480 – The fair was also a decoration – 4
It is always nice to meet hometown friends in a foreign country.
“Welcome, Sister Alexandriana. Wasn’t it inconvenient on the way here?”
“Thanks to your concern, I came here very comfortably. How have you been, Brother Tanian?”
“Of course. Maybe it’s because I’ve been staying here for two years, but now it feels like home.”
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Even if that friend is a cardinal who came for business purposes.
‘It’s Sister Alexandriana.’
I already guessed that the cardinal would come during the club fair. Since Brother Advisor and his wife received the honor of beatification during their lifetime, we must deliver the clothes and crosses that are given to the blessed according to custom.
And in a situation where one has to meet the current imperial minister and a living blessed person, it is only right for a cardinal-level person to come. On the contrary, if you come below that level, you might be called rude.
‘It’s the perfect greeting if you’re a sister.’
In that sense, the visit of Sister Alexandrian, a prefect of the Congregation for Canonization, to the Empire is the best courtesy that the denomination can show. She is in a situation where the Holy Father, the head of the order, cannot come in person, and it is difficult for the Master, the senior cardinal, to be away.
Furthermore, from my perspective, I am also happy to see Sister Alexandriana. The other cardinals are a bit difficult to deal with because they are older, but her sister is a sister who has looked after me like her younger sister since she was young. If you have to see someone anyway, it’s nice to see someone you are more familiar with and someone with a smaller age gap.
“hehehe.”
“Sister?”
While she was thinking that, she heard her sister laughing and tilted her head.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It felt different seeing you wearing a school uniform.”
I also smiled at the sister’s words as she laughed.
In the Holy Church, there is an educational institution that trains priests. However, since they do not wear school uniforms like at the academy, but rather apprentice priest uniforms, it may be the first time for sisters from the Holy Church to see school uniforms.
At first, I also felt awkward about wearing clothes other than my priestly uniform. Since the person concerned also feels the same way, I can fully understand the sister’s feelings.
“Having new experiences is a valuable opportunity to broaden your horizons. Would you like to try them on, too?”
At my suggestion, the sister’s smiling face froze.
“…Yes?”
It took a while before she finally uttered a single word, so I could guess how embarrassed she was.
This is a strange reaction. It’s true that I made an unexpected suggestion, but is it really that surprising? At best, just putting a coat on your shoulders is enough.
“Well, I’ll be 30 next year too, and I’m wearing a school uniform. People will think it’s strange if they see it.”
‘Ah.’
Eventually, her doubts subsided thanks to the sister’s kind explanation.
Sister has trapped herself in the framework of her age. She said that since she was close to 30, she had no right to wear a school uniform, and that she was only showing off to others for no reason.
But this is too much worry. Priests who follow the Lord’s teachings are able to use his power even if only slightly, and thus can maintain their youthful appearance for a long time, like nobles who can control mana. No one will know your age unless you say it out loud.
“Then just show it to me. Then no one will find it strange.”
Still, it is harsh to forcibly take out someone trapped in a frame, so we suggested an appropriate compromise.
In the first place, the only thing I wanted to put on my sister was the coat I was wearing, and I had no intention of dressing her in earnest. To me, there is no such thing as a schoolgirl uniform.
“Tongue, brother, only to you…”
The sister, who had been rolling her eyes here and there at my words, nodded her head very slightly.
“Good. The Lord also said that wisdom comes from experience, not knowledge.”
“That is correct.”
I laughed at the sight of the sister who had already pushed aside her embarrassment.
***
Lord in heaven. I know that You are merciful and gentle, and that You love all living things in this world.
I know that you have special regard for us who truly believe and follow you, and who spread your beautiful and noble teachings across the continent.
Yes, I know. Of course you don’t know.
That is why He is giving me this blessing.
‘Tanian’s school uniform…’
I could barely control my mind, which was becoming increasingly hazy. I realized that even extreme happiness and joy can make people faint.
I am so, so happy. Just seeing Tanian in school uniform and wearing an apron was enough to keep a vigil for three days—and I received the coat that Tanian was wearing.
With the request to show it only to yourself.
‘Only Tanian knows the side of me…’
I desperately suppressed the corners of my mouth that were about to smirk. As there were no customers at the booth at the time, I was able to enjoy a walk with Tanian in a remote place, and thanks to that, I was able to make memories with Tanian.
“As expected, it’s a little big for you.”
When I heard those words, I unconsciously crossed my arms. If you do this, you won’t be able to take the coat you’re wearing.
“Is that so? I think I’m okay.”
As I tried to speak casually, Tanian nodded his head calmly.
Thank goodness. I just said that it seemed big, and I don’t think I had any intention of taking it back.
