Chapter 2

Oh, I feel so intimidated.

I’ve finally returned to the capital after a long time.

For the first time in my life, I’m here to attend the royal ball.

I won’t dance at the ball, though.

After all, I’m a priestess.

So, I’m not wearing a dress.

Just my priestess’s ceremonial robe.

This ball, hosted by the royal family to celebrate the New Year, is only open to high-ranking nobles who hold key positions in the country and those who have been invited.

This time, I’ve been invited for the first time as a priestess from the Carving Temple.

Hehe.

...I’m not at all excited. It’s just a hassle.

Living in the remote Carving region turned out to be quite suitable for me. Even without the entertainment and trends of the capital, I don’t feel lonely and am quite fulfilled.

So, I’m feeling incredibly intimidated by the grandeur of the palace now.

Everyone around me is radiating glamour.

I’m glad I wore my ceremonial robe.

If I had tried to pick out a dress, I would have undoubtedly looked like a fashionably late, out-of-touch, and awkward middle-aged woman.

Yeah, my choice was right.

As we wait for our turn to enter, the gentlemen and ladies around us are sending us intense glances, but it’s okay.

Since my choice was right, I don’t think they’ve noticed my intimidation from my composed expression.

“...Are you nervous?”

I thought I was hiding it, but he noticed.

Well, someone like him would notice.

Standing next to me, not exactly escorting but waiting to enter with me, is Lord Joshua of Carving, the young earl.

A young earl of just 20 years old.

A handsome young man, as rumored, and until the last selection of the maiden priestess, he served as a royal guard.

His well-built physique, suitable for a soldier, is clearly visible even in the formal attire of the ball.

His good posture and standing figure are so beautiful that they draw attention even among all these people.

He’s exceptional. I’m envious.

I smiled slightly and nodded in response to Lord Joshua’s question, pretending to be nervous. My gaze remained fixed on the grand hall below.

Ah, we have to go down to that hall.

There, we will perform a formal bow towards the throne.

After receiving the royal couple’s acknowledgment, we will proceed further into the grand hall. The bow should take about five seconds.

Next to the royal couple are the maiden priestess and the high priest.

One step below them, the royal family is lined up.

Ah, Princess Lusine, it’s been a while.

Princess Lusine, the former songstress, was close to the previous Lady Romelia as a caretaker of the Central Temple. She often showed kindness to the songstresses of that time.

I did receive words of encouragement from her, but she probably doesn’t remember me.

After all, I was just one of the 100 or so songstresses, and I didn’t receive any special recognition.

Prince Oscar is also here.

He is the head of the court orchestra, but for this entrance ceremony, he is standing with the royal family.

Princess Tiabelze, his wife, is as beautiful as ever.

I carefully scanned the grand hall to see if there were any other familiar faces, and Lord Joshua’s hand entered my field of vision.

This was a gesture to offer his escort.

When I looked up at him in surprise, he smiled faintly.

I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

He’s so handsome.

“Your hand. If you’re nervous, you might trip on the stairs.”

Oh, how kind. But it’s not necessary.

“I would be honored, my lord.”

I lightly bowed and declined with a lady’s courtesy.

Lord Joshua frowned as if he wanted to say something, but we were called to enter, so he started walking.

Did I upset him?

Well, it doesn’t matter.

Look, the glances are painful.

Whether I accepted or declined the escort, I’ve earned the wrath of the young ladies. Why is that?

It’s not my fault, considering our positions. I’m a priestess from his domain.

If you’re jealous, I can give it to you.

But it will make it impossible for you to marry.

After all, in four years, that maiden priestess will be sent away. She’s still of marriageable age, but it will be difficult to marry normally after four years.

Unless there’s a dramatic turn of events like in a popular drama.

But that’s not going to happen.

Especially not for me, since I’m just the second daughter.

Ah, maybe I could be a second wife.

...I feel a bit down. I wanted to have a normal marriage.

While I was thinking about this, my excitement cooled down, and I managed to descend the stairs without tripping.

“Lord Joshua van Carving of the Carving Margravate, and Priestess Arietty Et Smith of the Etua Temple in Carving, please enter!”

Lord Joshua stopped in the middle of the hall, so I followed his example and stood next to him, bowing deeply.

Counting 1, 2, 3 in my head, I raised my head in sync with Lord Joshua’s presence and met the king’s gaze. To show respect, I slightly shifted my gaze and moved my head to see the maiden priestess Alicia and the high priest.

Alicia was beaming and waving her hand slightly.

Oh, how obvious.

I can’t see his face, but I’m sure Lord Joshua is smiling too.

They are in love, after all, according to the rumors.

But, this is an important event to celebrate the peace and prosperity of the country. It’s quite bold of them to show their private feelings in front of the dignitaries who hold key positions in the country.

Well, Alicia’s carefree personality has been the same since her days as a songstress, and even then, she often broke rules and unwritten codes, but she never seemed to be reprimanded.

Perhaps it’s thanks to her entourage or, as the rumors suggest, because she is the king’s secret child. For someone like me, who is just one of the many, there’s no explanation for why she can still live so freely.

Personally, it’s extremely frustrating.

I’m not sure if it’s jealousy from envy or anger from a rigid mindset.

Either way, my dissatisfaction as a low-ranking priestess is insignificant to the important adults in this country, so I won’t dwell on it any further.

It just makes me feel bad.

Revised: "A handsome young man, as rumored, and until the last selection of the maiden priestess, he served as a royal guard." → "A handsome young man, as rumored, and until the previous selection of the maiden priestess, he served as a royal guard."