Chapter 9 - Please Give Me A Name

I disliked Duke Ravenhook. No, it wasn’t dislike, but a hatred so deep that I wanted to erase him from the novel. 

It was so bad that when I re-read the novel, I skipped over all his parts. 

I didn’t want to see him!

“Be respectful to the saintess.”

Luciana saw my steel-like expression and stopped Duke Ravenhook from getting closer to me. 

Duke Ravenhook’s expression toward Luciana turned dangerous, but it only lasted for a second.

‘I bet he’s thinking that she’s just a maid or something.’

I didn’t even need to think about what was going through his mind because it was obvious.

“I greet the first light of the world,” Duke Ravenhook sent his greetings as he knelt on one knee. 

After becoming Priscilla, I felt uncomfortable with people being formal with me, so I had told them to not greet me like this. However, I didn’t feel the need to say the same to Duke Ravenhook.

‘But this isn’t enough for Priscilla’s revenge!’

A while passed like this.

Usually, I would accept a greeting and ask the person to stand up, but I stared at Duke Ravenhook as if I didn’t know what to do.

Duke Ravenhook awkwardly smiled at me. It was probably the first time someone had treated him in this way.

Who else would dare do this to him?

“Saintess.”

I wanted to make Duke Ravenhook kneel a bit longer, but Luciana wanted me to stop. I continued to look down at Duke Ravenhook. 

Out of all the candidates chosen in the empire, Duke Ravenhook had the best qualifications.

He had a nice family, a high status, good connections, and worldly fame. He had everything. However, all of it could’ve been rigged, and I didn’t like anything about him!

“Ahem, saintess.”

Luciana’s coughing got louder. 

‘Well, I guess this is enough.’

I slowly nodded while Luciana turned toward the duke.

“The saintess is very shy around strangers.”

“I see.”

Duke Ravenhook got up and flashed an ambiguous smile at me.

I hid behind Luciana. Usually, people would say a few more things before leaving me alone.

It was a useful solution.

“Oh no! She seems to be very startled.”

“It looks like she is.”

Duke Ravenhook’s attitude changed as he kept talking with Luciana.

I knew how nice it was to be someone important, but I was shocked to see the big change in his attitude.

“I didn’t expect the saintess to be so surprised. I only wanted to say hello since we’re about to become family.”

‘Who’s part of your family!’

I wanted to reply to him, but Duke Ravenhook said something first. 

“I’ll be your uncle soon.”

‘I won’t have an uncle like you!’

My mouth was itching to say something, but I stopped myself in case I cursed him out. 

‘If I curse during our first meeting… it’ll be quite fun. Should I just do it?’

I was about to use the skills I had sharpened as a fan when I saw Benjamin and Ludwig walking toward us.

“Saintess, Your Excellency the Duke.”

Ludwig was about to formally introduce himself as he looked toward Luciana.

However, Benjamin smiled, and the introductions were vaguely overlooked.

“I didn’t know that we would meet Your Excellency the Duke here.”

“I’m lucky to see the Commander of the Knights so easily.“

“Haha. I’m the lucky one.”

Duke Ravenhook and Benjamin awkwardly looked at me. It seemed that they had something to talk about.

“Then, please comfortably speak with Ludwig.”

After Benjamin said those words, he and Duke Ravenhook bowed at me and took off.

‘It doesn’t matter…’

I was a bit uncomfortable with the two of them together. 

‘Are they planning something? I hope not…’

“Saintess.”

Luciana grabbed me. I turned my head to see Ludwig quietly standing there.

‘Oh, Ludwig!’

“It’s been a while, Sir Ludwig.”

“Yes, it has been a long time, Saintess.”

Ludwig saluted me. It looked cool, but a bit burdensome.

‘Ludwig’s the perfect knight.’

The honest and dependable Ludwig was my second child.

“I heard you called for me.”

“I have a request!”

“How can you request me! Just order and I will do anything you ask. Please tell me what you want.”

I didn’t say no.

“I want you to be my knight.”

The elders and the pope had chosen some knights for me, but I wanted to choose my own.

Ludwig bowed and kneeled at my words.

“It’s a huge honor.”