eyes, Evanessa peeped out of the window.

Since this was a carriage borrowed from Lady Beatrice’s family, it was definitely one of the finest carriages available, and yet it still felt like her tailbone was screaming each time the carriage jolted over a bump.

Just as Evanessa was certain that she couldn’t take much more and had surreptitiously raised her hips, the carriage slowed to a halt. One of the knights knocked on the window to let them know that they had arrived.

“Are you well, Saintess?”

When Daniel anxiously asked this question, Evanessa hurriedly shook her head. The thin and long veil adorning her head rustled gently along with her movements.

“Let us both disembark, quickly.”

As her words were spoken through gritted teeth, Daniel felt like he had accidentally stepped on a landmine. His shoulders hunching defensively, Daniel quickly turned away to open the carriage door. It looked like he was trying to hold in his breath.

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As Daniel hopped off the carriage with a frightening demeanor, Evanessa immediately followed in his footsteps as she was eager to escape the carriage’s stuffy interior.

‘Hm?’

After brushing down her uselessly long dress, Evanessa raised her head. For some reason, the air felt strange. The people sent by the Emperor to welcome her were staring at her with stupefied expressions.

She saw Daniel, who had gotten off before her, turn away from her while biting his lips.

‘What’s with this atmosphere?’

Evanessa needed to reflect on her own behavior.

“I bid you welcome, Saintess Evanessa.”