“Grandfather.”
Valia asked him.
She was a noble by name, but she had no trouble calling Carl ‘grandfather’. Carl was a commoner, but she did not mind.
“What is a woman’s happiness? Is it meeting a good person and getting a good marriage?”
While listening, Carl naturally looked at her.
“Happiness is just happiness. Why do you need to genderize it? Meeting a good person and living well is the same wish for both woman and man.”
“I see.”
“If you’re going to wish for happiness, wish for something more specific. Don’t wish for something so lame.”
“Will it come true if I wish for it?”
“In my case, yes.”
“What did you wish for, grandfather?”
“It’s not big enough of a wish to be said to someone else.”
“Really? I’m wishing for something big. So can I tell you?”
“What’s your wish?”
“For your arm to not rot.”
“You brat! Don’t say such a terrible thing!”
Valia giggled. At the same time, a part of her heart was sore. Was it because she already knew this simple yet peaceful life would be destroyed in about a year? Throughout her illness, Valia really went through the crossroads of life and death. There was money that she had steadily saved, but after spending it for treatment and nursing expenses, there would not be much left. She was not the only one struggling. Carl also struggled with her.
‘A letter.’
Replying to this letter bearing the imperial seal was the best way for now. When the troubles weighed on life, the answer would be faster. Valia came to the conclusion during the not-so-long time of emptying the stew. To be exact, she made her decision after hearing Carl’s remark.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, Valia.”
“Oh… It’s already that time.”
Valia was already familiar with that for five years. Carl did not stay at home for long. Even Carl was leaving. So it would be fine for her to walk the other way at least once.
“Grandfather.”
“Yes? Why are you calling me?”
Valia was about to say, ‘I’m leaving, too.’ but she just shut up.
‘Even I don’t know where I will be leaving.’
If things went as they did in the past, she would go to Gel Empire, but if not, she did not know where she would go. Even before the actual Marchioness Garth entered Gel, the destination for the selection of the temple princess was unclear.
“Nothing.”
“What? So lame.”
Valia smiled and changed the subject.
“After leaving tomorrow, when will you come home again?”
“I will be leaving for a little bit longer this time. But it won’t be more than a year, so don’t worry. I will write to you.”
“Okay, be careful.”
“Yes. When I come back, it would be the perfect season to cook and eat cream stew.”
Valia nodded. Valia would not be in the house by the time he came back. It was not long before the meal was over. Listening to Carl washing the dishes, Valia put ink on her pen. She wrote a reply to the selection of the temple princess.
The next day, people came from the Kingdom.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
It was a magnificent castle. A grand manor that was the second largest in the Gel Empire after the Imperial Palace. The antique appearance and the vastness of the backyard were truly amazing. There was only one owner of this huge manor, Marquess Schuden Garth. The High Priest who was sitting facing him opened his mouth.
“Your Grace, are you still angry?”
“I’m not angry, I’m just dumbfounded.”
The Marquess replied briefly. They were having their conversation in the Manor’s drawing-room. After sitting in the master’s seat, the Marquess held back his sigh and ran his hand through his hair. His reddish-blonde hair slid along his hand gesture. He was so good-looking that even a man could not take his eyes off him, but unfortunately, he was in a bad mood at the moment.
“Your Grace.”
However, the High Priest who personally came to the Marquess’ Manor looked quite aloof.
“There has never been such a clear oracle like this in such a long time in history. Please understand with great generosity.”
Nonsensical oracle.
Unlike his expressionless face, the Marquess murmured impious remarks inwardly.
It was not long ago that the High Priest received the oracle. Actually, an oracle was not so rare. But the oracle this time was special by far. Has there ever been an abstract message that was as clear as the shape of paint on water? No, there had never been.
The priests worked day and night to interpret even the abstract oracle. There was no way the High Priest could linger on God’s firm voice. He immediately asked the emperor of the Gel Empire for a private audience. In the secret drawing-room where everyone was withdrawn and only the deaf attendant remained, the High Priest only said a sentence to the emperor.
[We need to find a bride for Marquess Garth.]
Marquess Garth was unmarried. It was not difficult to arrange a marriage for him because he was an eligible bachelor coveted by all. However, the method was very tricky. The priests suggested a strange method. The temple would pay for all the expenses and the Imperial family only needed to announce it.
