Chapter 2

Indeed, I had my doubts about being the Holy Maiden.

However, the fact that I am the Holy Maiden is undeniable, and I can still feel the power of the Holy Maiden within me.

That's why I couldn't understand.

The scene before my eyes and the words that came from her mouth...

I asked her again.

"Who... are you?"

The woman standing before me, who looked very much like me, smiled gently.

"I am Ilia Norman, the Holy Maiden of this country."

"That's not true. I am Ilia! You are..."

She looked exactly like me.

Her hair color, length, height, and build were almost identical to mine.

The only difference was her eye color.

My eyes were a clear blue.

Her eyes were emerald green.

Noticing this one difference, I understood who she was.

"Mary...?"

"No, I am Ilia. Mary... aren't you?"

"What are you talking about?"

There was no mistake.

Her voice and presence were unmistakably hers.

We originally looked very similar, even though we were not related.

Except for our hairstyles and eye colors, we were almost identical.

It had to be her.

No one else could look so much like me.

Most of all, she was the only one who would do something like this.

"What do you mean? Why would Mary pretend to be me?"

"You're the one pretending, aren't you? Are you trying to steal the position of the Holy Maiden? You're a scary person."

"No, that's you—"

"Will you stop it?"

Lord Reizen appeared in the cathedral.

He looked angry.

I knew from the start that he wouldn't come to my aid.

His appearance at this moment meant...

"I'm disappointed in you, Mary."

"..."

Of course, he was in on it too.

Lord Reizen stood next to the Mary who had become me and glared at the real me.

"I never thought you would do something so ridiculous... trying to become the Holy Maiden is a blasphemy against God."

I wanted to throw those words back at them.

What would God think of this?

What about the people?

What are they thinking?

"Lord Reizen! I am Ilia! She is Mary!"

"Don't be ridiculous! There's no way I would mistake my fiancée!"

Lord Reizen raised his voice.

I was inwardly exasperated.

Didn't you refuse to acknowledge me as your fiancée?

Lord Reizen gently placed his hand on the shoulder of the fake Holy Maiden, Mary, and pulled her into his chest.

"She is Ilia Norman, my fiancée and the Holy Maiden of this country."

"Yes, Lord Reizen."

"..."

It's no use.

No matter what I say to these two, it won't lead to a discussion.

Should I consult the Duke of Norman... or the King?

However, if these two are in on it, the King and the Duke of Norman are likely involved as well.

They never acknowledged that I was chosen as the Holy Maiden.

"Then, can you show me some proof?"

"Proof?"

"Yes. If you are truly the Holy Maiden, you should be able to produce a miracle of light through prayer."

I directed my gaze at Mary and said this.

No matter how much she resembles me, the power of the Holy Maiden is unique.

She can't imitate that.

"Hehe, of course. Watch this. This is my... the Holy Maiden's power."

"―!"

She clasped her hands and began to pray.

A faint light enveloped her.

Lord Reizen watched with a mesmerized expression.

"Oh, what beautiful light."

"This is..."

It's not the power of the Holy Maiden.

I can confidently say that it's completely different from the power of the Holy Maiden within me.

She was wearing a bracelet on her wrist that I had never seen before.

It's probably a magical artifact.

She must be using magic to mimic the light of the Holy Maiden.

"Lord Reizen! This is not the power of the Holy Maiden!"

"Are you denying the light of the Holy Maiden, the light of God? What a blasphemy!"

"No! She's the one lying! That bracelet—"

"Enough! Your lies are giving me a headache!"

"..."

His angry voice echoed through the cathedral.

He glared at me with a sharp, murderous look.

It was terrifying.

I was so afraid that if I pressed the issue, he might hurt me.

I shrank back and couldn't say anything.

"The crime of impersonating the Holy Maiden is severe! In the name of Reizen Sparklon, I decree that Mary Norman be permanently exiled from the Spark Kingdom!"

"―! What...?"

Exile...?

I'm being expelled?

From this country...?

My mind went blank when I was suddenly told this.

I heard a laugh.

As expected, it was her.

Even without words, I could hear her thoughts.

—Serves you right.

"Leave now. You don't belong here."

"Lord Reizen... I—"

"Do you still think you're the real one? I'm reaching my limit."

"..."

Ah, it's really no use.

If this continues, I'll lose my place in this country completely.

The position of the Holy Maiden will be taken by a fake...

I have to do something.

I need to prove that I am the real Holy Maiden and expose their lies to the world.

What can I do?

I have no allies.

No one will believe or help me, but I am the real Holy Maiden...

I can't let a fake take this position—

"Oh, it's fine."

Suddenly, the words that slipped out were the truth I had reached in my dire situation.

Ignoring the confused looks of the two, I realized something.

That's right... that's it!

I've always wanted to quit being the Holy Maiden.

I wanted to be free and live my life in this world.

That was my own wish, my own prayer.

It's coming true.

She will take my place as the Holy Maiden.

So I don't have to work hard as the Holy Maiden anymore.

I can be free.

"I understand. I'll leave immediately. Thank you for everything."

Thinking this, I felt a sense of relief, and even gratitude towards those who were exiling me.

I bowed to the two who had given me the opportunity to quit being the Holy Maiden.

"Mary...? What's gotten into you? Have you gone mad?"

"Maybe I have."

"What...?"

I felt refreshed.

Even if they insult me, I don't have to care.

I'm no longer the Holy Maiden.

The fake will take over that role.

"Mary... I mean, Ilia, right?"

"Yes, that's right. I am Ilia."

"Good luck. Being the Holy Maiden is tough, but it's rewarding."

"I know that without you saying it. The fake is you."

"Alright, that's fine."

Whether I was the real one or the fake no longer mattered.

I was being set free.

I no longer had to pray out of duty or obligation.

It was a harsh situation, but I felt lighter.

"Thank you for everything. I'll be on my way."

"Ah, yes."

"Goodbye, Mary."

"Yes, really, good luck, Ilia."

I said my farewell to her, who would face a difficult future, with a mix of sympathy and a bit of malice, and left the cathedral without looking back.

It was a beautiful sunny day.

The early morning sun shone on me.

"Well, where should I go?"

With my newfound freedom, I started walking.

Thus, I began my life not as the Holy Maiden, but as myself.

My steps were light.