Published: August 15, 2025
I could feel the approach of winter growing stronger. The wind had turned cold and biting against the skin, and even with the fireplace lit, it had become a season when leaving the warmth of the morning futon was a struggle.
Lately, carriages bound for the Noble District arrived one after another, passing through the temple gates and entering the district through the noble gate, visible from my window. The nobles, having finished the autumn harvest festival, were relocating to the Noble District for the Winter Social Season.
Last year, since I was in the orphanage director’s office, I hadn’t noticed this at all, but from the window of the head priest’s office, the view of the noble gate was clear.
“Fran, do you know what my schedule looks like? Have you heard from the high priest about when I’m to head to the castle?”
“Lady Rosemine will move to the castle after the Winter Baptism Ceremony,” Fran replied.
Zaam, who had come to deliver messages from the high priest, nodded lightly in agreement.
“Traveling back and forth between the Noble District and the temple through the snow is tough. Please take care of yourself,” Zaam said.
Once the high priest’s enthusiastic guidance of the priests wrapped up, Zaam was assigned as my attendant. I had asked the high priest for this transfer.
Zaam had been helping Fran with her tasks when delivering messages from the high priest, so Fran said that having Zaam as an attendant would be a huge help.
Since the guild spent most of the day in the workshop, Fran, who had worked mostly in a female-heavy room, was especially happy to have a same-sex colleague to talk with.
Meanwhile, the high priest, freed from trips to the knights order and castle, was pouring his spare time into educating the azure and gray priests. Rumors spread among the gray priests that “If you become the high priest’s attendant, you’ll be forced to become top-class,” thanks to his passionate coaching.
The high priest was truly an excellent workaholic, and as soon as he stopped going to the castle, he seemed to find more ease in life. Recently, having stopped relying on medicine, he looked more lively than ever. He even seemed to enjoy creating new assignments.
Kanfer and Fritark, whom I recommended, were overwhelmed by his passionate guidance and teary-eyed at times, but since they were paid upon completing their tasks, they worked hard to improve their livelihoods. Their attendants were trained alongside them.
Surprisingly, the high priest wasn’t the only one giving passionate coaching. His attendants were also united in educating the juniors. That was reassuring.
To face the common “enemy” that was the high priest, Kanfer and Fritark had also deepened their bonds with their attendants. Seeing the masters and attendants working together on assignments was heartwarming.
By the way, looking on so fondly puts assignments on me too — be careful.
“Lady Rosemine, there is a delivery from the Gilberta Trading Company today,” Fran said, glancing at me. I let out a soft laugh. Yes, today was the day Tulli and Mother would come to deliver hair ornaments for the winter unveiling.
Until the fifth bell rang, I had to practice prayers and review important points for the Winter Baptism Ceremony, but after that, the delivery would take place in the secret room. I had also prepared souvenirs for Tulli and Kamil this time, so I was really looking forward to it.
“Lady Rosemine, may I ask you to move to the orphanage director’s office?” Fritz, who had recently become an attendant, came to fetch me. Fritz had dark brown hair and deep brown eyes, with a very calm and gentle demeanor. A few years ago, he had served as an attendant to a rather demanding azure priest in the temple, so he was extremely patient and rarely showed emotion.
He was known as the dependable peacemaker in the workshop, often settling little disputes between Gil and Lutz.
Though now an attendant, Fritz still went to the workshop daily with Gil, so I only saw him during morning and nighttime report times. Being a gray priest who believed in the legend of the saint, he got very nervous when meeting me, his smiles and tone awkward.