Chapter 14: Civil War Period - The Saint

Chapter 14: Civil War Period - The Saint

Translated by Mara Sov

Civil War Period The Saint

Saint Eris.

Her real name was Erisliste Lilianne De Francia.

A daughter of a mistress who became a royal consort after gaining the favor of the former King through her beauty and wit.

Little is known about her time in the Capital.

Rumors have it that she had frail health and was being cared for by the King, but she vanished alongside her mother when the King died at the beginning of the Civil War.

After her disappearance, she became the elusive Saint during the plague, operating mainly in the southern parts of the Kingdom to treat the sick.

She was the only royal who earned the respect of the common people due to her kindness and monstrous divine power, even then, she never proclaimed herself a Saint or boasted about her Royal lineage.

The only reason her lineage was revealed was because the Holy Church had failed in their attempts to make the Princess an official Saint of the Church, and because of her refusal, the Church then leaked her secret after tracking her down.

By being branded as a Witch by the Holy Church, and with her being a Royal, the mad Revolutionaries sent her to the guillotine with a maniac glee.

I only heard of this news through some documents, and I never met her in person.

So, I imagined her as a compassionate saint or a dignified princess

Ah, and thats why the Knights tale became a legend.

Eris concluded her story with a note from her harp and stood up, bowing in a theatrical manner like some third-rate bard.

Clap-Clap-ClapSomeone here was really into it

Sir Gaston, the stern and serious Knight was clapping while crying.

The shy and embarrassed demeanor she had when first asking to share our food was nowhere to be seen.

Phew! All that show made me hungry!

Thats what she said as Sir Gaston and Franois quickly sliced a piece of wild boar meat and served it to her.

Franois was Eriss escort. Although he looked like a simple middle-aged man, both Sir Gaston and I could clearly see that he was a Knight.

Though Im a bit doubtful whether Sir Gaston is taking this seriously

With wide eyes, Eris settled down her harp, took both pieces of meat in her hands offered to her with a content smile.

Thank you!

When did my Knight become this Princesss servant?

Regardless of my discontentment, Eris began to eat, blowing on the meat in her hands and taking turns on bites.

When she first appeared, she was dressed in those suspicious clothes, but now she had taken off her veil and gloves, revealing her face and hands.

Her skin was pale.

While most noble ladies tend to have a skin tone similar to that, hers was even beyond the normal. It was pale enough to misunderstand her as a ghost under the moonlight.

And also, she eats a lot.

No, seriously, where is that food going?!

She seems to be in her mid-teens, but this girl already ate half of the boar by herself!

Sometimes, she would sing between her bites, playing her harp, and even dancing to a song or two, and the fact that she was quite skilled at this made it difficult to deny its enjoyment.

The image of a noble saint I had is thoroughly shattered now.

No matter how you look at this, shes no saint, just a gluttonous bard.

As I poked the fire to pass the time, Eris spoke to me.

Thank you so much! I cant remember when was the last time I had such a delicious meal! You see, Uncle Franois is not very good at hunting, so

Ahem.

Looking at the embarrassed Franois, I tried to give him a hand.

Hunting is usually the job of well, hunters, not Knights.

Ahaha, thats true!

Why were you avoiding us?

Ah, thats simple! I thought you were a servant trying to take me as a private healer of some noble. So, I figured that if I avoided you for a few days, youd give up! But guess what? I got soo hungry I was about to collapse!

Eris spoke in a tone that was utterly calm as if she was explaining things to a child.

So thats why she chose here. I didnt expect this cunning from her.

And for that reason, I do not wish to accept the proposal from Lafayette, who supports His Highness the First PrinceIf I have the choice.

My Lord

Sir Gaston looked at me, perhaps wondering If I would be taking Eris by force.

I could do that, but shes a Princess. Moreover, Its clear to me that I wouldnt be able to control her that well.

After thinking about it, I said,

Im sure there would be many who would covet you, even if it were not Lafayette. There are already people calling you a saint, arent they?

Eris nodded without hesitation.

The plague may be rampant now, but it will subside soon. When that happens, the nobility will chase after you. Do you plan on living as a fugitive? You dont seem to have the skills to support that lifestyle.

Ugh, normally I could live off just by singing or playing music, you know? But now, because of the plague, it would be horrible of me to take something from them, and with the Marquis following me around

So, If the nobility were to pursue you, youd starve.

Eris closed her mouth with an audible click.

Now that the conversation had reached this point, she seemed more like a girl her age, and I felt a little bit more relaxed.

What If I became your sponsor instead?

Sponsor?

Yes. You have many talents, and its not uncommon for nobles to sponsor an artist. You will stay in the Marquisate as an artist, and when you leave, youll be under the protection of Lafayette. How about that? At least it would be easier for you to do as you want, rather than running away from the nobles.

What about the military service?

I assure you I wont impose any military service on you. Formally, youd be an artist I fancy. Of course, being under the protection of Lafayette, you would become famous eventually, not even putting your healing acts into consideration. But there should be almost no persecution from the other nobles, and you will have more opportunities to do good.

Eris thought about it for a moment before turning her gaze towards Francois, who simply bowed to her.

May I ask something, Your Lordship?

Of course.

As you know, I can heal the sick, but thats not enough. If I have the freedom to act under your banner as you proposed, then you should provide funds for charitable activities, then theres nothing more I could ask for.

Eris paused for a second, before adding.

But what do you want, My Lord? I dont think youre doing this just to have me as your exclusive healer. What do you gain from this?

Eriss wide purple eyes were so intense that it felt like they could see through any pretense.

Should I admit I know shes a Princess? No, revealing such a deep-buried secret would only make her more wary.

At the end of the day, Im not the Marquis yet. And if her secret leaked I wont be able to protect her.

After much deliberation, I simply told her part of the truth.

A wave of change is coming to the Kingdom, the nobility and royalty are blind to it. The commoners are being pushed to their limits, so there will come a time when they wont sit back and accept this treatment anymore. And I, a Noble and Lord, think that being affiliated to someone like you, who can receive the love and support from the masses, will only stand to gain.

So, youre trying to win over the peoples hearts through me?

Indeed. Thats why I wont be restricting your freedom. Should you accept my proposal, Ill support you with anything in my reach. Should you wish, Ill help you start your healing activities in this area, as you hoped.

Youre being quite blunt.

Should I have spoken as If I was enlightened by the saints purity, and now will live the rest of my days doing charity?

NoThat would have been rather suspicious, wouldnt it?

Eris chuckled at my words as she stood up.

Her actions made the snow-white hair ripple in waves, gleaming in the moonlight, as she gently lifted the hem of her robe in a polite bow.

I gratefully accept your generous offer, Marquis of Lafayette.

The girl who flawlessly bowed to me, slowly lifted her head, her purple eyes gleaming with mischief.

I look forward to working with you, my dear patron.

TL Note: Eris referred to Pierre as Marquis and not Acting Marquis or My Lord, I opted to leave as such.

But please keep in mind that the Actual Marquis is Pierres dad who is fighting the Civil War.

/genesisforsaken