Chapter 43

Naga, the knight, approached us who were deep in conversation at the temple.

"Are you here, Priestess?"

When Naga smiled, it felt as if the air brightened. He was manly yet approachable.

"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation. Beautiful lady, my master is calling for the Priestess."

Lilith's face turned red.

Is it okay?! You're married, you know?

"This is Baroness Andrea. Naga, what is it?"

Naga, from the viscount's family under the Carving's command, stood elegantly and said after introducing himself,

"It's getting late, so he wants you to return to your room. The lord will escort you, so could you come to the grand hall once?"

"I'm a junior of the songstress. We met here by chance and I want to talk a bit more. I can go back by myself, so please tell him to enjoy the ball."

"Talking is fine, but I don't think it's a good idea."

Naga looked at me with a grin.

Recently, Lord Joshua's interference in my life has been excessive, and it's honestly troubling.

"I want to talk a bit more. If I can't go back alone, please escort me to my room. Please tell him that I'll wait here until you return."

After Naga left, Lilith said with a dreamy look on her face,

"He's wonderful, isn't he?"

Is it okay? You're married, you know. And so is Naga!

"The knights of the Carving territory are really great. Lately, they've become more popular than the royal guards. The imperial performance was truly impressive, and it's all the talk. As expected of Lady Arietti!"

I didn't understand the last "as expected."

Indeed, the imperial performance was beautiful, but the costumes added 30%. The inside was just a rough old man!

True, the Carving troops seem to have been well-trained by Lord Joshua, who was once a royal guard. When I said that,

"Ah, the Earl of Carving was a royal guard. I wasn't invited to this ball, so I haven't seen him yet. But I've heard he's a very handsome young man... and Lady Alicia's fiancé."

"Indeed, he is very beautiful and has excellent qualities as a ruler. He's still young, but he is Lady Alicia's fiancé, I believe."

"Yes. I heard that at the recent social season, the Earl of Carving said he wanted to marry me soon. ...It's a bit difficult to say, but I've also heard rumors that I'm going to quit. Honestly, I think Lady Alicia's behavior is, well, dishonest. To the young nobles and to us songstresses, and to the Earl of Carving."

Ah. With those words, I understood the songstresses' feelings about Lady Alicia.

Lady Alicia has lost the respect of the songstresses.

As the leader of a hundred songstresses, it's fatal.

Becoming a songstress out of admiration for the priestess, this is disheartening. Poor them.

"It's sad to see such a proud songstress become like this. I was delighted to see Lady Arietti's performance."

Lilith smiled. It was good to hear that.

I think I worked really hard, but your words made me feel rewarded.

"I feel rewarded when you say that. The Orsein and others didn't like it."

"I understand. I've also been told many unpleasant things."

Lilith laughed softly.

Honestly, the priestess-first attitude is tiring, isn't it? She laughed, and then,

"But I think your achievements will be recognized soon. Like the imperial performance, for example."

She paused and asked tentatively,

"Was Lady Arietti close to Lord Kiriam?"

Huh? Lord Kiriam?

"No. I hardly ever spoke to him personally. We've played instrumental music together several times, though."

Indeed, she sighed.

No way.

Is what's happening to me related to Lord Kiriam?

I don't want to be involved with him anymore because I'm part of Lady Alicia's circle.

"After the imperial performance, there was a rumor that Lady Arietti would become engaged to Lord Kiriam. I thought it was strange because Lady Arietti was close to Lady Diva. Lady Diva always opposed Lord Kiriam. I've seen her scold Lord Kiriam for being disrespectful when Lady Alicia didn't participate in practice."

Yet, suddenly, she was said to be close to me and about to become engaged.

They say he's waiting for me to return to the capital after the priestess's descent.

Huh?

Then why am I in Carving?

"Wait. I don't understand. My head hurts."

I understand, but I don't want to.

I don't want to think the temple is so corrupt.

I pressed my temples.

"…They want to take credit for the march. Lord Kiriam is the next High Priest."

Ah, I said it.

No, no.

I'm getting more and more disillusioned with the priests. I wish I had heard this after the priestess's tour.

"…Is Lord Kiriam's appointment as the next High Priest decided?"

"I think so. There's no official announcement, but High Priest Richard hasn't said anything, and his behavior towards Lady Alicia is already in that direction."

Ah, I've decided to resign as a priest.

Lord Kiriam Et Gedwalk. From a baron's family that has produced priests for generations. Anyone, regardless of status, can become a priest or a songstress, so there are few nobles among the priests. However, the Gedwalk family produces a priest in each generation, giving them influence in the temple, even without exceptional ability.

Lord Kiriam's father served as High Priest a few generations ago. Perhaps because of this, he has an unusually arrogant attitude and leaves a bad impression.

To be honest, I dislike him. I can't respect him.

"It's hard to return to the capital now."

I sighed involuntarily.

Even if I resign as a priest and live as a commoner, it's difficult to live near the central temple and the social world.

I've been too prominent.

"…Will you stay at the Etzia temple forever?"

"The priestess will descend. Priests won't be needed, right? Besides, my relationship with Lady Alicia is too complicated."

We're not openly hostile, but I've never stood by Lady Alicia.

There are many friends on the opposite side.

It won't work out.

My personality won't allow it.

"I'm so sad."

Lilith whispered sadly.

"The previous priestess and the candidates were our idols. I now understand what the ideal was. We believed that if we worked hard, we could become like them."

I was proud too.

The beauty and beautiful voices of Lady Romelia and Lady Alicia.

Cecilia, a high-ranking young lady with a genius for composition.

Rose and Diva, with perfect pitch and delicate performance.

The other princesses each had unique talents.

Every princess was beautiful and full of confidence.

I was proud to be part of their group, even if I was overshadowed by them.

But something intangible and unexplainable twisted everything, and I left the temple in disappointment.

"I still believe in the High Priest."

I said, encouraging Lilith and myself.

The High Priest is said to be inactive, but I want to believe.

I have nothing else to cling to.

"I want to believe that the High Priest is thinking about how to prevent our younger sisters from being unhappy and how to properly raise the songstresses blessed by the goddess."

Yes, Lilith replied.

"What will you do after Etzia, Lady Arietti?"

It's hard to return to the capital. But if I don't, I can't continue as a priest.

"I'll resign as a priest. It's hard to return to the capital, so maybe I'll go abroad. It might be easier."

"But it's dangerous for a woman to go alone. Is there someone good?"

No, I smiled wryly.

"But I do have someone in mind. A friend. I don't think I'll marry again. At my age."

As Lilith started to say something, footsteps were heard again.

Lilith's expression when she looked in that direction told me who it was.