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Chapter – 01
“By the name of the god Ataras, I bless Salome Krüger, who has come of age.”
Johann let a few drops of holy oil fall onto Salome’s head, which was covered by a veil. The oil slowly trickled down along her crimson hair.
Placing his hand gently atop her head, Johann recited the prayer. Salome knelt quietly before him, offering her prayers to the god alongside his own.
Johann gazed down at Salome, whose face was hidden from view. She seemed far more demure than the rumors had suggested. So the talk of the Krüger family’s mad young lady really was nothing but idle gossip, he thought, relieved.
Many people within the temple were watching them. Priests and nobles alike had gathered for the ceremony. Johann flicked his gaze around, carefully gauging their reactions.
Salome’s father, Duke Krüger, wore an unmistakably uneasy expression. Her older brother, Viscount Izmael, looked upon Salome with eyes full of affection.
Johann slowly blinked.
“Lady, I will remove your veil.”
He murmured the words softly so that only Salome could hear. She nodded once in response.
What kind of expression is she wearing beneath that veil?
Johann carefully lifted it.
Beneath the pure white lace veil, Salome’s face was revealed—skin as translucent as glass, eyes a deep violet like amethysts.
Johann caught his breath.
Next, he was meant to apply the holy oil to her face. Yet the very thought of touching her felt irreverent, as though it would be a sacrilege.
Salome met his gaze. Johann found himself unable to speak. What was I about to do again? At this rate, he felt as though he might lose his reason at the mere sight of her smile.
As if she had sensed his turmoil, Salome suddenly pulled him toward her in the blink of an eye. Without hesitation, she pressed her lips against his.
Warm breaths mingled between them. Salome did not close her eyes; instead, she etched herself clearly into Johann’s gaze.
A murmur rippled through the temple. Some gasped, others let out small cries of shock.
Johann froze in place, utterly flustered. After a moment, Salome pulled away.
“Your lips taste bitter.”
She smiled, utterly satisfied.
“Priest Johann!”
At the loud voice calling my name, I turned around. In this temple, there was only one person whose voice could be this boisterous—Anton.
What is it this time? I had been hoping to enjoy a rare, leisurely walk. I let out a quiet sigh.
The peaceful chirping of birds within the temple grounds was drowned out by Anton’s voice. He came running toward me at full speed and stopped in front of me, panting heavily.
“What is it this time, Anton?”
“This is serious! The young lady of House Krüger is going to hold her coming-of-age ceremony at this temple!”
“The Krüger family’s young lady…?”
“Yes! That mad young lady who went to study in the Rhelin Empire and just returned! What should we do, Priest Johann? Who knows what kind of trouble she might cause inside the temple!”
“Anton, mind your words. ‘Mad,’ you say?”
I pressed my fingers to my forehead. It wasn’t as though I’d never heard rumors about the Krüger family’s daughter. She had recently returned from studying abroad—Salome, if memory served.
I had never paid much attention to gossip, so I didn’t know the details. Still, regardless of what kind of person she was, there was nothing problematic about holding her coming-of-age ceremony at the temple.
All citizens of the Terrium Empire were required to undergo a coming-of-age ceremony under the name of Ataras upon turning eighteen.
Even commoners held simplified ceremonies at temples. While a noblewoman’s ceremony did mean extra work, it hardly warranted such a fuss.
In fact, much of the temple’s funding came from noble patronage, so it wasn’t something we could complain about.
More than anything, calling someone “mad” without even having met them was unacceptable. I resolved to give Anton a firm warning.
“I wouldn’t say this about just any noble, but Salome Krüger is different!”
“All who come of age are entitled to Ataras’s blessing, Anton.”
“That’s not what I mean! You’re far too indifferent to rumors, Priest Johann. That young lady is infamous for her rudeness and terrible personality. And as soon as she returned from studying abroad, she caused a scandal.”
“A scandal? What kind?”
“She threw tea in the face of Lady Anthea, the Crown Prince’s fiancée! In front of everyone, no less!”
Catherine Anthea. I pictured her face. She was the Crown Prince’s betrothed and the eldest daughter of House Anthea. Deeply devout, she visited our temple every week to pray to Ataras. Gentle and kind-hearted, she was widely known as the Empire’s saintess.
