Chapter 69: Saitess

The child grabbed my hand and nuzzled it against his cheek, not knowing what to do.

“Oh my, Richard. You shouldn’t do that.”

The Queen hurriedly came and pulled her son away from me. However, her face was just as flushed.

This is driving me crazy. Is it all beastmen regardless of age or gender? The original story never mentioned that the Saintess was like a natural air freshener.

Is the original story trying to catch me off guard? Instead of surprising me like this, give me some story information disguised as prophecies like when I went to the Everlasting Snow Mountains!

Seeing my eyes shaking in shock, the Queen smiled awkwardly and said.

“Saintess, I’m sorry. The prince is still young and didn’t know what he was doing. Please be understanding.”

“Ah, it’s fine.”

Richard was hiding behind his mother’s skirt, peeking at me with his blue eyes. His round eyes sparkled like jewels.

He’s still a baby, maybe I reacted too seriously. I bent down to meet the prince’s eyes and apologized.

“Prince Richard, I’m sorry. I’m still new to being a Saintess, so I was just surprised.”

“Really? It’s not because you hate me?”

“Yes.”

When I smiled with my eyes, Richard also broke into a bright smile. The ears on top of his head twitched.

His ears… they’re moving! Oh my goodness, how cute!

The prince was overflowing with adorable charm like a baby lamb. I bit my lip and pinched my thigh to keep myself from making a weird animal-obsessed face that might scare Richard.

“That’s good, Richard.”

“Yes!”

The Queen smiling at Richard with crescent eyes was also overflowing with pure and innocent beauty.

Against the backdrop of the beautiful castle, the Queen’s fluffy wool-like hair fluttered in the wind as she brushed it aside, and beneath her gaze, the prince with the same colored hair smiled sweetly.

Ah, the world is beautiful.

‘The Queen and Prince of Berg were sheep beastmen! Why didn’t anyone tell me?’

If I had known this, I would have told John to bring a basket of carrots!

After General Jude was transferred to Berg’s prison, John and the kitchen maids were released without charges.

However, they would be suspended when they returned to the Duke’s residence after the journey for failing to properly manage the kitchen supplies.

The prince who was hiding behind the Queen walked up to me with clip-clopping hoof sounds. The fatal cuteness was giving me heart palpitations.

Could it be, does he have a tail too? I know it’s disrespectful, but if I discover a tail on that tiny bum, I’ll…! Ah, I’m getting dizzy.

“Will you protect me, Saitess?”

Ugh. He said ‘Saintess’ in such a cute way. I’m dying.

“O-Of course.”

“Thank youuu!”

His small face bloomed after hearing my strained reply. Like a proper prince, Richard bowed with his arms down and knees bent, then ran back to the Queen with quick steps. My eyes were glued to his swaying bottom as he waddled away.

…There it is! A fluffy, plump little tail!

‘Urgh, tail attack!’

My heart feels like it’s really going to burst.

“Saintess, are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine.”

Vaguely answering the Queen’s worried question, I quickly ran to the gazebo and sat down. I gulped down the water on the table.

Haah, haah. I really almost died.

The mother and son walked towards the gazebo, tilting their heads. Even that sight was lovely.

They sat gracefully in the chairs across from me. The Queen must have been truly glad to see me, as she introduced herself first without minding my improper behavior.

“It’s nice to meet you. I am Amin Berg. This child is my son, Prince Richard Berg. He turned 5 this year.”

“Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m Yuria Auguste.”

Richard shyly raised and waved his hand from his seat. His bright blue eyes were fixed on me.

“Prince Richard has been looking forward to meeting you every day.”

“Is that so? I’m honored that the Prince felt that way.”

Richard lowered his head shyly. His legs dangled beneath the chair.

“The same goes for me. Meeting you in person, your scent is so nice…”

Queen Amin made what seemed like an unintended confession. Feeling it was too much, she immediately apologized. I waved my hand awkwardly while smiling.

“I-It’s fine. I’ve been hearing that a lot these past few days.”

Ahaha. At this rate, won’t all the beastmen in town come flocking?

I knew the Queen was from the royal family of the beastmen. After all, Berg was a neutral kingdom founded by the marriage between an Imperial and a beastman.

‘But they never mentioned there was such an adorable sheep prince!’

“I take pride in being royalty from Moirai. That’s why I teach the prince not to hide his Moirai markings.”

“Ah, I see.”

So that’s why they don’t hide their ears and tails. Now I understand.

