Published: August 15, 2025
The gray priests in Ilkner truly worked hard. It was immediately clear they had done their utmost in training. And it was just as clear that the residents of Ilkner themselves had put in strenuous effort. Unlike the last visit, no one waved broadly at Brigitte to welcome us, nor did a crowd swarm around upon arrival. Instead, led by Gibe Ilkner, everyone knelt down to greet us.
There were still some awkward parts, but it was at a level where one could excuse it with, "Well, it’s the countryside after all."
“You must be tired from the long journey. We will talk at leisure after dinner. First, please relax.”
After exchanging the lengthy greetings typical among nobles, Gibe Ilkner said this.
The attendants who had arrived earlier were preparing the rooms, so once I finished changing, I could rest until dinner time.
“Fran, once I’ve changed, I’ll go to the annex. Please gather all the gray priests.”
“Understood.”
I passed the message to Fran, and with Monica and Nicola’s help, hurriedly changed. Dressed suitably for dinner, I asked Monica to watch over things and immediately headed to the annex with Nicola.
A strange sense of urgency churned in my chest. Until Fran told me that the gray priests didn’t even understand what marriage was and that being forced into it would be a serious problem, I had always seen marriage as something to celebrate, a path to happiness. But this was about the marriage of gray priests who didn’t comprehend the concept itself.
As the orphanage director, I should have understood the unique situation of the gray priests better, yet I hadn’t considered the possibility that Gibe Ilkner or the residents might be forcing them. Regarding the gray shrine maidens, I had taken care not to cause unpleasantness, especially with Wilma in mind, but the male gray priests never crossed my thoughts.
“Lady Rosemine, this way.”
Upon entering the annex, Fran was standing by the door of a room usually used by the azure priests, opening it with a polite gesture. Inside, Gil and four gray priests knelt, waiting.
“It’s been a while, everyone. I hear you’ve all worked very hard, haven’t you? Through Gibe Ilkner and Brigitte, I’ve heard about your efforts.”
“We’re honored,” they answered.
I took a seat in a prepared chair and glanced around at the kneeling gray priests.
“We don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point... Yesterday, I heard from Gibe Ilkner’s Ordnance that some gray priests and Ilkner residents wish to marry. If that’s truly the case, there is a way. Who here wishes to marry?”
All eyes focused on one priest. The priest blanched and lowered his head.
“Volk, you wish to marry?”
“I apologize, Lady Rosemine.”
“There’s no need to apologize. But Fran told me that you don’t understand what marriage is. And that being forced into marriage would cause great distress. Gray priests are in a weak position and are too accustomed to accepting coercion. So I want to confirm: Are you being forced by Gibe Ilkner or your prospective partner?”
Volk suddenly lifted his face and shook his head, “That is not the case.” I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the worst I had feared was not true.
“Then, do you yourself wish to marry? Are you prepared to live your entire life here in Ilkner? Not just a seasonal visitor, but to stay here for life? If so, you must understand that differences in customs and ideas will arise. Building a marital relationship, not a master-servant one, will be confusing and difficult at times. Even so, do you want to remain here?”
“...I have many worries.”
After a brief silence, Volk slowly spoke, voice barely above a whisper: “Like Fran, I don’t really understand marriage. But... still, I want to be with her.”
“Very well. Since gray priests cannot marry while retaining their status, I will proceed with a sale contract between Gibe Ilkner and Volk. Is that acceptable?”
“Please, I beg you.”
I had wanted to verify who among the gray priests truly wished to marry and whether it was by their own will; now reassured, I relaxed. I told them I would hear about their workshop achievements in detail tomorrow and left the annex.