Chapter 16

Confused, I stood there, and Lord Joshua smiled gracefully, offering me tea.

Hmm.

Is it over? Is it over?

It seems the apology session is over, as the head maids quietly left the room.

It appears to be over.

But, this is where the main topic begins, I guess.

The past discourtesies have been forgiven.

It means you are to liven up Lady Alicia's tour, right?

Yes, of course.

That's my job.

But I'd prefer it if you didn't just dump everything on me.

Teaching music to the people is different from showing welcome to a future lady of the house. I hope Lord Joshua, who knows Lady Alicia's preferences well, will take the lead.

Otherwise, we might end up displeasing her like yesterday. Even though we received the same education as a songstress, I don't know her very well.

"I was moved by the performance at the spring festival. The knights' morale was lifted, thanks to you."

Half of the knights who participated in the march were from the domain's army. If that boosted their morale, it's a good thing.

"That's great to hear. It's a performance that foreign armies do during parades. They conduct such training to unify their consciousness."

"Hmm," Lord Joshua showed interest.

"You know a lot about it. Have you been to a foreign country?"

"I went twice for the songstress tours. That ceremony was held in the Basterm Empire. It was part of the welcoming ceremony for the songstress tour. It was on a much larger scale, with about 200 people in the formation, and the music was on par with an orchestra."

"Such a grand performance. It must have been impressive. I want to formally incorporate that performance into military training. Can you train the commanders?"

"Of course. Wilhelm and Jean are already capable of giving guidance. However, they are not commanders. I will train the commanders. Please introduce them to me."

Even just the march practice should improve the discipline of the military. Since Lord Joshua resigned from the royal guard and returned last year, the domain's army has been significantly trained.

Recently, the guards who used to stand idly have become more disciplined and look more alert.

"I heard that music for the first time. And those calls. Is that an ancient language? 'Glory to Carving,' right?"

"The music is a rearrangement of an existing piece. The calls are in ancient language."

"You know the ancient language well."

"It's often mixed in with the hymns that remain in the regions. Songstresses learn ancient language along with history, though only the basics."

"Etiquette too?"

"Yes."

High-born songstresses often marry into high-ranking noble families. As a songstress, one receives ladylike education, just like a priestess, who is treated like royalty.

"That's why songstresses are said to have the highest level of ladylike education. I didn't realize the songstress training was so comprehensive."

Thank you for seeing me in a new light.

It's a bit late, though.

Did Lady Alicia not talk about such things?

No, the training for songstresses is very strict.

That's why only about a third of those who enter remain.

Only the chosen few become priestess candidates.

There's no set number, but the candidates are selected from songstresses aged 17 to 21. Many give up on being a songstress when they realize they won't be selected for the five-year evaluation.

Recently, there are also those who want the experience of being a songstress, even for a short time.

The priests often lament that some can't keep up with the training.

Having the experience of being a songstress makes it easier to join an orchestra as a performer. For nobles, it can also help them marry into a high-ranking family.

I used to believe in that kind of pattern.

...To all aspiring songstresses across the country, I'm sorry to be such a disappointing senior.

I thought we were going to discuss the priestess tour, but Lord Joshua said something unexpected.