Until the Substitute Saintess is Loved: The Sister Sent to the Convent as the Villainess Heals Everyone's Hearts with Her Healing Powers - Chapter 6

(So, I really didn’t make it back before curfew after all)

After dropping off Meina-chan with Aunt Chel and receiving the fish, I hurried back to the convent only to find the gates already closed.

When I rang the magic bell beside the gate, it opened.

I don’t understand how it works, but the gate automatically opens when the magic bell is rung—but only for those associated with the convent.

I still haven’t brought in the laundry either, so there’s still so much to do.

I delivered the ingredients I was asked to buy to Head Chef Banda, restocked the treatment robes and bandages in the supply shelf, and headed toward the drying area.

“Huh?”

The laundry was gone.

It didn’t look like it had been thrown aside either.

As I looked around restlessly, a nun approached.

Instinctively, my body stiffened for a moment.

But she spoke to me in a cheerful voice despite my reaction.

“I brought in the laundry earlier, so it’s all taken care of.”

She brought it in?

Ever since I arrived here, I’ve always been the one to do the laundry. Naturally, bringing it in should be my job too. Many nuns dislike laundry duty because washing by hand particularly roughs up their hands.

“Don’t trust me?”

She seemed to interpret my confusion that way.

“No, I was just surprised… I’m sorry.”

“Ahaha, well, I guess that’s understandable. I didn’t have much work today, you see. Oh right, do you know who I am?”

“Sister Mona… from the room next door?”

I wasn’t entirely confident because everyone always wears veils. I could only judge by height, hair color, and voice. Based on the black hair that falls just past her shoulders and her voice, I thought it was probably Sister Mona.

“Correct! I heard you went to town for fun, but that’s not really true, is it?”

“For fun? No, I was just running errands…”

I’ve never gone to town except for convent business. Why would people think I went out for fun?

“I thought so. You see, today the Third Prince came to visit the convent again. I overheard some of the girls saying all sorts of things when they found out he was trying to see you. Anyway, let’s go to the kitchen.”

“Uh, um…”

“Dinner’s already over, you know. The reason you missed curfew is because you were the only one sent on errands, right? I asked the head chef about it, so I think they saved a meal for you. Come on, let’s go!”

Pulled firmly by the arm, I was led toward the kitchen.

There was indeed a meal waiting for me there.

Head Chef Banda, whom I’d seen earlier, stood with his arms crossed like a guardian statue. His face was as stern as always, but he didn’t seem angry.

“But, um, isn’t this against the rules…?”

“We just happened to have some leftover food. It’s common for kitchen staff to eat leftovers. Today you helped out in the kitchen. So, this is your portion.”

“In other words, just go along with it and eat,” she explained.

Steaming hot soup and freshly warmed bread.

Tears welled up at their kindness.

“Hey, Lupina, are you crying? Are you okay?”

Sister Mona panicked and began rubbing my back.

“Why are you being so kind to me…? I can’t even use healing magic properly.”

I was supposed to be the one they were expecting.

That saintess who was supposed to come.

Despite her many bad rumors, Sister Lupina was truly a saintess.

She was the strongest saintess in history, capable of even detoxifying poison.

I understand because I see patients every day.

The attached clinic has healing mages working there too, but the nuns’ work is extremely busy.

If a saintess had come—even if she were a villainess—she could have healed many patients at once with high-level healing magic, making the work easier.

Yet here I am as her substitute, unable to even handle healing magic properly, let alone poison.

The nuns’ disappointment must have been immense.

“But you’re working hard every single day. Some say you’re slacking off even though you can use high-level healing magic, but to me, you don’t look like you’re holding back at all. They say healing magic is delicate, right? I think it’s possible you’re having trouble using it properly because your environment changed.”

She patted my back gently.

Even through the veil, I could tell. Sister Mona genuinely cared about me right now.

(Even though I’m just a substitute… Even though I can’t wield healing magic like my sister…)

Me, who’s nothing but a burden to the convent. Me, the failure who can’t even properly serve as my sister’s substitute.

“Thank you…”

Sister Mona kept holding me as I cried uncontrollably.