‘Should I run away like this?’
At that moment, such temptation enveloped my head. If I run away to the Holy Church like this, won’t this coat become my property? Don’t I get the clothes that Tanian has been wearing for over two years?
But I endured it. No matter how much you covet an item, it is foolish to receive hate from people for that item.
‘Let’s be satisfied with one lucky break.’
If you are too greedy, you will lose what you have gained.
…
uuu…
I took a deep breath as much as I could. Of course, so much so that Tanian wouldn’t notice.
Then, I felt Tanian’s scent faintly on my coat along with my breath. It’s the best scent.
‘If I keep wearing it, it will stain my clothes, right?’
Okay. Let’s hold on as long as we can.
***
The number of customers visiting the booth gradually decreased. It is only natural that guests who are active enough to visit the club fair would have said hello to them last year or the year before, and at the very least, they would have been guests at this year’s wedding.
Thanks to that, we were able to let the members go without having to keep them in the booth. Lyutis was sent with Count Nerkap, and Tanian was also sent out to take a walk with Cardinal Alexandriana. I’m not traveling alone, but I’m traveling with someone from my country, so I’m not going to get into an accident.
Erich was captured by Zenobia while I was whispering with Count Nerkap. Since Sarah disappeared along with me, I believe she is having a good time.
‘Should I send them too?’
I thought seriously as I looked at Ainter and Laterer who were still in the booth. Four of the members have already disappeared. Wouldn’t it be better to send them away too?
And as if he had sensed my plot to drive out Laterer, the right guest arrived at the right time.
“Later degraded.”
An old man approached Laterer who was cleaning up the crumbs that had fallen in front of the booth.
An old man with neatly trimmed blue hair mixed with gray hair and a beard that grows to around the collarbone.
“Duke of Kilanas?”
He was the last big name to come to the academy.
“This old man is finally coming to greet you. I came as quickly as I could, but these days, my body doesn’t move like my mind.”
Perhaps he knew that people from the Kingdom of Armaine and the Holy Church had already arrived before him, Duke Kilanas bowed his head and apologized to Laterer.
“You say so many things. Even if the prince is from a foreign land, I know that the duke always works hard for you and the kingdom. I’m glad you came here.”
“hehehe, now that you say that, I don’t know what to do.”
Of course, the Duke of Kilanas did not promise how long he would come, and it was not a competitive race where the country that arrived first would win, so Laterr personally held the hand of the Duke of Kilanas and comforted him.
When I saw that scene, a slight feeling of tension arose. A duke who was respected enough to be treated with respect by a prince—and the chairman of the Magic Council himself came to the academy. He is a big man who, like Count Nerkap, it would not be strange if he came with an enormous problem.
‘Please.’
Instinctively, I touched the cross in my arms.
Enen, eternal blue sky, Constantina. Please, if anyone is looking at me, tell them that the Duke of Kilanath is just there to have fun. My mentality cannot withstand making secret pacts with continental powers one after another.
“Your Majesty. If it is not rude, may I exchange greetings with your close friends?”
“Oh, of course. Some people aren’t here… But they will be back soon.”
While entering the prayer meta, Duke Kilanas, who had finished greeting Laterer, slowly opened his mouth. They say he is a close friend of La Terre, but in reality, he means important figures in the empire like Trixie and I, and Lar Terre knows that.
“This is Ainter Ribnoman, Marquis of Idrafen. He helped me a lot as I was not used to life in the empire.”
“I see. As expected, he is a merciful and kind person as he is the heir of Livnoman’s blood.”
“hahahaha, that’s too much praise.”
That is why Laterra first introduced Ainter to Duke Kilanas. First of all, apart from being a marquis, Ainter is the younger brother of the emperor, so he is nominally the highest ranking person in this position.
And next to Ainter,
“Your Excellency Lord Ma Jong. It is truly an honor to meet you in person.”
This is Duke Trixie.
“I too have heard of your reputation. You are an indispensable pillar for Juven.”
Trixie responded in a gentle tone to Duke Kilanas, who was bending down at an almost 90-degree angle.
It seems that they chose to treat each other with respect considering their positions as dukes and elders of a country. Well, it’s a bit like that when a prince speaks informally to someone he treats with respect.
“Oh, is that so? It’s an undeserved honor that will never be experienced again in this old man’s life.”
The problem is that Duke Kilanath, who is treated with respect, regards him as his subordinate.
‘I just came.’
Still, seeing Duke Kilanas bending down like a flip phone made me feel at ease. It didn’t seem like he had any business with me, seeing as he was sticking to Trixie instead of coming to me.
Okay… That’s it… Ordinary guests are always welcome.
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