Chapter 111
Frillien clasped her trembling hands together.
“What will the young lady say…?”
Duke Semperion, saying he would “properly report this matter to the royal family,” immediately headed to the palace along with the nobles who followed him. The chancellor hurriedly trailed behind. Before leaving, the chancellor gave Frillien some advice.
“You said you were going to apologize to Lady Semperion, right?”
“Perhaps if it’s the saint’s apology, she might accept it. It’d be better if this doesn’t escalate further.”
Muttering as if troubled, the chancellor’s words made Frillien nod anxiously.
“If things get out of hand, many people could get into trouble…”
The empire was already in a precarious state, and recently, conflicts among the various powers had become frequent. At the center of it all was, of course, Elecia Semperion.
The royal family, the temple, and even the Mage Tower all paid attention to her movements. Even now, every faction wanted to take her for investigation… and she herself had chosen the Mage Tower.
“It would have been better if you had come to the temple.”
Frillien sighed softly, her expression tinged with regret. Perhaps if she had spent more time at the temple and gotten closer to Elecia, bringing up the matter would have been easier.
But even then, Frillien didn’t have that kind of courage. She would still have been terrified. Who wouldn’t be, upon hearing that the late duchess’s personal items had been damaged?
Frillien suddenly remembered what the other young ladies at the temple used to say.
“Lady Semperion is terrifying!”
“I thought I was going to die back then! There was a massive fireball—”
“Did Lady Semperion hit you?”
“…She, she wouldn’t hit me, right?”
Frillien thought about the creatures that had seriously clashed with Elecia and realized she had never seen one survive… Remembering the beasts at the lake that perished one by one under Elecia’s blows, she buried her head against the carriage beside her in despair.
“If she does get angry… should I risk my life and face it…?”
If she used her holy powers… ah, wouldn’t she survive? After all, she was a saint.
As Frillien anxiously imagined all sorts of scenarios, a new carriage arrived beside her.
“Huh?”
Instinctively, Frillien widened her eyes at the Semperion crest on the carriage.
“Lady Semperion?”
From inside the carriage came a muttered, crooked voice.
“…What? Who’s calling out Elecia so desperately?”
At the same time, the door opened, revealing…
“Ah, it’s Howell Semperion.”
Howell Semperion, with his cold demeanor, stepped down from the carriage.
Seeing him, Frillien nervously greeted him. Howell returned the courtesy. An awkward silence followed between them.
“…I heard from Father.”
Howell spoke first.
“The saint has… damaged an important heirloom of our family—”
“Yes, I believe I did. I’m truly, truly sorry.”
Flustered, Frillien repeatedly bowed in apology. It seemed that instead of the duke’s envoy, Howell Semperion himself had come to inform Elecia. Embarrassed, Frillien lowered her head deeply.
‘What’s he doing?’
Watching from afar, Elecia frowned. When Howell spoke, Frillien flustered and repeatedly bowed her head.
‘Could it be… Howell is—’
Even troubling the saint!
Elecia, who had often been scolded by Howell, knew that if he was lecturing Frillien like usual, it would be understandable that she was intimidated.
‘He didn’t… say something like “Saint, don’t you know this?” or “Saint, don’t you know that?” and then add “If you don’t know, stay quiet,” did he?’
If he did, how embarrassing. Rumors were already spreading that Elecia bullied the saint, and now Howell would add to it. People would call them an evil ducal family!
As expected, the unusual pairing drew the attention of onlookers. Meanwhile, Howell explained to the wizard guarding the entrance who he was. Now closer, his words could be heard more clearly.
“I’ve come to visit Elecia Semperion.”
“Ah, the young lady said she isn’t receiving visitors today…”
Frillien cautiously interjected.
“That’s right. I was just refused as well.”
Even the saint had been denied a visit! But Howell wasn’t discouraged.
“But I am… Elecia’s family. Surely, if they hear Howell is here, they’ll allow it immediately.”
‘What confidence…’
Ever since the crown prince, these people truly believed that they themselves would always be let in. Howell lowered his voice, revealing his secret weapon.
