By Some Unbelievable Twist, I Became the Villainess’s Older Brother - Chapter 12.2
In the end, the head lady-in-waiting climbed the stairs while watching the First Princess even more carefully from behind.
In truth, the Princess was not wrong. She had already visited the temple countless times to see the Saint, her master.
Despite knowing about the steep staircase, she had once again worn high heels that day. For the First Princess, who valued dignity above all else wherever she went, it was only natural.
Her heels hurt more with every step, but the First Princess did not alter her expression as she continued and stepped onto the final stair.
The rooftop door stood wide open as though awaiting her. No priests guarded it.
She strode inside without hesitation and soon discovered the Saint seated in the middle of the rooftop. Seeing him from behind as he sat beneath an awning connected to the roof, lounging as if he were sunbathing, the First Princess swallowed a laugh.
The rooftop was simple. It contained only two tea tables, several rocking chairs, and a few small flowerpots occupying one side.
It was an ordinary scene. The only unusual detail was that the pots held common weeds and dandelions rather than flowers.
Exhaling softly, the First Princess waved to the head lady-in-waiting to indicate that she should come no farther. The head lady-in-waiting immediately stepped backward, closed the door, and disappeared.
As the Imperial Princess approached, the Saint, who had been nearly reclining in his chair, sensed her presence and quietly opened his eyes. He had the appearance of a kindly middle-aged man.
The sight suddenly made the First Princess feel aggrieved. Unlike her turbulent state, her master remained as relaxed and leisurely as ever, and her expression naturally hardened.
The Saint glanced at her and waved.
“You have come?”
“Yes. You look well again today, Master. You have always seemed free of worry, but especially so today.”
“A person who worries over everything will not live long.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but are you not already over a hundred years old, Master?”
“And? Are you telling me to hurry and die because I am old?”
“I would never dare.”
With a deep sigh, the First Princess sat beside the Saint. Like him, she leaned comfortably against the back of the chair and looked at the sky.
Unlike her heart, the sky was remarkably clear. She watched the blazing sun, the bright sunlight, and the billowing clouds drifting across the vivid blue sky, then spoke.
“My invitation was refused again.”
“Hmm.”
“It seems you foresaw this as well, Master.”
“Well, I suspected it to some extent. If he were so easily moved, how could the will of heaven depend upon him? Impossible.”
The calm answer briefly left the First Princess without words. She had never seen her master hold anyone in such high regard.
Was he not the man of unprecedented divine power who had heard the voice of a god before he was ten?
He even looked upon her father, the Emperor, with contempt… Why was he so generous in his estimation of someone he had never once met?
The Saint knew that the First Princess was staring at him with a puzzled look, but he did not add anything. He merely lifted the fan from the tea table and waved it lightly.
Unable to endure the silence, she finally spoke first.
“Master.”
“Why are you in such haste? Everything will follow its natural course.”
“But Master. I am always anxious. At any moment―”
“Why?”
“…Pardon?”
The Saint’s voice abruptly lowered. Sensing the grave atmosphere, the First Princess sat upright. The Saint was looking at her with an unreadable gaze.
“Is it because of what you did this time?”
“…This disciple does not understand what you mean.”
“Yes, your expression and attitude make you look quite wronged. Anyone else would believe you truly were not behind the attempted assassination of the Crown Prince.”
Feeling as though the secret hidden in the deepest part of her heart were being laid completely bare, the First Princess lowered her gaze.
Anyone else would have said she looked utterly pitiable, but the Saint looked at her without blinking.
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