In the end, the scene was closed with a single word from Captain Cyril.
"Chief, from your conversation, I gather that there is someone who is recovering from an illness, is that not so? If that is the case, I think it would be best to hurry home and have them lie down."
Upon hearing Captain Cyril's words, the chief looked up with a start and bowed his head in embarrassment.
"That is correct, Duke Sutherland. Then, with your permission, I and some of my people will take our leave. The next time we meet will be at the consolation ceremony in five days."
After that, the chief hesitated a little and spoke to me with some difficulty.
"Lady Fia, if it is not too much trouble, could you wear that light blue dress to the consolation ceremony? ...It would suit you very much."
"Huh? Well, if it is something I can do, I would like to fulfill your request, but I am here as a knight, so..."
As I hesitated, Captain Cyril came to my rescue.
"Fia, this is the first time I have heard a request from the chief. If you are not opposed to it, could you not fulfill it?"
"Huh? Yes, of course, if Captain Cyril gives me permission, I will gladly wear it."
In response, the chief and the residents smiled happily.
Well, to think that a single dress could make them smile like that, what a cheerful clan.
I felt happy too and smiled without thinking.
---
When we returned to the manor, Captain Curtis and I were, of course, called to Captain Cyril's office.
Captain Cyril had intended to prioritize Captain Curtis's treatment, but since Captain Curtis had already been treated, we were both called to the office.
As I am believed to be the Great Saintess by the residents, and with Captain Curtis covered in blood, the conversation about the new special medicine was completely unexpected for Captain Cyril, and it was full of questions.
I was sure to be questioned about everything.
I put on a serious expression and, repeating "Silence is golden, silence is golden" in my head, sat on the sofa facing Captain Cyril. Captain Curtis sat next to me.
...Since joining the First Knight Order, I have learned a lot about Captain Cyril.
The optimal solution based on this learning is "Silence is golden."
Let me be clear. No matter what I say, I will be lectured by Captain Cyril. With 100% certainty.
Now, the only thing I can do is to maintain my silence.
Of course, even if I remain silent, I will still be lectured, but this is the least painful option.
"......"
I slightly averted my gaze and focused on Captain Cyril's mouth to avoid making eye contact.
Captain Cyril, who silently watched me, tapped the table with his fingertips.
As I reflexively raised my gaze, I met Captain Cyril's eyes, which looked somewhat sad.
"Hey, Fia. Do you not trust me enough to talk to me at all?"
"No, that's not it!!"
I vehemently denied it because Captain Cyril's voice sounded unusually sad.
"No, it's not that, um, how do I put it, it's not just my story... "
---
That's right, the most troublesome aspect of the secret that I am the Saintess is that if it is exposed, it won't just affect me.
If it is discovered that I am the reincarnation of the Great Saintess, the right-hand man of the Demon King will surely come to kill me, and in that case, Captain Cyril and the other knights might try to protect me.
However, the power difference is too clear, and the outcome is predictable.
Therefore, I must avoid that at all costs.
"Um, Chief, that is, ... I have one secret. If I tell it, it will cause trouble for the person who hears it, so I have decided not to tell anyone for now."
...Yes, Captain Curtis already knows, but it's not because I told him.
The residents of this place seem to have a sense of it, but I haven't said a word.
Zabiria also didn't hear it from me; that clever child figured it out on her own.
"In other words, it is my secret, but I think it would cause trouble for Captain Cyril if I told it..."
Captain Cyril is a truly wonderful knight.
I think it would be wrong for such a wonderful knight to be hurt because of me.
If I could say it clearly, it would be easier to understand, but because there are so many things I need to hide, my words become hesitant.
"Oh, are you trying to protect me...?"
Seeing my hesitation, Captain Cyril opened his eyes in surprise.
Then, he smiled slightly.
"Hehe, it feels good to know that you are trying to protect me..."
---
Captain Cyril is really kind.
Looking at Captain Cyril's smiling face, I truly think so from the bottom of my heart.
Whether I am trying to protect Captain Cyril is a trivial matter.
