Thiendavis – For The Perfect Salvation

Chapter 11. Be a Little Kinder

On a dark evening, young Evie was huddled amidst the ruins of a collapsed wall.

Exhausted beyond measure, she clutched her knees tight, dozing until a faint sound of footsteps startled her awake.

Shivering at the shadow looming before her, she tensed up.

"Don't worry, it's me."

A familiar voice spoke gently from within the large shadow silhouetted by the setting sun.

Recognizing the voice, Evie whispered, her face still pale.

"Uncle..."

Evie's voice, normally cheerful, sounded faint as she belatedly recognized the astrologer.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

The astrologer asked with concern, prompting Evie to take a deep breath before replying nonchalantly.

"It's nothing."

"But your knee is bleeding."

"Oh."

Only then did Evie realize she was hurt, hurriedly covering her knee as blood flowed freely.

Seeing this, the astrologer took out a handkerchief and held her hand kindly, offering it to her.

Evie pouted at the white handkerchief.

"You have so many handkerchiefs, Sir."

Evie felt guilty about the astrologer always using his handkerchiefs for her and thus spoke brusquely on purpose.

The astrologer, seemingly aware of her intentions, smiled warmly before wiping her knee and asking again.

"What happened outside?"

"I almost got caught."

"Where to?"

"I guess I'd know if I got caught."

Evie answered casually, then her eyebrows furrowed as she grumbled.

"Seriously, it's absurd. Who do they think they are to try and sell me? I hope they all get struck by lightning and die."

Evie's everyday life was chaotic.

She spent each day running away, stealing, being hit, hiding, always on edge about being taken somewhere.

Her defiance and loud voice were not mere bravado but a small, strong will to survive.

The astrologer, who had been observing Evie, finally voiced a thought he had pondered for long.

"Evie, do you want to live with me?"

Surprised by the unexpected offer, Evie looked up in shock.

Blinking her large, dark eyes at the astrologer, she asked in disbelief.

"Sir, are you some kind of pervert?"

"No..."

"That's what they all say."

Evie scanned the astrologer up and down suspiciously, making him hastily explain.

"A lady offered to rent out the second floor of her home. It's clean with several rooms, and she provides meals, so I thought you could stay there—with your own room, of course—not just with me."

Though partially joking, the astrologer's eager explanation made Evie laugh.

With her expression softened, he asked again.

"Won't you stay there?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't trust it."

Despite his persistent questions, Evie's response remained firm.

"There's no such thing as something for nothing in this world. People do things for their own benefit, not out of kindness."

"Not everyone is like that."

"Most are. That's why I dislike help without a motive—it's tiresome wondering if it's a bait or trap."

Evie spoke dismissively, but beneath her defiant and rebellious front, her heart beat anxiously.

Truthfully, her heart sank at the astrologer's offer, fearing that he might be like the others who had tried to take her away.

She didn't completely distrust the astrologer, though.

If she had, she would have agreed and run away when he was off guard.

She liked the astrologer and cherished their conversations, so she drew a boundary with her rude words.

Not wanting to lose the kind person he was, not wanting him to come any closer to betray her someday—Evie hoped he would understand her plea.

Thankfully, the astrologer seemed to grasp it, smiling softly with his usually pleasant lips.

"Alright, if you don't want it, there's nothing I can do."

The astrologer remained kind despite Evie's refusal, which finally put her at ease.

He then spoke to her with a touch of sorrow in his voice.

"But Evie, there are indeed selfless acts of help."

"Sir, you really don't know how the world works."

Evie scoffed stubbornly, then spoke in a clear, decisive voice.

"Everything happens to those who deserve it. The same goes for receiving help. Even begging for bread is something only those who know how to elicit sympathy can obtain. But for me..."

Evie suddenly paused in her boastful speech.

Saying out loud that she had no rights to anything seemed too miserable.

So, with a slight shift in tone, she added cheerfully.

"For me, I guess more rights will come in time. I'll think about staying with you when that happens, maybe when we get to Thienda!"

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Eight years passed since that promise.

Now, with all the rights to receive help and be loved as she had aspired to as a child, Evie struggled intensely with her solitude.

"Butler... Instead of cleaning the tea cups, could you listen to me? This morning, everyone went boating on the lake to celebrate the successful purification ceremony. And this afternoon, the Marquis of Montera hosted a tea party, also in celebration. Tomorrow, the Viscount Verde is opening his water garden at his villa, which is also thanks to the purification ceremony. Hey, Butler, are you listening?"

