Chapter 50

It has been a week until the arrival of the Miko-hime and her entourage.

Information is coming in accurately.

To be honest, this tour is unprecedented.

It's remarkable that we've come this far without turning back.

Thinking about the participating songstresses makes my heart ache.

The temple ceremonies, which were supposed to be held three times, have been canceled due to a significant change in the schedule.

We are currently staying in the Orsain territory, but there are no ceremonies here either.

However, I haven't heard that the evening gatherings have been canceled.

The songstresses do not all participate in the evening gatherings; half of them perform the blessings to maintain some semblance of decorum.

And then, the dropouts from the tour.

Already, three people have fallen ill and have not reached the Orsain territory.

It was reported that some left the group after more than ten days into the tour and returned to the capital.

Since then, the number has gradually increased. What's concerning is that it's unclear whether they are songstresses.

If they were songstresses, it's strange that they didn't have any guards.

It's unclear who exactly is missing.

Not all the destinations and itineraries of the tour are known.

Only the necessary information for each location is provided.

If I were the official in charge, I would have requested additional security from the territory overseeing the area and provided the necessary information, but the effort required to prepare the documents might have been skipped this time.

According to Lord Joshua, no security was even requested from the overseeing territories.

Probably, the delays are partly due to the checkpoints at the borders of each territory.

A considerate lord would allow the entourage to pass without stopping, but incompetent territories that think the tour is over once they leave the capital do not escort them or speak to the checkpoint officials.

As a result, they can be detained for half a day. The formats of the documents recognized by the territories and the capital differ, or the language is slightly different, causing misunderstandings.

For this reason, having a knight from the border barony overseeing the area would ensure smooth passage.

When I mentioned the significant delays in the first two weeks, Lord Joshua immediately sent a knight.

Despite this, the schedule continues to be delayed, ceremonies are canceled, and adjustments are being made, such as changing accommodations and reducing breaks.

And then, the unprecedented bad weather.

While it hasn't been explicitly reported that the delays are due to the weather, the journey is miserable, and the participants' health is significantly affected.

It has rained for five days so far.

During this season, rain is common in the southeastern region, but to my knowledge, it doesn't rain during the Miko-hime tour.

Rain slows down the movement.

And the biggest problem is...

"To be honest, the biggest problem during the tour is laundry."

This is a regular meeting.

The heads of the various regions overseeing the tour, the castle's steward, butler, and the knight commander are gathered.

"Laundry?"

"Yes. When it rains, the laundry doesn't dry, and the schedule is significantly disrupted."

This is true even on overcast days. It's even worse when it rains.

"Young women are on a long journey. If the laundry doesn't dry, it's a problem."

A soft laugh rippled through the meeting participants.

They really don't understand. It's not just about wanting to look neat and tidy.

"Women have their monthly cycle. If the laundry is delayed, it's a problem. With a large group, there are always multiple people at any given time. Running out of sanitary pads is a life-or-death issue for women."

Everyone was momentarily stunned into silence.

See, you didn't think of that, did you? The tour is more grueling than you think.

Sitting in a carriage for a long time is painful, the food might not agree with them, they might get motion sickness, oversleep in the carriage and not be able to sleep at night, have irregular bowel movements, or start their period.

This isn't a sightseeing trip, so they can't go shopping individually, and there's not much to enjoy.

"Understood. I'll increase the number of maids. We'll add more baths and prepare individual bathing rooms. The songstresses must be exhausted by now. Do your best to ensure they can rest as much as possible."

I am grateful for Lord Joshua's kindness.

Everyone will be happy with the hot springs in Carving.

"Ah," everyone responded briefly and dispersed.

After the meeting, everyone left, but I stayed in the room.

The meeting room connected to Lord Joshua's office has become my workspace.

Lord Joshua sat next to me as I continued to look over the documents.

Without a word, he slumped over the desk.

He seems unusually tired.

"Arietti."

Oh, are you really that tired? That's unusual.

"Have you also been troubled by your monthly cycle?"

Huh?

Whaaat?!

"Women bleed from the place where children are born, right? And sometimes it causes pain every month. Is that the case for you too?"

How can you ask such a thing to a lady?!

I was so shocked I couldn't even speak, and Lord Joshua tilted his head to look up at me.

"…To hear such things from a woman like you…"

Don't look up at me like that! It makes me imagine weird things!

"Thinking about you as a woman who can bear children and has a monthly cycle… Men are like that."

...No way! Everyone was looking at me like that?! That's so inappropriate!

I can't face them anymore.

Oh no.

"That's why I told you to be more reserved."

Lord Joshua sighed.

But, but, it just came up in the conversation!

I'm too embarrassed to lift my face.

"If I had a daughter, I wouldn't let her become a songstress."

I have no words. Even though I'm supposed to be the pinnacle of lady education.

It's all my fault! It's all my fault!

What did I do wrong?!

"I can see why you lack such reserve."

This time, I'll reflect and listen.

Please, tell me.

"People often say 'women's castle,' but you're too aware of men's gazes. Men always see women as potential partners for having children. ...Even if you don't have that intention, they think that way on their own."

That's true. I sometimes think of you that way too.

Right, right!

Oh no! I'm such an idiot!!

"…Have you reflected?"

I couldn't uncover my face, so I nodded.

"Even if you think it's necessary, you only need to talk to me about such things."

I can't talk to you about that either.

Oh, but I said it in front of so many people. I want to die.

Lord Joshua placed his large hand on my head.

"Truly. You have talents that are too precious to be wasted on a woman. That's why I can't take my eyes off you."

He said this and flicked my forehead.

Rubbing my forehead, I looked up to see Lord Joshua smiling a little, looking pleased.