What is more important for Captain Cyril, who is the leader, is to accurately understand what is happening in this place.
So, I should just spill the beans about my secret.
However, he is considering my feelings and trying to avoid asking about it, even going so far as to shift the focus of the conversation.
What can I do for such a kind Captain Cyril?
As I thought this and stared at him, Captain Cyril reached across the table and gently patted my head.
"I can feel that you are trying to protect me. Thank you, Fia. As a captain, there is nothing more gratifying than this."
Then, the captain crossed his legs and smiled.
"Then, if you can, could you tell me what happened, to the extent that you can?"
I can't cause trouble for such a kind captain. I decided to tell everything except for the part about being the Saintess and opened my mouth.
"Yes, Captain! Well, I left the lord's manor early in the morning and returned to the festival. The story that I might be the reincarnation of the Great Saintess had already spread among many of the residents. The children also came, so we went around the shops together. First, we ate some baked fruit, which was really delicious. Looking back, I should have brought it back as a souvenir for the captain. I'm a thoughtless member of the order, and I'm very sorry. But, the shop owner wouldn't accept the money, even though I insisted on paying multiple times! So, even if I had bought a souvenir for the captain, I wouldn't have been able to pay for it, so I think it turned out well. Next, we went to the amber candy shop..."
"Fia, your story is very detailed and clear, but it would be fine if you could be a bit more concise."
As I tried to show my sincerity by telling the story in as much detail as possible, Captain Cyril stopped me with a smile.
"Huh, ah, is that so? Well, then..."
I was trying to find the right balance between being detailed enough to show my sincerity and concise enough to give a proper report to the captain, when Captain Curtis, who was sitting next to me, spoke up.
"Lady Fia, if you don't mind, I can explain. As a third party, I think I can be more concise."
"...Yes, that's a good idea. Please do."
Indeed, Captain Curtis understands that I want to keep my identity as the Saintess a secret, so he won't say anything inappropriate. I decided to let him take over the explanation.
Besides, Captain Curtis is really good at explaining. I should have asked him from the beginning.
Feeling relieved, I picked up the glass on the table.
Taking a sip, the sweet taste went down my throat.
Oh, it's delicious. As expected of Captain Cyril. Even the drinks are perfect.
Thinking this, I leaned back on the sofa and, while sipping from the glass, focused on Captain Curtis.
Captain Curtis, confirming that I had calmed down, nodded in satisfaction and began to speak proudly.
"To put it simply, Lady Fia has now placed the island's population, which has grown to hundreds of thousands, under her control! In just a few days, the story of Lady Fia will spread among the clan, and everyone will become her loyal servant! Sutherland is now Lady Fia's!"
"Blah---!"
At Captain Curtis's explanation, I couldn't help but spit out the juice I had in my mouth.
"Wh-What kind of explanation is that, Captain Curtis! Ah, and, ah? Captain Cyril. I-I'm so sorry! I was just thinking about what kind of wonderful things I could do for the kind Captain Cyril, but I ended up spitting juice on him...!!!"
I don't want to believe it, but Captain Cyril's beautiful gray hair is stained orange.
Oh, that means the orange juice that flew out of my mouth must have landed on Captain Cyril's hair?
Surprised and flustered, I tried to wipe Captain Cyril's wet hair, but Captain Curtis snatched the towel from my hand.
"Taking care of a man's body is not something Lady Fia should do. I will do it."
"Wh-What, Captain Curtis! Your words sound very inappropriate! Is there no problem with your word choice? Will I be misunderstood by someone because of your words??"
"If someone misunderstands such a pure lady as you, it is because their heart is base. Please rest assured. I will crush such people with all my might."
"No, no, no, the problem is with your word choice. Please be more careful??"
Perhaps thinking I was troublesome, Captain Curtis, without a word, turned back to Captain Cyril and started to roughly wipe his head with the towel.
Captain Cyril, who was being wiped, muttered in surprise.
"...What is this? Quentin's illness is spreading. How... There was no direct contact, yet it is spreading... What a strong infection."
Captain Cyril looked at Captain Curtis with a gaze that seemed to see something unbelievable.