Episode 85

“Then, let’s resume the Saintess selection event.”

With the situation finally under control, the Crown Prince swiftly restarted the interrupted event. Since time was short, the talents were manually adjusted for the booths that had already submitted their counts and received their fines back.

Diana’s total was updated as well:

770 + 50 = 820

“Isn’t Diana in first place?”

“Congratulations, Diana!”

With her already high score bolstered by the additional 50 talents, the other children tried to comfort Diana with their well-meaning words.

Considering that the second-place score was just under 400 talents, Diana remained in an overwhelmingly secure first place.

“Thank you, everyone. I didn’t do much, really…”

Fortunately, Diana seemed to have calmed down a bit, her sobbing subsiding as she gave a shy smile to the other children.

“What are you talking about? You were amazing from up close!”

“By the way, Diana, did the Marquis buy that dress for you? It’s so beautiful.”

‘Hmph.’

I couldn’t help but snicker at the girls fawning over her nearby.

They were too young to pick up on the disapproval some of the nobles had shown towards Diana’s flashy attire earlier.

‘Well, they’re at the age where princess dresses look dreamy…’

I had envied them once, too.

Not anymore, though!

As I pouted a little at the memory, the remaining talents were quickly being counted on the platform. Smoke billowed from the censer as the calculations proceeded.

“Tony, 98 talents.”

“Alicia, 245 talents.”

“Jonathan, 422 talents.”

The announcements were nearing the end of the list.

‘Wow, he did pretty well!’

The child called just before my turn had managed to surpass 400 talents for the first time. He was an older boy who had run a food booth.

“Yay! Second place!”

Friends congratulated him enthusiastically, much like they had done for Diana earlier. I glanced over at them indifferently, and at that moment, my eyes met Diana’s once more.

She suddenly offered a vague smile and spoke.

“Sorry, Belze.”

I wasn’t sure if she meant she was sorry about the Marquis’s wrongdoings or if she was apologizing for winning.

“…”

I just stared at her for a moment before turning my head back towards the platform.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Diana!”

“Yeah, you even lost 50 talents because of all this!”

“But still…”

Behind me, I could hear the voices of the girls siding with Diana.

For the record, these same girls had clung to Diana endlessly in my past life, only to be abandoned the moment she was officially adopted into the Marquis’s household.

“Lastly, the count for the miracle elixir and hair mist…?”

Finally, it was my turn.

Having submitted my talents last, the wait had felt excruciatingly long.

“Ahem. Belze, who sold… hair mist.”

The unfamiliar term caused the Crown Prince to hesitate briefly, but he quickly regained his composure and called my name.

“Hmph. I bet it’s nothing special.”

“Probably similar to last year?”

“Last year? Didn’t she get disqualified for running off halfway?”

“Come to think of it, she’s actually stayed till the end this year!”

I could hear the whispers from the children gathered around Diana, but I paid them no mind.

My heart was pounding too much to care.

To be honest, I had only done rough estimates, so I didn’t know my exact total.

And I was eager to find out.

Just how far had I managed to go?

Whoooosh! Whoooosh!

At last, the high priests untied the heavy pouches, pouring the talents into the censer.

“Whoa… What’s all that?”

“Why are there so many…?”

The children who had dismissed me earlier now muttered in astonishment, their voices hushed in disbelief.

The flow of talents into the censer continued for what felt like an eternity until it finally came to a stop. With a soft clang, the lid of the censer was closed, and a flame ignited within the aromatic chamber.

A moment later…

Fwoosh…

Thin, pale smoke began to rise from the censer’s spout. As the smoke gathered and swirled, forming a shape that gradually became clearer, I couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Like the other children had mentioned, this was my first time staying until the final tally of the Saintess selection. Even though I had a rough estimate of the result, my fingers grew cold, and a nervous sweat gathered along my spine.

And finally…

When the swirling smoke solidified into a clear number:

952

The number floated above the censer, casting a hush over the crowd.

No one made a sound; the hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop. The number, surpassing Diana’s score by a wide margin, left everyone in shock.

‘…I won.’

It was only then that I realized I had been holding my breath.

To be honest, saying I had roughly estimated the outcome was a lie.

Even without the 50 talents I lost due to the fine, I knew I had far surpassed Diana’s score.

And even if she had managed to keep the 100 talents I’d manipulated her into losing, I was confident I would still come out on top.

But still…

Even though I had known this outcome from the beginning, seeing those numbers displayed in the air left me strangely dazed.

I felt… oddly numb.

“Is that… even possible?”

Someone finally broke the tense silence with a murmur.

With that, the frozen atmosphere began to melt away, and whispers filled the hall like a ripple through water.

“My goodness…”

“Is that miracle elixir really that incredible?”

“Is it her knack for business or the Kallios family’s influence…?”

Snapping out of his stupor, the Crown Prince hurriedly made the official announcement.

“…Belze, 952 talents.”

