Chapter 19

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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As they spoke, the seniors' flames of passion flared up again.

"The fact that her first tour after her triumphant return is to her lover's place is just too much. Mixing personal and official matters to such an extent."

"She's attending a night gathering with her suitors, but it seems the real favorite is the Earl of Carving. He's the most handsome young man in the country and his gem mines are quite profitable. But if she marries him, she'll have to live in a remote border area."

"Oh, the ladies of the border regions spend more than half the year in the capital. As a former shrine maiden, she can come up with all sorts of reasons to be here."

"The current songstress is truly pitiful. She's only being used as a supporting act, and this won't give her any real experience. But if things continue like this, we don't want to cooperate either. It's disrespectful to the priests, but it's unacceptable that Princess Cecilia and Rose are still being kept out."

Cecilia, who came in second in the shrine maiden selection, is from a ducal family but hasn't appeared in society yet.

Rose, who came in third, had her engagement to the Foreign Minister's son broken off and was sent abroad for allegedly conspiring with Lady Romelia to harass Lady Alicia.

For some reason, the songstresses who were close to Lady Alicia have also been sent abroad.

And I have been sent to the border.

The only one left in the Central Shrine is Diva, who is good at teaching singing.

The Central Shrine must be struggling due to a lack of personnel.

"But there's no request from the High Priest. Isn't anyone going to reprimand the shrine maiden for her reckless behavior? If not, I'm disappointed. I can't cooperate either, even though I feel bad about it."

I understand how you feel.

Even I, who am loyal to the High Priest, feel the same way.

I can only keep going because there's a deadline.

"Oh, are you planning to quit, Arie?"

"It's not worth it. Besides, that shrine maiden is coming. I can't serve at the Etua Shrine."

"In that case, please come to Gaine after you retire. A beautiful songstress is a coveted prize for the men of our country. I have many people I'd like to introduce you to."

Before I knew it, the main guest had come to the table.

Lady Romelia! She's amazing! She's like a goddess!

"Congratulations, Lady Romelia and Lord Peyang."

"Thank you! I would like to receive your blessings, as the princesses who carry the will of the goddess."

Before Lord Peyang finished speaking, one of his attendants started playing the violin.

A verse from a hymn.

The most famous hymn sung at weddings.

The senior songstresses naturally started singing.

Perfect harmony.

How wonderful it feels!

Just before the song ended, one of the attendants handed me a violin.

I played a hymn composed during Lady Romelia's time.

A piece composed by Cecilia for Lady Romelia.

Songstresses have traditionally composed songs for the current shrine maiden.

The hymn for Lady Romelia, which was called a masterpiece.

Only our generation, who served Lady Romelia, can perform it well. But I was the only one who could attend this event.

Lady Romelia sang with a powerful voice, from low to high notes.

I admired her singing style and tried hard to imitate her pronunciation, but it was impossible.

Since I couldn't sing in harmony alone, I accompanied her on the violin. When the song ended, the guests cheered.

Lady Romelia's singing ability, befitting a songstress.

It was the first time in a long time that my heart trembled.

"Thank you, Arie."

Lady Romelia, if you cry like that, your makeup will smudge.

This should be a wedding ceremony for a former shrine maiden that the whole country would celebrate.

But to have to celebrate it in such a hidden way.

The cost of this is too high for the nobles of that country.

Lord Peyang looked at Lady Romelia with a mesmerized expression as she sang.

It was clear that he thought of her as a goddess from the bottom of his heart.

A country that doesn't cherish a great songstress like Lady Romelia is not worth staying in. I would definitely be happier here.

I might come here after I quit as a priest. Gaine's city was so much fun that I'm seriously considering it.