Published: July 26, 2025
“Lutz~!”
The moment I saw Lutz’s face, I felt all the tension drain from my body, relieved to be back somewhere where my common sense still applied. I hurried down the stairs and clung tightly to Lutz’s arm, pressing my head against him and rubbing it.
“I’m so tired already, Lutz.”
“Ah—your complexion looks a bit off. You must be worn out.”
Lutz gently patted my head, comforting me.
Today, all I did was read books, but apparently, an attendant’s job is to stay close by. Someone was always standing nearby, constantly watching me.
Normally, when I immerse myself in a book, I don’t notice what’s around me. But here, every time I snapped back to reality, I felt someone’s gaze on me. It was rather uncomfortable. The stares were heavy, almost painful—the constant surveillance was exhausting.
Nobles are something else. I wonder how long it takes to get used to this?
Maybe I’m lucky just to be able to go home and sleep. If this had gone on from “good morning” to “good night,” I’d probably have gone mad.
“Hey, Lutz. I want to see Benno now. Is he at the shop?”
“He was just coming back when I left, so he’s probably there now. Did something happen?”
Lutz looked worried, but I shook my head.
“I need to withdraw money at the Merchant Guild and bring the donation to the high priest. I thought it’d be better to go early...”
“Hmm, then let’s go.”
When Lutz said that, for some reason, the three attendants tried to follow us. I didn’t want them tagging along outside the temple. I didn’t want to be watched.
“...You don’t have to come, okay?”
“That’s not an option. I’m your attendant.”
“Exactly! There’s no way you can meet someone without your attendants.”
Not only Fran but even Delia said “no way,” so apparently, it’s common sense for an azure priest to take attendants along when meeting someone. I made a mental note of that.
“Hmm. If I don’t have to go, I’m out. I’m hungry.”
Gil, apparently unfamiliar with the common sense of attendants, glared resentfully at me and then turned around and left.
But the other two didn’t try to return to the temple. I gave in and accepted that only Fran could come along. Still, I’d be more comfortable without any attendants at all. We were going to the Gilberta Trading Company, a place I knew well, and since Lutz was there, I didn’t need useless attendants.
...Maybe I can just chase them away?
“Hey, Delia. Could you tell the high priest that after I finish talking with Benno, I’ll bring the donation back? It has to be communicated properly. Please.”
“Hmph, if it’s important, I’ll let him know properly.”
Delia gave a clearly mischievous smile. I wondered whether she’d crush the message or just go straight to the head priest and report it.
Her smile was the happiest I’d seen all day as she turned on her heel and went into the temple.
Relieved to have chased Delia away, Fran frowned, looking dissatisfied as she glanced between Delia’s back and me.
“My lady Myne, if you want to send a message to the high priest, I will go. Please allow me to accompany Delia.”
“Fran, I asked Delia to do it. If attendants have to come, then you can go along, right?”
Fran showed obvious displeasure and shook her head.
“But I’m not sure she can properly convey it to the high priest...”
“Well... since Lutz is with me now, Fran, you can go over there. It would be a problem if the high priest didn’t get the message.”
I said that, took Lutz’s hand, and started walking.
Fran hesitated near the temple entrance but eventually prioritized reporting to the high priest. She turned back and went inside.
“Myne, is that really okay? Isn’t that the thing about managing health?”
Lutz looked back at the now empty temple entrance, tilting his head in confusion.
Speaking of which, I remembered something about attendants being responsible for health management. I let out a deep sigh.
“...Hmm. The candidate the temple appointed as my attendant, number one, I think it’s difficult. First of all, she has no motivation.”