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Chapter – 17
I spotted a few familiar faces here and there. They were nobles who often visited the Salute Temple. I exchanged some formal greetings with a few of them.
“Isn’t that Priest Johan? I didn’t expect you to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday party, and with Princess Salome, no less.”
“Lord Carbel. It’s been a while. I am grateful to have been invited to such an honorable party by the Crown Prince, despite being just a humble priest. As it happens, I am accompanying the princess because I am responsible for her education.”
“As expected of you, Priest. I hear that thanks to you, the Krüger family has been enjoying more peace lately.”
After that, I engaged in meaningless small talk with the other nobles. It was completely unfulfilling. I would have rather returned to the temple and heard the confessions of the faithful. My attention was on the princess, yet I had to converse with others—it was maddening.
The one comforting thought was that the nobles seemed quite favorable toward me. Of course, that was only natural. In the Terium Empire, the authority of the priesthood outweighed even that of the emperor.
A typical priest held a status almost equal to the nobles. If one had a bad relationship with a priest in a situation where the temple exerted significant influence on politics, nothing good would come of it.
“Now that the princess is of age, when do you think she will marry… She’s been educated at the temple, right? Oh, and I hear there was a scandal with a priest not long ago.”
At that moment, a lady was speaking with the princess. Was she referring to the incident a few months ago when the princess kissed me during her coming-of-age ceremony? I thought that memory had faded from people’s minds, but apparently not. What a headache.
“Countess, did you decorate your head with flowers or something? Your hair is quite extravagant.”
“Y-your head… How rude of you to say such a thing!”
The countess blushed and erupted in anger. The princess, smiling, caught a passing waiter and took a glass of champagne. Emergency! The princess was about to pour it over the countess’s face.
I immediately forgot the conversation I was having with another noble and rushed over, grabbing the princess’s wrist.
“Princess, sorry for the sudden interruption.”
“Priest Johan?”
“I need to speak with you briefly.”
The princess looked at me curiously but obediently put down the champagne. Honestly, she didn’t need to hear anything I said. But if I hadn’t intervened, the party would have been in chaos. The Crown Prince hadn’t even arrived yet; I couldn’t allow an incident to occur.
Just as I was about to guide her to a corner, a servant shouted loudly:
“Glory unto the Terium Empire! Here enter the guest of honor, Crown Prince Luciano Cervel, and his fiancée, Lady Anteia!”
The doors opened, and the Crown Prince and Lady Anteia entered. Everyone’s attention shifted from the princess to them. Thank you, Ataras. I quietly made the sign of the cross in relief.
People formally greeted the Crown Prince. He waved to them as he exchanged pleasantries, but his eyes caught Princess Salome, and a slight twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The princess seized the opportunity. Before I could intervene, she moved toward the Crown Prince and Lady Anteia.
“Crown Prince, it’s been a while. You haven’t contacted me all this time. I’ve been very disappointed.”
“Princess Salome, it seems your studies abroad went well. I’m glad to see you looking cheerful.”
“I was sad not to spend time with you because of my studies. I wish we could play like when we were children again.”
The princess smiled brightly. In contrast, the Crown Prince went pale, and a twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Lady Anteia glanced between the princess and the Crown Prince. Then she smiled innocently at Princess Salome.
“Princess, it’s been a while! This is our first meeting since the last party, right?”
The princess looked at Lady Anteia and sneered.
“Oh, you were there? Long time no see, Lady Anteia. You’re still so small and cute, like a little mouse—I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Princess, such words are—!”
The Crown Prince’s brow twitched. The princess was openly mocking Lady Anteia. Meanwhile, she smiled as if saying, ‘Yes, I am small. Even wearing high heels doesn’t seem to help.’
Once, the princess had told me Lady Anteia had “a head full of flowers,” and perhaps it was true. But clearly, such disrespectful words were inappropriate.
It was strange that the Crown Prince, so heavenly in demeanor, did not openly rebuke the princess. I realized that if this situation was to be managed, I would have to step in.
“Your Highness, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Johan, a priest of the Salute Temple.”
“So you are Priest Johan. I am pleased to meet you. Thank you for attending this sudden invitation to the party.”
“Not at all. On the contrary, I am truly honored to be invited. Happy birthday, Your Highness. May Ataras’s blessings always be with you.”
I shook hands briefly with the Crown Prince. He was as kind as I had heard—gentle with his subordinates despite his status, speaking with humility.
After the brief greeting, the princess looped her arm through mine.
“I’ll see you again later, Your Highness. Lady Anteia, try not to bump into anything with that tiny frame of yours.”
“As expected of you, Princess! Such a kind person. See you later.”
The princess smirked. She was clearly insulting the Crown Prince and Lady Anteia. Yet Lady Anteia continued to smile warmly at her. She had always been someone who saw the good in people, but to this extent? The princess was openly insulting someone to their face, and she still responded kindly.
As the princess’s educator, I felt nothing but guilt toward the Crown Prince.
“Shall we go, Priest?”
“Yes, Princess.”
I bowed once toward the Crown Prince and Lady Anteia and left the scene with the princess. Her words about seeing us again later sounded ominous.
Afterward, I endured more interactions with nobles. The princess was pulled away by other nobles. I finally escaped the crowd and headed toward a corner.
I wanted nothing more than to avoid the nobles. Moreover, since I didn’t know when the princess might explode, it was better to watch her than talk to anyone else.
Unlike before, she seemed composed. Thankfully, it appeared the nobles were catering to her mood.
I looked away for a moment. The orchestra began playing a waltz. The cheerful strings echoed softly through the hall. People paired up and began to dance.
I leaned against the wall and quietly observed them. Nobles truly had a charmed life—attending parties every day, exchanging meaningless conversation. Here, I felt like oil in water, completely out of place.
Then someone poked my shoulder. Turning, I saw the princess holding out her hand. She had been talking to other nobles just moments ago—how did she get here so quickly?
“Priest, would you like to dance?”
“…I’m not good at dancing. Perhaps you should ask someone else. I didn’t come here to enjoy the party.”
Her suggestion was burdensome. Being a priest in a spotlight, if we danced, rumors about us would spread further. Besides, it was true—I had little reason to learn dancing as a priest. Of course, I had learned a little as a child.
“It would be rude to refuse a lady’s dance. A priest who values etiquette so highly shouldn’t do that.”
“…Then don’t complain if I step on your feet.”
“Of course.”
The princess nodded. I reluctantly rose from the wall. Taking her hand, we moved to the center of the hall. I placed my hand carefully on her waist and met her gaze.
I recalled the steps I had learned as a child, dancing as my mother taught me. Memories of happiness surfaced, and a smile involuntarily formed on my lips.
But then, memories of hardship returned, and my smile faded. I began following the princess’s lead, recalling the steps.
The violet hem of her dress fluttered. Each time she turned, the light of the chandeliers scattered like a prism.
Yet, more beautiful than anything else in the hall was the one standing right in front of me. I could almost be hypnotized. Like a devil’s temptation, like an angel’s mercy—Salome Krüger was that woman.
Leaning close, she whispered briefly in my ear, smiling:
“Priest, be honest… you’ve fallen for me already, haven’t you?”
