**"Monica had soft, chestnut-brown bobbed hair and striking blue eyes. The lovely freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks were part of her charm.
Idella, who quickly fell for this confident and charming Monica, soon became her closest friend."**
Yes, that kind of description definitely appeared in the original novel.
I glanced at the passage the AI had brought up and turned my gaze toward Monica.
Just like in the novel's description, she really was an incredibly lovely girl.
"I'm sorry to visit at such a late hour! There's something I really wanted to say, but you looked so busy during the day that I couldn't get a chance to speak with you."
It's true — starting from this morning, there was chaos with Gail showing up, followed by Lute Seori's visit, getting money wrung out of me by the Sun God, swapping out a holy relic, breaking said relic, and even having a meat party.
Yeah, a lot happened today.
"It's all right. Did you have a good dinner, Miss Hindel?"
"Yes! Sir Dietrich said that it was all thanks to you that we got to enjoy such a delicious meal today. Thank you so much."
"I didn't do it all on my own, but I'll happily accept your thanks."
After being surrounded by people who always avoided me, hearing someone express their gratitude so sincerely felt genuinely refreshing.
When I smiled gently, Monica blushed and lowered her head deeply.
But what was that? I suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu…
Maybe it's just that I've read so much of the novel that I feel a kind of internal closeness?
"P-please, just call me Monica…"
"All right then, Miss Monica."
"No, I mean — drop the 'Miss' part too… just Monica…"
"Sure, Monica."
Even though she was trembling, she still managed to ask for what she wanted — it was adorable, so I nodded.
It's funny how something as simple as calling her by her name made her blush shyly.
Looking at her like this, she really did seem young. How old was Monica again?
['Monica Hindel' is currently eighteen years old.]
Only half my age from my previous life. So cute. Just adorable.
"So, what brought you here to see me?"
"Please make me your personal maid!"
Pffft.
At Monica's sudden exclamation, Victoria spat out the tea she was drinking. It was supposed to aid digestion, but now it looked like it might give her indigestion instead…
"My personal maid…?"
"Yes! You don't have one yet, do you? I'd like to volunteer!"
Well, considering Ordel was infamous for her awful temper and frequent outbursts, it's no wonder no one wanted to serve her.
There hadn't been a single applicant, and even Ayrick was too afraid someone might end up dead if he assigned someone carelessly.
In the original story too, Ordel died without ever having a personal bodyguard or even a dedicated maid.
"I can really do a good job. Even though I may not look it, I'm considered the most promising among the apprentice priests. I'd never bring shame to your name!"
A saint's maid wasn't just an ordinary servant. It was a position held by apprentice priests — and only the most talented among them.
Attending to the saint and learning how to use divine power in the process was an invaluable opportunity for them.
And Monica was indeed an apprentice priest with immense potential.
It's no wonder she ends up becoming the real Saintess Idella's friend.
"All right. I'd be delighted if you could take on the role, Monica."
If someone like her was willing to help me, I'd be nothing but grateful.
Of course, once the truth comes out—that I'm not the real saintess—Victoria and Monica will likely feel betrayed...
But by then, I'll have already left the Central Temple. I'll feel a bit sorry, sure, but it can't be helped.
"R-really? You're really accepting me?"
Monica looked overjoyed, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily.
"I'd rather have a volunteer by my side, if possible. But I must say, I'm quite lacking in ability, so I doubt I'll be of any help to you, Monica. Are you really okay with that?"
Originally, Ordel only had a measly 2% divine power.
Thanks to hemorrhaging money like blood, I've managed to boost it to 10%, but I'm still probably not on par with a promising talent like Monica.
And since I rely mostly on system skills, I can't properly teach the real methods of using divine power either.
"You, lacking in ability, Saintess...? Please don't say that. Even if you don't teach me anything, that's perfectly fine. I'd be happy just to stay by your side and serve you."
Even so, Monica pleaded with both hands pressed together, begging me to accept her as my maid.
She wanted it this much—what could I do? As in the original story, I'll just leave the divine training part to Idella.
