When Marie finally finished, her voice barely a whisper, Ravenna leaned forward, her deep black eyes shining with resolve. “It must have been hard for you,” she said, her tone gentle yet firm. “But worry no more. since now you are my disciple!”
Marie’s eyes widened, shimmering with unshed tears. She nodded, her lips trembling as she whispered, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
As she shifted in her seat, her hand moved instinctively to the slit of her skirt, attempting to pull the fabric over her exposed leg. Ravenna noticed and arched an eyebrow, a teasing smile curving her lips. “What’s the matter? Feeling shy about showing some skin?”
Marie’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She hesitated, her initial instinct to deny it, but decided honesty was better. Slowly, she nodded.
Ravenna chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” she said, her voice carrying an air of confidence. “It’s an honor for others to witness beauty, not something to hide. Own it.”
Marie lowered her gaze, still unsure but visibly comforted by Ravenna’s words.
Ravenna clapped her hands, drawing Marie’s attention back to her. “Now, let’s discuss your responsibilities and schedule as my disciple.”
Marie swallowed hard, her nerves showing in the way her hands clenched in her lap. Ravenna’s tone turned authoritative as she continued. “First, your living arrangements. You’ll have a room on the same floor as mine, just a short walk away. Second, you will be granted a noble title on your 16th birthday. As the lord of this dukedom and an imperial princess, it’s within my rights, and I intend to bestow it upon you then.”
Marie’s eyes widened in disbelief. A noble title? Her mind raced, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of such a gift for a mere former slave.
“Of course,” Ravenna added, her tone sharpening, “this won’t come without effort. You’ll need to work hard to maintain your status and prove your worth.”
Marie nodded eagerly, determination flickering in her eyes despite her lingering nervousness.
Ravenna continued, “Your mornings will begin with lessons in etiquette, reading, and writing under Alice’s guidance. You mentioned you can read and write but aren’t confident, so we’ll address that. Afterward, you’ll join me for breakfast.”
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Marie listened intently, her surprise growing as Ravenna outlined the next part of her schedule. “Following breakfast, Dame Aisha, one of my most skilled knights, will train you in combat.”
Marie’s brows furrowed in confusion. Combat training? She had expected that Ravenna wanted her to become a scholar or perhaps assist with administrative tasks, but wielding a weapon?
Ravenna smirked, clearly catching the confusion in Marie’s expression. “My disciples must be proficient in all aspects, not just one. You will become well-rounded—perfect in every way.”
She continued, “After combat training, you’ll join me for lunch in the dining hall. In the afternoon, you’ll assist me in my office and learn the intricacies of managing a territory. Before dinner, you’ll patrol the town to understand its people and their needs. Then, you’ll rest for the night.”
Marie’s head swam with the sheer scope of the schedule, but she nodded resolutely. This was the life she had longed for—a chance to learn, grow, and prove herself. “Yes, Your Highness! I won’t let you down!”
Ravenna’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Good. For now, take the rest of the evening to explore the castle and the town. You have a lot to do starting tomorrow, so get some rest.”
Marie stood, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Your Highness.” With that, she left the room, her steps lighter than they had been in years.
As the door closed, a panel appeared before Ravenna.
[Reputation Points System]
- Earned 10 Points: Saintess Marie Leon has started admiring you. (Effect of Title: Raven of the Sun Palace)
“Well,” Ravenna mused, a smirk playing on her lips as she studied the panel, “that’s quite the haul of points from one person.”
Satisfied, she turned her attention to her desk, calculating strategies and refining her plans for the future. Finally, she retired to bed, her mind still racing.
Lying under the blanket of her bed, Ravenna reflected on the significance of taking Marie in as her disciple. It wasn’t a mere act of charity—it was a calculated move.
In Light’s Conquest, the Saintess was the face of every major religion, her presence inevitably triggering large-scale wars between nations and faiths. In the original story, Marie had been taken to the Western Continent’s Herptian Church Headquarters, where she was found to be the Saintess of this era after she rose to high priest position. This revelation had sparked a devastating war between the Solious and Herptian faiths, plunging the world into chaos.
Now, with Marie in Jola, the stage was set for a similar conflict once Marie eventually rises to becoming a high priest here in Jola’s Church. Ravenna couldn’t allow that. Rejecting all the slaves outright had been an option in her mind, but it would have disrupted the novel’s key events, including Marie’s eventual alliance with Eugene to defeat the Witch of the West.
“I can’t afford to change the main story too much,” Ravenna murmured to herself, the dry desert heat pressing against her skin. “A predictable path is the safest.”
By taking Marie in, Ravenna thought of guiding events, ensuring the novel’s core storylines remained intact while protecting Jola from unnecessary devastation. When the Witch of the West appears, Ravenna will reveal Marie as the Saintess, orchestrating a meeting with Eugene to set the original story back on course.
For now, this deviation was manageable—a calculated risk with long-term benefits. With a final sigh, Ravenna closed her eyes, her thoughts finally slowing as she drifted into sleep.