The priests were those who would do anything to obey God’s will. The Marquess speculated that perhaps even more rewards were secretly offered. In fact, several precious sacred relics had been offered to him. He could easily buy a castle in the capital and still would be left with few items.
[Marquess, you should yield this time.]
[Your Grace, it’s a message from God. Please cooperate just once.]
Moreover, the Emperor and the High Priest were really tenacious. Thinking about that time, the Marquess’ forehead wrinkled.
Oracle? Come on now.
The Marquess did not believe in God. No, he did not trust anyone in the first place. For how could he trust others when even he could not trust himself?
It had already happened anyway. There were times when he had murderous desires for the High Priest who came to visit him every day, but he did not put it into action. Actually, aside from bothering him, the High Priest did not do anything wrong. In the end, the Marquess accepted the temple’s offer only after putting countless conditions that were beneficial to him. Either way, it was a loss for the temple. He had nothing to lose.
“Your Grace, we have sent a letter for the temple princess recruitment to the Kingdom that we have selected two days ago.”
Even the Marquess knew about that. Not only the high society, but the entire Empire was buzzing with the story. If the Marquess was not involved, it might be interesting for him too. But not now. He just found the current situation bizarre.
“High Priest, let’s have an honest talk.”
The Marquess, who was leaning on his back, straightened his posture a little. He was not just a good-looking man. His red eyes between his eyelashes, which were the same color as his hair, were extremely attractive. There was no particular reason why countless women wished to wrap their legs around the Marquess’ solid thighs. His tired and exasperated red eyes had a seductive yet dark beauty reminiscent of a hot love affair.
“Do you think there will be a woman applying for such an unidentified temple princess selection?”
“No one knows what may happen. Someone who is deeply religious and heart noble enough to devote her life to God may appear.”
“It would be even stranger if I show up as a husband for someone like that.”
“You’re attractive. So don’t worry about that.”
The Marquess smirked.
“I don’t fit all women’s ideal types. Maybe most of them, but not all.”
It may sound very arrogant, but he was at least one of the few men who could say that with confidence. No, he’s not even one of the few, he’s probably the only one who could say that. Although the High Priest was distant from the secular society, he had no choice but to admit it. Above all, Marquess Garth was the sole master of the House of Garth in the Gel Empire.
“So what brings you to my manor today, High Priest? There’s no way there’s already been an applicant for such an unidentified temple princess recruitment.”
The High Priest put down his teacup. This young, good-looking Marquess was a man unlike any other nobleman. If you want to chat with him, you can do so in high society. If you want to go hunting together with him, you can meet him at the hunting ground. He was a clear-cut man. No matter how bold-faced one was, once the Marquess’ eyes flashed, it was common for them to lose their spirit. The High Priest was able to keep up his smile as he had been away from the secular society early in his life and trained his mind and body for many years.
“Your Grace.”
That young lady should not get scared and run away when she sees him.
It was last night that the temple was contacted. The High Priest grinned.
“There’s an applicant.”
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Valia was soaking herself in hot water. It was not the old wooden bathtub that she always used in her house. The marble-carved bathtub was filled to the brim with lukewarm water, there were even ladies-in-waiting sent from the royal palace helping with her bath.
The ladies-in-waiting put in bath salt with skillful hands. The sweet scent of flowers spread like honey.
‘It smells good…’
She had no luxury of tearing off the flower petals one by one, but having someone taking care of her bath itself was a luxury enough for Valia. She immersed herself in the water while being lost in thoughts. There were countless things to think about, but there was one question that she first thought about.
‘How did the rumor spread so quickly in high society back then?’
The attendant from the royal palace who came to see Valia was dressed in plain clothes. He asked something simple, wrote something down, and left, saying he would come back later. It looked like it would take a few days. Valia, who thought comfortably about that, went to the market after a long time and bought a cheese-filled sandwich and lemonade. It was a reward for herself who decided to do something big.
She sipped the lemonade and returned home. Just when she was about to put her hand on the doorknob.
[I have been waiting for you.]
Valia almost died of a heart attack because the attendant showed up without any forewarning and talked to her. She looked at him in surprise while calming her chest. The attendant whom she had seen only a few hours earlier said to her in a low voice.
[I will come back to meet you tonight. So please be prepared by then.]
Valia nodded in a dazed state. Her heart still thumped loud. The attendant nodded much more politely than before and left. Valia stood there and could not move for a while after the attendant left.
‘Wait, tonight?’
