Mrs. Lestro’s eyes twitched slightly.

Feeling nervous, the Countess swallowed hard.

“Illyae and Chloe are the only sisters in the world. It would be wonderful if Illyae could help Chloe. I would also feel relieved.”

The Countess spoke gently, trying to be agreeable.

“How about taking Illyae with her? I believe she can learn a lot by being by your side, Madam. Moreover, Illyae has exceptional abilities as a saintess, which would be beneficial to the Petros family.”

Sending Illyae with Chloe was part of their strategy.

The imperial family and the Petros Duchy were relatives by marriage.

They thought it would be better for Illyae to go to the Petros family and create connections with the imperial family rather than staying here and wasting time.

With the support of Mrs. Lestro and the Petros family, Illyae’s reputation would soar.

It was beneficial for Illyae in many ways.

The Countess smiled brightly.

It was a hard proposal to refuse. She looked at Mrs. Lestro with eyes full of expectation.

“Hmm.”

Mrs. Lestro sipped her tea.

She could roughly see through their intentions.

“Choosing attendants is Chloe’s decision. It would be best to discuss it with her.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The Countess replied obediently.

Convincing Chloe would be easy.

Moreover, without Illyae, Chloe would have never dreamed of marrying the Duke of Petros.

So, she should repay the favor.

Mrs. Lestro’s eyes hardened as she watched the smiling Countess.

Meanwhile, on Rosalie Street.

“Oh my, it’s the saintess…!”

At someone’s exclamation, people began to recognize Illyae.

Illyae automatically put on a smile.

“Nice to meet you, thank you.”

Her sweet smile, with her dimples and slightly flushed cheeks, brightened the mood of those around her.

“Please, hold my hand! My child is sick. Saintess, please!”

People reached out to her through the crowd that quickly gathered. This often happened when Illyae went out into the streets.

Illyae enjoyed the adoration people directed at her.

Pretending to take their hands, she signaled behind her.

The temple knights who always accompanied her stepped in smoothly.

“Step back!”

People retreated with disappointed faces as the knights drew their swords.

Illyae waved her hand slightly.

“I’ll see you next time. Today, I’m here to look at dresses for my sister’s wedding. The day after tomorrow, I plan to pray in front of the central temple. Will you all come?”

Her lively voice spread through the crowd.

People cheered.

“I will pray for you. May the gods bestow their merciful blessings upon you.”

“Long live the saintess!”

People followed her, teary-eyed.

Illyae’s expression turned cold for a moment as she passed through the dress shop but quickly reverted.

‘Ugh, disgusting.’

Illyae shook off her hands.

Coming out to fit a dress today was partly to avoid Mrs. Lestro but also to stage this event.

When the rumor spreads that Illyae will pray the day after tomorrow, people will flock.

Her eyes gleamed shrewdly.

With Chloe’s marriage being discussed, the Petros family and the imperial family would surely be focused on the Count’s household.

Illyae’s pink lips curved into a sly smile.

In this situation, if her abilities stood out, the royal family would surely turn their eyes toward her.

‘Even the proud Duke will have to beg me to fix his face, groveling at my feet.’

Illyae’s round cheeks shone white.

She possessed a divinely lovely appearance, but inside, she was filled with greed and selfishness.

“Delko.”

“Yes, Saintess.”

The loyal knight bowed his head.

“There is something you must do for me, Delko. It’s a secret task that no one should know about.”

“If it follows the will of the gods, I will gladly do it.”

Delko was a temple knight who especially followed Illyae.

His blind faith stemmed from the hideous scars entwined around his legs.

Illyae had made Delko walk again when he couldn’t.

Delko’s docile brown eyes were filled with deep devotion.

“I will do anything.”

Illyae’s sweet voice softened.

She handed Delko a pouch of money and a letter she had prepared in advance.

Delko disappeared with them.

Once Illyae finished her business, the perceptive madam approached her with a gentle sway.

“Oh my, Saintess!”

“It’s been a while, Madam! I’m here to get a dress for a special occasion!”

Illyae burst into laughter.

In this world, Illyae was the protagonist.

Everyone was supposed to love her.

Thus, this was divine punishment.

Punishment for those who did not love Illyae and for those who made her upset.

<b>* * *</b>

While everyone slept, Yggdrasil sneaked from Chloe’s bedroom, sniffing the air.

An ominous and filthy smell was troubling Yggdrasil’s keen nose.

He hadn’t noticed it at first, but once he did, the scent lingered. Following the scent, Yggdrasil moved his short, stubby legs rapidly.

‘If I could summon my true form, I could crush this tiny mansion with my toes!’

Every time Yggdrasil growled, smoke puffed from his mouth.

He didn’t know why he had been summoned here.

Even Chloe, who summoned him, seemed clueless.

But the divine dragon Yggdrasil could never ignore such a smell.

A foul odor threatening the world!

“Ugh!”

Yggdrasil lifted his head.

He rolled on the floor where the smell was strongest.

“My nose!”

He covered his nose.

His tear-filled golden eyes trembled.

What was this unbearable smell!

Yggdrasil created a small flame.

Wasn’t this the room he had visited earlier? Did it smell like this before?

His tiny nostrils flared.

“Is there a monster here?”

Yggdrasil shoved two small fingers into his nostrils.

After pacing in front of the room a few times, he turned away.

The smell was so overwhelming that he couldn’t identify its source.

Moreover, the strange floral scent mixed with the stench gave him a headache.

Something significant was definitely living there.

He decided that he would bring Chloe to check it out tomorrow.

<b>* * *</b>

I thought everything ended with Mrs. Lestro’s visit yesterday.

But early in the morning, my mother arrived with Illyae in tow.

“You looked really good yesterday, Chloe.”

My mother sneered coldly.

She scanned me up and down with a sharp eye, clicking her tongue.

“You’re still in that state, again. Because you can’t shed that shabby look, Mrs. Lestro looks at me like that!”

“What kind of look did she give you, Mother?”

Illyae asked with an innocent face.

Mother coughed and shook her head.

“That’s not important, Illyae. Mrs. Lestro has entrusted the selection of attendants to her.”

Mother spoke gently to Illyae.

In contrast, her eyes were full of contempt as she looked at me.

“Of course, you will take Illyae with you, Chloe. If you know gratitude, that is.”

“Oh my! Really?”

Illyae clapped her hands with a bright smile.

Then she approached me.

“That’s wonderful, Sister! We’ve never been apart since we were born, and now we won’t have to be!”

“That’s great, Illyae! When you go to Petros, you’ll often get to see Crown Prince Werner!”

Illyae grabbed my hand enthusiastically.

I hadn’t said a word about taking her.

Yet they were already celebrating it as a settled fact.

Their synchronization was absurdly perfect.

Just as I was about to say something.

“Ugh! What’s that smell! It’s filthy! You smell! Get away! Move away!”

A nasal voice suddenly erupted.