Chapter 88: Your Hailey

“What do you mean? Are you going to give up your status as a Saintess? Although I won’t tell anyone, Saintess Idledra, regarding your Black Magic… I might not be able to save you.”

Augustin appeared quite shocked after understanding Hailey’s intentions.

After all, if they abandoned the identity of the Saintess, the fact that Idledra possessed Black Magic would likely be exposed by a desperate Holy See in a mutual destruction attempt.

If they still had the Saintess identity to back them up, even if the Black Magic could not be hidden, they could claim that the Saintess had been tainted by evil Mana or frame it as a noble sacrifice.

Either would be a viable option.

“No, I won’t let that happen.”

If Idledra was to be protected, she certainly couldn’t be allowed to trade her freedom for such a hollow form of protection.

Although Hailey had always been passive, she now mustered the courage to stand in front of her.

Idledra was also stunned for a moment.

After all, the Emperor’s reminder was not without reason.

She wasn’t actually worried about being hunted because of her Black Magic — with two such pure forms of magic, who could possibly capture her?

She simply didn’t want to drag Hailey into it.

However, seeing Hailey so serious for the first time, she obediently stood beside her and nodded.

Now, the one with the headache was Augustin.

If he agreed, he felt that if these two girls caused any trouble, it would be lucky if they didn’t ruin Tracy, let alone protect her… but if he didn’t agree, they wouldn’t back down.

“Fine, fine, fine. I won’t bother with the two of you anymore, as long as you don’t drag Tracy into it. Tell me, how do you want me to compensate you?”

“We don’t need anything. You only need to agree. Consider it a promise.”

In truth, Hailey hadn’t thought it through herself.

After all, this was the promise of an Emperor.

If converted into value, it could be compared to Aladdin’s Lamp.

It would be even better if the Emperor could grant three wishes at once.

Augustin also saw through the thoughts of the clever girl before him.

Regardless, there was nothing threatening them for now.

It wouldn’t be too late for them to call in this favor when something actually happened.

So be it.

As long as it wasn’t a crime great enough to destroy the nation, he could still protect these two girls.

Since Tracy had taken a liking to them, having a few more playmates wasn’t a bad thing.

Augustin’s expression changed as he began to solemnly size up the unique soul before him.

Unlike Idledra’s cold soul, this soul was purer yet more mysterious.

“Then, let us get reacquainted, Miss not-a-Saintess. What is your true name? What should I call you?”

“Idhaeli Senele. That is my name.”

Compared to the resistance and embarrassment she felt when she was first given this name, she now seemed able to say it smoothly.

Or rather, she had begun to accept this name and this body.

“Very well, Miss Idhaeli. I will remember this name. After all, very few people scheme to take advantage of the Emperor.”

‘The way he says it makes it sound like he’s holding a grudge…’

Hailey felt a chill down her neck.

It was a good thing she didn’t have nine generations of kin for him to “clear out,” otherwise he might have started keeping a tally in his little notebook.

“All right. Guards? Escort the two ladies back to the Banquet Hall. The party is about to begin.”

Augustin waved his hand and left the Reception Room first.

At that moment, in the Banquet Hall, the guests were methodically going about their business under the First Imperial Prince’s arrangements.

Suddenly, the sounds of talking and laughing lowered one by one until everyone returned to their previous respectful attitude.

The First Imperial Prince bowed slightly and stepped aside, and Augustin unhurriedly took his place on the main seat.

“Begin.”

He was concise.

Soon, at a signal from the First Imperial Prince, elegant music began to play rhythmically alongside the footsteps of the guests.

Hailey and Idledra also quietly returned to the crowd.

‘Don’t you plan on having the Emperor announce your identity first? Aren’t you going to give those people who badmouthed you a warning?’

Idledra looked at Hailey.

Although Augustin had promised to announce the Saintess’s identity at this banquet — which was something the Imperial Family and the Holy See had agreed upon to expand the Holy See’s influence among the Nobles — there was still no movement.

Idledra was worried the Emperor would go back on his word, and she kept looking at Augustin on the main throne with a probing, suspicious gaze.

Most of the Nobles prioritized the Imperial Family, but there was no lack of those who held faith in the Holy See.

After all, the Imperial Family exercised “actual power,” while the Holy See was more about showing “miracles” to the people.

The Goddess’s Blessing was a miraculous claim that seemed equally mysterious and magical in this world where magic existed.

Because of such rumors, everyone hoped that they would also have such good luck.

“Since everyone has arrived, I believe you all remember who the protagonist of today is. Surely, everyone wishes to see what kind of person the Saintess, who was specially received by the Imperial Family, is. To be so highly praised by both the Holy See and the Imperial Family… Saintess Idledra, please stand before everyone on behalf of our friends from the Holy See.”

At that moment, the crowd silently made a path.

Idledra lightly pushed Hailey’s back, signaling her to go forward quickly.

This was a rare opportunity.

If they could establish a firm foothold among the Nobles, it would be even more difficult for the Pope to control them.

“Give me your hand.”

Hailey ignored her and instead reached out to Idledra, signaling for her to take her hand.

She then led Idledra into the center of the crowd.

Everyone saw the Saintess who had only existed in rumors.

Beauty, tenderness, and holiness — every trait seemed to perfectly fit the silver-haired girl before them.

At the same time, they couldn’t help but wonder who the black-haired girl beside her was.

The young ladies who had secretly badmouthed her earlier began to panic the moment they saw Hailey.

They could only pray in their hearts that the Saintess wouldn’t remember insignificant people like them.

“Then, the ball is about to begin. I wonder if the Saintess has a partner in mind?”

‘This guy really loves stirring up trouble,’ Hailey thought.

At this moment, “Saintess Idledra” — or more accurately, Hailey — was once again surrounded by countless expectant and enamored gazes.

After all, who wouldn’t want to form a connection with a Saintess of such extraordinary status and background?

Encouraged by their elders, the young men nearby approached Hailey with tenderness and respect.

However, they only felt Idledra’s resentful, possessive gaze and a faint hint of killing intent.

‘See? Even if someone wanted to get close, they can’t,’ Hailey smiled helplessly and gently pulled Idledra’s hand.

Soon, their fingers interlaced, and they stepped onto the dance floor together.

“I… I haven’t fully learned yet. You aren’t allowed to laugh at me…”