Episode 63

“…What?”

Buying the title of Holy Child with money?

I was utterly stunned at the idea, something I had never even considered.

But the Duke, as if there were nothing unusual about it, spoke casually.

“So feel free to do whatever you want. Heal if you wish, or sell whatever you like.”

“…”

“Either way, you’ll be the Holy Child today.”

I was left speechless, staring at the Duke in astonishment.

While I appreciated his support, there was a significant flaw in his plan.

‘The temple only allows 100 talents per family to be exchanged, Duke…’

Despite the fact that the event was essentially just a way to fatten the temple’s coffers, it was still officially labeled as “volunteer work,” so there was a limit to the amount of talents that could be exchanged.

But that aside.

“…Are you coming today?”

I was more shocked by the implication that he would personally attend the event.

“Of course, I have to go.”

The Duke replied nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing.

“I cleared my schedule for today.”

‘Even Edwin?!’

My mind went blank at the unexpected turn of events.

In both my past life and the original story, the Duke’s family rarely participated in public events.

It made sense, considering Joshua was usually very ill around this time, and after he passed away…

The Duke buried himself in work, and Edwin rarely returned home until he reached adulthood.

Therefore, the housekeeper or aide Logan usually attended the temple volunteer events in their place.

‘Even that stopped after I threw a fit, telling them not to come…’

I didn’t want to show the Duke’s family how I was humiliated by Diana every year.

Yet, when no one came, I felt like an abandoned child.

‘It’s laughable. I was always without parents, anyway…’

Still, it was hard to let go of the subtle hope that someone might come.

When I finally got used to enduring the ridicule alone, my relationship with the Duke’s household had hit rock bottom.

Thus, it was natural for me to assume that the Duke and Edwin would not participate in this event.

But now…

‘Joshua is healthy now, so there’s no need for that anymore.’

I healed the dying Joshua, and he recovered.

This made a significant difference from my previous life.

As I stared blankly at Joshua, struck by this realization, he suddenly threw down his fork in frustration.

“I can’t go! Old man Gordon says no! Tch!”

“Joshua Kallios.”

The Duke immediately reprimanded him with a stern look.

Joshua pouted and started to cry.

“I want to see Sister Belze too… Hmph!”

“She’s not your sister. You’re the same age.”

“But I like calling her sister! You don’t understand, brother! I hate you!”

Joshua created yet another awkward moment.

The Duke’s eyebrows twitched.

Before he could say anything, I quickly spoke up.

“You can go next year, Josh! It won’t be that fun anyway.”

“…Why?”

“Remember last year when you ran away? It was because it was boring!”

“That’s right! You ran away last year and met me!”

Joshua grinned, recalling our first meeting.

“Yes! It was so boring, I felt sleepy and annoyed! I envy you being able to stay home!”

“Hehe. Really? So I’m the lucky one?”

“Yes. Absolutely!”

“Alright! Then I’m the lucky one, so you have to call me brother now!”

“Um… O-Okay, brother…”

Joshua’s mood quickly lifted, and he resumed eating happily.

I sighed in relief.

Thanks to seeing him every day for treatments, I had become quite good at handling him.

But Edwin, completely oblivious to my efforts, watched us as if we were some strange creatures.

“This seems serious… Shouldn’t we hire a tutor for him soon?”

“Let them be. They seem to be having fun.”

For some reason, the Duke smiled warmly.

‘It’s not playing, I’m soothing him!’

I felt indignant. I had gone through the trouble of calming Joshua down, and now I was being put on the spot!

As I fumed silently, the Duke suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, “Belze, I understand you’re leaving early.”

“Ah… Yes, that’s right!”

While the nobles arrived in the afternoon, the orphans needed to set up their booths early. Despite being supported by the Duke’s household, as a candidate for the Holy Child, I had to follow the temple’s rules.

“Do you really need to go so early? You could have someone else set up for you,” the Duke remarked, clearly displeased.

“By the way, who’s going with you? Tara? I haven’t heard anything about the butler going.”

“Ahaha… I just wanted to go early to get a good spot!”

