Published: August 3, 2025
…What should I do? Fran’s patience has finally snapped.
Even when she scolded me for being too soft about Delia, or for the distance I kept with the guild, she never got this angry.
I knew Fran served me well, but I didn’t expect her to be this furious over the orphans’ rudeness toward me. To her, the high priest was still superior, after all.
Catching the clear fear on Thor’s face, I hurriedly stopped Fran.
“Fran, that’s enough. It’s already been too much.”
“But, Lady Rosemine—”
I stepped between them, yet Fran’s anger hadn’t subsided. She took a step forward as if to continue.
“I know you’re angry for my sake. Thank you, Fran. Your hand must hurt, right?”
It was my fault for making Fran raise her hand against me, since she had never resorted to violence before. Grasping Fran’s sleeve to stop her, I cupped her reddened palm with both hands.
Seeing Fran’s gaze shift to her own hand, I turned to Thor, who was holding his cheek where Fran had struck, and to Rick, who was trying to protect everyone.
“Thor, Rick. I deeply understand your desire to protect your family. I also understand the anxiety and helplessness of suddenly arriving in a world where your common sense doesn’t apply.”
I have experienced many differences between my time as reno and this world—the differences between craftsmen and merchants, the downtown and the temple, commoners and nobles, the temple and the Noble District. I know how unsettling it is to gropingly navigate an unfamiliar world and how difficult it is to reconcile new values with old ones.
“But you’re not alone, are you? You don’t have to sleep together, but you can stay together, right?”
When I said, “Nora and Marte won’t be sold,” Thor looked up sharply, blinking his blue eyes as if finally realizing the weight of those words for the first time.
“If you really want to be together, the dining hall is fine too. But wouldn’t Nora and Marte feel safer resting in the girls’ dormitory rooms, where no men are allowed, rather than sleeping somewhere anyone can enter? What do you two think?”
Thor was desperately insisting to protect his sisters, but we hadn’t asked Nora and Marte their opinions yet. When I looked at them, Nora gently lowered her long eyelashes once.
“Thor, I’ll sleep in the girls’ dormitory, so you two go to the boys’ dormitory.”
“Big sis!?”
“I don’t want to sleep in the dining hall. I can’t rest where strange men might wander around… I just want to sleep peacefully for once. Please understand.”
Seeing the fatigue behind Nora’s faint smile, it was clear how much tension she had endured daily. Thor bit his lip, looking a little frustrated.
“I’ll… sleep with Nora too, big brother.”
Pulling Rick’s sleeve eagerly, Marte said this with a determined face. It seemed unusual for her to express herself like this. Rick looked surprised, eyes wide, as he looked down at her.
“You okay?”
“…Yeah, it’s not so scary here.”
Marte smiled faintly and let go of Rick’s sleeve.
Since Nora and Marte wanted to sleep in the girls’ dormitory, Thor and Rick seemed to accept it without further objection.
“Then, let me explain the other facilities…”
Just as I was about to head down to the girls’ dormitory basement, Fran’s hand stopped my words.
“First, an apology.”
“Huh?”
“Lady Rosemine is the head priest. You must apologize for your rude behavior toward her.”
…Oh no, she’s still angry!?
Fran’s quiet anger was stubborn and long-lasting. Personally, I wanted to let it go already. But Fran was clearly showing she would never forgive it. It was the first time I saw Fran like this, and I couldn’t stop her.
I wasn’t the only one who looked pale at Fran’s anger. Nora gasped and forced Thor to bow his head. Both knelt before me and apologized.
“I’m sorry. Come on, Thor, apologize too!”
“…I’m sorry.”
They apologized, so isn’t it enough now? I silently pleaded, looking up at Fran.
Meeting my eyes, Fran gave a faint smile—not her usual gentle one, but a chilling smile from deep within.