The Saintess Became the Northern Grand Duke’s Daughter - Chapter 14

Simon said with his foxy eyes widened.

 

“I can understand the feelings of the maids.”

 

Is it because of her lovely appearance, as white as snow? Is it because of her warm heart, like the spring sun?

 

Or is it because of the divine power hidden inside her small body?

 

When he talked with Liriette, the corners of his lips would go up as he strangely felt better.

 

“Miss Liriette is a truly special person.”

 

“…”

 

It was as if he was worshiping the goddess.

 

But the Duke never thought that Simon was giving too much praise to a 10-year-old.

 

For he totally agreed with that.

 

The Duke ate with Liriette whenever he had time.

 

It was a position that the Duke wanted unilaterally.

 

Even so, Liriette responded to his meal invitation without showing any displeasure, and after she finished eating, she always bowed down to greet him.

 

[It was really delicious. Thank you, Duke.]

 

The shy smile on her face was like that of a shy angel.

 

The Duke was surprised at the thought.

 

‘To think that she’s an angel.’

 

It was too foreign to him, who cut the necks of monsters every day and faced swords with fierce knights, to think.

 

‘Thanks to that kid, I’m thinking about everything.’

 

The Duke put his fifth egg tart into his mouth with a strange feeling.

 

Eating sweet snacks that made him tongue tingle was also a change caused by Liriette.

 

The Duke enjoyed meat and cheese as his usual snack. But lately he’s been eating all sorts of sweets.

 

Cookies with a smiley face on them yesterday, round macaroons two days ago, and dark chocolate mousse cake three days ago.

 

Simon grinned as he saw the Duke eating the dainty dessert with the most ruthless face in the world.

 

“The chef was very excited. It’s fun to make colorful snacks after cooking only meat every day. More than anything, Miss Liriette really likes them.”

 

Simon brought snacks to Liriette every day. So he could see Liriette up close eating snack.

 

“I brought egg tarts today, and she stared at them for a long time, saying that the yellow, round shape is as pretty as a chick.”

 

Recalling that scene, Simon smiled.

 

“Thanks to eating a balanced diet of meat and vegetables every day, and snacking every afternoon, Miss Liriette has become very healthy.”

 

When she first came to the castle, Liriette’s whole body except for her plump face was dry.

 

In the eyes of the large northerners, she was a walking bone.

 

But not now.

 

Her face turned milky, her cheeks plump and ruddy like peaches.

 

Most of all, his expression changed.

 

“In many ways, Miss Liriette is doing well… except for one thing.”

 

The Duke, who listened comfortably while eating the ninth egg tart, raised his eyebrows.

 

“What?”

 

“Miss Liriette still wakes up early in the morning and prays.”

 

“…”

 

Liriette fell asleep before 9 o’clock at night. Her bedtime was early, so waking up early was not a big deal in itself.

 

But it wasn’t normal for them to see a child, only 10 years old, get up every day before sunrise and spend an hour on her knees praying.

 

The Duke muttered with a face as if he was facing the most serious problem in the world.

 

“When children aren’t playing, they need to be lazy.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Simon nodded his head.

 

***

 

In the evening.

 

Liriette, who sat opposite the Duke in the dining room, greeted him politely.

 

“Thank you for the food.”

 

On the table lay an enormous amount of food that an adult man and a girl could hardly eat.

 

However, now, Liriette didn’t worry about what to do if there was leftover food.

 

‘Because I trust the Duke!’

 

The Duke slowly and gracefully began to dispose of the pile of food. Liriette also worked hard to finish her food in her own way.

 

The only sound was the clashing of forks and knives in the stillness.

 

The kitchen maids were horrified when they heard that Liriette dined with the Duke every day.

 

[My goodness. To think that she eats in front of His Grace, I can’t do this. I can never do this. Even if I only drink soup boiled with water, I will get sick.]

 

[Me too, me too.]

 

The gazes of the maids instantly turned to Liriette.

 

[Is Miss Liriette okay?]

