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Chapter – 51
Finally, I’ve arrived…!
I pressed my joy-thumping heart down and looked around.
White buildings and marble floors.
Long benches made of wood scattered among the bushes and trees.
A few priests in white clerical robes glancing in this direction.
This was a temple.
Not just any temple—
“The temple where Calyx is!”
Haa.
How many mountains had I crossed to get here?
Sassy Louis.
The nerve-wracking steward meeting.
The contracts and recognition from the former duke!
After being safely acknowledged as the granddaughter by the former duke…
“Abadi, I’ve decided on the relic.”
I finally brought up the duke’s gift that I had been putting off.
“Finally?”
“Yes! Really, can I say anything?”
“Sure. I’ll grant whatever you want.”
The duke, propping his chin on his hand, looked at me with bright eyes. He seemed curious about what I would wish for.
I swallowed and said,
“Well, I want to be friends with that trainee priest from before.”
“You mean that trainee priest—”
He raised his eyebrows lightly as he spoke.
“The kid priest with a half-and-half face, right?”
“Yes, that one. That priest!”
“Alright, then. Let it be so.”
I was more surprised by his prompt reply than I expected.
“…Really? I can really be friends with him?”
The duke, still propping his chin on the desk, smiled lazily at my repeated questioning.
“Marshmallow.”
“Yes, Abadi.”
“I told you. You don’t need to care what anyone thinks.”
I nodded vigorously, though my fingers twitched nervously.
And so, today—
I finally came to the temple to meet Calyx.
“Where is Calyx?”
“Well… trainee priests usually wander all over the place.”
“Eh? Really?”
I asked in surprise, and the duke shrugged casually.
“Well, don’t worry. You can just ask the one who rushes over groveling.”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Rush over groveling? How do they do that?”
And soon, my question was answered.
“Hahaha! Welcome, Duke!”
A chubby priest was running toward us, rubbing his hands together.
Clearly, he was groveling as he approached.
The priest stopped in front of us and bowed before speaking.
“I am Antis, head of this temple and a mid-ranking priest.”
“Oh, I see.”
The duke’s indifferent tone made Antis’ smile stiffen awkwardly.
“H-Haha. I was so surprised to hear that the Duke had come… are you here to pray, or to donate—?”
“Neither.”
The priest froze in his tracks, eyes wide with shock.
“N-Neither?”
“Yes. I have no interest in prayers or donations.”
“…Then why did you come to the temple?”
Antis’ question turned to me, his blue eyes on me.
“I came to find my daughter’s friend.”
“…Excuse me?”
“To find my daughter’s friend.”
“…?”
His expression showed complete confusion.
Normally, people introduce themselves to strangers first, but—
“Hello.”
I didn’t think I needed to formally greet a priest.
Antis’ expression soured, perhaps displeased by my casual greeting.
So what?
“Ah, hello.”
“Well, priest, where can I find the trainee priest?”
I jumped straight to the point. Thinking Calyx might be nearby, I couldn’t wait even a moment to see him.
It’s always more desperate to see something barely in sight than something completely invisible.
“Are you not going to answer? My daughter asked.”
“I- I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else. The trainee priests….”
He paused, as if noticing something, and his eyes widened. Then he gestured somewhere quickly.
“Hey! Come over here!”
What’s going on? Who’s he calling?
I peeked from the duke’s arms. And then—
“…Eh?”
I couldn’t help but make a dumbfounded sound.
Dark skin, green eyes, dark brown hair.
That priest was undoubtedly—
“Do you know him?”
“Yes. I met him once before, when I first came with Louis Onaberry and Harabudy to their house…”
“Oh, the priest who came then.”
I nodded and looked back at the familiar priest.
He seemed to recognize me too.
His normally expressionless face broke into a big grin when he saw me.
“Wow—Lady Princess!”
The man waved both hands wildly, then remembered to bow awkwardly.
Still such a scatterbrain, I thought.
I waved back lightly. After all, it’s only the second time we’ve met.
“You called for me, Antis?”
“A precious guest has arrived.”
“Ah, indeed, you are precious guests.”
Antis’ words made the familiar priest grin and bow.
“I’m Manette. I was recently appointed here as a mid-ranking priest.”
“Clears his throat. No need for unnecessary words.”
“Huh? Did I say something unnecessary?”
Manette blinked, confused. Antis’ face scrunched up in response.
“Never mind. Just guide her to the trainee priests.”
At the duke’s cold tone, Manette forced a smile.
“Ah, yes. I will guide her. But… there’s a problem.”
“A problem?”
“Most of the trainee priests are children, so it might startle them if the Duke comes along.”
“So?”
“U-Um… Lady Princess, perhaps only you should go. Your safety will be fully my responsibility. Right, Manette?”
“Huh? Me?”
“…Manette!”
“Ah! Yes, I will take full responsibility. Don’t worry. Just trust me!”
…This Manette really has no sense.
I wondered how he became a mid-ranking priest. Purely on ability?
While I pondered, Antis continued with a chuckle.
“While the Lady Princess meets her friend, the Duke will be entertained by me. How does that sound?”
“I don’t want to.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I said I don’t want to. Why would I trust you to leave my daughter alone with a priest?”
The duke’s slightly crooked tone made his expression fierce despite the soft smile on his face.
However—
“Shall I carry you, Lady Princess?”
“No, I’m fine.”
In the end, only Manette and I went to meet the trainee priest.
“Uh, so it’s just you and me, this priest.”
“…What? What do you mean, Marshmallow? Are you abandoning your father now?”
“No?! Not that, it’s just… if Lix feels uncomfortable….”
“My friend is already preferred over me at this age. Your father would be so sad he’d cry.”
“Ha! Of course I like you, Abadi! Really!”
“Really?”
“Yes! You’re the best, Daddy!”
“For life?”
“Yes. For life.”
Only then did the duke reluctantly let me go.
It must just be my imagination that I feel a little tricked.
“By the way, it really seems the Duke cares for you a lot.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you see him warn me earlier? It was terrifying. Ugh.”
Manette grabbed my hand firmly and shivered loudly.
…Well, it was pretty intense.
“Manette, wasn’t it?”
“No, sir. It’s Manette.”
“Alright, Manette. Take good care of my daughter. Don’t even think of doing anything reckless.”
The duke smiled warmly and rested his hand on my head.
Soon, a dark energy crept from his hand.
It slithered down like a snake and dove right into my shadow.
“This will keep you safe, Marshmallow.”
“This protects me?”
“Exactly. And if anything happens, I’ll rush to you immediately.”
The large hand ruffled my hair lightly.
“Call me whenever you feel in danger.”
With those words, the duke left with Antis.
Leaving a priest behind who probably planned to spew some nonsense with an exaggerated bow—
“I’ll make sure to protect you, Lady Princess, even if it’s just fear of the Duke,” Manette said.
“…Uh. Thanks.”
Hmm. Can I really trust this person?
