Gratitude

"Have you calmed down, Alia?" Serenia asked as she took a sip out of her teacup, which was filled to the brim with chamomile tea- known to have calming and relaxing properties to them.

"Y-Yes. I'm sorry to intrude.. Is this really alright? I won't get in trouble?" Alia looked left and right anxiously.

She was still in full disbelief over her situation. The Saintess' appearance and her heroic deed.

"Now then, could you tell me the full story, so I can take proper actions from here on out?" Serenia gently placed her drink down and crossed her arms, gesturing for Alia to take the lead.

Alia took one last deep breath before choosing to spill the beans from point zero. She was sick of everything, and this gamble was something she was more than willing to take. Siding with the Saintess, who had countless bad rumors floating about on her character.

"My full name.. is Alia Thorne." Alia introduced herself.

Serenia's lips pursed.

'I guess this is what they meant by 'connections'.'

"The Thorne Barony is nothing but an empty land. It might be sizeable, but not much resources is planted in it. It's not exactly prosperous. Far from it. I was born as the second out of five children. As a family, we like to live a rather simplistic life, eluding from the typical noble lifestyle."

"As a result, we are closer to being a commoner rather than a noble. Our title is nothing but a pretty ornament signed to us. It doesn't weigh anything."

"Tragedy.. struck when my younger brother was afflicted with a serious ailment. It's not an immediate life sentence, but if it's not treated regularly, he will die. The issue is, the price of that medicine is extremely high because it requires high magical abilities to process it. And.. as I've told you, my family does not have that kind of money." Alia gripped her fists tight.

"That's when I heard of the Holy Palace. I heard that.. A lot of people with high magical abilities reside here. I was told that the Holy Palace offers free medical treatments for their people, so I came all the way here to train as a servant, and passed the exams.. And yet, what awaited me was.. nothing but the opposite of what I expected."

"I was harassed, and the people over at the medical center also told me that my brother's sickness is out of their reach. So I came here for nothing, essentially."

"Were you disappointed?" Serenia subtly raised her brows.

It was naive to think that the Holy Palace would hand out expensive treatment resources like candy. But, to a normal family that lived far away from the truth, and was only brainwashed with songs of praises to the Holy Palace.. It was easy to fall into the trap and think that this place was trustworthy.

"Well.. I kept telling myself that on the bright side, even if I didn't get the help I needed, I would still get paid a hefty sum, and that would help with my family's finances. My siblings have started to look for work as well, we're trying to manage as best as we can." Alia smiled weakly, thinking of the state she ended up in.

"But it wasn't worth it at all in the end. I've come to realize that."

"Hm.. It seems to me that you did nothing wrong, but was just gullible. Alright, I don't know about your credibility yet, so I'll hold on to those words and check a few things on my side as well before I take action." Serenia nodded.

'Of course, the only reason I'm helping her won't be because of sympathy.'

Serenia was looking for trustworthy allies. Even if she grew stronger, if she was a one man army, it could be a future liability. She needed people on her side. And it had to start with the closest ones around her.

It was clear that the personal maid that serves her on a daily basis was not too fond of her. The maids in general viewed her as a dumb master they could take advantage of.

Her plan was to somehow implant her image of a virtuous and reliable lady in Alia's mind, and use that as a starting point. She would slowly, but surely erase her tarnished image.

"That.. Until then, what should I do?" Alia asked, twiddling with her fingers.

If she were to return to her daily maid duties as always.. things won't be pretty.

"I've assigned a separate room for you for the time being. Remember, lay low and don't make rash moves. Just be patient and everything will be alright." Serenia replied in a resolute tone as she took out a room key and placed it on the table, pushing it over to Alia.

Alia heaved a sigh of relief. The Saintess was truly a kind and meticulous person.

"My maid will lead you to your room. I'd like to apologize in advance, because she might not be as friendly as you'd like. I plan to replace her in the near future. You'll need to bear with a slightly rough treatment, but nothing extreme should happen. I've openly expressed that I'm taking care of you, after all." Serenia said.

"Understood, Saintess!" Alia nodded. Compared to the things she went through, it should be child's play. "Once again, thank you for your help. I'm indebted to you. I'll be in your care!"

"Save those words until I properly deal with these issues. You may go now, I have something to do." Serenia chuckled, looking at Alia's attitude which resembled a timid hamster trying to do her best.

Alia bowed deeply and left the room with the key after excusing herself.

Clack!

The door closed shut.

Serenia covered her eyes with her hand and laid her head back. Not a single trace of her previously straight and elegant posture was intact. It all faded away the moment Alia left the room.

'I should be safe from any danger..'

Alia's case is severe. If Serenia saved her, no one would be suspicious, they'd just think that the arrogant Saintess made a sudden willful move once again.

After confirming that, her mind was now back on the feature she received after reincarnating. The Saintess System!

Serenia thought about it. If praying was limited to only once per day, there must be another way of gaining faith points. A far more effective and efficient way. Or else, she would be stuck earning one point per day.

To fill the blue bar floating before her, she would have to spend a hundred days. Three months. And after she progressed to the next level, it seems like the bar would get higher and higher. She couldn't have that.

'Logically.. What would correlate to increasing faith points?' Serenia thought.

Ding!

Just then, a notification bell rung.