The Arrogant Duke Buys the Devoted Love of the False Saintess - Chapter 1

It was early spring.

On the southwestern coast of the continent lay the scenic Kingdom of Seirijin.

The royal capital, which stretched along the sea on one side and backed against mountains on the other, was abundant with mountain and sea delicacies, and its harbor was lined with merchant ships.

On a beach bathed in the dawn light, just as the sun began to rise over this vibrant capital.

A girl in worn-out nun’s robes, bracing against the sea breeze while holding down her fluttering clothes, picked up a shell at her feet and smiled with a face full of benevolence.

Her peach-colored eyes narrowed in bliss, giving her an almost mystical aura.

In truth, the girl was trembling with joy inside.

—A big one.

Near the girl, about four children, ranging from eight to twelve years old, were similarly picking up shells and placing them into nets they carried. They worked silently and moved briskly, creating an oddly disciplined atmosphere—almost like a small military unit.

“Hey there, Lily. You’re full of energy this early in the morning!”

A fisherman, who had headed out to sea on the first boat of the day, noticed the girl on the beach and called out to her.

She waved back energetically.

“Good morning! Another big catch today?”

“You bet. How about you?”

“Thanks for asking—doing well!”

When she showed him the many shells in her net, the fisherman grinned broadly.

On the departing boat, a new recruit who had just joined asked the fisherman curiously, “That girl… is she a nun?”

“Ah, right, you’re new to the capital, so you wouldn’t know. That’s the famous ‘Merciful Holy Mother’ everyone’s talking about these days.”

“Oh, so that’s her…”

The petite girl, dressed as a nun, was said to live day and night in a dilapidated orphanage with fifteen children and an elderly headmistress.

Recalling the rumors about the “Merciful Holy Mother” circulating in the capital, the recruit tilted his head in thought.

—Less fragile, more robust?