To Evie's endless grumbles, Diez, while drying a tea cup with a cloth, answered half-heartedly.

"I am listening. I heard it an hour ago, and two hours ago, and I'm still listening."

"Exactly, I'm only talking to the butler an hour ago, and two hours ago...!"

Evie lamented in a voice full of sorrow.

Then she slammed her forehead onto the sofa's armrest.

Diez, unable to watch the theatrical act any longer, clicked his tongue in mock annoyance.

"If you're that bored, why not read a book or practice an instrument?"

"I don't want to..."

"So what do you want me to do?"

Diez groaned in a weary voice, but Evie paid no heed to her butler's complaints.

The reason she bothered Diez was twofold.

One, because of the never-ending curse, Diez was her only companion.

Two, the stark difference in her circumstances right after the purification ceremony.

Since Evie Ariate's emergence, a new culture formed within Thienda's social scene.

Before the purified water flowed entirely into Vis, people indulged in various leisure activities in the clear water.

From light boating to holding poetry readings and concerts by the refreshing lakeside, to creating large swimming pools with flower petals or herbs—all for the sake of fully enjoying the purification ceremony's aftermath—was the trend in Thienda.

Each time, Evie Ariate, the charming prospective saintess, received countless invitations.

Being noticed, praised, and secretly reveling in all the attention was her joy.

However, being stuck at home due to the curse made her current situation very regretful.

"I miss those days..."

Their cheers, their acclaim, and their passionate applause—Evie, longing for her past glory with wistful eyes, was brought back by Diez as he set down the polished teacup.

"If you miss it that much, just attend a safe gathering briefly. Don't you just chat about trivial things there?"

"I considered that, but Butler, sometimes trivial matters can be more dangerous."

To Diez's halfhearted suggestion, Evie smiled with dim eyes.

Evie had indeed thought of carefully attending a few gatherings, not just out of boredom.

After all, she wished to wrap things up with the Count Laurel as soon as possible.

She planned to gradually show her presence at social gatherings, proving she was fine, but the potential problems deterred her.

"Think about it. If young master Arco asks how his hat looks, I might say it's not great but still worn proudly. What would happen then?"

"As candid as you are in casual life, you might have been a bit kinder."

When the butler teased lightly, Evie scoffed, then slowly guided him as if teaching a fool.

"Butler. Granted, I pretend kindness to hear others call me kind, but I see it this way. If that behavior becomes my habit and daily life, it's not pretense, but a new side of me."

"So, what do you plan to do about Count Laurel?"

"I want to take him down."

Evie, failing at kindness, smiled and raised Diez' teacup high.

Diez grabbed her wrist, earnestly apologizing.

After finally calming Evie, Diez lovingly cradled the precious teacup and said,

"It might be frustrating, but bear with it a little longer. Soon we'll have a report on the snake hunt."

"Yes, let's hope it's good news..."

Evie answered weakly, biting her lip with a slightly sulky face.

The butler had mentioned Count Laurel's name, reminding her of that man's words.

—Rather than having me dissuade you, it’s generally better to relinquish it yourself.

—It seems neither of us wants an agreement, so post the saintess selection, notify me. Tell me how I should take care of you.

Yesterday, after the purification ceremony, the count spoke such words to Evie.

It was practically a declaration of war, arrogantly implying he'd thwart her saintess selection, leaving her to ponder how to manage without.

Even though nothing had happened yet, Evie couldn't ignore the grand noble's intimidation, driving her to seek Diez's opinion.

"About Count Laurel, do you really think he can stop my selection as a saintess?"

Deciding on a new saintess was the prerogative of the heads of noble families and the current saintess.

Despite Grand Duke Laurel's opposition, Evie currently had the backing of Duchess Bayen, Marquis Montra, and the saintess Roble Tuha, making her the most prominent for the next saintess.

Even Grand Duke Laurel couldn't sway the will of other great nobles.

What could the count, not even the head of the family, possibly trust to make such bold claims?

Evie found it galling and dubious.

Yet, Diez's response was quite unexpected.

"Considering Count Laurel's influence, it's not entirely impossible. In fact, the power of the Laurel family itself stems from the count."

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