“Of course, my relatives don’t understand. Even though our ancestors wronged Goddess Maha, it’s not our fault now. Oh my, I’m rambling. Please have some tea. It’s Berg mint tea, and it’s quite good.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes! It’s refreshing to drink!”

Richard chimed in while tilting his small teacup that matched him.

“Oh? So Prince Richard likes mint tea too?”

“Yes! I drink it when it hurts at night.”

“Hehe. So you drink it when it hurts.”

My shoulders shook involuntarily at the prince’s cute answer.

‘Wait, did he just say he drinks it when he’s in pain?’

The laughter died in my throat at the strange sense of déjà vu.

“You’re in pain at night?”

“Yes! When I drink mint tea when it hurts, it gets a tiny bit better.”

“Ah, Saintess.”

Queen Amin panicked and put her index finger to her lips while looking at the prince.

“Why, Mother? It’s true that Richard hurts.”

I was shocked by Richard’s innocent profile as he looked at his mother in confusion.

‘Since Richard is a beastman, he must suffer from the curse at night like Xavier.’

“Richard, shall we talk about this later?”

My heart ached seeing this small child experiencing pain that even a Swordmaster finds difficult to endure. Seeing Queen Amin unable to continue speaking while looking at me awkwardly made me feel even worse.

“Your Majesty, I know about it.”

“…Ah, I see.”

The Queen’s face, which had been tense, seemed to relax somewhat. She appeared relieved that her secret wasn’t exposed, but rather that I already knew.

“Your Majesty, most ordinary people don’t know that beastmen suffer in pain every night. Right?”

“Yes, that’s right. But how do you know, Saintess?”

“I have a beastman friend.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I understand the hardship, so please don’t worry.”

“Thank you so much, Saintess.”

Tears welled up in Queen Amin’s eyes. She must also be in pain and suffering every night. And Prince Richard too.

My heart ached seeing the child’s clear eyes looking back and forth between his mother and me while gripping the teacup with his maple leaf-like hands. Just then, Queen Amin dropped her composure and bowed deeply as large teardrops rolled down her face.

“Saintess, please break Richard’s curse.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I know it’s shameless to ask, but please. I’ll be fine. Can’t you do something just for the prince?”

“……”

“I want him to be able to sleep peacefully, even if just for a few days.”

The mother desperately pleaded with me for her child. Her delicate fist trembled against her chest. Looking at her drooping gentle eyes reminded me of Lady Naomi.

‘Mother.’

“I’m sorry, but it will only be temporary.”

Queen Amin nodded vigorously, showing she understood. I deliberately smiled brightly and held out my arms to Richard.

“Prince Richard, would you come here for a moment?”

“Huh? Yes!”

Richard hopped down from his chair and ran to me with a determined expression. The prince before me overlapped with Xavier in my mind.

‘I wonder if Xavier’s mother, the Duchess, felt this way too?’

I gently embraced his small, fragile body.

“Ah, it’s warm. You smell nice.”

I kissed the child’s forehead. A golden light began flickering from my back.

“Saintess, it tickles. Hehe.”

Richard wrapped his arms around my neck while squirming.

“Ah, thank you!”

Queen Amin wiped away tears of gratitude. Her reddened eyes made my heart ache. When I held out my hand to her as well, she hesitated briefly before approaching me.

I kissed her thin white hand and held her close together with Richard. The golden radiance filled the gazebo and began dyeing the garden in gold.

Watching this scene, I closed my eyes tightly and prayed.

That at least for tonight, the mother and son could sleep peacefully.

*

‘Hmph, this negotiation will definitely go according to Brillante’s wishes. It was like that in the past, so it must be.’

Though the compensation negotiation meeting had turned into chaos, Arthur de Fabian was optimistic. He was somewhat excited, confident that he could bring about the best negotiation results based on his knowledge of the future.

‘I didn’t consider the variable a few days ago.’

He had returned furious after seeing Xavier still alive and not transformed into a cat several days ago. Yuria must have been involved. The absence of the Saintess was painful.

But this time was different. Since this agreement had succeeded before the regression anyway, there would be no variables.

“Your Highness, what are you thinking about?”

Count Willem, who was following hurriedly with his short legs while panting, asked Arthur.

“I’m just so happy thinking about the Crown Prince signing this.”

Count Willem bowed his head in understanding.

Arthur’s long striding legs came to an abrupt stop. On his way back to his quarters in the West Wing, he encountered an unexpected but welcome person. At the end of the corridor, Rosetta was walking towards them carrying an armful of flowers.

‘A variable…’

A low laugh escaped from Arthur’s parted lips.