It has been a few days after the coronation. I sit at a pew, simply watching the high priest as he holds a sermon. Not much has happened after my introduction to high society, and the inevitable embarrassment I passed.

Almost as soon as the wine touched my dress, I was quickly ushered out the ballroom by a pair of kind servants. Murmurs filled the room, all too low to be overheard by anyone. I glanced back for a moment, peering over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of her. She walked into the crowd with a delicate poise, her back turned to me as her flowing dark curls bounced with each step she took.

I was taken back to the room I was in, and Myrtle undressed me and changed me into another silk nightgown. She paced silently, murmuring to herself something about a replacement dress.

“I do not wish to go back out there,” I spoke, breaking her train of thought.

She grimaced for a moment, before raising her head to meet my eyes.

“Are you sure, my lady? I’m sure the king could easily find you a replacement dress for you to enjoy the evening,” she replied, her lips slightly parted.

“I never asked for a banquet to be held in my honor. I am more than happy to be here.”

I was being honest there. I never wanted to be pushed out into so many people without giving myself a game plan on how I’m going to handle my situation. Plus, I don’t really need to go back out there. The goal of the banquet was to introduce the new saintess to the kingdom, and that indeed happened.

She stared at me, almost as if trying to figure out what I was thinking, before nodding.

“Alright. I’ll let the king know,” she said, turning around and walking towards the door.

She stopped, turning back to face me.

“He was furious, you know. The king. He couldn’t fathom how someone could disrespect my lady tonight,” and with that, she left me alone.

I sighed, flopping onto the bed, planting my face on the pillow and taking in its softness. For a moment, I let myself be completely engulfed into the sensation of pure bliss. I was alone, the faint sound of the orchestra being the only thing keeping me from my silence. It was tranquil, for a moment. And then my mind decided to think.

What was that force that dragged me to the floor? I did not move on my own, and even when I made attempts to stop it did not listen to me. Could it be the force of the story trying to make sure it gets followed?

The door creaked, open with no regard for knocking. It was then shut with brute force.

I lifted my head, turning to face whoever dared to barge in.

It was Arthur, dressed in a deep red suit. It had frilly golden shoulder pads, which had the embroidery of a fancy crest on it. The crest matched the

golden brooch on his suit.

“Father sent me to see how you were after the…” he paused for a moment, looking for the perfect words to phrase the moment.

“Unfortunate incident.”

I rose, now sitting on the bed.

“I’m fine.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Really? Most ladies take it like it's the end of the world if their dress was ruined like that. Especially when it was ruined deliberately.”

I shrugged, uncaring.

“Well, whatever happened, happened. There’s no reason for me to worry about it now.”

Do they use the saying “there’s no point in crying over spilt milk” here? It almost escaped my lips, but I’m not taking my chances.

He chuckled, amused at my stance.

“I suppose so. You’re a breath of fresh air, Catalina,” he said with a smirk.

Then, Myrtle returned. Her eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the prince, quickly courtesying.

“Greetings to the rising Sun of the empire,” Myrtle said, her head lowered in deference.

“Well, your maid is back. I’ll get going. Let her know if you need anything,” he said, leaving the room.

As soon as he left, Myrtle left and turned to me.

“I wish the prince would have a bit more awareness that he came and saw a lady in her nightdress,” she said, shaking her head as she clicked her tongue judgingly.

Right. I was in my nightdress. I don’t think that realization hit me until she pointed it out.

“I hope that doesn’t happen again,” is all I said in reply.

The night itself carried on as normal. I was prepared for bed and rested for another good night’s sleep.

The following morning, however, I was awoken by Myrtle to a different set of news.

“My lady, please wake up. The royal church needs you,” she said, gently shaking me awake.

I jolted up, rubbing my eyes as she prepared me for the day. I bathed in the rose water, while Myrtle washed my hair.

Once we were done, I found a new dress waiting for me. It laid on my bed, sprawled out with a note. Myrtle picked it up and read it aloud to me.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“To our dearest Saintess Catalina, I’m terribly sorry for the events of last evening. Accept this humble dress as a token of apology.”

I looked down at the dress. It was a brown color, reminding me of a teddy bear I had as a child. Its fabric was plush, feeling velvety between my fingers. It had long bell sleeves, which flew down to my sides.

Myrtle helped me in, tightening up the back. She passed me the mirror once more, and I admired my reflection for a moment. I placed the mirror back down, and began walking with Myrtle down the steps and into the hallway I had first arrived in. She led me outside, and a carriage was waiting for me.

I stepped inside, watching as Myrtle stood by idly. I guess she’s not coming with.

I stared through the window as the carriage left and Camelot Castle got smaller and smaller until my eyes couldn’t see it any longer. Then, the carriage turned into a busy street. It led into the bustling city, which was dark and quiet last I saw it. People walked about as though they had somewhere to be, heads held high and gazed forward. Some children pranced about, playing with each other near the fountain. In its center was a dragon, spouting water out its mouth. Of course, nobles moved about too. Their knights carried their sachets filled with whatever goods they had purchased. Even that started to fade from my vision as we turned another street, this time into a more quiet road before once again stopping at the grand cathedral.

