The Orphanage Director froze where he stood as he looked at the two who had just entered.
His arm holding the broom trembled slightly, unable to believe what was before his eyes.
Within the Crovian Kingdom, the Church held immense influence in people’s hearts, and among the Church’s most important figures was naturally the Saintess—someone even the Pope had to step aside for.
The Orphanage Director’s shock came from seeing the petite, blonde twin-tailed Miss of the Saintess Family, Lillian.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the Orphanage Director hurriedly put down his broom and went to greet the two distinguished guests.
“I did not expect the arrival of the Saintess Lady. Please forgive my lack of proper welcome,” the Orphanage Director said respectfully, bowing deeply toward Lillian, every gesture filled with reverence.
“Eh.” Lillian, who had been denied and belittled all her life, had never seen such a scene before and now looked somewhat lost.
She wanted to tell the Orphanage Director that such formality wasn’t necessary, but her timid nature caught her words in her throat.
She glanced around nervously, finally settling her gaze on Iana.
‘Interesting’. Iana lifted her small head, watching the scene with a bit of schadenfreude.
The rigid old man showed so much respect for Lillian, while Lillian herself stood there clueless.
Perhaps it was because of his inflexible nature that the old man judged purely based on one’s status, regardless of personal ability.
Iana lingered on the scene for a moment, reluctant to intervene, but since they did have a mission here, she finally spoke up to save Lillian.
After explaining their purpose to the Orphanage Director, he understood their intent.
“You mean you want to help the Saintess Lady pass the First Saintess Trial?”
“That’s right. This time, we’ll be relying on your help. I believe you’ll assist this Saintess Lady,” Iana said, striking at the Orphanage Director’s core interest—anything to aid the Saintess Lady would get his consideration.
“That’s possible, but I’m afraid those little rascals might not accept this Saintess Lady so easily,” the Orphanage Director confessed his concerns, worried that the children under his care might upset Lillian.
“Don’t worry. How will we know until we try?” Iana smiled confidently, showing no fear that Lillian might fail.
“Very well.”
“Then what do we do?” Lillian nervously twisted her twin tails as she asked Iana.
Iana’s lips curved slightly, as if she had anticipated the question: “Of course, we have to win against those brats in a competition.”
“A… competition?” Lillian took a step back, wanting to leave, clearly intimidated.
Iana grabbed Lillian by the collar from behind, holding her firmly: “Relax, it’s simple.”
Before long, Lillian was forced by Iana to play together with the children of the orphanage.
But now, watching Lillian compete, Iana no longer had her initial confidence.
She covered her face with her hands, looking embarrassed, her mouth twitching repeatedly.
This shouldn’t be happening.
Even Lillian shouldn’t lose to these kids.
Iana was speechless.
She couldn’t understand how Lillian couldn’t beat some children; after all, those kids were only supposed to get thrashed by her.
Originally, Iana intended for Lillian to play soccer with the orphanage kids, win, and gain their acceptance.
But now, it seemed her plan had failed.
Iana’s head ached.
She had no idea what to do next.
The competition ended.
Lillian dusted off her clothes and sat beside Iana, looking pitiful.
“Sorry, I… I think I messed up again,” Lillian said, lowering her head, fingers twisting nervously, like a student caught failing an exam by their parents.
“You’re really dumb, huh,” Iana said bluntly, unlike Iana’s usual encouragement, she mocked Lillian outright.
Lillian lowered her head even further, her voice faint and small: “I… I’ll try harder.”
As the sky darkened and the sun set, the boundless blackness replaced the day.
“All right, we should find a place to rest,” Iana said, lifting Lillian’s chin to force her to look at her.
She was displeased with this timid, ever-apologizing Lillian.
If they competed on who could apologize faster than those kids, maybe Lillian would win.
“Why do you always apologize? You haven’t done anything wrong. Yes, you’re a bit stupid and foolish, but when others insult you, why don’t you fight back? You’re always so weak. How can you become the Saintess like this?”
Feeling Iana’s smooth, delicate hand lift her head roughly, a faint, sweet fragrance and warm breath brushed her face.
Lillian’s eyes spun like two mosquito coils, her mind blank.
“S-sorry… I’ll try to change.”
‘No hope for her’. Iana thought Lillian might not be cut out to be a Saintess, but rather suited for some job that required constant apologies, like…
Just as Iana and Lillian were talking, a faint mixed scent of white camellia and lavender drifted around them.
Iana sniffed the air, a bad premonition growing in her heart.
“You and Lillian really do have a close relationship,” a voice sounded, seductive yet tinged with a faint sadness.
Iana looked up to see a figure.
Her disheveled silver hair sported two silvery-white dragon horns, her tall, slender figure wrapped in the scent of floral tea.
Her deep blue eyes reflected Iana’s own image.
“E-Ethelrina,” Iana said.
“It’s me,” Ethelrina bent down, observing the warm scene of the two little girls.
Honestly, she didn’t want to break this moment, but her body reacted instinctively and she spoke.
“What are you doing here?” Iana asked Ethelrina.
“Why, little Iana, are you always resisting me?” Ethelrina’s eyebrows drooped, her lips pressed tightly, her tone like a wife abandoned by her husband.
But Iana didn’t feel any pity.
Instead, she found Ethelrina utterly hypocritical.
Tilting her head, Iana despised this kind of overly sentimental woman the most.
If it weren’t for helping Lillian win her over and keeping her from sending herself to death, Iana wouldn’t have spoken a single word to Ethelrina.
As the two clashed like fire and water, Lillian sat silently beside Iana, expression dark and uncertain, unsure which side to take.
“All right, I know you’re a tsundere, little Iana. You’re just verbally resisting me, right?” Ethelrina’s lips curled into a dazzling smile, draining the color from the world around them.
“I’m not a tsundere. Say whatever you want.”
“Now, I’m going to take Lillian to rest. Don’t follow us.”
Iana pulled the reluctant Lillian, who kept glancing back at Ethelrina, toward several wooden cottages.
“Let’s stay in the orphanage for tonight. Though it’s not the best place, it should be enough for a simple rest.”
“Mm,” Lillian responded quietly.
“By the way, have you taken a bath yet?”
Hearing Iana’s sudden question, Lillian was puzzled.
After hesitating a moment, she nodded slightly.
Iana suddenly remembered that in her perfect wife training plan, teaching Lillian bathing and massage techniques was an important step.
Well I also find the mc actions hypocritical,she judges others character too much while she is definitely worse than them