Chapter 22: The domineering saintess saved me.

Pain wrenched Philly awake. She cracked sore eyelids to a bright ceiling.

Subtle gardenia scent. Turning, warm sun pierced glass windows. She raised a hand to shield.

Soon noticed: chest heavily bandaged. Otherwise bare.

“You’re awake?”

Bedside: expressionless… maid?

Doubt on title—her aura unlike any maid. More icy noble lady.

“Where?”

“Infirmary.”

“You saved me?”

“No. My miss did.”

“Your miss?”

“Oracle Hall saintess.”

Oh.

Beat passed. Philly startled inwardly.

Oracle saintess?

Huge figure. Even Greiro elders bowed lower.

To show respect, she tried sitting. Movement—sharp chest pain. Hiss.

“Stay down. Wound not ready for movement.”

Cool voice from door. Philly turned.

Black-dressed figure. Alluring, dangerous.

The saintess?

Same silhouette from before blackout.

So beautiful…

Thought flashed. Philly thanked hastily.

“Thank you for saving me.”

“No need. Disclaimer: zero interest in Greiro infighting. Stay here ten-plus days till healed.”

Philly touched dry lips, puzzled.

“Ten days? No need. Two-three max. Task time-limited…”

Chest wound fatal—how revived? Now mere pierce.

With her magic—two-three days.

But Isabelle approached. Sweet smile.

“No. Early activity risks complications. I say ten-plus days—rest peacefully here.”

“But—”

“Shh.”

Philly opened mouth. Isabelle bent, finger to lips. Black strands brushed Philly’s delicate collarbone. Cheeks flushed fast.

Saintess’s clean scent—dreamy. Voice:

“I know—task. But whoever ordered, you stay ten-plus days. My order.”

“Leave—if trouble, say I did it. They persist—tell me. I’ll handle.”

“Remember.”

Isabelle rose, left. At door, to Renia:

“Arrange care for her needs.”

“Yes.”

On bed, Philly touched lips. Lingering warmth from saintess’s finger.

Cool—yet oddly heartwarming.

…Soft detention by saintess?

Greiro confined her often.

She hated it—lost control, felt useless.

Now… couldn’t hate. Nor the detaining saintess.

“My miss says ten-plus days—stay put. Don’t overthink.”

Renia spoke. Surprisingly—slight emotion. Stressed last words.

Illusion? Renia’s gaze to her lips—faint envy, hostility.

…

For Philly—potential Vanessa replacer—Isabelle devised in minutes: detain.

Crude but effective. Confine till dungeon loan’s last day. Even if replaced—training done, no disruption.

To prevent Greiro sending another: sent letter. Philly “guest” at Oracle—enjoying stay.

Plan—flawless.

But Philly solved—Nora’s issue surged.

Honorary duke locked capital fast. Hosting elite noble soirée tonight.

Disaster.

No show—Nora might rule out noble. Zero to Oracle.

Fifteen days left on dungeon!

Must act at soirée.

…

Capital, William Manor outskirts.

Streets jammed with luxury carriages. Nobles in finery, escorted by servants, entered lavish grounds.

Hall: crystal chandeliers golden glow.

Swirling wine, middle-aged noble approached Nora. Smiled.

“Nora, last saw you—sword novice. Blink—legendary master. Your father proud.”

“Uncle William, heard your son entered that magic academy. Dean’s pupil. Return—world-renowned archmage.”

“Far from you.”

William—major Aust noble. Family ties. His aid enabled this soirée.

But Nora distracted in chat.

Soirée—for her beloved girl.

Yet…

Crowd vast. Hall packed. One glance—miss anyone?

“Miss, searched everywhere—no sign.”

Jenny whispered, brows knit. Nora hmm’d. Heart sank.

Not noble?

Or absent. Some nobles out-capital—normal.

Soirée not to rule out noble—just narrow. No show—check Oracle.

Oracle empty—backtrack absent nobles.

Then—pure white back in view.

Heartbeat, breath—skipped again.