The next morning, Garima learned humiliation. The stairs from the archive hall to the courtyard were extremely dangerous—especially when you were wearing a long robe and carrying five thick books. And thinking about eating something sweet to relieve stress.
"Wait–no—no!"
She tripped. Luckily it was the last step and she could barely manage to steady herself, but the books unfortunately didn't have that luck.
One bounced away. Another hit a pillar. And the third landed at the feet of a very startled priest.
Garima quickly tightened her grip on the other two and prevented them from falling.
"Goodmorning, Priest Zihan." she said.
The young priest named Zihan stared at the scattered pile of the history and polity texts—like a confused fairytale prince. That face could easily land him a role in an otome comic. But alas, he was not.
"Your Holiness," he said.
"Yes," she answered, still thinking of an excuse to remedy the situation.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
Garima exhaled slowly, there was no point in lying. But she could just redirect it.
"Priest Zihan," Garima replied haughtily. "Please help me pick them up"
He bent immediately. A little too fast. Too respectful. Maybe because she remembered his name.
"You will read all of these?" he asked, picking up the one at hit feet and the other that bounced off.
"Yes, I plan to do that," Garima replied, holding the book which hit the pillar.
He nodded. "Please take care of your health, Your Holiness"
"Ah, Don't worry about that" she waved lightly. "Just send something sweet with tea to the courtyard"
"Okay, Your Holiness" he said, placing the books onto the stacked pile in her arms.
This time Garima hugged them to her chest with dramatic caution.
Then started walking towards the courtyard.
This was her second time here. And for a brief moment– her mind drifted to the young boy.
The ten–or twelve year old boy had stood awkwardly in the courtyard—neither sitting, nor standing straight. He was agitated. And fidgeting.
His eyes were red. But he was hopeful. But confused too, unsure why the Saintess had called for him after saying nothing about his mother.
Garima looked at his expression. His beauty and situation could easily make him qualify for the role of a main character with tribulations and tragic stories during his childhood. But, alas with too many good-looking people. He looked common here.
"What happened to your mother?" Garima asked.
"Thirst…all the time," he whispered. "She drinks water, again and again…but still feels thirsty. She doesn't eat…but gets tired. She can't go to work in the fields. And now…even the small wounds on her hands are not healing…even after I spent money on a mage."
Garima exhaled. She knew about those symptoms. From another world. Her friend was a medical student. And they had once prepared for medical school together. Later Garima backed out. She wanted to study English. Still sometimes she helped her friend Maria with flashcards and mock tests on her subjects, which was all about diseases and their diagnosis. And she remembered them. As the saying went "Acquired knowledge never leaves"
She recognized it immediately as 'Diabetes Mellitus.'
She didn't mention much about diseases in her story. Only about plagues. But this was the real world now. People were bound to be sick.
And she didn't write about doctors. Only healers–?ages who specialized in restoring the body, wounds and diseases by channeling their magic energy into the body and healing them.
It was an easy method to let the magic take its course, and as a result they were unable to diagnose simple diseases like diabetes and thyroid. Well she was to blame for that.
And it was costly too.
So she settled on something simple–remission.
"Reduce sweet food," she said slowly. "Feed her less bread, more vegetables. Boil bitter herbs and give them to her as tea. And don't let her stay hungry for too long, and help her reduce her weight"
The boy looked at her confused. "Will this work?"
"Yes, of course. Bring her to the shrine when she recovers a little, I will give more instructions" she added softly.
"Thankyou, Your Holiness" He bowed.
"Thank me after she starts walking again…say kid what's your name?"
"Conrad"
"Conrad, don't worry. I will do everything I can"
Because she couldn't heal. But she could try to keep her alive.
The present returned.
Garima pushed open the doors of the courtyard with her elbow.
This place helped her rein in her thoughts and relax her chaotic state of mind.
Clear sky and flower beds. With stone tables and chairs to sit.
It reminded her of 'artificial meadow' back home.
She sighed. There was no point in dwelling on it any further. She just has to finish her work here and return home.
And for that she had to be a better Saintess.
It has been four days since Garima arrived at the shrine with absolutely no idea how to function as a proper Saintess.
But now—
She had slightly more knowledge. A few schemes. It was progress.
She walked absent minded towards the stone bench and tripped. The books tilted a little. Almost falling. But she didn't. She caught them at the last second.
