Chapter 10

#010 The Emperor's Palace One-Strike Teacher (2)

To ask for help with a child.

I had been thinking of grand themes like palace intrigue, power struggles, and the purification of the clergy, so I was a bit taken aback.

"How... How do you wish me to help?"

Of course, helping a child would be much easier than those things, so it was a good thing for me.

I also had to admit that I had a certain confidence when it came to matters involving children.

I had practically raised my nine-year-old sister, Eunseo, with my brother.

I could confidently say that I and my brother, both unmarried, had done at least a few times what ordinary parents would do.

"Your throat must be dry. Would you like something to drink?"

But the Cardinal of Butei deliberately changed the subject.

I was puzzled and observed her expression, but as someone of her position, she showed almost no information on her face.

She smiled faintly at me and called a servant to request a drink.

"Coffee for His Eminence the Cardinal and ginger tea for Prince Yeseo."

"Thank you."

Before long, a teapot with white steam rising, teacups, and a coffee cup were set out.

The Cardinal was drinking coffee, and I had mentioned herbal tea, so I understood why Benshajiang was surprised on the first day.

He must have passed on the message that he would wait outside, as the drink in front of me was caffeine-free.

At home, I only drank ginger tea made with honey, but this seemed to be prepared differently.

The lemon slices added a refreshing finish, which was quite nice.

Soon, the servant left the room.

I wondered if I should bring up the topic of the 'child' again.

"I can't tell you more right now. I'm sorry."

The Cardinal, who had moistened her lips with coffee, spoke first.

She didn't seem to want to completely drop the subject.

"For now, just remember that there is a child who needs your help. It won't harm you. I promise."

"Is the child sick?"

"Something like that."

"Can't you tell me the child's name or age?"

"No. When you can use your power more stably and we can fully trust each other... then I will introduce you to the child."

She said quietly. I had no choice but to nod. Well, it wasn't a bad deal.

If I received personal tutoring from the Cardinal, my divine power would grow stronger, and I would be able to protect myself properly, increasing my chances of survival.

The fact that I would be in a mentor-student relationship with the Cardinal could also help ease the Emperor's potential suspicion of me.

Ah, right. The Emperor. That's right.

"Your Highness."

"Go ahead."

"The Emperor said He would grant me any convenience... I remember that."

"Yes, He did. Do you need something?"

It wasn't originally planned, but a few days ago, something came up.

"I heard that I might have to attend the Spring Ball this year. If possible, I would like to skip it."

"Surprising."

She widened her eyes slightly and then laughed out loud.

The nickname 'Rogue of the New Kingdom' was well-known, and people here, regardless of their status, treated me as a major socialite.

When I said I wouldn't do something, everyone was surprised, and when I said I would just read books in my room, they looked at me with rabbit eyes for a different reason.

"Do you have other plans for that day?"

"Well, I plan to fulfill my duty here."

The Spring Ball is where the protagonist of this novel, Princess Kristel de Sarnes, will definitely appear, and I don't want to meet her.

Otherwise, I might die. I need to preserve my life.

I couldn't explain it in such detail.

"Since I came as a confessor, I plan to hear the confessions of the people in the palace."

At my answer, the Cardinal's beige eyes sparkled.

She clearly found it interesting.

*

"Everyone will line up from dawn. We need to issue waiting numbers."

Sir Elizabeth, the Royal Guard Commander, stopped her knife and put on a serious face.

I was surprised while cutting a piece of steak for Ganael, who was standing next to me.

"Will that many people come?"

"For ordinary people, confessing to a bishop-level priest is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Most temples have mostly priests, and bishops are too busy with internal politics to show up often. But since Prince Yeseo will hear confessions personally, some people will even camp out tonight."

She finished cutting the meat with graceful movements.

Her dark green short hair swayed softly.

"Then the Guard will have a lot to do. I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. It's part of our job, and most importantly, it's a matter that His Eminence the Cardinal is also pushing."

Sir Elizabeth smiled.

This lunch was a hastily arranged meeting to coordinate the confession schedule starting tomorrow.

She added, "Many of the guards will also come to confess."

I smiled and started on my third plate of steak.

To ensure I wasn't a minor character, the influence of Cardinal Aureli Butei in the Rieste Empire was enormous.

Not only was she the only cardinal in the empire, but more decisively, she held the title of 'the Emperor's religious companion.'

Here, 'companion' means a partner in a professional sense, not a spouse.

Rieste royalty, especially those close to the throne, must have a 'political companion' or a 'religious companion.' The former is combined through marriage, and the latter, as I vaguely understood, through some kind of contract.

The former is a political marriage, and the latter is like a soulmate.

As soulmates, what the Emperor knows, the Cardinal knows, and what the Cardinal doesn't know, the Emperor doesn't know.

