But just before Evie threw her body into that light, the ground beneath her sank.

When she came to her senses, she was surrounded by a black and sticky swamp. The heavy and sticky swamp engulfed Evie’s body, and the light that seemed within reach had again receded.

No, wait!

Evie struggled and flailed in the swamp. But her arms and legs, drained of strength, were heavy like lumps of lead, and she could hardly move forward.

Even so, she didn’t give up and exerted all her strength, and a soft voice came to Evie’s ears.

It was the cold and fearful voice of some count.

―It doesn’t suit you at all. You as a saint, not at all.

Struck by the harsh words, Evie gritted her teeth.

I know! I know it doesn’t suit me!

―Even if you become a saint, it’s the same. You’ll just end up being used.

What if I’m used, I have to be used to be treated like a person, what do you want me to do about it!

Evie gritted her teeth and shook off that devilish voice.

Then, a sarcastic voice followed.

―You’re going to become a saint? Interesting. Fine, go ahead.

At the Tower Lord’s sneering, Evie, who had been angry, was rather relieved.

Yes, I’ll try.

Keep your interest in me and watch.

Don’t worry, I’ll do as you wish.

I don’t want to be driven away from this stage.

Because outside, where I have nothing, is a hellhole.

Though she was sure she was wading through the swamp, suddenly Evie was standing among people in a pretty dress.

But the faces of the people around her were gone. Only by their clothing and gestures could she tell that they were nobles.

So Evie greeted them as politely as possible.

But when Evie spoke, the people turned away in anger.

Then Evie realized that she had been cursed, and the moment she realized that, her body sank back to the ground.

And a sweet voice rang in her ears.

―Have you come to see me already?

A pale and huge snake was winding around Evie.

―I’m happy, I’ll eat you well.

It opened its mouth, and this time, she was finally swallowed.

A pure white silence covered Evie.

Evie, half out of her mind, looked around, slowly gasping for breath.

The road was visible. The road Evie had to keep running on, but she no longer had the courage to do so.

That road stretched thin as a single rope over a tremendous abyss.

She could only imagine stumbling and falling even if she tried to endure more.

The liar who tried to become a saint just to survive now stood in front of the grave without being able to lie anymore.

In the end, unable to do anything, Evie bit her lips in resentment.

Then the rabbit spoke.

―Just become an honest saint.

And then Evie woke up from her dream.

.

.

.

Evie opened her eyes, taking a deep breath.
A strange ceiling came into view. Evie stared blankly at the ornate ceiling decorations and soon sighed.

‘…The sleeping place was harsh, because it was the house of Rio Tuha.’

Evie, who had realized the cause of the nightmare, slowly got up. Then she got out of bed and headed for the window.

As she drew the curtains and opened the window, a deep blue sky appeared. Early morning, it was Evie’s favorite time.

The cold dawn air gently dispelled the lingering sleepiness.

After taking a breath, she finally saw the lantern flowers blooming under the dark sky.

This place is the Tuha family’s villa, and today is the second day of the Lantern Flower Festival representing spring.

Spring is the season of Manyanya. Merciful Manyanya, purifying filth, resembles the spring that nurtures all things.

So the Tuha family, who had been producing saintesses for generations, specially regards spring, beautifully adorning the garden and holding the festival.

And on the second day of the Lantern Flower Festival today, the current Saintess Rovle Tuha will also participate in the festival.

Evie looked at the beautiful garden and repeated today’s schedule. But for some reason, the pretty flower beds did not catch her eye, and thoughts were just floating in her head.

So Evie wondered why she was like this, and belatedly realized that her heart was in chaos like a tangled thread.

It was still early morning, but Evie’s mood had already sunk heavily.

It was partly because of the unsettling dream she had the night before, and partly because of the incident with Count Montra yesterday.

In front of others, she desperately pretended to be okay, but in fact, Evie was extremely displeased by Count Montra’s actions yesterday.

And when Count Laurel was angry about that, she felt so ashamed that she wanted to bite her tongue.

The behavior of the count and the countess was very different, but Evie felt that she was treated similarly by them.

On one side, someone treated Evie like a toy because they were upset with someone else, and on the other side, someone treated Evie like a child who couldn’t even protect herself, getting angry on her behalf.

Neither was to her liking, but Evie could only smile kindly at those men anyway. Really, without any pretense.

But even if she could turn back time and have a second chance, perhaps Evie would make the same choice.

Because that is the best choice Evie can make. Even if it’s a bit cowardly, it will ultimately be a clever and safe choice.

Being a commonborn saintess candidate in the aristocratic world is like the only sheep living in a wolf’s den.

So she has no choice but to guard herself against the whims of the wolves.

Dirty and cheap, but she has no choice but to comfort herself by repeating that this is the most beneficial choice.

So Evie, as always, strongly pulled herself together again.

But the more she did, the closer she was driven to the edge of the cliff, nearing her limit.