Time-Limited Saintess, You’ve Been Caught by the Tyrant Once Again - Chapter 111

Chapter 56.1

As the carriage pulled up to the gates of the imperial palace, Lilliana smiled.

At least for a little while each day, she could escape the dull monotony of the temple and step into the dazzling grandeur of the palace!

Teaching the imperial princess in her role as the Saintess was an incredible honor for a young lady from a humble countryside baron’s family. It was the perfect opportunity to show those arrogant noble houses, who had always dismissed her and her family as beneath them, what she was truly capable of.

But there was just one problem…

Elena was there. Since that irritating girl was the princess’s nanny, there would definitely be conflict.

Lilliana muttered a curse under her breath.

How should she handle that woman?

Her thoughts turned to Erich, the one who’d sent her to the palace in the first place.

“Go.”

“….”

“Do as you wish, whatever you like.”

At the beautiful priest’s words, Lilliana swore silently.

‘Do whatever I want? That’s just another way of giving an order.’

Well, it didn’t matter since that was what she wanted, too, ultimately. After Erich had openly drawn a line between them, everyone who had supported him began turning their backs on her. The temple was now divided into those loyal to Lilliana and those siding with Erich.

The pope, showing no interest in the power struggle, declared he was taking a break in the papal territories and left, taking his priests with him despite the chaos.

The only ones still protecting her were the paladins, but even they were in a delicate position.

Maynard, her one spiritual pillar, still remained loyal, but even then…

Compared to the stifling atmosphere of the temple, the palace was a breath of fresh air. She could get rid of that annoying girl she didn’t want to see. And besides… wasn’t the emperor there?

Lilliana’s thoughts drifted to the emperor.

She wasn’t sure if he hated her or just the temple as a whole, but to the Black Emperor, Arkan, she had to be of use.

“Welcome.”

Outside the carriage, the emperor himself had come to greet her.

His handsome face, with crimson eyes, turned toward her with a slight smile. Even though he was known to be wild and temperamental, as a member of the royal family, he still knew how to show proper decorum.

Lilliana smiled back, took his hand, and stepped out of the carriage.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome.”

She replied in a light, cheerful tone.

Lilliana looked truly beautiful in her white lace dress.

Arkan smiled warmly at the sight of her beauty. It was a completely different welcome from the one she’d received during the birthday parade.

‘See? The Emperor doesn’t hate me.’

His real hostility was toward the temple, not her.

That thought made Lilliana feel a little more confident. By the end of the procession, she had even grown a bit closer to Princess Charlotte. Even she could tell that the princess had a gentle nature, so things were going smoothly.

The emperor personally escorted her to the princess’s quarters.

“Charlotte occasionally talks about you, Saintess.”

“Oh my.”

“She said it was an unforgettable memory.”

There was something lingering in his words, but Lilliana didn’t notice. To her, he was just a man known to be a beast to others but unfailingly polite when it came to her.

“Here we are.”

Arkan smiled as he guided her to the princess’s chambers.

There was a knock, and the door opened.

Lilliana’s smile grew even brighter. She was sure she could keep smiling, even if Ellin was inside.

“What is this?”

However, the voice that answered wasn’t the sweet, innocent tone of a young girl. It was husky, rough in the way only a teenage boy’s voice could be.

“Why is she here?”

The rebellious tone was unmistakable.

Startled, Lilliana turned her head to look at Arkan as he spoke calmly.

“It seems it’s not just the princess who could benefit from your guidance.”

“….”

“I know it’s a bit much to ask, but I’ll be entrusting him to you as well.”

Prince Harald was nothing like Arkan. While the Emperor was wild but composed, his brother had no sense of restraint. Lilliana had also heard the rumors circulating in the palace.

Harald was notorious for being brutal, known to stab anyone who annoyed him.

“Why…”

“You weren’t told?”

“What do you mean?”

“I already discussed it with Priest Erich.”

Princess Charlotte was manageable, but Harald? She was expected to look after him too? And they weren’t even that different in age. Unlike Arkan, Harald’s red eyes were brimming with unfiltered hostility. It was almost too much to bear.

“That was part of the agreement…”

Arkan smiled languidly as he spoke.

“You’ll do it, won’t you?”

His tone remained gentlemanly, calm and courteous.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Harald wasn’t here because his brother ordered him to be or out of any sense of duty. He was here only because Ellin had told him to behave and pay attention in the Saintess’s lessons. Why should he have to learn from someone like her? Weren’t these temple people the same ones who almost got Charlotte killed?

“If you look at Chapter 3, Verse 23 of the Scriptures…”

Ellin had asked him so earnestly to pay attention, so he figured he’d at least pretend to.

However, he was determined to be as uncooperative as possible. He could practically hear Lilliana’s patience cracking under the weight of his obvious indifference. That was why he felt satisfied. Why wouldn’t he enjoy watching that annoying face contort in frustration?

“Your Highness, please listen…”

“Hm? And why would I?”

Harald flashed a sweet smile, the first display of his version of gentlemanly behavior.

“So, Teacher, I’m ignorant and don’t know anything.”

“….”

“So yeah, I’m listening.”

He said it with the grin of a mischievous boy.

He might not be well-educated and had a fiery temper, but even he knew that blowing up and acting out wasn’t always the smartest move. He was ignorant, but not an idiot. So, he played the part of the polite, obedient student while subtly poking at Lilliana’s nerves the entire time.

Lilliana shot him a glare.

‘See? I know she has a bad personality.’

Harald chuckled to himself.

‘That’s supposed to be a saintess? Ellin would make a better saintess than her.’

Since the weather was nice, maybe he would suggest going on a picnic with Charlotte and Ellin after class. They had done it once in the spring, and it hadn’t been half bad.

‘Charlotte would probably love it, right?’

“Your Highness, are you even listening to me?”