I was greeted with the familiar statue of the woman, her hands still in prayer. I walked past her into the church, its insides colorful as the light from the stained glass reflected inside. It was empty, despite it being well into the morning. Only the high priest was there, kneeling in deep prayer.

I stood watching quietly, watching as he murmured words too low for me to hear. He was silent for a moment, before standing up and greeting me.

“Hello, lady Catalina,” he greeted, walking up to me.

“I hope you enjoyed your banquet.”

I guess the news have not reached the church.

“It was an event,” is all I said. Lying is a sin, afterall.

He nodded, deciding not to pry into the details.

“Well, I need you here. The news of your miracle had spread quickly, and everyday more and more gather at my sermons for a chance to be saved by you,” he said, looking over all the pews in the cathedral.

Right. Catalina is a saintess. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to replicate what I did the other day or if I just got lucky.

“I hope you can join us for today’s service,” he said, looking back at me.

What else could I do?

“I’d be delighted to,” I said, giving him a small smile.

And so, now I sit at a pew, listening to his sermon. It is weird, being back at a church. The last time I attended service was when I was 9 for Easter. It was especially weird hearing this world’s version of holy figures.

Apparently, they have a saintess, which is nameless. She was supposed to have saved the emperor from the magic of Tarik long ago, and graced Lumina with magic of their own. Catalina is supposed to be a reincarnation of her, graced with her angelic pink hair.

“And so, I would like to call on our very own Saintess Catalina to read out the next passage. May she bless us with knowledge,” the high priest said, looking directly at me.

I had completely forgotten this scene.

I stood up, and my feet once more walked almost by themselves to the altar in which the high priest stood.

I stood before the crowd at the mass, all expecting eyes looking up at me. I looked down at the book, noticing that I could understand the scripture. It was written in English. For whatever reason, I expected it to be written in some made up fantasy language I couldn’t understand, but plain english greeted me back. It was old English, of course. The type you read in classical novels. But, English nonetheless.

However, I had to remember I was Catalina Santos. Catalina was locked in a basement her whole life, and had received no proper education.

“I cannot read,” I whispered, looking up at the high priest desperately.

His face darkened, almost looking bewildered.

“What?” He whispered back, raising an eyebrow.

“I cannot read. I was never taught to,” I repeated, shifting my eyes nervously.

He sighed, before turning his attention to the crowd.

“I will instead let the lady bless us with words of wisdom.”

Great. Putting me on the spot like that?

Before I had a chance to think, my mouth opened and began to speak.

“To the people of Lumina, do not lose hope. I am here, to bless you all with longer days and to ease your worries. Let your faith in me guide your life. Put your trust in my hands, and let me protect you from all wrong,” I spoke, my voice echoing through the church.

I did not plan any of that.

It seemed that the people were touched by my words, as some even started to weep softly. The weeping was then drowned out by clapping. They were clapping..for me.

After that, the sermon blended into my conscious. Thankfully, I was not called up again by the high priest, though once it was over I had to stay back.

Like he had promised, many stayed back and asked me to bless them. There was line now, leading all the way outside and wrapping around the cathedral.

It would be really disappointing if I couldn’t do it now.

A man stood before me, pale and sickly. He leaned towards me, his legs unstable as though they might give out from under him.

“Bless me, holy saintess,” he pleaded, his voice hoarse.

So, I did what I did last time. I clasped my hands together, and prayed.

Please mighty holy being out there, bless this man and rid him of all ailments.

There was quiet for a moment. The suspenseful silence which may determine if I’m deemed a fraud or not.

The man stood tall, head held high.

“Thank you, holy saintess. I feel as though I’m a completely new person,” he exclaimed, hugging me suddenly.

I wrapped my hands around him awkwardly, accepting his hug.

This confirmed that I did have power. And I was understanding how to wield it.

And so, I carried on. I prayed for every person in that line, and all of my prayers were answered. Each and everyone of them entered the room sickly and left as though they were born yesterday. I fixed problems people didn’t even know they had.

When it was all over I stood there silently, the colorful rainbow of colors waning as the sun set.

“You are truly nothing like what the kingdom has seen before. Do you know how many lives you saved today?” The high priest wondered out loud, his eyes turning to me. His blonde hair reflected the colors of the glass, having bits of yellow and blue reflected onto it.

I simply nodded, not really knowing what to say in response.

“If only you could read the holy scripture,” he sighed, his eyes narrowed. It was quiet for a moment, before he quickly replied to his own query.

‘I’ll just have to send you to the castle for lessons. They have the best tutors there. You will learn in no time.”

And from that day on, my royal lessons began.