The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

"With this, you are now officially qualified to pursue employment," the priest said warmly, handing a parchment certificate to the gray-haired woman standing before him. The document bore the official seal of the Church of Herptian, neatly stamped beneath his signature.

"Thank you for teaching me, Your Holiness," the woman replied with a gentle smile, bowing slightly in gratitude. Her eyes shimmered with quiet pride as she clutched the certificate to her chest and stepped aside.

The next person in the long line waiting inside the cathedral took a step forward, but the woman hardly noticed. Her thoughts were swimming as she moved toward the grand arched doorway of the church, sunlight spilling through the stained glass above.

Outside, the cobblestone plaza was alive with the sounds of midday—the chatter of walkerbys, the scent of roasted meat from food carts, and the distant clang of smithy hammers. A handsome man waited near the church gates, leaning casually against a post, his expression brightening the moment he saw her.

"Katrina!" he called, waving.

She broke into a grin and hurried over to him, embracing him tightly before planting a kiss on his lips.

"You did it," he said, stepping back to look her in the eyes. "You can read and write now."

Katrina beamed as she held up the certificate. "Finally," she said, her voice filled with relief. "I can apply for jobs."

John, nodded proudly. "You earned this. I knew you could do it."

As they began strolling down the wide road that led to the city's central square, Katrina glanced down at the parchment again. Her smile faded slightly, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.

"It's just… a little sad," she said softly. "I wished I could have just worked as a maid in Her Highness's castle. Even sweeping the hallways there would've meant something to me."

John gave a small sigh, understanding. "Her Highness doesn't take chances when it comes to information control. Everyone working in the castle—maids, guards, even cooks, has to be someone she's personally chosen or raised under her own eye."

"I know," Katrina said, tucking the certificate away into her coat. "It makes sense, with everything that's going on. But still…"

John offered her his arm, and she took it as they passed a vendor selling painted ceramic charms. "You've taken the first step," he said. "You don't need the castle to shine, Katrina. Let's find a place where you'll be appreciated in the city."

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They walked together hand-in-hand, leaving the lively marketplace behind as they made their way deeper into the heart of Kim City. The narrow streets gradually gave way to broader avenues lined with intricately carved lampposts and colorful banners fluttering gently in the breeze. As they rounded a corner, a massive dome-like structure came into view—an exam auditorium unlike any other.

The building was made of cemented pale stone that gleamed in the afternoon sun, its curved surface decorated with elaborate carvings of vines, stars, and celestial beings. At the pinnacle of the dome stood a towering sculpture of the goddess Herptian herself, wrought in stunning detail. The statue captured the divine figure mid-motion, as though her silken robe were slipping from her shoulders, revealing the soft curves of her seductive body—bare breasts, slender thighs, and the smooth arch of her hips. Her expression was serene, almost knowing, and one arm pointed skyward as if invoking the heavens to bear witness.

John tilted his head toward the grand building and said with a knowing smile, "You really want to take the employment exam right away, huh?"

Katrina nodded, her gaze lingering on the sculpture for a moment before turning her attention back to the entrance. Inside, a short line of hopeful candidates waited their turn at the reception desk. The interior was vast, the ceiling so high it seemed to disappear into shadows. Soft light filtered in through stained-glass windows depicting scenes from Herptian scripture.

At the desk, Katrina was asked to fill in a form with her personal details and, most importantly, to list five employment sectors in order of preference, areas where she hoped to work. The receptionist, a young man in a uniform, handed her a pen and parchment.

"The questions in your exam will be tailored based on these selections," he explained politely. "Once the results are processed, they'll be delivered to your registered address."

Katrina gave a small bow and thanked him before moving toward the examination hall. After a short wait, she was called in. The hall was quiet and filled with individual desks, each spaced carefully apart. The only sound was the scratching of pen on parchment as test-takers poured their knowledge onto the page.

When she emerged some time later, John was waiting outside, seated on a stone bench beneath a tree with blooming white flowers. He stood as she approached, his face lighting up.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

"It went okay," Katrina said with a tired smile. "I hope I didn't mess up the math section."

As they walked back through the bustling streets toward their shared apartment, John glanced at her with curiosity. "So… Railways was your top priority sector?"

Katrina chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Well, the newspapers have been talking non-stop about how much Her Highness is investing in building this new transportation system—what did they call it? Trains and railways?"

"Yeah," John said, nodding thoughtfully. "She even summoned the chief blacksmith a few times last week to inspect progress."

"I just figured," Katrina continued, "if it's going to be a big deal in the future, maybe I should try for a position there while it's still early. Who knows—maybe I could be one of the first conductors or station workers."

John smiled at her optimism, his gaze softening. "I think that's a smart move. You've always had good instincts."

With that, the couple walked the rest of the way home in easy silence, the warmth of the sun on their backs and the city's hum fading into the background. As they reached their apartment, they exchanged one last look, filled with hope and quiet excitement for the future.