---
“Rusto Merchant Guild doesn’t do business with Lord Mark Kurs personally.”
“Don’t even think about trading with the Agrid Merchant Guild anymore.”
“Milburn Merchant Guild will no longer sell you any grain.”
Countless errand boys came to the estate’s castle, delivered their message, and disappeared. Without exception, they all added:
“Our merchant guild does business with the Windsor family, not with you, Mark Kurs.”
Mark seethed with anger. It was clear that a direct member of the Windsor family was threatening the merchants to pressure him!
I was planning to hold a party next week!The invitations had already been sent.Moreover, I had invited every beauty living in the estate!Mark had planned to display authority before them. He’d already ordered all the food, but now they had canceled it!
Hmph, foolish people. There are many other shops in the estate!There were shops run by individuals, not affiliated with any large merchant guilds. Surely he could just purchase from them!
“Buy them out! Anything is fine, just buy up everything!” He sent his trusted confidant, Priest Morius. But then,
“All the grocery stores in the estate have closed.” Priest Morius returned, his face even paler than before.
“What? What are you talking about!”
“I-It’s real. There isn’t a single shop open right now!”
“That’s ridiculous! Those living hand to mouth wouldn’t just close up shop for no reason!”
“That’s…” Priest Morius hesitated before sighing. “They said everything’s already been sold.”
“Do-Dozens of errand boys swept up all the food in the estate under the Windsor name. Every last bit—meat, wine, everything…” Priest Morius looked like he might cry. “Every shop is completely empty, Milord!”
Empty? Every single shop, completely empty? Impossible.Mark’s lips trembled.All the grocery stores in the estate were emptied out? Was that even possible?
“T-That’s not all.”
Mark flinched at what came next.What more could there be?
“They’re giving all those goods away for free to the townspeople.”
“That what?” Mark asked, his face drained of color.
“The people are cheering…”
What’s happening?
“Lady Danae! Thank you, Lady Danae!”
Allice looked around, dumbfounded.
“Lady Danae Windsor!”
What is all this?
“Thank you, Saintess!”
Why is everyone acting like this?
After a difficult journey, Allice had finally arrived at the Windsor estate. And right upon arrival, she saw something she couldn’t believe. Crowds of townspeople were gathered, cheering excitedly.
“Saintess! Thank you!”
Saintess? Who could that be?
Why are they calling out Sister Dana’s name?
Everyone seemed crazy. Muttering to herself, Allice kept walking.
Why is everyone lining up like that?The line stretched so far that she couldn’t see the end. Everyone was laughing and chatting happily, calling out Dana’s name.
At the end of the line, Allice saw it.
“Please don’t call me a saintess. I am not a saintess.”
Dana’s face wore a troubled expression.
“I’m just doing what I should as a direct member of the Windsor family.”
Only then did Allice realize. Dana was handing out armfuls of goods to the townspeople. There was cabbage, meat, mushrooms, bread, cake, cookies, wine… the variety was astounding.
“I’m so relieved. We were in the red this month and didn’t have enough for food, but the Windsor family saved us.”
“Right? Who knew she’d be such a wonderful person.”
“Mom, I’ve never had chocolate before!”
Could it be that she’s giving out food for free? Why is she doing that? For praise? For cheers? To do something so low, wasn’t she even embarrassed?!
Allice hurriedly pushed her way through the crowd. Then,
She reached out her hand. She meant to place it on Dana’s shoulder, but—
Suddenly, a hand gripped her wrist with bone-crushing force. Someone had snatched Allice’s wrist!
“Oh, it’s you, Allice.”
It was her older brother, Rumie.
Allice stared at her brother, dazed. “Brother Rumie?”
“Yes, Allice. What are you doing here? And what were you trying to do just now?”
“I-I just wanted to say hi to Sister Dana…”
Rumie hardly listened as he thoroughly checked Allice’s palm. Then he said, “Hmm, it looks like there are no poison needles.”
What?Allice repeated his words in her mind.No poison needles? Did he think I was going to attack Sister Dana?
“I’m here as part of Dana’s guard, after all.”
“Let go of her.”
At that moment, a man stepped in behind Allice. It was the bodyguard Sandra had assigned to her.
“You’re hurting Lady Allice.”
“Hmm? Who are you?”
“I am Yoris, Lady Allice’s bodyguard.”
“Ah, right, right. Nice to meet you.” Rumie greeted him indifferently and released Allice. Then he tapped Dana on the shoulder. “Dana, Allice is here.”
Dana quickly turned her head. “…Allice?”
“Si-Sister Dana.”
“What are you doing here?”
Allice was shocked by the way Dana looked at her, as if she were some unwelcome guest. It was the look you’d give to foul-smelling mold.
“Why are you here, Allice?”
“That’s because I want to help Sister…”
Tears welled up in her eyes. Allice barely managed to keep from crying. Right, that was truly how she felt. She’d come all this way, purely because she wanted to help Dana. So why wasn’t Dana happy to see her?
“What’s going on? Why isn’t the line moving?”
“What’s happening?”
Murmurs spread through the townspeople who’d been waiting in line for food. The cheers for Dana were growing fainter.
What should I do?She didn’t want to make things difficult for Dana.
“Hic, I’m sorry, Sister. But,sob,sob, you didn’t have to get so angry.”
But she couldn’t stop the sorrow welling up inside.
“I-I came to help Sister, so…”
“Can’t you see what I’m doing right now?”
“Don’t get in the way and step aside. I’m busy.”
Allice was bewildered.With so many people watching, Sister spoke to me so coldly? And she even looked at me so fiercely? If she did that, people would hate her—
“T-That’s right. What do you think you’re doing?”
Just then, the person at the front of the line voiced their complaint.
“It’s my turn now. Please step aside.”
That was all it took for the crowd’s annoyance to erupt.
“Yeah! Don’t you see we’re in line!”
“People are waiting!”
“Move aside, Miss Crybaby! I’ve been waiting for so long!”
“We’re busy here!”
Allice’s face turned red.
Rumie let out a low sigh. “Allice, why are you still in the way?” He grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her back.
Off-balance, Allice stumbled and landed on her butt. “Kyaa!”It hurts! Brother, that’s too much. How could you push me so hard?!She lifted her head to glare resentfully, but—
“Thank you, Lady Danae!”
The expression disappeared from Allice’s face. Neither Rumie, Dana, nor the townspeople were looking at her anymore. No one was looking at her. Literally no one.
“Are you alright?” Just then, Yoris belatedly helped her to her feet.
Allice wept openly. “I’m okay…”
In truth, she wasn’t okay at all.