The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 6

Last night’s party with Lord Eric was so much fun. Dressed in luxurious attire, standing proudly beside him before everyone—that moment felt like a dream, and my heart raced. Under the shimmering chandeliers, all eyes were on us, and the feeling of being at the center of it all was irreplaceable.

For some reason, until now, our schedules never aligned, and I couldn’t fulfill my wish to dance with Lord Eric at a party. But last night, wrapped in his warm hands as we twirled, the envious gazes around me made me shine even brighter. I was so happy. What I had longed for from the bottom of my heart had finally come true.

But it’s strange, isn’t it? As the Saint, I’m Lord Eric’s fiancée. Yet, until now, there should have been opportunities for us to attend parties together and dance. But I have no memory of doing so. No matter how hard I try to recall, it’s all hazy, as if shrouded in fog.

I regret not being more selfish and insisting on attending parties. If I had, I could have made so many more memories with him.

My memories of the joyful times with Lord Eric are strangely lacking. Instead, what remains vivid are the memories of how tough the Saint’s work was. The temple folks kept piling difficult tasks on me, the Saint, until my mind was exhausted from fatigue. Blessing ceremonies, healing the sick, prayers for better crop yields; the list goes on and on.

But it’s fine now. I’ve realized there’s no use dwelling on the past. What matters is the future. Especially since yesterday was so much fun. I can even think that it was precisely because I endured so much until now that I was able to enjoy it. Let’s think positively.

Even if my memories with Lord Eric are insufficient, I can just keep creating new, even more enjoyable ones from now on. Eventually, we’ll marry and live in the palace. Me, as a noble consort. Just imagining it makes my heart race.

“Hehe.”

In my room at the temple, bathed in the morning sunlight streaming through the window, I couldn’t help but smile to myself on the bed. Burying my face in the soft sheets, I basked in the feeling of happiness. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

As the Saint who brings prosperity and stability to the kingdom, a massive number of work requests come pouring in. Every day, I’m swamped with handling them. I see. So, this busyness is probably why I feel like my joyful memories are lacking.

With a heavy heart, I came to the temple again today. The Saint’s work is such a bother. I wonder if I can slack off? Just as I was thinking that, there was a loud knock, and the door opened.

“Lady Elise! A request has arrived!”

Looking up, I saw a young priestess standing there, flustered, holding a stack of documents. It’s still early in the morning, and already it’s about work. My heart grows heavy.

“Again? I just finished the last batch. Can’t you let me rest?”

I couldn’t help but exclaim. So much work, one after another. Even if I’m called the greatest Saint in history, I still need time to rest, don’t I?

“But if we don’t process them quickly, the requests will just keep piling up.”

The priestess lowered her eyes and made a timid excuse.

“Especially the sick people are eagerly awaiting the Saint’s blessings.”

“That’s enough! I’m taking the day off!”

“P-please wait, Saint!”

The priestess stepped into the room, her voice pleading.

“The Elder Sage also said to hurry.”

Even though my subordinate priestess is begging with a troubled face, impossible is impossible. How many days in a row do they think I’ve been working!? Day in and day out, with no time to rest.

If I’m this busy, I won’t be able to make time to see Lord Eric. Because of this, I can’t create precious memories with him.

Until now, I’ve wanted to see Lord Eric right away, but I’ve suppressed that desire and focused on my work. But now, I’ve reached my limit.

Then, another noisy sound, and this time the door was flung open with violent force.

“Hey, Saint Elise! We’ve got complaints! Slacking off on the job, are you!?”

Bellowing as he entered was the Elder Sage, with white hair and a wrinkled face. His eyes were red and bloodshot as he glared at me.

“Huh? What’s with you, barging in and yelling like that?”

The one who rudely opened the door and entered was that troublesome old man among the temple’s Elder Sages, the one with particularly conservative views. It seems he has some complaints about me. Coming all the way to tell me that, doesn’t he have anything better to do? If he could just handle that much himself, it’d be fine. I’m busy with all sorts of other tasks shoved onto me.

Who even dares to complain about my work? I’m trying so hard.

“Complaints? That can’t be! I’ve perfectly completed every task assigned to me.”