“…Also, tell her I brought a special cake from the ducal household. Absolutely.”
‘Hey!’
He intended to lure her with cake? What does he think I am?
Frillien, however, looked awestruck.
“W-What a method!”
‘Why are you admiring it?’
Unaware of Elecia’s frustration, Frillien nodded seriously at Howell.
“Family really knows… you understand Lady Semperion better.”
“That’s basic knowledge,” Howell said with a proud smile. Frillien urgently spoke to the surrounding priests.
“What should we do? We should have prepared something too… How could I forget!”
“It’s fine, saint. Even now, we can quickly procure desserts—”
‘Stop it…!’
Elecia, sighing heavily, was about to walk toward them.
“But didn’t Lady Semperion already receive visitors today? Didn’t she just meet someone?”
One of the wizards murmured. Hearing this, Howell and Frillien turned sharply.
“What do you mean?”
“What are you implying?”
The wizard clapped a hand to his mouth. Howell pressed on.
“I’d appreciate it if you clarified quickly. There are many ways to verify later.”
“Right. Rumors spread anyway.”
Unexpectedly, they seemed well-matched. Unable to resist their persistent questioning, the wizard finally spoke.
“Actually, the crown prince… visited her first.”
“What?”
“Eh?”
Betrayal etched their faces. Unable to bear watching, Elecia stepped forward.
“H-Hey, stop troubling them and come in.”
“Elecia!”
Howell glanced back at the wizards, as if to say, “See?”
“See? Because we’re family, she just lets us in. Nice meeting you, saint.”
Elecia pressed her temple and added:
“Saint, please come in too. I apologize for my family’s rudeness.”
“T-Thank you!”
At Elecia’s permission, Frillien’s expression brightened briefly before paling again. Elecia tensed at the sight.
‘What is she about to say?’
Since there were more people this time, they used a larger reception room than during the crown prince’s visit. When Elecia sat on the sofa, Frillien’s expression froze.
“Ah, I wanted to bring dessert…!”
“It’s fine. The Mage Tower even prepared refreshments.”
“It’s not that…”
Before Frillien could fumble, Howell triumphantly presented a beautifully wrapped cake.
“This cake was made with great care by the ducal household’s patissier. I brought it specially.”
‘Did he really just bring this?’
“…Thanks for carrying it carefully so it wouldn’t get damaged.”
Taking the cake, Elecia suddenly turned to Frillien.
“Ah, saint. I’m sorry in advance, but may I eat this alone? I need a snack for later when I’m alone…”
Better safe than sorry—there could be poison. After the attempted poisoning, meals were safer, but caution was necessary. Sharing the cake could result in another incident.
Howell and Frillien agreed, letting Elecia keep the cake. Howell looked secretly pleased, thinking she must really like it.
Elecia sighed and drank the tea prepared by the Mage Tower. Calmly, she asked:
“It’s good to see you like this. You even came to visit personally. What brings you here? If it’s about sword training, I could visit you next time.”
Hoping the topic was sword training, she spoke, praying that Frillien’s shock was something trivial like “my swordsmanship isn’t improving!” Howell answered first.
“Elecia, it seems your charges will soon be cleared.”
“What?”
“I think the temple will stop investigating you.”
‘So soon?’
She had hoped for this outcome, but she expected the chancellor to keep pressing. Perhaps the family intervened. As Elecia pondered while sipping her tea, Frillien suddenly stood up decisively.
“Lady Semperion!”
Thump!
“…Huh?”
Frillien dropped to her knees before Elecia. A sense of déjà vu flashed from her previous request, “Please teach me swordsmanship.” But then tears streamed down her face.
“Ah, saint… why are you—?”
Elecia glanced at Howell. Surprisingly, he wore a serious expression, as if he had anticipated this.
‘What’s going on?’
It couldn’t be bad news, since he said the charges would be cleared. Then…
“Lady Semperion… I am truly sorry.”
Frillien finally spoke:
“I… I think I damaged the late duchess’s personal items…”
Chapter 111
Frillien clasped her trembling hands together.