I awkwardly laughed and quickly changed the subject. Thankfully, the Duke seemed convinced.

“Alright, that’s a good attitude. If you need anything, feel free to tell the butler.”

“Yes!”

“Now, everyone, give Belze a word of encouragement.”

The Duke prompted his sons, who had just finished their meal. I was horrified.

‘…Oh no! They really called me here just to cheer me on?!’

I felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.

“Good luck, Belze! I’ll be cheering for you! Even if it’s boring, stay calm and act mature!”

Joshua was the first to cheer, his voice full of enthusiasm.

“Um… Thank you.”

I nodded in response.

‘Well, Joshua could do it.’

But I never expected Edwin to say something so cheesy.

“…Just do your best.”

Edwin, who had been watching me, suddenly spoke.

“Even if you don’t become the Holy Child, no one will blame you.”

I held my breath for a moment.

Objectively, his words weren’t exactly encouraging. However, for someone like me, who had been agonizing over how to outshine Diana and win the title of Holy Child, his words were a great comfort.

I looked at him with teary eyes and nodded cautiously.

“…Okay.”

And finally, the Duke said, “Belze, and to those who threaten the Kallios family, there is only death.”

He muttered ominously, as if battling invisible enemies, then downed his pre-meal drink in one gulp.

‘Um, it’s just about making money…’

I lowered my head, my face flushed with embarrassment. Though dessert hadn’t even been served yet, I felt as happy as if I’d just had a big spoonful of sweet chocolate mousse.

* * *

“Miss, do your best!”

“Our Miss is amazing! Woohoo!”

“Don’t worry at all; you’ve already won half the battle just by being cute!”

All the way to the carriage, everyone I met offered words of encouragement.

It seemed like the Duke had given the order…

‘Enough already! I’m so embarrassed I could die…!’

Receiving such overwhelming support, despite not relying on my healing abilities, was utterly mortifying.

I quickly climbed into the carriage, feeling like I wanted to hide in a hole.

Even though I insisted I could go alone, Tara insisted on accompanying me all the way to the temple.

“Miss! Are you sure you can go alone? Should I come with you and enter together?”

She looked at me like a child being sent off to the water’s edge.

She vaguely knew about the abuse I had suffered from the priests and the dog-like creatures.

Thus, she was very worried about me going to the temple alone.

But unfortunately, today, the entry of outsiders was strictly controlled, making it impossible.

And I wasn’t alone.

“It’s okay! Grandfather Gordon said he’d come after a while.”

“But why did you choose that old man as your assistant, Miss?”

That’s right.

The reason I had hurriedly changed the subject when the Duke asked if I was taking Tara or the butler.

Orphans participating in the event could choose one adult helper, and I had chosen old man Gordon!

Tara looked upset, feeling somewhat left out, but quickly corrected her tone.

“I don’t know if the teacher will be able to take care of you properly. He fights with young Master Joshua every day, even at his age…”

“He isn’t coming to take care of me, Tara.”

I responded clearly so she could understand.

“He’s coming to help Belze. He’s my business partner!”

“…Our Miss is so capable.”

Tara still looked disappointed but regarded me with pride.

She then bent down and gave me a tight hug.

“I’ll be waiting here, Miss. If anything happens, just run back here, okay?”

Warmth spread through my chest.

Knowing there was someone waiting for me, even if I had to run away, felt strange.

“…Thank you, Tara.”

I’ll definitely do that.

I hugged Tara tightly once more and then turned around with determination.

The large, white building standing tall atop the stairs was immediately visible.

The temple.

The place that always made me tremble with misery and fear.

‘…It’s okay. The Duke told me to do whatever I want.’

I bit my lip, trying to calm my tense body.

Although I was still expected to be compared to Diana and humiliated today, I no longer felt afraid or resentful of it.

“Even if you don’t become the Holy Child, no one will blame you.”

“I’ll be waiting here, Miss. If anything happens, just run back here, okay?”

The voices of those who supported me echoed in my mind.

‘If worse comes to worst, I’ll just run back!’

I clenched my fists tightly in front of me.

“Alright, let’s go!”

And I took a strong step forward.