Published: August 3, 2025
"Myne-sama, what will you do about the coming-of-age ceremony?"
One day, near the middle of winter, as I was returning to my room after a dedication ritual, Fran suddenly asked me that.
"Coming-of-age ceremony? I just finished my baptism ceremony, though?"
"Not yours, Myne-sama. It’s Rosina’s coming-of-age ceremony."
Fran seemed to have accidentally let out a laugh and quickly covered her mouth to correct herself. I widened my eyes in surprise, dumbfounded by her unexpected words.
"...Rosina’s coming-of-age ceremony?"
"Yes. Rosina will become an adult at the coming-of-age ceremony at the end of this winter."
"I-I didn’t know…"
I couldn’t hide my disappointment at myself for not even knowing such an important milestone event for my own attendant.
"For the coming-of-age, the temple provides the gray shrine maidens with everyday clothes. For orphanage shrine maiden apprentices, that’s the end of it, but for those who serve as attendants and are gray shrine maidens, gifts may be given by their master."
Fran explained to me about the coming-of-age ceremony at the orphanage. Early in the morning, purification is done, they wear the newly provided clothes, and offer prayers and thanks in the chapel. This all finishes before the third bell signals the start of the downtown coming-of-age ceremonies.
In other words, while I was practicing the feschpiel, the children’s baptism and coming-of-age ceremonies at the orphanage had already concluded.
"I-I haven’t been able to celebrate with the orphanage children at all..."
As the director of the orphanage, how could that be? I had been busy since coming to the temple, but that felt like a poor excuse. Seeing me pale, Fran gave a small smile.
"As an apprentice, Myne-sama basically cannot attend temple ceremonies, so it’s understandable you didn’t know. The summer coming-of-age and autumn baptism ceremonies ended while you were bedridden, and you were busy preparing for winter during the autumn coming-of-age. Also, since there hadn’t been any celebrations before, suddenly starting them would create disparity."
Fran said the orphanage children should basically be treated equally. Disparity isn’t good. But I thought I could at least have offered some congratulatory words, even if I couldn’t give gifts.
"Myne-sama, please don’t consider giving gifts to the orphanage. It might cause serious trouble later."
Even if I, as director, could give gifts, that might stop once the director changes. Since I had been decided to go to the noble academy at age ten, my time as orphanage director wasn't very long. Fran said I should think about the future.
"Also, regarding gifts for attendants, since Myne-sama usually gives rewards to her attendants, I only thought you might give something for the milestone, but it’s not necessarily required."
Fran seemed to have told me that because I didn’t seem aware. She was right. I had no idea when my attendant was born. I knew Rosina’s adulthood was near, but I had no idea when her coming-of-age ceremony was.
"Thank you for telling me, Fran. I’ll think about what to give Rosina. ...Fran, did you receive anything from the high priest at your coming-of-age ceremony?"
"I received a pen and ink. I still treasure that pen. At that time, I felt truly recognized as an adult and was very happy."
Fran smiled warmly as she said that. Because of that happy memory, she probably gave advice about Rosina’s coming-of-age ceremony.
As her mistress, I needed to think of a gift that would please Rosina. Since my sense was often off, I needed to investigate what gifts were appropriate for a coming-of-age.
I decided to start asking around close to me.
First was Lutz... but with the blizzard ongoing, Lutz wouldn’t come. The closest person at the temple was the high priest.
"High Priest, my attendant is about to come of age. What kind of gifts are customary for celebrating adulthood?"
When I asked at the end of my helping, the high priest raised his eyes a little and muttered, "...For you, that’s an unusually sensible question," then cleared his throat.