“What will the young lady say…?”
Duke Semperion, saying he would “properly report this matter to the royal family,” immediately headed to the palace along with the nobles who followed him. The chancellor hurriedly trailed behind. Before leaving, the chancellor gave Frillien some advice.
“You said you were going to apologize to Lady Semperion, right?”
“Perhaps if it’s the saint’s apology, she might accept it. It’d be better if this doesn’t escalate further.”
Muttering as if troubled, the chancellor’s words made Frillien nod anxiously.
“If things get out of hand, many people could get into trouble…”
The empire was already in a precarious state, and recently, conflicts among the various powers had become frequent. At the center of it all was, of course, Elecia Semperion.
The royal family, the temple, and even the Mage Tower all paid attention to her movements. Even now, every faction wanted to take her for investigation… and she herself had chosen the Mage Tower.
“It would have been better if you had come to the temple.”
Frillien sighed softly, her expression tinged with regret. Perhaps if she had spent more time at the temple and gotten closer to Elecia, bringing up the matter would have been easier.
But even then, Frillien didn’t have that kind of courage. She would still have been terrified. Who wouldn’t be, upon hearing that the late duchess’s personal items had been damaged?
Frillien suddenly remembered what the other young ladies at the temple used to say.
“Lady Semperion is terrifying!”
“I thought I was going to die back then! There was a massive fireball—”
“Did Lady Semperion hit you?”
“…She, she wouldn’t hit me, right?”
Frillien thought about the creatures that had seriously clashed with Elecia and realized she had never seen one survive… Remembering the beasts at the lake that perished one by one under Elecia’s blows, she buried her head against the carriage beside her in despair.
“If she does get angry… should I risk my life and face it…?”
If she used her holy powers… ah, wouldn’t she survive? After all, she was a saint.
As Frillien anxiously imagined all sorts of scenarios, a new carriage arrived beside her.
“Huh?”
Instinctively, Frillien widened her eyes at the Semperion crest on the carriage.
“Lady Semperion?”
From inside the carriage came a muttered, crooked voice.
“…What? Who’s calling out Elecia so desperately?”
At the same time, the door opened, revealing…
“Ah, it’s Howell Semperion.”
Howell Semperion, with his cold demeanor, stepped down from the carriage.
Seeing him, Frillien nervously greeted him. Howell returned the courtesy. An awkward silence followed between them.
“…I heard from Father.”
Howell spoke first.
“The saint has… damaged an important heirloom of our family—”
“Yes, I believe I did. I’m truly, truly sorry.”
Flustered, Frillien repeatedly bowed in apology. It seemed that instead of the duke’s envoy, Howell Semperion himself had come to inform Elecia. Embarrassed, Frillien lowered her head deeply.
‘What’s he doing?’
Watching from afar, Elecia frowned. When Howell spoke, Frillien flustered and repeatedly bowed her head.
‘Could it be… Howell is—’
Even troubling the saint!
Elecia, who had often been scolded by Howell, knew that if he was lecturing Frillien like usual, it would be understandable that she was intimidated.
‘He didn’t… say something like “Saint, don’t you know this?” or “Saint, don’t you know that?” and then add “If you don’t know, stay quiet,” did he?’
If he did, how embarrassing. Rumors were already spreading that Elecia bullied the saint, and now Howell would add to it. People would call them an evil ducal family!
As expected, the unusual pairing drew the attention of onlookers. Meanwhile, Howell explained to the wizard guarding the entrance who he was. Now closer, his words could be heard more clearly.
“I’ve come to visit Elecia Semperion.”
“Ah, the young lady said she isn’t receiving visitors today…”
Frillien cautiously interjected.
“That’s right. I was just refused as well.”
Even the saint had been denied a visit! But Howell wasn’t discouraged.
“But I am… Elecia’s family. Surely, if they hear Howell is here, they’ll allow it immediately.”
‘What confidence…’
Ever since the crown prince, these people truly believed that they themselves would always be let in. Howell lowered his voice, revealing his secret weapon.
