Published: August 15, 2025
Cantona entered the room. He was a man of average build, but the first word that came to mind the moment I saw him was “small-time.” His personality of “go along with the big fish” was completely written all over his face.
His eyes flickered between me and the high priest, trying to gauge whether he had good news or bad news. He gave off the unmistakable vibe of a sly petty official—someone who bosses around those beneath him but fawns excessively over those above.
After exchanging noble greetings, when the high priest offered him a seat, Cantona’s gaze became even more restless, darting back and forth nervously.
“Lord Ferdinand, what brings you here today?”
“Can’t you tell by all of us being here?”
The high priest furrowed his brow slightly. Cantona looked genuinely clueless, desperately trying to recall something.
I wondered if he had forgotten his own duties, had already been removed from the assignment, or if he simply didn’t know that we were involved in the Hasse matter.
“I’m terribly sorry, but I have no idea.”
“…It concerns the town of Hasse.”
For just a moment, a flicker passed across Cantona’s eyes, but otherwise he maintained a smile and continued, “Hasse, you say? What happened there?”
“The plan to establish an orphanage and printing workshop in Hasse was directly ordered by the lord and is a project chiefly led by Rosemine and myself as her guardian. Recently, we sent some merchants we are familiar with and Rosemine’s attendants for a preliminary inspection. According to their report, it seems your side was quite uncooperative.”
“No, that is not the case…”
Cantona smiled broadly with eyes that seemed slightly unfocused, as if calculating many things rapidly. Though smiling, it was obvious he was desperately trying to protect himself.
“I heard it was to the extent that it seemed as if you wanted to sabotage the plan.”
“That must be some mistake… Or perhaps the merchants have conspired together. They are easily swayed if money is involved.”
I was about to say, “Is this your self-introduction?” but swallowed the words. I was here to learn the ways of the nobility and must not interfere clumsily.
“So, you say their report is false?”
“No, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but there might have been some misunderstanding or miscommunication. After all, the merchants are only after profit.”
He plastered on a polite smile and kept repeating “merchants, merchants,” but I wondered if Cantona didn’t know that among the group was Gil, my attendant.
Being told by the high priest, “You really don’t read the room,” I threw caution and restraint aside and spoke up.
“They probably don’t fit into our noble ways.”
“Cantona, are you saying my attendant does not fit into noble ways?”
Though I added silently, “Not at all,” I watched his reaction.
Apparently, he hadn’t expected me to speak, and he blinked rapidly, stammering, “In that sense…” before trailing off.
I wanted to press, “Then in what sense?” but the high priest lightly tapped my leg under the table, signaling me to stop.
Lowering his eyes, the high priest sighed and said, “I understand your point,” then looked up at Cantona.
“As for today’s business, you signed a contract with the mayor of Hasse to purchase an orphan, correct?”
“Eh? Y-yes. What about it…?”
“Lady Rosemine took a liking to that orphan and somewhat forcibly brought her back. But I heard the mayor had already contracted with you. I called you here to confirm the facts.”
The high priest smiled faintly as he told Cantona, “It feels somewhat like a snatch, which is a bit regrettable on our part…” He paused, then looked genuinely concerned.
“Your wife, who is rather possessive, seems to suspect your reasons for leaving town. I cannot imagine you foolish enough to buy a female orphan on the brink of adulthood without strong reasons, can you?”
As the high priest gave that worry-tinged, somewhat threatening inquiry, I inwardly applauded his cunning. Cantona instantly paled as if the blood drained from his face. Yet despite the pale look, his flaky grin never faltered—very much noble-like.