Two chiseled priests sat conversing on another bench. Garima didn't drool. Maybe she was finally building resistance to good looks.
"Your Holiness" they greeted.
"Goodmorning, Priest Filly, Priest Robby"
The priests looked moved.
And it was a deliberate move. The first thing Garima did during her laziness was ask Ava for their names and descriptions.
People feel seen when they are addressed properly.
She sat on the bench. And piled The books on the stone table.
The priests looked at each other. Then one whispered— "I heard she plans to finish the entire archive in six months"
Garima pointed at him.
"You can say that loudly" she said "it's true, I plan to do that"
"My apologies,Your Holiness" the priest straightened immediately.
But his companion looked at her
"Your Holiness, forgive me for saying but I don't think it's possible"
Garima just smiled at him.
Then—- "I agree on that too"
Garima looked at him.
An old man stood a few steps away. Tall and well-groomed. Grey hair and green eyes. He looks composed with a scholarly air. And annoyingly handsome.
Garima raised her eyebrow as if asking who he was?.
Priest Filly and Priest Robby greeted him and scrambled off as soon as they saw him.
"Tsk…I am not a demon" the man muttered then she looked at Garima and smiled.
" You requested a tutor, Your Holiness"
"Oh, it's You," Garima said, immediately getting up to greet him. " I am glad you came"
"I am Lawrance, a scholar, an elder of the Scholars' association and Principal of the Kingdom's Academy"
"Garima Arora," she said, offering her hand.
Lawrance hesitated a little and then he shook her hands.
"You do not introduce yourself as the Saintess?"
"I trip over everything too often to sound that impressive." She said casually.
"But if you prefer— Saintess Garima, at your service" she said with a small bow.
He blinked. Then chucked.
"You are unusual, Your Holiness"
"Good," she said, gesturing to him to sit down. "Then explain these books to me before I start something that could lead to political crisis"
Lawrance said "You look like you actually want to"
Garima panicked "no, I meant accidentally"
And for the next hour—
Garima read about the 'History of Kingdom of Verdan'
In between she started asking questions. Basic questions. But dangerous ones.
"What makes people rebel here?"
"Where would you attack if you wanted this kingdom to fall quickly?"
"What happens when a major food route collapses"
"Is the border defended out of habit, or necessity?"
"Who controls the food supply?"
"Which noble is the actual guard dog of the king?"
Garima's questions astonished him. Erva had told him about innocent appearance and complex sharpness. Lawrence had his doubts. But after meeting her his impression changed. She was sharp.Greedy. And looked clumsy and innocent. That combination was terrifying.
"But Your Holiness, if I teach you properly, it will take at least a year"
"I don't have time for that," Garima said, closing the book. "So scholar Lawrence, let's do some smart work"
Suddenly she remembered her speech yesterday.
A noble had pushed through the crowd and knelt in front of her.
"Thankyou, Your Holiness" he said "For not lying to us"
But I am lying to you. Garima thought. Something in her cracked.
Then she saw other people kneeling. One after the other. She felt guilty. And that's when she decided to be a proper Saintess. Helping them and teaching them useful modern practices. The changes and knowledge which were necessary. That's why she wanted to learn about them first.
"Everything" Garima said firmly as her thoughts returned to the present. " If I am going to be a Saintess, I need to understand people properly"
Scholar Lawrence studied her
"Then how shall we proceed, You Holiness?" He asked.
"How many years have you been a scholar and principal of the Academy"
"Almost 45 years as a scholar, and 15 years as Academy Teacher and 10 years as a Principal" He said a bit proud.
"Then you know almost everything?" She asked.
"It's possible, Your Holiness" he replied
"Then Sir Lawrence, give me notes— the important dates and turning points in history. Focus on the power shifts and current political situation. Along with trade routes and borders. And general knowledge about plants, animals, food. Different inventions. Science and Medicine."
"I am shocked, Your Holiness" Lawrence gasped. "Is it possible?"
"That's efficient, Lawrence"
"Then we can continue tomorrow, I will prepare the notes as you instructed" he said, a little excited. It was the first time he had come across a student who had actually impressed him.
"And bring maps tomorrow" Garima added Instantly. "I love maps"
Lawrence nodded. He was so giddy that he could agree anytime now.
"Your Holiness, can I use this method in the Academy" he asked.
"Sure, you can," Garima smiled.
Deep down she knew what she did.
She had created a foundation—quiet, deliberate and dangerous