"All right, Monica. It's late today, so let's start tomorrow."
"Thank you, Saintess! Then… since I'm officially your maid now, would you mind speaking more casually with me? I still feel a bit of distance between us…"
She really doesn't hesitate to ask for what she wants.
And what's more, she somehow manages to get her way every time—impressive skills of persuasion.
"If that's what you want, sure."
"Eek! Thank you!"
"Ahem. In that case… me too…"
Just then, Victoria, who had been quietly listening the whole time, cautiously raised her hand.
"We've been together for over a week now. Don't you think it's about time you spoke casually with me too? You used to talk that way to everyone—young or old, even the High Priest and the Head of the Order…"
Well, that was before I became a different person…
"I didn't realize you cared that much. All right, starting today, I'll speak casually with both of you."
Since they asked for it, there was no reason for me to refuse, so I agreed readily.
A skilled knight and a capable maid.
As far as endings go, today's was the perfect conclusion to a day full of gains.
"Yes!"
Having just left Saintess Ordel's bedroom, Monica quietly clenched both fists in triumph.
She had come prepared to be kicked out, but the saintess had accepted her so easily that she was still in a daze.
'She's even more amazing up close.'
It hadn't even been half a year since Monica entered the Central Temple.
She was brought here after unexpectedly awakening her divine power.
Everyone at the temple was kind and gentle, and she had no trouble fitting in—except for one person: Saintess Ordel.
Monica had been thoroughly warned: Never draw the saintess's attention.
So she had done her best to avoid Ordel at all costs.
Whenever she saw someone walking away from the saintess in tears or covered in bruises, she only resolved more firmly to stay out of her sight.
But just a few days ago, something completely unexpected happened—Saintess Ordel, the infamous tyrant, apologized to everyone.
Naturally, no one believed it. They whispered that the moody saintess could snap again at any moment and agreed to keep lying low.
Monica, too, made sure not to do anything that might draw her attention.
But then—
'So… who were you again? What was your name?'
She had been crying in frustration after being slapped—just for daring to block the path of Count Kiris's retainer.
And that's when the saintess appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and humiliated Baron Gale in front of everyone. And not only that—
'Oh my, thank you for telling me. By the way, no matter how I look at your face… it looks like you've been hit. Doesn't it hurt? Someone please escort this apprentice priest to get treatment.'
When she told the saintess the man's name, the saintess responded with genuine concern.
Monica couldn't take her eyes off her after witnessing that sudden shift.
She had always gone out of her way to avoid the saintess—but this was the first time she saw her look so strong and beautiful.
Maybe that's why…
When their eyes met—those honey-golden, divine-looking eyes—Monica found herself wanting to become her maid.
She wanted to stay by the side of this woman who looked as though she were bathed in the love of the gods.
"Starting tomorrow, I get to see her every day."
People expressed concern over Monica's decision—but she didn't regret it.
It had been an impulsive choice, yes, but those kinds of choices had never led her astray before.
So Monica decided to trust her instincts this time, too.
The next morning, at exactly 6 AM, Monica arrived to assist.
She must've heard that I work out at this time.
Feeling bad for making both Victoria and Monica wake up early every day just because of me, I told them they could take turns.
But the idea was immediately rejected.
Something about how knights and maids had different duties, or whatever.
They were already getting along alarmingly well.
The surprising part was that Ayrick didn't object to Monica becoming my personal maid.
He simply asked Monica, "Are you really okay with this?"
This was the same person who never allowed a dedicated maid to serve the original Ordel in the novel.
So that meant I'd successfully revamped my image. That alone made me genuinely happy.
And with that, Monica officially became my personal maid.
"Saintess. A letter has arrived from House Kiris."
Thanks to Duke Lute Sieri, I now had funds to work with. I was sitting at the table, making plans, when Monica brought over a letter.
I glanced at the double-dahlia seal—used exclusively by Count Kiris—and opened the envelope indifferently.
Why did Duke Lute Sieri go to the Central Temple?
The letter was full of long-winded formalities, but the summary was clear: