By Some Unbelievable Twist, I Became the Villainess’s Older Brother - Chapter 24.1
The Saint remained perfectly composed, as though nothing had happened.
The First Princess moved her lips as if to speak while looking at him, then glanced behind her. Her lady-in-waiting had just arrived with tea.
“Master. Please have some tea.”
The First Princess led him beneath the awning that had already been erected on the temple roof. Beyond the canvas, raindrops fell with a clamorous patter.
Once the Saint sat down, the First Princess personally poured the tea and placed refreshments before her master. Accepting the teacup, the Saint glanced at her.
“Surely a noble Imperial Princess need not do such things.”
The First Princess smiled quietly as she poured tea into her own cup.
“Perhaps not for anyone else, but you are my master. Your disciple ought to show you proper respect. …Ah, by the way, Master. I have something I wish to ask you.”
The Saint smiled as though he had expected it.
“Are you curious why I saved that man moments ago?”
The First Princess hesitated, then nodded.
“Yes.”
The Saint possessed a special power known as ‘divine power.’ That sacred power manifested from generation to generation in those destined to become the Saint, and it was overwhelmingly powerful by human standards. For that reason, the Saint almost never used divine power to interfere recklessly in another person’s life or death.
Her master was no different from the Saints before him. Yet today he had used his power to save someone. The First Princess furrowed her brow gently at the inexplicable situation.
“That man is a blacksmith who scrapes by on meager earnings. However…”
The Saint lowered his voice as if sharing a secret.
“Would you believe me if I told you that one of his descendants will become chancellor of our Empire two hundred years from now?”
Startled, the First Princess asked again.
“Pardon? Chancellor? How could a blacksmith’s descendant become chancellor? He isn’t even a noble. And even if he does… was there truly any need for you to use your power, Master? Look. Your hand is trembling because you pushed yourself again, right?”
The First Princess regarded the Saint’s hand with both displeasure and pity. Just as she said, the hand holding the teacup was trembling.
The Saint emptied his cup and set it on the tea table. Then he covered his trembling hand with the other.
“I exerted myself because it was worthwhile. His descendant will one day save the life of a member of the Imperial Family. He will be granted the title of Baron in recognition of that achievement. He’ll continue to rise from there… and in the end, he’ll reach that office through his own ability.”
“Is that descendant truly so extraordinary?”
“Extraordinary hardly begins to describe him. He will become the Crown Prince’s tutor, and his daughter will become Empress, earning everyone’s envy. His daughter’s son will become a great Emperor respected by all. Tell me, is saving him still not worthwhile?”
The First Princess calmly shook her head. She already knew the Saint couldn’t be wrong.
“Then did you save him not merely because his descendant will become a great man, but because that descendant will forge deep ties with the Imperial Family and his grandson will become a great Emperor?”
The Princess asked cautiously.
The Saint looked at the First Princess and smiled serenely.
“You look as though you would be disappointed if I said yes.”
“No. How could I dare? It is only…”
“Yes, only. You wish to say that I once told you no life was nobler or baser than another.”
“…Yes. Those were your words, Master.”
The Saint nodded in satisfaction. He looked quite proud that she had remembered his teaching and now questioned his statement.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
