/
The sound was coming from the south garden, which was between the library and the main mansion.
‘It sounds like flowing water.’
Come to think of it, I’ve never really explored this garden.
While I was being blackmailed by Charlotte, I passed through this place a lot while looking like a bum, but I couldn’t look around because I was busy just trying to pass through.
I had inherited Roella’s memories, but there were many empty holes here and there, so nothing ever came to mind about this place.
‘Should I go take a look?’
I had always dreamed of having a house that’s close to a park.
It’s natural for me to be interested since this garden was evidently better than any of the parks I had seen back at home.
Well, I have plenty of time anyway.
I gauged the time once more, then trudged onwards to the south garden.
‘Let me just take a quick peek at it.’
* * *
Creeeak.
The heavy doors of the library, which boasted its long history with just one glance, yawned open.
At the sound of the slight creak of the door, the dozing librarian jolted awake and immediately bowed his head to me.
“Welcome, Milady.”
“You’re dozing off again today, I see. So, is my teacher here?”
In the manner of a troublemaker, I frequented the library and inevitably got acquainted with the librarian.
At first, he was very uncomfortable with me, but as I went to and from the library every day, he started to be more relaxed around me.
In particular, he seemed to start greatly admiring me when I told him, ‘It’s amazing how you wipe off your drool even while you’re napping.’
“No, not yet. You arrived first. How amazing, Milady! I can’t believe you’re not late…!”
“It’s the first time ever since you started working as a librarian here, right?”
“Yes, it’s the first time!”
The librarian spoke with a tone of admiration as though he was very surprised.
As he said, so far, Roella had been late for every class.
However, that’s not how I do things.
‘I’m quite punctual, actually.’
I smiled with pride.
“Then, carry on with your work… And wipe the drool off your mouth, will you.”
“Yes, Milady!”
As the librarian gave me a strong greeting, I headed towards the inner study of the library, where the class would take place.
I went on to organize the books, and while I was humming, I heard someone knock on the door.
“Come in.”
The person behind the door paused slightly before twisting the doorknob.
Then, as the door swung open, a young man appeared.
He seemed to be in his mid to late twenties.
From his straight posture, white hair and golden eyes, each and every one of his physical attributes screamed, ‘I am a high-ranking priest!’
He looked to be as surprised as the librarian. It seemed like he was well-informed about my notorious ‘tardiness’.
He must have heard from all the priest-teachers Roella had gone through before.
Putting on a smile on purpose, I said hello first.
“Nice to meet you. I am Roella Brietta.”
The absent-minded man quickly schooled his features.
He adjusted his monocle, then bowed politely.
“…My greetings are late. I am Your Ladyship’s new theology teacher, Victor Imperion.”
Hmm, so his name’s Victor Imperion.
…Wait a sec, Victor Imperion?
Shocked as I processed this man’s name, I looked at him with my mouth wide open.
‘This man is my teacher?’
Simply put, I was astonished.
This was none other than the man who’s set to become the next high priest.
He had incredibly powerful divine power.
In addition to his level-headed intellect, he had the support of the empire’s masses and the temple itself, accepting him with such warmth in their hearts for him.
Of course, the current high priest himself had already recognized Victor as his successor, and he was caring for Victor as though he was his own child.
‘And when the real Saintess will appear later, he was also the one who would actively support her.’
When doubts sprouted among the public when the ‘real saintess suddenly appeared’, it was Victor who personally calmed everything down.
In other words, he was the leading figure in revealing that Roella was, in fact, a fake saintess.
‘No wonder you hated Roella a lot in the novel.’
It seemed like Roella had built a solid foundation before. That is, a solid foundation built upon the hatred of her past teachers.
Seeing as it’s more surprising that she’s not late to class, it’s easy to guess just how much the original Roella would act if she was in a class with this man.
‘No, but why did the novel hide such an important detail?’
Or did the narrative omit this because it’s explaining the villainess’ circumstances?
“Your Ladyship? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. I’m just feeling a little, um, shy.”
I shook my head quickly, then I reached one hand to politely point at an empty seat.
“Before anything else, please sit down, Teacher.”
“Thank you.”