Chapter 12

"Ah, yes, that's right."

Everyone is surprised by my casual affirmation. What, why are you surprised? What's wrong?

"Um, is it really okay to admit that? I heard that the former Holy Maiden of Daido Kingdom was exiled for attempting to murder the real Holy Maiden."

Bari asks, looking uncomfortable. Ah, so that rumor has already spread.

"Well, it's true that I was exiled from Daido Kingdom for that reason. There's no point in hiding the truth, so there's nothing I can do about it."

Everyone is wide-eyed at my nonchalant attitude.

"But I'm surprised you figured it out. I mean, I don't really look like a Holy Maiden, do I?"

I wonder if I've somehow started to exude a Holy Maiden aura.

"It's because the former Holy Maiden of Daido Kingdom was exiled with only one attendant. When I heard about two girls traveling near Glass Forest, I thought it might be you. I was certain after visiting the Adventurer's Guild. Shina, you said you were most skilled in Holy Magic, right?"

I agree with Jin's reasoning. It was pretty unnatural for two girls to be traveling near that forest.

"I thought it was a cruel story to exile someone who had fought alongside you for so long, just because they tried to harm a noble lady. I thought it would be better to bring her back to the kingdom and give her a fair trial."

Jin's words are full of the fairness of a ruler. I wish some prince could hear this.

"Shina-sama didn't try to harm that woman! It's a false accusation!"

Kiri is angry. Even when she's pouting, she's cute. Kiri is always cute, yeah.

"Yeah, I know. If she had lured me to a cliff and pushed me off, it's not certain I would have died. If she really wanted to get rid of me, she should have made it look like an accident during battle and stabbed me, right?"

No noble lady would come to a cliff just because someone called her. Besides, that woman always ignored me. She was always surrounded by attendants and guards, so we never had a moment alone.

"If Shina-sama wishes, I will!"

"I don't want that, I don't want that. Kiri, no swords."

Our lack of tension makes Jin sigh. He chuckles and pats my head.

"Why didn't you appeal the false accusation? The prince who led the Glass Forest expedition was your fiancé, right?"

"Well, the prince himself condemned me. He just decided I was the culprit without listening to me! And ever since that noble lady arrived, he was always with her and ignored me. He used to say sweet things to me, but then he was all over her, saying things like 'we could get married if you weren't around.'"

I puff out my cheeks, and Jin's temple twitches.

"But I was happy when he said the engagement was off and I was expelled from the expedition. I had been working without pay for five years, so I was finally free! I could finally live for myself!"

"Five years? Wait a minute. Shina, you're 15 years old, right? You've been working in Glass Forest since you were 10?"

Bari exclaims in surprise.

"Yes. My parents died when I was 10, and I was taken in by the church. They said I had a talent for Holy Magic, so I was brought to the castle and recognized as the Holy Maiden. At that time, I was engaged to Prince Lector and joined the Glass Forest expedition."

For a moment, I couldn't remember my ex-fiancé's name. But, I remember his face clearly.

"Working in Glass Forest since you were 10? That's unbelievable! Sending minors to battle is a serious offense under the Kingdom's Common Law! Was Daido Kingdom leading the way in this?"

It's common for minors to work, but they are not allowed to hold important positions. This is not a law specific to Marita Kingdom but is part of the Kingdom's Common Law, which most major countries adopt, including Daido Kingdom. It's a humanitarian law regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and the protection of children and the weak. Countries that don't adopt this law are considered barbaric.

However, while minors are not allowed to hold important positions in Daido Kingdom, there is a loophole.

"The royal exception rule."

Jin mutters, and Bari's eyes widen. Ding!

"Exactly! Royals and those connected to them can hold important positions even as minors because they are expected to lead in times of war. I had much stronger Holy Magic than others, so I was made Prince Lector's fiancée to serve as a convenient healer. That way, I could be taken on dangerous missions even as a minor."

When I came of age and was ready to marry, I was no longer suitable as a prince's wife because I was a commoner orphan, so the engagement had to be broken. Looking back, Daido Kingdom probably saw me as a disposable healer from the beginning.

They might have planned to keep me as a healer in another form after I came of age. But due to the noble lady and Prince Lector's actions, they had no choice but to exile me. That's why the prince is called unpredictable.

While I was explaining, there was a strange grinding sound. I looked around and realized it was Jin clenching his fists. Oh, he's bleeding.

"Shina, to put you through that for five years! I can't forgive it."

"Aaaaah, Jin, you're bleeding!"

I quickly activate my Holy Magic. A gentle light envelops Jin's hand, healing the wound.

"I'm glad you're angry, but no injuries!"

"Sorry..."

Jin apologizes with a guilty look. He looks so dejected that I can't help but laugh.

"Being able to cast without incantation. I see, that makes sense."

Bari's comment makes me a bit nervous. I've been able to cast without incantation since I remembered my past life. Incantation? What's that, it's embarrassing! I thought, and then I could do it. The key is embarrassment.

"But why no pay? You were working, right?"

The old man asks from a merchant's perspective. Good question.

"Maybe the prince didn't get paid either? But Prince Lector was promised land from the king after completing the Glass Forest mission. I thought I didn't need pay because I would eventually marry the prince. I was given food and shelter in Glass Forest."

"No, you weren't. You were malnourished and your clothes were tattered. Even orphans are better dressed."

Eh! Shocking truth. I took care of my clothes, even if they were tattered. That's a harsh comment. Those clothes were my partners for five years.

"Moreover, no days off? Normally, workers are given one day off every seven days. Shina, you didn't have any days off? For five years, since you were 10?"

The old man is unusually angry. He's scary when he's mad. No wonder he was a great merchant.

"Shina-sama didn't even have proper meals. Every day it was potatoes and thin vegetable soup, and any meat was given to the soldiers first! Prince Lector had a balanced and luxurious meal every day!"

"Eh? Really? Everyone wasn't eating potatoes and soup? I thought soldiers got priority, and that's what the higher-ups ate?"

"Shina-sama's meals were the same as the lowest-ranking soldiers. Actually, without meat and with a focus on recovery, her meals were even worse. Higher-ranking soldiers had better food! I asked for better meals for Shina-sama, but they said children didn't need it!"

Kiri says, teary-eyed and regretful. Kiri even gave me her meat. We shared it, thank you, Kiri.

Wow. But this is the second shocking truth. Really? I was just a nominal fiancée. A tool for exploitation. A disposable pawn. A nobody.

I slumped into my chair. I had read etiquette books and studied about other countries to avoid embarrassing myself around Prince Lector. It was all in vain. Completely in vain.

I felt like crying. I tried so hard, but what for?

Jin suddenly picked me up and hugged me tightly.

"Shina is a good girl. You work harder than anyone, you're kind, and you're cute. You're the most important person to me."

His gentle voice made me cry even more. I clung to Jin and sobbed. Waaah, Jin is so nice.

"From now on, I won't let you do anything dangerous. We'll have lots of fun. I'll buy you pretty clothes, take you to eat delicious food, and show you many places. I'll take you, okay?"

Yeah, yeah, shopping, eating delicious food, sightseeing—wait, didn't we do all that today?

I suddenly look up from Jin's chest and shout.

"We did all that today! Kiri and I went shopping, ate delicious food, and went sightseeing! Kiri did all the research and took me there! Thank you! Kiri, I love you!"

I jump out of Jin's arms and hug Kiri. I love Kiri the most!

Kiri blushes cutely and hugs me back. Ufufu, so soft and nice.

"Shina-sama..."

Bari points behind me, looking uncomfortable.

Jin looks like the end of the world, but I love Kiri, so it can't be helped. This ranking is non-negotiable!

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