The Emperor's actions always include the Cardinal's opinion, and the Cardinal's actions are essentially approved by the Emperor.

In other words, my becoming a confessor was supported by the Cardinal and approved by the Emperor.

With the official permission to skip the ball, I was already brimming with enthusiasm to work.

"His Eminence the Cardinal is probably pushing this because she has also served as a confessor."

"Is that so?"

I responded to Sir Elizabeth and cut another piece of meat to feed Ganael.

Benshajiang frowned, but I ignored him.

Seeing Ganael eat it well, I suddenly thought of Eunseo, but the thought quickly subsided.

"Yes. Usually, the palace priests just loaf around. They are supposed to help the royal family's religious life, but there are few royals living in the palace, and even fewer who open up to unfamiliar priests. But I heard that the Cardinal, when she was young, entered the palace as a confessor and attended the temple every day, waiting for confessions."

"Even when no one came?"

"Yes. That's how she met the current Emperor and became close friends."

"What a remarkable connection."

A diligent life in a coveted position led to meeting the future Emperor and becoming a lifelong friend—something that could only happen in a novel.

But it is a novel.

"Perhaps she is thinking of those days. She might have been reminded of her childhood when she saw you."

"That could be."

"Besides, you said you would hear confessions regardless of status."

"Yes, His Highness also seemed curious about the people's reactions and the results."

"Prince, you shouldn't feed the servants."

Benshajiang finally interrupted the conversation. I stopped the fork in my hand.

But I had something to say.

"You said you eat lunch at 3. It's too much to make a growing boy wait until 3."

"The servants are used to this lifestyle. Your actions might have a long-term negative impact on Ganael's body and mind."

"Alright, then this is really the last time."

I smiled and moved the utensils.

Ganael, despite Benshajiang's disapproving look, managed to get the last bite.

Sir Elizabeth burst into laughter.

"You have a good master, Ganael."

"Don't tease me, Sir Mute."

Ganael's face turned bright red as he mumbled.

Come to think of it, were they originally acquainted?

"Then, shall we open the confession booth from the morning?"

Her clear voice dispelled my wandering thoughts.

I explained my detailed plan to Sir Elizabeth.

"Yes, from 10:30 to 11:30 in the morning, from 3 to 4 in the afternoon, and from 8 to 9 at night. I can't stay in the temple all day, so I plan to do it three times a day."

"That sounds tiring. The distance to the temple is also considerable. How about reducing it to twice a day?"

"Hmm, I'll think about it."

This was a problem Benshajiang had already mentioned.

I would prefer to do it twice a day, but knowing that many people in the palace are waiting for me, I hesitated to do only what was convenient for me.

Anyway, I wouldn't be able to do morning confessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays because of the Cardinal's guidance.

Talking to strangers is the area I'm least confident in, but thinking of it as 'listening' gave me a bit of confidence.

"For now, do it as you wish, and if it becomes too much, you can change the times or frequency later."

Benshajiang provided a neat solution.

Sir Elizabeth raised her wine glass, calling it an excellent suggestion.

Instead of wine, it was filled with grape juice, which swayed.

*

The next morning, as I stepped out of the carriage, I was greeted by a long line stretching nearly 100 meters from the temple entrance.

Sir Elizabeth's words were not exaggerated.

People with small pieces of paper in their hands were lined up, excitedly raising their voices.

Is that really a number ticket?

"It's the Prince, the Prince is here!"

"What? Where, I can't see!"

"Don't push, please!"

"I see the First Prince of the New Kingdom!"

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming."

As I awkwardly greeted them, the people gathered from various parts of the palace covered their mouths or repeatedly bowed, unsure of what to do.

I felt embarrassed and awkward.

When a few elderly people extended their hands, I thought I should shake them, but the guards quickly stepped in to block me.

Seeing the line about to break, some of them extended their arms to hold back the crowd.

"Prince, please follow me."

"Ah, yes."

Sir Elizabeth, who had come with me in the carriage, spoke in a reliable voice.

I, Benshajiang, and Ganael hurried to follow her.

As the armored knights opened the heavy main doors, the interior of the temple slowly revealed itself to me.

The noise of the people faded behind me.

"Wow..."

This was the first 'temple' I had visited since falling into the world of 'After Quitting, I Became a Princess of Another World.'

Everything was fascinating, and I quickly scanned the surroundings.

The author, after all, was a regular Earthling, so the temple had a familiar style.

The exterior resembled a temple from Greek mythology, and the interior was like a massive cathedral.

However, the flat ceiling and the intricate lattice-patterned windows that decorated the skylights were noticeably different.

"The confession booth is this way."

Sir Elizabeth pointed to a corner inside the temple with a polite gesture.

I clenched my fists and took a step forward.