“…Also, tell her I brought a special cake from the ducal household. Absolutely.”
‘Hey!’
He intended to lure her with cake? What does he think I am?
Frillien, however, looked awestruck.
“W-What a method!”
‘Why are you admiring it?’
Unaware of Elecia’s frustration, Frillien nodded seriously at Howell.
“Family really knows… you understand Lady Semperion better.”
“That’s basic knowledge,” Howell said with a proud smile. Frillien urgently spoke to the surrounding priests.
“What should we do? We should have prepared something too… How could I forget!”
“It’s fine, saint. Even now, we can quickly procure desserts—”
‘Stop it…!’
Elecia, sighing heavily, was about to walk toward them.
“But didn’t Lady Semperion already receive visitors today? Didn’t she just meet someone?”
One of the wizards murmured. Hearing this, Howell and Frillien turned sharply.
“What do you mean?”
“What are you implying?”
The wizard clapped a hand to his mouth. Howell pressed on.
“I’d appreciate it if you clarified quickly. There are many ways to verify later.”
“Right. Rumors spread anyway.”
Unexpectedly, they seemed well-matched. Unable to resist their persistent questioning, the wizard finally spoke.
“Actually, the crown prince… visited her first.”
“What?”
“Eh?”
Betrayal etched their faces. Unable to bear watching, Elecia stepped forward.
“H-Hey, stop troubling them and come in.”
“Elecia!”
Howell glanced back at the wizards, as if to say, “See?”
“See? Because we’re family, she just lets us in. Nice meeting you, saint.”
Elecia pressed her temple and added:
“Saint, please come in too. I apologize for my family’s rudeness.”
“T-Thank you!”
At Elecia’s permission, Frillien’s expression brightened briefly before paling again. Elecia tensed at the sight.
‘What is she about to say?’
Since there were more people this time, they used a larger reception room than during the crown prince’s visit. When Elecia sat on the sofa, Frillien’s expression froze.
“Ah, I wanted to bring dessert…!”
“It’s fine. The Mage Tower even prepared refreshments.”
“It’s not that…”
Before Frillien could fumble, Howell triumphantly presented a beautifully wrapped cake.
“This cake was made with great care by the ducal household’s patissier. I brought it specially.”
‘Did he really just bring this?’
“…Thanks for carrying it carefully so it wouldn’t get damaged.”
Taking the cake, Elecia suddenly turned to Frillien.
“Ah, saint. I’m sorry in advance, but may I eat this alone? I need a snack for later when I’m alone…”
Better safe than sorry—there could be poison. After the attempted poisoning, meals were safer, but caution was necessary. Sharing the cake could result in another incident.
Howell and Frillien agreed, letting Elecia keep the cake. Howell looked secretly pleased, thinking she must really like it.
Elecia sighed and drank the tea prepared by the Mage Tower. Calmly, she asked:
“It’s good to see you like this. You even came to visit personally. What brings you here? If it’s about sword training, I could visit you next time.”
Hoping the topic was sword training, she spoke, praying that Frillien’s shock was something trivial like “my swordsmanship isn’t improving!” Howell answered first.
“Elecia, it seems your charges will soon be cleared.”
“What?”
“I think the temple will stop investigating you.”
‘So soon?’
She had hoped for this outcome, but she expected the chancellor to keep pressing. Perhaps the family intervened. As Elecia pondered while sipping her tea, Frillien suddenly stood up decisively.
“Lady Semperion!”
Thump!
“…Huh?”
Frillien dropped to her knees before Elecia. A sense of déjà vu flashed from her previous request, “Please teach me swordsmanship.” But then tears streamed down her face.
“Ah, saint… why are you—?”
Elecia glanced at Howell. Surprisingly, he wore a serious expression, as if he had anticipated this.
‘What’s going on?’
It couldn’t be bad news, since he said the charges would be cleared. Then…
“Lady Semperion… I am truly sorry.”
Frillien finally spoke:
“I… I think I damaged the late duchess’s personal items…”