If Anton’s story was true, it certainly wasn’t something a sane person would do—especially considering the recent prominence of House Anthea.
Still, there was no guarantee the story itself was true. I disliked spreading unverified rumors.
“They are nothing more than rumors. Stories grow exaggerated as they pass from mouth to mouth. As a priest, you should not disparage others so carelessly.”
“But Priest Johann, she’s someone who harms others! Surely we should reconsider allowing her ceremony here—”
“Anton.”
I spoke his name calmly, but firmly. It was a clear signal to stop.
Anton looked momentarily chastened, though he soon muttered under his breath that Salome Krüger was still a problem. If left alone, he would quiet down soon enough.
I walked past Anton toward the prayer chamber, then paused and turned back to ask:
“So when is the ceremony scheduled?”
“Two weeks from now. It’s her birthday.”
“Then all the more reason to approach it with a heart full of blessings. Thank you for informing me.”
I smiled faintly at Anton. I couldn’t see his expression as I turned away, but I could clearly hear him let out a long sigh.
I couldn’t understand Anton. Even if the rumors were true, they had nothing to do with the ceremony.
Even criminals were entitled to the god’s blessing—was there any law stating that a scandalous young lady was not?
After all, even I had become a respectable priest.
I resolved to pray for the young lady who would soon come of age. Though I had never seen her face, as the high priest, it was my duty to offer prayers to Ataras on her behalf.
Everything would unfold according to the god’s will. I had officiated countless coming-of-age ceremonies before. Even if something unexpected occurred, it could be handled appropriately.
Anton truly worried over the most unnecessary things.
Time passed quickly, and before long, the morning of the ceremony arrived. The temple bustled with preparations. I donned my ceremonial robes.
Before entering the sanctuary, I read the scriptures one final time. Though I would soon be reading them aloud again, it was my daily habit to read the holy text before leaving my room each morning.
Ataras, please grant me another peaceful day under your will.
After offering a brief prayer, I stepped outside, where Anton was waiting. He bowed respectfully.
“I hope today passes without incident.”
“It will,” I replied.
Anton shook his head anxiously. Just then, a carriage came into view, and a young lady stepped down.
Her deep wine-colored hair immediately caught everyone’s attention. Her face was hidden beneath a veil, yet all who passed could not help but glance at her. I found myself staring as well—and then, somehow, our gazes met.
Of course, with her face veiled, it may have been nothing more than my imagination.
The young lady approached us and spoke first, lifting the hem of her dress slightly and bowing with perfect etiquette. It seemed my intuition had been correct. I returned her bow.
“It is an honor to meet you, priests. I am Salome Krüger. May Ataras be with you today.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Krüger. I am Johann, High Priest of the Salut Temple.”
“I am Anton, Assistant Priest to Priest Johann.”
Her voice was gentle, her speech elegant. Though she had studied abroad for years, her pronunciation was flawless.
Her manners were impeccable—there was nothing about her that suggested madness. I couldn’t understand why such rumors surrounded her.
When I glanced at Anton, he shrugged awkwardly. After exchanging brief greetings, we headed toward the sanctuary.
“Anton, she was nothing more than a well-mannered noble lady. I truly don’t understand why she’s called ‘mad.’”
“I… don’t know either. I thought she’d ignore us entirely.”
I proceeded to scold Anton for some time. Having no rebuttal, he endured it in silence. Before long, we arrived at the sanctuary doors, which the holy knights opened for us.
As we entered, those already inside bowed their heads. I returned their gestures with a smile and made my way to the altar.
Soon, the remaining nobles entered and took their seats. The preparations were flawless. At the appointed moment, the announcement rang out.
“Lady Krüger enters.”
She stepped into the sanctuary wearing not the pink dress from earlier, but a pure white ceremonial robe. It was tradition for all participants to wear white, symbolizing purity.
When she knelt before me, the ceremony began. I started reciting the prescribed passage from the scriptures.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and Ataras…”
After the reading, it was time to pour the holy oil over her head. Just before I did, she whispered softly—so that only I could hear.
“Priest, what do you think love tastes like?”
I couldn’t grasp the meaning of her words, nor her intention in saying them at such a moment.
But after the oil touched her hair, I understood.
