Published: September 6, 2025
After finishing our enjoyable meal, we returned to the temple.
“High priest, isn’t it difficult to head to Arensbach at the end of winter because the snow is so deep? I don’t think the carriages can transport the luggage. How will you be traveling?”
If it were just the high priests, they could ride their mounts straight through the sky. But there’s no way to deal with a large amount of luggage like that.
“They should have prepared things to some extent over there. When Aurelia went, Lamprecht and Elvira prepared things, didn’t they? This time, the marriage took place without much of an engagement period because of Arensbach’s circumstances. Clothing for spring to summer, stationery, and other less valuable items were sent ahead via Aub to arrive before the snow. I will travel lightly after the graduation ceremony, and then have the additional luggage sent after the snow melts.”
The second shipment contains mostly valuables, which I should normally manage myself during the journey. But if I wait for the snow to melt before heading to Arensbach, there won’t be any time left to prepare for the next lords’ council.
“…Shall I transport it to the boundary gate by minibus?”
“Depending on the situation, I may ask you to do that. If you carry it, at least the risk of strange items being mixed in with the valuables or food will be reduced.”
The high priest muttered this while staring in the direction of Arensbach.
“Head priest, high priest.”
“We’ve been waiting for your return.”
I heard the temple gate guard’s slightly relieved voice say this inside the carriage as they opened the gate for the carriage. A strange unease stirred in me as I stared at the carriage door.
“Did something happen in the temple?”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re not usually greeted like this. It suggests that something happened which couldn’t be reported without us.”
The high priest lightly tapped his temple as he considered.
“If the gray priests who are the gate guards know anything, the attendants in charge of the orphanage would immediately report it. You should return to your room and wait. Don’t open the carriage door or directly question the gray priests under any circumstances.”
“Yes.”
I was about to ask, but the warning came first. Sitting upright again, I resisted leaning forward.
After passing through the gate, the carriage stopped at the main entrance, and I saw Nicola waiting with the high priest’s attendant who had stayed behind.
“Welcome back, Lady Rosemine.”
While Fran and the others busily unloaded dishes and Rosina’s musical instruments from the carriage, I got out and started walking to my room with Nicola. By the time we reached my room, Fran and the others would catch up after finishing unloading.
“Nicola, was it difficult preparing the welcome alone?”
“No, not really. Ella prepared sweets yesterday, so the reception only required boiling water and making tea. Delivering the divine blessing to the orphanage was the harder task.”
While returning to my room, I asked about Nicola’s time while I was away. Since we had eaten our fill at the Italian restaurant today, Hugo and Ella were resting. They had prepared meals in advance yesterday.
“Since Monica and the others were absent, the guild and Fritz helped deliver lunch to the orphanage early. Then I ate there with the adults.”
Several more children had arrived at the orphanage before the harsh winter. Nicola said she had been hearing updates from Wilma and Delia, helping prepare dinner, and spending time at the orphanage.
“Did anything unusual happen among the orphanage or the gray priests?”
“Now that you mention it, Egmont’s attendant unusually came to the orphanage today. They wanted to consult Wilma about bringing in a new attendant.”
The words Egmont and new attendant immediately led my mind to one conclusion.
“…Did he impregnate another attendant?”
I have no good impression of the blue priest Egmont who ransacked the temple library and impregnated Lily while she was sleeping in Yureve, then abandoned her at the orphanage. My voice must have sharpened, because Nicola hurriedly added,