“Grandfather.”
Valia asked him.
She was a noble by name, but she had no trouble calling Carl ‘grandfather’. Carl was a commoner, but she did not mind.
“What is a woman’s happiness? Is it meeting a good person and getting a good marriage?”
While listening, Carl naturally looked at her.
“Happiness is just happiness. Why do you need to genderize it? Meeting a good person and living well is the same wish for both woman and man.”
“I see.”
“If you’re going to wish for happiness, wish for something more specific. Don’t wish for something so lame.”
“Will it come true if I wish for it?”
“In my case, yes.”
“What did you wish for, grandfather?”
“It’s not big enough of a wish to be said to someone else.”
“Really? I’m wishing for something big. So can I tell you?”
“What’s your wish?”
“For your arm to not rot.”
“You brat! Don’t say such a terrible thing!”
Valia giggled. At the same time, a part of her heart was sore. Was it because she already knew this simple yet peaceful life would be destroyed in about a year? Throughout her illness, Valia really went through the crossroads of life and death. There was money that she had steadily saved, but after spending it for treatment and nursing expenses, there would not be much left. She was not the only one struggling. Carl also struggled with her.
‘A letter.’
Replying to this letter bearing the imperial seal was the best way for now. When the troubles weighed on life, the answer would be faster. Valia came to the conclusion during the not-so-long time of emptying the stew. To be exact, she made her decision after hearing Carl’s remark.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, Valia.”
“Oh… It’s already that time.”
Valia was already familiar with that for five years. Carl did not stay at home for long. Even Carl was leaving. So it would be fine for her to walk the other way at least once.
“Grandfather.”
“Yes? Why are you calling me?”
Valia was about to say, ‘I’m leaving, too.’ but she just shut up.
‘Even I don’t know where I will be leaving.’
If things went as they did in the past, she would go to Gel Empire, but if not, she did not know where she would go. Even before the actual Marchioness Garth entered Gel, the destination for the selection of the temple princess was unclear.
“Nothing.”
“What? So lame.”
Valia smiled and changed the subject.
“After leaving tomorrow, when will you come home again?”
“I will be leaving for a little bit longer this time. But it won’t be more than a year, so don’t worry. I will write to you.”
“Okay, be careful.”
“Yes. When I come back, it would be the perfect season to cook and eat cream stew.”
Valia nodded. Valia would not be in the house by the time he came back. It was not long before the meal was over. Listening to Carl washing the dishes, Valia put ink on her pen. She wrote a reply to the selection of the temple princess.
The next day, people came from the Kingdom.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
It was a magnificent castle. A grand manor that was the second largest in the Gel Empire after the Imperial Palace. The antique appearance and the vastness of the backyard were truly amazing. There was only one owner of this huge manor, Marquess Schuden Garth. The High Priest who was sitting facing him opened his mouth.
“Your Grace, are you still angry?”
“I’m not angry, I’m just dumbfounded.”
The Marquess replied briefly. They were having their conversation in the Manor’s drawing-room. After sitting in the master’s seat, the Marquess held back his sigh and ran his hand through his hair. His reddish-blonde hair slid along his hand gesture. He was so good-looking that even a man could not take his eyes off him, but unfortunately, he was in a bad mood at the moment.
“Your Grace.”
However, the High Priest who personally came to the Marquess’ Manor looked quite aloof.
“There has never been such a clear oracle like this in such a long time in history. Please understand with great generosity.”
Nonsensical oracle.
Unlike his expressionless face, the Marquess murmured impious remarks inwardly.
It was not long ago that the High Priest received the oracle. Actually, an oracle was not so rare. But the oracle this time was special by far. Has there ever been an abstract message that was as clear as the shape of paint on water? No, there had never been.
The priests worked day and night to interpret even the abstract oracle. There was no way the High Priest could linger on God’s firm voice. He immediately asked the emperor of the Gel Empire for a private audience. In the secret drawing-room where everyone was withdrawn and only the deaf attendant remained, the High Priest only said a sentence to the emperor.
[We need to find a bride for Marquess Garth.]
Marquess Garth was unmarried. It was not difficult to arrange a marriage for him because he was an eligible bachelor coveted by all. However, the method was very tricky. The priests suggested a strange method. The temple would pay for all the expenses and the Imperial family only needed to announce it.
