Chapter 7

When Noah led her into the room, two women were already seated. The slightly older women focused their attention on Lily, who had just entered last.

"Hello. Are you also a candidate for the Holy Maiden? I'm Poppy. Nice to meet you."

Poppy, with her rare hair that changed from blonde to peach, spoke to her in a friendly manner.

(Poppy is surely the daughter of Baron Calcus, who was adopted from a commoner family. Then, the other one must be the daughter of Duke Gold—)

"…What is your name?"

The beautiful blue-haired young lady narrowed her eyes and scanned Lily from head to toe as if evaluating her.

Olivia, the daughter of Duke Gold, was the most noble among the three.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Lily. Lady Olivia, Lady Poppy, please take care of me."

Lily, who had been informed of the two women's titles and names by Noah beforehand, finished her greeting and took the empty seat.

(For now, I'll keep a low profile and only answer questions. I won't initiate conversation. If anything bothers me, I'll give an ambiguous answer and report it to Cousin Noah—)

Because there was no time yesterday, this was the plan Lily and Noah had agreed upon to get through the orientation.

If they could get through it, she wouldn't have to go to the castle for a while, citing family gatherings.

Contrary to Lily's feelings, Poppy closed the distance quickly.

"Where are you from, Lily? I haven't seen you at the academy, so are you from a different region?"

There was a school in the capital for nobles, a three-year program starting at age fifteen. In other words, Lily had not yet reached the age of admission.

"I am thirteen. I came here under the guardianship of Earl Tynam."

"Oh! Earl Tynam. Then you know Lord Noah? I'm in the same class. Oh, Prince Arthur and Lady Olivia are in the same class too."

"Is that so?"

"Also, I was the top in the light magic exam, and Lady Olivia was second. Everyone else was far behind. By the way, I didn't see you during the exam."

Is it because she is from a commoner background that she stands so close? Lily, who had interacted with people of all ranks from border barons to commoner soldiers at the western fortress, had never been this close to someone on their first meeting.

"Um. That— is so."

"Hehe. Did you take it separately? I'm curious about your exam results, Lily."

"That— is so?"

Lily gave a non-committal answer, unsure whether she was being asked a question or just being talked to.

"Lady Poppy. You're confusing Lily. Besides, the difference in ability between you and me is negligible. The ranking is almost meaningless. Please don't talk to everyone indiscriminately. It's unpleasant."

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's rare for me to be better than Lady Olivia, so I got excited."

Poppy's smile, despite her closeness, showed no malice. Olivia, glaring at Poppy, made no effort to hide her hostility.

(Ah, they don't get along.)

Lily correctly and accurately understood the relationship between these two older women.

She was sure that Poppy also didn't like Olivia—perhaps even disliked her.

At that moment, the door opened with a creak, and the person in charge entered. The tense atmosphere in the room instantly disappeared. Both Olivia and Poppy sat facing forward as if nothing had happened.

"Everyone is here. I will now begin the explanation for the Holy Maiden candidates. —"

With the start of the explanation, a very long orientation began.

Holding thick documents, Lily trudged out of the room.

Looking to her left and right, she saw Noah standing against the wall. However, Poppy was in front of Noah, talking to him earnestly. Lily sent a glance to Noah, but their eyes met, and the conversation didn't end, so it seemed she couldn't leave yet.

(There's no choice. I have to wait until it's over…)

She moved to the wall and readjusted the documents she was holding. Lily, who usually moved around a lot, was not used to sitting for long periods to listen to explanations.

As a result, she was tired, and her head felt heavy and warm.

Out of habit, she stuck her hand into her pocket, took out a candy, and put it in her mouth. It was an unrefined act, but she was tired and wanted to supply her brain with sugar. Besides, no one was around, so it was fine—

"What are you doing?"

Lily jumped at the voice from a very close distance, in the opposite direction of where Noah was.

She quickly pulled her hand out of her pocket, and the candy fell to the floor.

"Did I startle you?"

The speaker was standing next to Lily, not in the uniform of a knight or a civil servant as seen at the castle or during the orientation.

With his blonde hair and non-uniform attire, he was probably a royal or of noble birth.

"No, not at all."

"You seem to have dropped something."

As she hurried to pick it up, she was startled by Poppy's voice from behind.

"Ah! Prince Arthur. Good day."

(Prince Arthur! Oh, it's the Crown Prince!)

She was surprised that he was a royal, and even more so that he was standing alone without any attendants.

While Lily was surprised, Poppy quickly moved to stand in front of Arthur and started talking rapidly.

"Lily, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. What are you picking up?"

"I dropped a candy, so I was picking it up."

Before Lily could finish speaking, Noah's eyes narrowed.

He probably noticed the candy in her mouth. It was an unbecoming act for a lady, so a lecture was certain.

"Your Highness, I will take Lily to—"

"Noah. You should escort the daughter of Baron Calcus."

"Oh, Noah, and then—"

"Noah. Please escort the daughter of Baron Calcus."

Lily looked at Noah, then at Arthur and Poppy. Poppy's cheeks puffed up in dissatisfaction.

"Prince Arthur, I haven't finished my report yet."

"Today was just for explanations and task assignments. I'll accept your report in writing from tomorrow."

Arthur, wanting to end the conversation with Poppy, sent a glance to Noah. Noah quickly slipped between Arthur and Poppy.

"Understood. I will take my leave. Poppy, this way."

As Noah led Poppy away, Lily, whose brain was finally getting some sugar, blinked.

(Why am I being left behind?)

She looked up at Arthur, but he averted his gaze, so she couldn't read his expression.

After a moment of curious silence, Arthur cleared his throat.

"I believe we haven't introduced ourselves yet."

"! I am Lily, the niece of Earl Tynam and Noah's cousin."

Upon Arthur's reminder, Lily introduced herself and curtsied, but with her hands full, she failed miserably.

It was a series of blunders for a young lady.

"I am Arthur Alurm, the Crown Prince of this country."

After introducing themselves, another awkward silence fell.

"Lily, if you have time afterward, would you mind accompanying me for a while?"

"Yes, I would be honored."

There was no other answer she could give. Lily followed Arthur down the long corridor.