The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Fortune Teller Saint

 

Chapter 63

 

“So, what’s the matter?”

 

As soon as I came down to the courtyard, I immediately asked the two priests.

 

At my question, the two exchanged glances and hesitated to answer. Frustrated by their appearance, I spoke again.

 

“I clearly heard the word ‘sacred relic.’ Don’t even think about making excuses.”

 

“W-We had absolutely no intention of making excuses, Holy Lady!”

 

One priest exclaimed in surprise. It was the same person who had been scolding the other priest.

 

When I fixed my gaze on her, the priest flinched and bowed her head deeply.

 

“We are the priests who manage the sacred relics. Actually, there’s been a small, very small problem with the sacred relic to be used in this Founding Festival ceremony…”

 

“A problem?”

 

Instead of answering, she glanced at her fellow priest beside her. It was a look that said to explain instead.

 

When I turned my gaze to him, the female priest whose face had turned pale trembled with her hands.

 

“I-I don’t think I managed the sacred relic properly.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“I-I was just worried the sacred relic might get damaged…”

 

She stammered out her words.

 

Having grasped the situation, I nodded and said.

 

“Let’s go to the room where the sacred relic is first.”

 

***

 

We moved to where the sacred relic was stored. Of course, the two priests who caused the problem came along as well.

 

When we arrived in front of the Sacred Relic Storage Room, one of the priests behind us approached with a key.

 

The Sacred Relic Storage Room couldn’t be entered freely unless you were a high-ranking priest like me or the priest in charge.

 

Click-

 

The locked door opened and we entered the room.

 

The branch sacred relic I had obtained from Lebri Village greeted us from the center of the room. It looked fine from the outside.

 

I approached closer and peered inside the vase.

 

Just as the two priests had said, ‘water’ was filled to the brim inside the vase.

 

“So you’re saying that because the sacred relic is in the form of a branch, you gave it water in case it might wither?”

 

“That’s correct, Holy Lady.”

 

The two priests bowed their heads deeply as if ashamed.

 

Sacred relics rarely lose their power. Even if they’re in the form of plants.

 

In other words, this branch sacred relic wouldn’t wither either.

 

But a novice priest who had never encountered a sacred relic before didn’t know this fact and gave water to the sacred relic, causing this mess.

 

As I mentioned earlier, sacred relics rarely lost their power, but there was an exception where they could become corrupted and lose their power if continuously exposed to malicious energy.

 

That’s why the Temple was careful not to expose sacred relics to anything when storing them.

 

Even if it was just ordinary water.

 

‘Well, actually ordinary water wouldn’t corrupt a sacred relic.’

 

Thinking to myself, I dipped my finger into the water in the vase and brought it to my mouth.

 

Then the three people watching cried out in horror.

 

“H-Holy Lady!”

 

“Holy Lady, even so, drinking that is a bit…”

 

“What’s wrong with it? It’s just ordinary water.”

 

Fortunately, I couldn’t taste anything in the water. It seemed nothing had been added to it.

 

Judging it wasn’t a big deal, I looked around at the three people and said, also to organize the situation.

 

“Let’s just pass this incident off as a small mishap that occurred while preparing for the ceremony.”

 

“Will that really be okay…?”

 

“There’s no problem with the sacred relic. Still, just in case it could become troublesome, please dispose of the water in the vase. And be careful not to let the same thing happen again.”

 

“Understood. Thank you, Holy Lady!”

 

At the words that they would be let off without responsibility, the two priests’ faces brightened completely.

 

As we left the room since the matter seemed resolved, I heard Robelina muttering.

 

“Still, it’s fortunate it was just ordinary water and nothing else.”

 

“That’s what I’m saying. I was getting dizzy thinking about having to make the sacred relic again. …Though I still have to make one anyway.”

 

Since I have a bet with Nein.

 

Regret came belatedly and a deep sigh escaped me. Past impulsive me, why did you do that?

 

Robelina silently patted my shoulder.

 

‘Still, it’s fortunate it wasn’t a big deal, but it’s unexpected. I was sure something would happen.’

 

I thought while glancing back.

 

When I first became aware of the problem, I actually thought ‘here it comes.’ Because the tarot cards had predicted a threat.

 

But unexpectedly, it ended as a minor incident. Nothing I needed to worry about.