The priests were those who would do anything to obey God’s will. The Marquess speculated that perhaps even more rewards were secretly offered. In fact, several precious sacred relics had been offered to him. He could easily buy a castle in the capital and still would be left with few items.
[Marquess, you should yield this time.]
[Your Grace, it’s a message from God. Please cooperate just once.]
Moreover, the Emperor and the High Priest were really tenacious. Thinking about that time, the Marquess’ forehead wrinkled.
Oracle? Come on now.
The Marquess did not believe in God. No, he did not trust anyone in the first place. For how could he trust others when even he could not trust himself?
It had already happened anyway. There were times when he had murderous desires for the High Priest who came to visit him every day, but he did not put it into action. Actually, aside from bothering him, the High Priest did not do anything wrong. In the end, the Marquess accepted the temple’s offer only after putting countless conditions that were beneficial to him. Either way, it was a loss for the temple. He had nothing to lose.
“Your Grace, we have sent a letter for the temple princess recruitment to the Kingdom that we have selected two days ago.”
Even the Marquess knew about that. Not only the high society, but the entire Empire was buzzing with the story. If the Marquess was not involved, it might be interesting for him too. But not now. He just found the current situation bizarre.
“High Priest, let’s have an honest talk.”
The Marquess, who was leaning on his back, straightened his posture a little. He was not just a good-looking man. His red eyes between his eyelashes, which were the same color as his hair, were extremely attractive. There was no particular reason why countless women wished to wrap their legs around the Marquess’ solid thighs. His tired and exasperated red eyes had a seductive yet dark beauty reminiscent of a hot love affair.
“Do you think there will be a woman applying for such an unidentified temple princess selection?”
“No one knows what may happen. Someone who is deeply religious and heart noble enough to devote her life to God may appear.”
“It would be even stranger if I show up as a husband for someone like that.”
“You’re attractive. So don’t worry about that.”
The Marquess smirked.
“I don’t fit all women’s ideal types. Maybe most of them, but not all.”
It may sound very arrogant, but he was at least one of the few men who could say that with confidence. No, he’s not even one of the few, he’s probably the only one who could say that. Although the High Priest was distant from the secular society, he had no choice but to admit it. Above all, Marquess Garth was the sole master of the House of Garth in the Gel Empire.
“So what brings you to my manor today, High Priest? There’s no way there’s already been an applicant for such an unidentified temple princess recruitment.”
The High Priest put down his teacup. This young, good-looking Marquess was a man unlike any other nobleman. If you want to chat with him, you can do so in high society. If you want to go hunting together with him, you can meet him at the hunting ground. He was a clear-cut man. No matter how bold-faced one was, once the Marquess’ eyes flashed, it was common for them to lose their spirit. The High Priest was able to keep up his smile as he had been away from the secular society early in his life and trained his mind and body for many years.
“Your Grace.”
That young lady should not get scared and run away when she sees him.
It was last night that the temple was contacted. The High Priest grinned.
“There’s an applicant.”
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Valia was soaking herself in hot water. It was not the old wooden bathtub that she always used in her house. The marble-carved bathtub was filled to the brim with lukewarm water, there were even ladies-in-waiting sent from the royal palace helping with her bath.
The ladies-in-waiting put in bath salt with skillful hands. The sweet scent of flowers spread like honey.
‘It smells good…’
She had no luxury of tearing off the flower petals one by one, but having someone taking care of her bath itself was a luxury enough for Valia. She immersed herself in the water while being lost in thoughts. There were countless things to think about, but there was one question that she first thought about.
‘How did the rumor spread so quickly in high society back then?’
The attendant from the royal palace who came to see Valia was dressed in plain clothes. He asked something simple, wrote something down, and left, saying he would come back later. It looked like it would take a few days. Valia, who thought comfortably about that, went to the market after a long time and bought a cheese-filled sandwich and lemonade. It was a reward for herself who decided to do something big.
She sipped the lemonade and returned home. Just when she was about to put her hand on the doorknob.
[I have been waiting for you.]
Valia almost died of a heart attack because the attendant showed up without any forewarning and talked to her. She looked at him in surprise while calming her chest. The attendant whom she had seen only a few hours earlier said to her in a low voice.
[I will come back to meet you tonight. So please be prepared by then.]
Valia nodded in a dazed state. Her heart still thumped loud. The attendant nodded much more politely than before and left. Valia stood there and could not move for a while after the attendant left.
‘Wait, tonight?’
