Chapter 82

The title of Holy Princess is not an official one.

It is simply what the common people call Fiona based on her birth.

In the Uldwight Empire, an ancient polytheistic religion has been the state religion for a long time.

It is similar to Shinto in Japan or the ancient Greek mythology.

While it is not something people are conscious of in their daily lives, there is a massive central shrine in the capital, and a grand festival is held once a year.

The shrine is served by priestesses.

Living apart from the secular world, they only appear in public in limited places, and are revered by the people.

As with religious figures in previous lives, chastity is required of priests, especially priestesses.

Adultery is punishable by death for both parties.

There are only a few recorded cases of convictions, but there were no exceptions in the sentences.

About fifteen years ago, a priestess became pregnant.

She should have been sentenced to death, but as was often the case in previous lives, there was a custom in this country that exempted pregnant women from punishment.

She was excommunicated from the shrine, and that was the extent of her punishment.

However, the man involved was a different matter. He could not escape the death penalty.

The name that the inquisitor finally extracted after days of relentless questioning was a shocking one.

The current Uldwight Emperor, Jilzerius Uld Elgrive.

The Uldwight Emperor also serves as the High Priest, the head of the priests.

While it was not impossible for him to take advantage of the secluded and unfree priestesses, the problem was that no one could judge the Emperor.

With command over the entire military, including the imperial guard stationed in the capital, and his own intelligence agency, there was no one who could detain the Emperor.

The parliament, of course, was in turmoil.

However, after a parliamentarian who had been criticizing the Emperor's refusal to appear in court died under mysterious circumstances, and with no suitable next imperial candidate to be promoted, the Emperor's crime was left unresolved and eventually forgotten.

It was around this time, after the commotion had subsided, that Fiona was born.

Unfortunately, her mother died after childbirth due to complications, but in her place, a princess with the blood of a shrine priestess, which should have been impossible, was born.

The Holy Princess Fiona.

Due to the circumstances of her birth, she had been under house arrest for a long time, but in recent years, her name has become known to the public, and she is said to be making her presence felt in the royal family.

A princess born from a forbidden love.

This is the image that the common people have of her...

"If I were to be reborn, I would want to fly in the sky."

Suddenly saying this, she would freeze the dinner table.

"..."

No one said anything, perfectly.

The dining table, adorned with candlesticks and vases, was attended by Father, Mother, Luft, Glaive, me, and Amie, but an awkward silence filled the air.

Unable to help it, I opened my mouth.

"If that's the case, I would recommend the birds that live in the southern forest. They have abundant food, few predators, and are colorful and beautiful."

"Well, I once saw a merchant dealing with them. But since it's a rare opportunity, I would like to be a stronger being in my next life. Like a dragon."

"Being a dragon also seems quite challenging. From what I saw in Astiria."

"Oh, the famous one? I would like to hear more about that story."

"I saw it in the summer..."

While talking, I glanced around the table... Glaive was looking at me with a face that said, "Hey, are you serious?"

I understand.

Fiona is... to put it mildly, quite peculiar.

It must be surprising that I, who usually avoid her, am taking the initiative to engage with her.

Glaive seems to be favored by her and is often made to talk to her, which seems to be tiring him out. His casual attitude towards the princess might be due to this.

This person, despite being quite peculiar, talks a lot...

"Well, Eifa was there too, wasn't she? I was wondering, what is your relationship with her?"

"Choke! Cough, cough!"

Eifa, suddenly asked, started coughing.

Indeed, Eifa was also at the dinner table.

Despite her insistence that she was a slave and did not need to be there, Luft forced her to attend, saying she was a classmate and guest of Seika.

Judging from the atmosphere, it was questionable whether this was good for her. It might even be that Luft just wanted to increase the number of victims.

"Well, um, I am Seika-sama's servant, and a slave... that's all."

Eifa, nervous and stammering, made Fiona laugh.

"Hehe. You call him Seika-kun? Your own master?"

"No, um, it's been like this since we were young..."

"It's quite cute. Hehehe... Take good care of him, Seika-kun?"

"Please don't tease me."

Then, Fiona suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, the academy accepts slaves equally, doesn't it? I heard it was merit-based, and it seems to be true. Amie and Mabel, despite being commoners, have achieved good grades."

"Sure, but..."

"Anyway, did you say Mabel is a commoner?"

"Oh...? You were adopted into the Crane Baron's family... I must have been mistaken. I apologize if I offended you."

"...It's fine. The adoption is true."

"Also, this one isn't doing well in her studies."

"...! Don't say that, Amie. You're just covering up with practical skills."

"What do you mean by covering up?"

"What kind of practical skills do you do at the magic academy?"

Seeing the conversation among the girls pick up, I returned to my meal. Sigh.

"Seika"

This time, Blaze called out to me, and I looked up.

My current father said without a smile,

"Are you well?"

I hadn't had much chance to talk to Blaze yet.

I put on a smile and replied,

"Yes, I'm doing well, Father."

"The Astiria incident was tough. Your report was well done. It seems to have been a topic of discussion among scholars specializing in monsters."

"Thank you. It was worth the effort I put into my studies at the academy."

"The academy... is it still a good place?"

"...? Yes, it's a good place."

"Is that so? Then it's good."

Blaze fell silent after that.

He is still a man of few words.

"Write letters more often. Being here, it's hard to get news from Rodnea."

I almost dropped my spoon in surprise.

I was now looking down at my plate, but the voice that called out just now was definitely my mother's.

Despite being almost completely ignored since my reincarnation...

"Y-Yes, Mother."

That was all I could manage to say in response.