Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Choosing the Saintess

Carmela accompanied by her servants went back to the palace. She met her elder sister, Thearah, on the way.

Thearah’s original fiancé, Tevron, had died in a battle against another kingdom. Waynevir, Tevron’s twin brother, who was betrothed to Carmela, became Thearah’s next target.

Enemies on a narrow road.

Carmela’s engagement had been canceled, and she was now known as the kingdom’s abandoned woman.

The cancellation of their engagement was the perfect opportunity for her to leave Ziomera and the Morningstar royal family behind, something she had been waiting for all her life.

She left and returned.

Why is she here? I smell trouble. I need to avoid her.

Thearah, however, was not about to let Carmela walk away so easily.

“Have you been well lately, sister?” Thearah asked with a smile that did not reach her eyes, but her voice was laced with coldness.

It was no secret that she despised Carmela.

The envy had festered for years, and now that Carmela had lost her status as a future duke heir’s-consort, Thearah relished in her misfortune.

Carmela did not want to waste time with petty exchanges.

Without responding, she simply walked forward, trying to bypass Thearah as if she were nothing more than an insignificant obstacle in her way.

Thearah’s face twisted in anger at the blatant disregard.

“Stop right there!” She grabbed Carmela’s arm roughly, nails digging into her delicate skin.

Carmela merely turned her head slightly, her expression indifferent. That only enraged Thearah further. With a furious snarl, she raised her hand and aimed a slap at Carmela’s face.

But the moment her palm was about to touch Carmela’s cheek, a powerful force rebounded the attack, sending Thearah staggering backward. She barely caught herself from falling.

Carmela remained unfazed. Her hands never moved, and yet, the attack had been effortlessly deflected.

Thearah’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You… What did you just do?”

Carmela tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “I didn’t do anything, sister. I suppose you should control your temper better. Violence doesn’t suit a princess of Ziomera.”

Her journey outside Planet Ziomera had given her the chance to enhance her powers. No longer was she the sheltered, naive princess her family had once controlled.

Thearah clenched her fists. “You think you’re better than me just because your engagement was annulled? Don’t fool yourself. You’re nothing now!”

Carmela chuckled, a sound that sent chills down Thearah’s spine. “You’re mistaken, Thearah. I’m free.”

She turned her back on her sister and continued walking toward the palace, leaving Thearah standing there, fuming.

Once inside, Carmela went straight to the grand hall, where the selection for the next saintess was about to commence.

As a judge, she was expected to oversee the trials, but this time, she was far more interested in ensuring her own departure from the planet.

The ceremony hall was filled with noble ladies, daughters of high-ranking officials, and even commoners who had been chosen for their exceptional healing talents.

Standing in the center was High Priest Eldros, the overseer of the saintess selection.

His golden robes shimmered under the grand chandeliers as he raised his hands to silence the murmuring crowd.

“The time has come for the next saintess of Ziomera to be chosen,” Eldros announced, his voice echoing in the grand chamber.

“Each of you will undergo three trials, and only the most worthy shall receive the blessing of Saintess Lessandra.”

Carmela sat in her judge’s seat, her gaze sweeping over the hopeful candidates. The one who caught her attention was Lady Ivendra, the daughter of Duke Halvrest.

Ivendra was favored to win. She was highly skilled in healing magic and had been personally mentored by the high priest himself.

However, Carmela knew something that others did not, Ivendra’s magic came from an illegal elixir, a forbidden substance that could temporarily enhance healing abilities.

Carmela leaned forward, observing as the first trial commenced.

The candidates were asked to purify tainted water using only their natural energy. It was a test of purity and strength of heart.

One by one, the ladies stepped forward. Some succeeded effortlessly, while others struggled.

Ivendra was among the last to take the test. She placed her hands over the water basin, closed her eyes, and concentrated.

The water cleared instantly, turning crystal blue. A collective gasp filled the room.

Eldros smiled approvingly. “Impressive, Lady Ivendra. You are indeed gifted by the divine.”

Carmela, however, remained unmoved. She could sense the forbidden elixir at work.

After the trial, Carmela approached Eldros in private. “High Priest, I need to speak with you about Lady Ivendra.”

Eldros raised a brow. “What is it, Princess Carmela?”

Carmela’s expression hardened. “She’s using an illegal elixir to enhance her magic. She’s unworthy of becoming saintess.”

The priest’s expression darkened. “That is a serious accusation. Do you have proof?”

Carmela smirked. “I do. Let me handle it.”

The second trial required the candidates to heal an injured beast.

Carmela had arranged for a nullification array to be placed on the competition grounds. If Ivendra relied on her elixir, the array would suppress its effects.

As expected, when it was Ivendra’s turn, she placed her hands on the wounded creature, but nothing happened.

Murmurs spread among the audience. Ivendra’s face paled as she tried again, but her abilities failed her.

Carmela stood. “High Priest Eldros, it seems Lady Ivendra’s talents are not as divine as we once believed.”

The priest’s expression grew grim. He turned to the guards. “Escort Lady Ivendra out. Her participation is revoked.”

Ivendra protested, but it was futile. She was dragged out of the hall in disgrace.

With Ivendra disqualified, the remaining candidates faced their final test, a blessing ceremony before Saintess Lessandra’s shrine.

At the end of the trials, a humble commoner girl named Lysenne was chosen as the next saintess.

Carmela watched as the girl was crowned, feeling satisfaction that justice had prevailed.

As the ceremony concluded, Ahcehera approached Carmela. “You handled that well,” she remarked.

Carmela sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. “I did what had to be done.”

Ahcehera studied her for a moment before saying, “Then it’s time for you to uphold your end of the deal. We’re leaving Ziomera as soon as possible.”

Carmela nodded. Her heart pounded in her chest. She was finally free. She would finally see Abrixien again.

As the sun set over Ziomera, Carmela took one last look at the palace she had grown up in, knowing she would never return. The life she had once known was over.

A new journey awaited her.