Chapter 14

Finally, the day of the Holy Maiden ceremony arrived.

Only second-year female students were eligible to be tested, but the school’s theater hall was packed with spectators, including His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, the country’s dignitaries, and the families of the girls being tested.

Since the test would end immediately if the crystal didn’t light up, it was over in a flash, and it was soon my turn.

And when I placed my hand over the crystal... the sacred crystal didn’t light up.

“...It didn’t light up?”

“Is Lady Margaret not the Holy Maiden?”

Although the sacred crystal usually doesn’t light up because the Holy Maiden appears only once every hundred years, the main dignitaries of the country were surprised by my test result, and the hall fell into a momentary uproar.

I couldn’t help but look around at the audience, and I caught sight of Prince Keith’s delighted face, unable to hide his smile.

‘Boring as usual.’

‘I wanted the crystal to light up.’

‘The prince’s jokes are too mild.’

‘Yeah, that’s true.’

‘Let’s think of a different prank.’

‘Let’s get the ruler and Cynthia too.’

“What did you do?”

When I returned to the back, Lady Kanon, who had just finished her test before me, confronted me.

“What do you mean, what did I do?”

“Why didn’t the sacred crystal light up for you!”

‘Hehehe, it’s all thanks to us.’

‘We held back for Margaret.’

‘In exchange for the princes’ tragedy.’

“Isn’t it normal for it not to light up?”

“Because when I tried to push Lady Margaret into the pond, divine punishment was inflicted!”

That was in the backyard.

I thought they had forgotten about it since no one mentioned it.

“...Did you think I was the Holy Maiden from that moment, Lady Kanon?”

“Because! It’s impossible for water to fall from the sky!”

“But Lady Kanon, you kept making snide remarks to me afterward. If you thought I was the Holy Maiden, why...”

“Don’t underestimate me! I say what I want even to the Holy Maiden!”

I was impressed by Lady Kanon’s unwavering stance.

“But I am not the Holy Maiden.

...Please be friends with me as just Margaret from now on.”

“I haven’t given up yet! I will make you worthy of being the Holy Maiden someday!”

With that, Lady Kanon left.

I still don’t understand what Lady Kanon is thinking.

But my heart felt a little warmer.

That night, Father, my stepmother, and Cynthia were all in high spirits.

“Even though I had my doubts, it’s impossible for my sister to be the Holy Maiden, right?”

“Oh, how awful. Cynthia, it’s only natural.

It’s impossible for such an uncharming girl to be the Holy Maiden!”

“Margaret is just lucky to have her mother’s blood.”

I silently ate my bitter dinner while listening to my family’s cheerful laughter.

“Margaret, I’m sorry about yesterday.”

The next day, Prince Keith, who rarely spoke to me, approached me at school.

Cynthia was, as usual, by Prince Keith’s side, and she looked very sad and bowed her head at his words.

“My sister was very upset yesterday...”

I could see her lips curl up slightly as she bowed, but only I could see it.

“...Cynthia.”

Prince Keith looked at Cynthia with concern.

“Margaret, we’ll talk about this later. I have to go now.”

With that, Prince Keith left with Cynthia and the future candidates for his aides.

I hadn’t even said a word.

It was the first time I couldn’t even greet him after he spoke to me.

‘Glasses, glasses, glasses...’

‘Let’s immediately take off the glasses...’

‘Let’s do the taking off and fogging up five times each...’

Lord Lewis was the only one who remained.

“Lord Lewis? Is there something you need?”

“Lady Margaret, may I have a word with you?”

“Of course, please do.”

“Do you remember the story about the Holy Maiden that I told you, which I heard from my grandmother?”

“Yes, the story about how she was never as foolish as me, right?”

“It’s been a year, but you still hold a grudge.”

“No, not at all.”

“The history books don’t mention that the Holy Maiden sometimes seemed distracted, and most of the people don’t know, but His Majesty the King and my father certainly do.”

Lord Lewis adjusted his glasses, which the fairies had knocked off, and continued.

“I think a certain number of people in the core of this country believed that Lady Margaret might be the Holy Maiden.”

“That means a certain number of dignitaries thought I was sometimes distracted.”

“I’m concerned that this test result might change the way people perceive you.”

“...Are you worried about me?”

“I don’t think you realize, but when you seem distracted, you always smile very happily.

I thought the Holy Maiden my grandmother spoke of might be someone like you.”

“...Lord Lewis... Can you... see that?”

“No, my glasses have been fogged up, and I couldn’t see anything, but I thought it would be rude to wipe them during a serious conversation.”

“Please wipe them, then.”

While Lord Lewis was wiping his glasses, the fairies were having a great time.

‘This is the first time he didn’t wipe his glasses...’

‘It was funny to see him continue talking even with white glasses...’

‘Let’s toast to the potential of glasses...’

“Lady Margaret, may I speak frankly?”

After wiping his glasses, Lord Lewis said with his usual serious face.

“Being frank is your trademark. Please go ahead as usual.”

“While it’s very unfortunate for the country that Lady Margaret is not the Holy Maiden, ...I must admit, I’m a little relieved.”

“...What do you mean...”

“No matter how much I try, I can’t say anything disrespectful to the Holy Maiden.”

I felt a little flustered when Lord Lewis smiled, and I didn’t want anyone to know.

‘Lady Margaret turned red...’

‘Lady Margaret turned red looking at the glasses...’

‘Should we make Lady Margaret wear glasses too...’

For nearly two weeks after that, I was constantly teased by the fairies, and even my vision was almost taken away by Mint.