 

Contrary to their concerns, however, Liriette wasn’t uncomfortable with this time of the day.

 

Of course, the Duke’s intimidation was so great that she noticed. But Liriette knew for sure.

 

‘The Duke isn’t a scary person.’

 

At least he didn’t get angry or slap her hand like his High Priest.

 

Thus, Liriette was able to focus on her meal with peace of mind.

 

‘There is something I learned after living in the Duke’s castle. I like vegetables more than meat.’

 

No matter how delicious the meat was, it was quickly eaten. On the other hand, crunchy and fresh vegetables could be eaten in large quantities.

 

Even so, Liriette tried to eat more meat whenever she ate with the Duke.

 

‘Because the duke looks at me with eyes that say I did well.’

 

Just like now.

 

“You eat well.”

 

At the Duke’s words, Liriette’s face instantly flushed.

 

Liriette nodded her head vigorously with a slightly reddened face.

 

“Yes, I’m eating as best as I can”

 

“…”

 

The Duke felt a strange urge to stroke Liriette’s hair right away and opened his mouth.

 

“How about you, eating meat every day. Are there any changes in your body?”

 

Why is the Duke asking such a thing?

 

Liriette tilted her head and answered steadily.

 

“My face became round. I seem to have gotten a little stronger.”

 

What else is there.

 

Has her voice gotten a little louder?

 

The Duke said to Liriette who was troubled.

 

“What about your divine power?”

 

“…!”’

 

“Aren’t you worried that your divine power will disappear after eating meat? You haven’t yet manifested your divine power, but you should be able to feel it. How is it, is the divine power still within you?”

 

The Duke had never once mentioned the divine power to Liriette.

 

So, Liriette replied with a tense face.

 

“…The divine power hasn’t disappeared.”

 

Even as she answered, her heart skipped a beat.

 

Could it be that the Duke is also interested in my power? Does he want to have that power?

 

If so…

 

The duke said this to Liriette, who bit her lower lip.

 

“Then now you know that the rules of the temple are all bullshit.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“If you eat creatures with blood or don’t pray every day. Your divine power will disappear, it’s all nonsense. There’s no way that the noble abilities bestowed by the gods will disappear if you don’t follow those crude rules.”

 

After a long talk, the Duke got to the point.

 

“That’s why, stop praying at dawn from tomorrow on.”

 

“…!”

 

The Duke had never intervened in Liriette’s actions until now.

 

If she had to pick one, only to the extent of her eating meat?

 

Liriette was taken aback by the Duke’s sudden words.

 

“W-Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”

 

The Duke responded without hesitation to Liriette, who stuttered.

 

“You seem to be having a hard time.”

 

“…”

 

Up until now, including her previous life, Liriette had never complained about the difficulty of praying at dawn. She worked hard even on days when she wasn’t feeling well.

 

But that didn’t mean it wasn’t hard for her.

 

Actually, it was hard to raise her heavy eyelids because she couldn’t wake up, get out of the warm and cozy blanket, and had to  kneel on the cold floor for an hour.

 

But she had never been told even once, that she was having a hard time.

 

Liriette looked at the Duke with trembling eyes.

 

The Duke continued.

 

“I’m not telling you to not pray at all. If you really want to pray, move the time. After breakfast or in the afternoon.”

 

“…”

 

“A child’s morning should be full of leisure. To the point where the adults who watch it burst into tears.”

 

The Duke was looking down at Liriette with a cold face. Yet his blue eyes were as clear as the winter sky.

 

Liriette knew.

 

‘He’s saying this because he’s sincerely worried.’

 

She was amazed.

 

That a tall, blunt, strong person like that cared about herself.

 

She was grateful.

 

For he cared about her for nothing.

 

Tears leaked out.

 

In the first place, the reason Liriette prayed as soon as she woke up wasn’t because she was afraid that her divine power would disappear.

 

It was just a habit, so she just moved naturally.

 

‘I didn’t know I didn’t have to do it if I didn’t want to.’