As if to confirm it further, a large board displayed my name and the number 952 in bold letters.

“With this, the talent count is complete. Since it’s getting late, we’ll proceed directly to the announcement of the Saintess.”

The Crown Prince’s words quickly quieted the buzzing crowd.

“There’s no need for further comparisons. Today’s Saintess is…”

“…”

“Saintess candidate Belze, congratulations.”

Clap, clap, clap.

As soon as the Crown Prince’s words echoed through the hall, applause broke out from somewhere.

Startled, I turned my head in that direction, feeling as if the fog in my mind was finally lifting.

Naturally, the applause was coming from the Kallios family’s table.

The Duke, clapping with his usual elegant composure, wasn’t looking directly at me.

But his face bore a deeply satisfied smile, as if my victory as the Saintess was simply to be expected.

Edwin, too, glanced in my direction from the tent area before joining his father in applause.

Clap, clap, clap.

One by one, others joined in, until the entire hall resounded with cheers and clapping.

“Belze, come up to the platform to receive your prize and trophy!”

One of the priests called out loudly, seizing the moment amidst the applause.

‘My prize!’

The word prize caught my attention immediately.

Snapping out of my daze, I jumped up from my seat and sprinted toward the platform.

“Woohoo! Our Belze is the best!”

Somewhere in the distance, Grandpa Gordon’s booming voice rang out, followed by an enthusiastic cheer.

At that moment, a sharp sensation struck my chest, followed by a flood of overwhelming emotion.

It was the long-delayed wave of joy and exhilaration.

I dashed up the platform with a wide grin on my face.

In the meantime, the diligent priests had already begun the process of converting my talents into gold.

The blue flames crackled as they eagerly consumed the talents, turning them into glittering coins.

“On behalf of the Pope, the Crown Prince will now present the trophy.”

As I stood there in a daze, High Priest Magnus approached me and spoke.

Before I knew it, the Crown Prince, holding a small white statue of the goddess, walked over to me. When he handed it to me, he murmured quietly, almost as if surprised.

“…Not bad.”

Then he smiled broadly. His stern expression from earlier melted away, replaced by a look more befitting his age.

He wasn’t quite as handsome as Edwin, but he still had the striking features of a male lead candidate. As he leaned closer, his expression playful, he whispered in my ear.

“Don’t forget that you owe some of your success as a Saintess to me, Gomgomdori.”

I was stunned by his cheeky words.

‘That was supposed to be the payment for your treatment! And my name isn’t Gomgomdori!’

I opened my mouth to retort, but the Crown Prince was faster.

“Now, share your thoughts, Belze.”

He quickly straightened his back and assumed a casual demeanor, which only irritated me more. But I had no choice—I turned around to face the crowd.

As I stepped forward, I could see everyone gathered below. When I had first arrived at the Pope’s call, I had been so nervous that I hadn’t taken in the sight.

I took a moment to survey the scene below me.

‘Who would’ve thought a day like this would come for me…?’

Seeing all those who had once looked down on me as a “worthless orphan” now beneath me…

It was far more thrilling and satisfying than I had ever imagined.

‘Especially you, Diana.’

She seemed utterly shocked, her face pale as she stood frozen, unable to believe she had lost her place as the Saintess.

Sorry, but I was absolutely elated.

Truly!

I savored the feeling of standing above everyone for a moment, hugging the trophy tightly to my chest. Then, with a sharp motion—

Whoosh!

—I gave a deep 90-degree bow.

Making sure I looked like a polite and well-behaved child to everyone watching.

Then, I raised my voice enthusiastically.

“Hello! I’m Belze! I’m 5 years old! I have healing powers, but I’m good at other things too!”

Straightening up, I dropped my hands from my belly button, then raised both arms above my head, forming a heart shape.

It was the classic move for salespeople—the heart gesture!

“To all the customers who helped me become the Saintess today!”

“…”

“I love you all!”

My sudden gesture made the younger noblewomen sitting closer burst into laughter.

“Oh my, what is she doing?”

“Isn’t that a heart?”

‘Perfect. My future customers!’

I scanned them quickly, then continued with my prepared speech.

“And to my top customers from Belze’s stand! Lord Kallios, Madam Cloud, and… the Cr… the Cr…”

I hesitated, finding it hard to say what I didn’t want to acknowledge. But I had to admit it.

Whether it was for healing or something else, the Crown Prince was wealthy.

‘And what is wealth?’

Every rich person is a potential VIP!

“I dedicate this honor to the Crown Prince! Thank you, that’s all!”

Fueled by my determination to one day become wealthy, I shouted out my thanks, then bowed deeply once more.

As I straightened, I saw the Crown Prince staring at me in astonishment.

Then I noticed Madam Cloud, who had raised her fan to her face, looking extremely pleased.

And the Duke, smiling with an amused, narrow-eyed gaze.

Lastly, there was Edwin…