 

While it was fortunate, it was somewhat unsettling since it was as if the prediction of other threats remained.

 

‘Just in case, I should suggest increasing security.’

 

There was nothing bad about being excessive with this kind of thing.

 

At my suggestion, the Temple’s security was increased. I don’t know if it was thanks to that, but no special incidents occurred.

 

Not even until the day of the Founding Festival when the ceremony would begin.

 

***

 

No. A problem did occur.

 

A problem that could be called minor if minor, important if important.

 

Right in my stomach.

 

“Ugh, urgh…”

 

“Ria, are you okay?”

 

“Mm-hmm. I’m fine… ugh.”

 

I tried to answer, but Robelina didn’t listen and brought stomach medicine. I didn’t bother saying more and poured the medicine into my mouth.

 

For the past few days, I had been suffering from stomach pain. It seemed I had an upset stomach.

 

But I felt wronged. I only eat simple and modest Temple food, so why do I have an upset stomach!

 

Robelina also seemed puzzled and asked me with suspicious eyes.

 

“Ria, what exactly did you eat behind my back?”

 

“Why do you think I ate something behind your back?!”

 

Robelina’s scolding doubled my sense of injustice.

 

Only then seeming to notice my innocence, an apologetic emotion crossed Robelina’s face.

 

“Sorry. I just thought that if it were you, Ria, that could be possible…”

 

“That makes me even sadder.”

 

“Anyway, this is serious. The ceremony is soon and the Holy Lady is in this state.”

 

“I took medicine, so I’ll be fine soon.”

 

Indeed, the stomach pain was lessening a bit. Feeling much more comfortable, I removed my hand from my stomach that I had been clutching with a sigh.

 

“I’ll be going. Before the medicine wears off.”

 

“Will you be okay?”

 

“What can I do if I’m not okay? I have to go anyway. You stay here and do what you need to do, Robelina. You have a lot to do.”

 

Robelina looked at me worriedly but didn’t deny my words.

 

There was still a little time left before the ceremony. Even so, the reason I was heading out alone was to greet the guests who had come to the Temple.

 

As one of the Temple’s top two, this was also something I had to do.

 

“It’s the Holy Lady.”

 

“What? The Holy Lady?”

 

As soon as I entered alone, gazes poured down on me.

 

I smiled calmly, pretending to be composed, and greeted each of those who had come to see me one by one. The conversation that followed was no different from when I dealt with people at the Imperial Palace ball.

 

How much they had donated to the Temple, asking for blessings, asking to see sacred relics…

 

Continuing these meaningless, boring conversations made me feel like my stomach pain was returning.

 

It was then that something unexpected happened.

 

“Holy Lady!”

 

A sense of déjà vu arose from a voice I had heard somewhere before. That very voice I had heard at the spring Imperial Palace ball.

 

When I quickly turned my head, the 2nd Prince Yuriel was walking toward me with a bright smile, Arjes by his side.

 

‘Ugh. Of all times…’

 

I forcibly pulled up the corners of my mouth that had momentarily stiffened.

 

Yuriel, who hadn’t noticed anything, greeted me with an angelic bright smile.

 

“It’s been a while, Holy Lady. Have you been well?”

 

“Of course. I’ve been doing very well. How about Your Highness?”

 

“You’re asking about my well-being?!”

 

Yuriel asked back with a moved expression.

 

The burden of that sparkling gaze felt like it was transforming into stomach pain.

 

‘Should I go back to my room?’

 

“I’ve been well too. Ever since I met you at the banquet last time, I really wanted to see you again, so I’m glad I came.”

 

Yuriel said with a somewhat shy smile.

 

They say you can’t spit on a smiling face. Seeing him smile so prettily made me realize that saying all too keenly.

 

I eventually gave up on returning to my room and responded to Yuriel.

 

“I see. I thought you came to cheer on His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

“Of course I’m cheering for my brother too. But my brother is good at everything, so I’m sure he’ll finish this devotion ceremony perfectly as well.”

 

Yuriel’s face showed no negative emotions toward Jacad as he spoke. Rather, it only revealed trust toward his family.

 

Arjes, who was beside him, seemed to sense this too and looked at Yuriel with a displeased expression.

 

Seeing that gave me a slightly satisfying feeling, and my stomach pain seemed to ease a bit too.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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