Part 1: Saintess Candidate Arc

28. The Reward for the Job (1)

Translated by: S3

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When Arthur returned to the castle with Lily, she was first entrusted to a maid and taken to a bath. To be honest, she was grateful, as she was covered in mud and sweat. She was very confused when handed a simple, high-quality fabric dress, but since she had nothing else to wear, she managed to change with the maid's help.

After all her preparations were complete, she sat on the sofa in the room she was guided to, waiting for Noah to come for her. That was the plan, but Lily, who had pushed herself to the point of magic depletion almost non-stop, sank into the plush sofa and fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up next, Lily found herself back at Noah's mansion, and two whole days had passed. A few hours after waking, she was abducted by Noah, who had rushed back from the castle, and was currently being rattled in a carriage.

「I'm sorry, Lily. He said he just couldn't feel at ease until he saw you in person, and he's been waiting all this time.」

Lily, still groggy from sleep, laughed at the somehow familiar situation.

「That sounds like Lord Daniel.」

「No. The one waiting is Prince Arthur.」

「Huh?!」

「Of course, Lord Daniel was worried too. But he's currently preoccupied with the other two.」

It seemed Gin and Elliot were constantly hanging out at Daniel's place. According to Noah, they were having a very good time together.

「Elliot-kun says he won't return to his country until he confirms Lily's safety. And Gin-kun says it's right for him to stay here because Lily is his master, but did you really become Gin-kun's master, Lily?」

「Yes. I think I made a contract like that.」

She had given permission out of exhaustion, thinking anything goes, but since they formed a Master-Servant Contract, Gin would be staying with Lily permanently.

「I see. Then I'll have to prepare a room for him at the mansion.」

「Are you sure?」

「We can't have him living in Lily's room, can we? Also, Lord Daniel explained that the Master-Servant Contract of the Beast Tribe cannot be revoked. Well, only I, Lily, and the servants live in that mansion, so don't worry about it.」

While she was listening to the events that had occurred during the two days she was asleep, the carriage arrived at the castle. As if on cue, three figures walked out of the building toward the carriage carrying Lily and the others.

「Lord Daniel. I wish to take her to Prince Arthur first. I will bring Lily to you afterward.」

「Oh, come on, Noah-kun. That's why I came here ahead of time.」

A very amused Daniel was smiling, accompanied by Elliot on his right and Gin on his left.

「Lily! You're finally awake! Let's go to Daniel's room! He has lots of interesting things there.」

「Gin, I haven't talked to Lily at all. I want to properly tell her about my sister myself, so could you please show a little restraint?」

「Yes, no fighting. Tell Arthur I'm taking Lily to my room. Come on, let's go.」

「No way! That's troublesome! That's very troublesome, Lord Daniel!」

Noah's shouts were in vain, and Lily was taken away by the three. Covering his face with both hands, he headed toward Arthur's office with a heavy gait.

「As I thought, Lily is easily abducted.」

When Noah informed him that Lily had been taken by Daniel, Arthur muttered that line quietly.

「Abducted, you say... She's in Lord Daniel's office. With those two brats.」

「I'll go show my face for a moment. Sorry, but I need you to hold down the fort.」

Arthur left the office with the speed of wind.

Left alone, Noah started sorting through the mountain of documents on the desk, but was interrupted by a knock. There were many visitors, partly due to the aftermath of the incident.

When he opened the door, Dylan was standing there, marking his latest visit.

「Is His Highness present?」

「He just now went to Lord Daniel's side.」

「I see—」

The story of Daniel cornering Dylan had also reached Noah's ears. It had become perfect fodder for chasing away Dylan, who had been frequently visiting Arthur after Olivia's huge failure.

「Olivia asked me to inquire if there was any work.」

「Please don't worry. As I told you in the letter, when work for the Saintess Candidate arises, His Highness will contact you directly. Until then, please spend your time uneventfully. Please convey that to Lady Olivia.」

A letter containing this exact message had been delivered to both Olivia and Poppy the day after the incident. Noah was now repeatedly hitting Dylan, who visited again and again, with the same words.

「Ah. I understand. But—」

Dylan sensed that Arthur might have no intention of contacting her again. He was struggling to somehow get a chance for Olivia to redeem herself.

「We have enough hands, so there is no need for concern. Lord Dylan, you must be busy, so further visits are unnecessary.」

He gave him a gentle smile, and Dylan left without saying anything, wearing a look of displeasure. Dylan would surely return undeterred. Noah would simply respond the same way and send him away each time.

「I wonder if I've been able to meet Prince Arthur's expectations even a little.」

He knew he was still far from the desired standard. But, he inwardly vowed to Arthur, I will surely reach it someday.

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