“Lady Saintess, it is wonderful that you have recovered. This old woman was worried sick…”
The woman praying for her soldier son looked at Idledra gently, as if she were looking at her own daughter.
Unlike the elderly man who had been blocked earlier, she simply stood quietly nearby, watching Idledra with a smile.
Even when it was her turn for the blessing, she merely followed Hailey’s guidance and prayed side by side with Idledra.
She showed Idledra great respect.
She could see a sense of distance in Idledra’s eyes, so she simply stood by her side in silence.
Watching this harmonious exchange during the prayer, Idledra was able to answer questions calmly. Everything was going so smoothly!
‘Thank you, Madam. As I thought, not all believers are those types of brutes. There are still gentle women like you!’
“Rest assured, Madam, your son will return safely. May the Goddess bless you…”
For some reason, even though Idledra was reciting the lines Hailey had taught her in advance, Hailey felt that something was slightly off.
“Lady Saintess, you certainly have a sense of humor. My son is already resting at home.”
‘Wait! That old woman’s soldier son just returned home on leave a few days ago!!’
Because the old woman had come to pray as usual, Hailey had forgotten about that fact.
Wasn’t that sentence basically wishing for someone else’s son to go back to the front lines?
“T-That… Madam, she didn’t actually mean that. I mean, the Saintess —”
‘How should I explain this? If I’m not careful, the Saintess’s reputation will be ruined…’
“Please be at ease, Madam. What I pray for is your eldest son’s Will of Living Through Death, as well as the hope of surviving in the face of despair.”
While Hailey was still worrying, Idledra gently squeezed her palm, allowing her thoughts to settle.
Although she didn’t speak, Hailey somehow calmed down, curiously wanting to see what she would do.
Idledra’s words seemed to hit exactly what was on the old woman’s mind.
After all, one of the reasons her son became a soldier was to perform great deeds and win honors.
Whether for commoners or Nobles, the army of the Empire was undoubtedly one of the best ways to earn glory and fame.
Noble children would be arranged by their families to train in the imperial army, and even the Emperor’s offspring would proactively join the military to catch the Emperor’s eye.
For commoners like the old woman’s son, honing one’s skills in the army to gain merit was also a path toward power and status.
“Since that is the case, then I thank the Goddess and the Lady Saintess for praying for my unworthy child. However, as long as he is healthy, that is enough.”
Though she said those words, the old woman’s eyes clearly softened, and even the wrinkles on her face seemed to fade.
Compared to praising a soldier for the deeds he would perform, for this mother, having her child stay safe and sound was a more precious wish than any other. It was the best blessing.
The old woman bowed slightly to Idledra in gratitude.
Hailey finally breathed a sigh of relief, not expecting her to have such a trick up her sleeve.
However, she suddenly noticed that Idledra’s palm was also slightly sweaty.
It seemed that even if someone were feigning composure, they would still feel nervous.
“Hailey, I did… okay, right?”
During a brief moment of leisure, Idledra whispered softly into Hailey’s ear.
Since she couldn’t be too obvious about it, Hailey lightly pressed her palm as a sign of approval — at least, that was what Hailey thought.
“Lady Saintess, Lady Saintess!! Are you feeling much better now?!”
That familiar, youthful, and crisp voice sounded like wind chimes in spring. People at the Church were already familiar with this cute little girl’s exclusive entrance line.
“Mary, don’t walk so fast… Don’t make things difficult for the Saintess and the others.”
A hearty yet gentle, rough voice followed closely behind.
Mary’s father, Leo, was following her, cautiously offering a reminder.
Seeing the familiar Lady Saintess, Little Mary ran up excitedly.
Hailey was about to step forward to stop her, but Mary suddenly stopped on her own, looking at the two disguised individuals with curiosity and confusion.
As if making a firm decision, Little Mary showed a serious, thinking expression that a child shouldn’t have, which left Hailey stunned.
‘Did this child run too fast and scramble her brain?’
“I know! Lady Saintess, the clothes you’re wearing today are so beautiful!”
‘Phew — she gave me a fright. I thought the little girl was going to reveal something. I’m just scaring myself…’
As usual, Little Mary took a large bouquet of flowers from her father’s hands and carefully held them as she walked up to Idledra, just as she did every day for Hailey when she was the Saintess.
However, Hailey seemed a bit unhappy.
‘Why do I only get one small flower every time, but when it’s her turn, it’s such a large bouquet? Is it because she looks more like a Saintess than I do?’
In reality, this was a large bouquet specially prepared to celebrate the Saintess’s recovery. But since Hailey didn’t mention it, Mary and Leo didn’t say anything either.
“Sister Saintess, actually, let me tell you a secret…”
Little Mary suddenly leaned in close to Idledra, gesturing for her to lower her ear.
She giggled as she whispered her secret.
“Regardless of which Sister Saintess it is, I like them both very much. But Sister Saintess surely likes Sister Saintess the most…”
A child’s words are innocent, but everyone in the Church was curious.
What exactly did the little girl say to make the usually calm and gentle Lady Saintess reveal such a blushing, shy expression? She even looked like she wanted to hide in embarrassment.
“Um, Mary, what did you say to her? Can I hear it too —”
“A secret! This is a secret! Hailey, you can’t hear it. If you do, the Goddess will find out!”
The usually reserved Lady Saintess actually started to get fussy with the maid girl beside her, her expression even carrying a hint of a young girl’s temper.
It was only then that Idledra remembered she was still performing her duties as the Saintess.
She pouted dissatisfiedly at Hailey, then quickly returned to her dignified and peaceful posture.
‘It’s all this girl Hailey’s fault. My head is so full of her that I didn’t even notice the others around me…’
‘No, can you really blame me for this? I have no idea what just happened!’
With a mischievous grin, Little Mary stuffed the bouquet into Hailey’s arms, as the Saintess was still fulfilling her duties.
Then, she happily leaped into her father’s arms to show off her accomplishment.
‘Well, it looks like the flower vase at home will have to be replaced with a larger one. I wonder if these can be replanted in the ground…’
Just when they thought the order would be restored after the child’s playfulness, the surrounding crowd mysteriously parted again.
A “magnificent” blonde youth walked out from among them.
Yes, “magnificent.”
‘Who is this glittering guy? Why turn on a lamp in broad daylight?!’