The Saintess and the Villainess

Chapter 59

"I know I was pushing you towards the Duke before, and I'm sincerely sorry for that," continued Eva. "I was blinded by the fact that Grand Duke Marshal would be a useful ally, and I didn't consider the fact that you might not like him. But honestly, if anything, Prince Sebastian could potentially be an even better ally, if given the proper guidance. With the Crown Prince on our side we wouldn't even have to overthrow the monarchy as a whole, just the Emperor himself. And then Sebastian could peacefully turn the government over to a new, more equitable system. So if you do like him, you have my full support!"

Anne was so stunned by this whole line of inquiry she was finding it hard to respond. She was leaning forward in her seat, her elbows on her legs, and staring at Eva with an open mouth.

"I discounted him as a candidate at first because everyone says he's a shallow hedonist, and you deserve better than that," said Eva. "But I can see now that he's actually very kind and handsome, so I can understand why you would be drawn to him."

"Wait, wait, wait a second," said Anne, waving her hands wildly. "I don't—I'm not—Why would you even think I'm in love with him?"

Eva tilted her head quizzically. "Well, you've been spending a lot of time with him lately. And you went out of your way to warn him about the kidnapping plot, even though that meant betraying your new friend Corvina, who you seem to care about so much."

"I didn't betray Corvina," said Anne. "I just didn't feel good about not telling Sebastian. And I do like Sebastian as, like, a friend, although he can be kind of annoying sometimes, but I don't love him."

"Why not?" asked Eva. Eva's tone wasn't indignant or accusatory, just... curious.

"He's just... not my type," said Anne. "And for that matter I'm not his type either."

"I don't understand," said Eva.

"Um... it's like... neither of us are interested in the type of person the other person is, if you know what I mean."

"I don't know what you mean," said Eva. "But okay, who is your type, then? If not Prince Sebastian, surely you can find someone else?"

"I just... I don't know why you're being so insistent about this," said Anne.

"Marriage is an important part of a complete, happy life, that's all," said Eva. "And I want you to be happy!"

"Well, if marriage is so important, do you intend to get married, then?" asked Anne.

Eva looked a bit taken aback by that. "No, I've dedicated my life to serving the Goddess, so I have no thoughts of getting married."

"Okay, well, there you go!" said Anne. "I'm the Saintess, doesn't that mean I should be even more dedicated to the Goddess than an ordinary cleric?"

"No, there's a long precedent of Saintesses getting married," said Eva. "Most of the Saintesses were married."

"Okay, well, I don't want to get married," said Anne. "So drop it."

"I just don't think you should dismiss the possibility so quickly," said Eva. "A prince would be a good match for you, and if you like each other well enough it could always blossom into love later on. A lot of arranged marriages end up like that."

"It's not going to blossom into anything," said Anne. "We're fundamentally incompatible on that level."

"Why?" asked Eva. "I'm just trying to understand."

"I don't... I just..."

I'm gay, thought Anne.

But there were certain things Anne had a hard time saying.