“Even this year’s auction’s first prize was Hallen’s, right?”

“Oh, that amount must have all been donated to the temple.”

“She hasn’t raised her voice about that part yet.”

“Then, the dress the saint is wearing… Hallen must have given it to her!”

Behind the gossiping women, Elsias stood.

She maintained a smiling face, but inside, she was burning with anger.

‘Are they all fools? Isn’t the donation supposed to be for people like me?’

It was common sense that donations were something the upper class enjoyed.
The one at the top eats what’s left, and the one below, even grateful for scraps, was only natural.

That’s how the world worked.

Those nobles, however, didn’t even know such common sense.

“No. It’s not that they don’t know, they just want to trample on it.”

When you scrutinize such transparent intentions, a foul stench tends to become more apparent.

“If the Emperor knew that he was a devotee of the goddess, he should be grateful to me. What’s wrong with everyone’s minds?”

Everyone would remember their faces and crawl on the floor to beg for forgiveness later.

Now, she knew she had to endure. But it was driving her crazy; her mouth was itching.

Then a new voice pierced through the gossiping women.

“You seem to be sharing interesting stories.”

It was Queen Wayno. Beside her was Prince Valented.

“We greet both of you.”

The ladies’ elegant greetings were like waves.

The queen was looking down at them, as if it were only natural.

‘Another powerful figure.’

Though not as much as the emperor, only she possessed the power that could silence these less-than-beasts of women.

Elsias was waiting for a chance to speak.

Knowing that, or perhaps sensing it, the queen approached first.

“The National Foundation seems unfamiliar.”

Elsias watched the queen’s eyes. It was an assessing gaze, trying to determine if her words were genuine.

Elsias shyly smiled.

“That’s because I’m inadequate. It’s my first time attending such a splendid party. Perhaps the touch of the Queen Mama has melted into it?”

At her words, the queen’s eyes seemed to widen a bit.

‘What does it matter who prepared for the party.’

At times like this, you just needed to look towards the highest person in the room.

The conversation between the queen and Elsias continued smoothly.

“It looks good this way. Saint Elsias.”

“I’m just grateful for being approached first.”

As Elsias obediently lowered her eyes, a sense of satisfaction settled in the queen’s eyes.

‘Let’s see who will prevail.’

The queen and Elsias had something in common.

‘Taking what rightfully belongs to you.’

Wasn’t that the most excellent common ground for forming a friendship?

“It seems Queen Mama is monopolizing.”

“Valented.”

Looking at the prince, the queen’s gaze was filled with affection.

He now stood in front of Elsias.

“Greetings. Saint.”

Valented held Elsias’s hand and pressed his lips against the soft glove.

She looked at the prince’s red-blond hair and her eyes gleamed.

“It’s an honor.”

The queen watched the two satisfactorily.

Elsias’s instincts kicked in.

A feeling that these people would be on her side, some kind of intuition.

The first day of the National Foundation, starting with the Emperor’s congratulatory event.

I was surrounded by various noble figures.
“Hallan Yeongae, how about exploring the trading route with me?”

“I didn’t know you had such exceptional talent.”

“This time from my family……”

A rising star in the business world.

That was me.

When I stayed in the Duchy, I had no particular thoughts, but seeing the nobles rushing towards me like a lunar tide, I couldn’t help but realize it.

“I should hire a secretary or something. This won’t do.”

I didn’t expect them to gather like this.

The one who rescued me when I couldn’t get out of the crowd was Kasha.

“My eyes are blinded by Yeongae’s beautiful appearance. Yeongae is…”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

When Kasha approached me, people scattered like ebbing tide.

The rumors about the madwoman still seemed effective.

He came to me, embraced me, and whispered, “Don’t talk deeply with anyone other than me. If you’re jealous.”

Again, nonsense.

Still, the surrounding Yeongae’s were ecstatic.

But even with Kasha, I thought I could take a breath, but this time Jayana appeared.

“Hello, Saint of Charity.”

“…Are you making fun of me now?”

“Well, why not?”

Jayana giggled.

“A Saint of Charity, is that how my rumors spread?”

Living in distraction, I didn’t even know such rumors had spread.

Being a rising newcomer in the business world was somewhat acceptable, but being a Saint of Charity was a bit embarrassing.

Just when I was trying to catch my breath, this time the scene of the Queen and Elsias together appeared.

‘The atmosphere is different.’

It seemed like Elsias had attached herself to the Crown Prince and the Queen.

Although I thought it might happen, surprisingly, there was nothing that deviated from my expectations.

‘If the Crown Prince knows he’s the Fart Commander, it will be quite embarrassing.’

After the widespread coverage in the newspapers, the Crown Prince’s popularity among the Yeongaes was hitting rock bottom.