“As a matter of fact, numerous complaints have come from the citizens.”

The Elder Sage was shouting.

“And the number of complaints is abnormal. Things like illnesses that were almost healed relapsing, insufficient blessings on crops. Are you perhaps cutting corners?”

“Cutting corners? I’m doing no such thing!”

I raised my voice.

“Nothing like this has ever happened before! At this rate, the temple’s reputation will plummet.”

The Elder Sage’s voice echoed through the room.

“That’s not my fault alone! Don’t pin it all on me!”

I’m doing the Saint’s work properly. Moreover, I’ve been working nonstop, devoting myself to the people. This isn’t normal. Even I, hailed as the greatest Saint in history, have my limits.

But the Elder Sage didn’t seem convinced. He glared at me, his body trembling with anger. It seems he just wants to push the responsibility onto me. That’s right, they want to blame me, the Saint, for their own incompetence.

For all their complaining, don’t they have any intention of taking action themselves? Always just giving orders from above.

“First of all, the volume of requests is too high. I’ve said it many times, it’s abnormal. I can’t handle it alone anymore.”

I pleaded earnestly. I’ve truly reached my limit.

“Saint Elise.”

The Elder Sage’s voice dropped low and heavy.

“Until now, you’ve done it without complaint. Why now?”

He looked at my face suspiciously. What’s his problem?

“…Could it be that you’re plotting something untoward against the temple!?”

“Nothing of the sort!”

I felt irritated by the Elder Sage’s suspicious gaze. What is this senile old man saying? There’s no way I’d do such a thing. Have they forgotten how much I’ve contributed to the temple until now?

I’ve devoted myself to the temple hundreds of times more than you all, who only talk. Without my power, this temple would have fallen into ruin long ago.

“Right now, is a crucial time for deepening my relationship with Lord Eric!”

I played my trump card. They can’t possibly complain after hearing this.

“His marriage. We shouldn’t neglect that. It’s for the temple’s sake as well.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing that, the Elder Sage stroked his beard and pondered.

“Indeed, that’s a valid point. The marriage between the Saint and the Prince is the most important event for the kingdom.”

What I should prioritize most right now is preparing for the wedding with Lord Eric. If I stay in this pointlessly busy state, my time with him will decrease, and our relationship might suffer. I absolutely must avoid that.

If my relationship with the Prince doesn’t go well, the temple’s reputation will suffer too, won’t it?

I will definitely be with Lord Eric. It’s about to come true, that wish I thought was an impossible dream.

Once I become a member of the royal family, I’ll gain a position where I can live in luxury, spending my life in leisure. When that happens, I can just handle these bothersome temple tasks casually.

Before I marry and leave the temple, the Elder Sage should hurry and look for the next new Saint candidate, don’t you think?

“Anyway!”

The Elder Sage raised his voice again.

“I won’t allow you to slack off on the Saint’s work! Nor will I allow you to damage your relationship with His Highness. You must handle both well!”

Do both, he says. After saying just what he wanted, the Elder Sage left the room. His back even looked pathetic. An outdated old man.

It seems he has no intention of listening to my opinion as the Saint. He’s determined to work me to the bone to protect the temple’s reputation.

To the priestess left in the room, I declared.

“That’s how it is. I want to cherish my time with Lord Eric. You understand, right?”

“B-but. The unprocessed requests are piling up.”

She showed me the documents with trembling hands.

I gave her a cold stare, as she still seemed to want to say something. She flinched and trembled.

“Handle the accumulated work on your end. From now on, I’m going to see Lord Eric.”

“P-please wait, Saint! We don’t have the great power that you possess. It’s impossible for us to handle this volume of work.”

Ignoring the priestess’s calls, I left the room. What a nuisance. I’ve worked hard enough, so I deserve a reward. If possible, I’d like to wear a lovely dress and walk through the town with Lord Eric.

Thinking that, I went to see Lord Eric. To shake off this unpleasant mood, I just want to spend a joyful time with Lord Eric right now. That’s all.

I’m filled with gratitude towards him for giving me this role. As the Saint, and as Lord Eric’s fiancée. Having grasped two forms of happiness, I must be the luckiest person in the world.

And I won’t let anyone interfere.