Gradually, Camille’s tone has become like an aunt complaining about her troublesome nieces.
According to Camille, there have been some recent ‘kidnapping incidents’ that were solved by these so-called ‘Heroes’, who were dubbed as such because the culprits were ‘Demon Tribe’ members.
I was also called a ‘Saint’ for helping the children, so it’s a similar situation, I suppose.
However, as Camille mentioned, since the Sigres royal family has not recognized them, they are not the ‘Heroes of Sigres’.
Officially recognized Heroes have their equipment, activity costs, and support all provided by the government. But that means they are civil servants, and the funding comes from tax revenue.
So the royal family doesn’t acknowledge these newcomers, and there are no religious sects supporting them either.
Therefore, these ‘Heroes’ are just people being called Heroes by the citizens of Sigres, but they are not the ‘Heroes of Sigres’ officially recognized by the kingdom.
It’s a high hurdle and a hassle.
As for my ‘Saint’ status, I’m recognized by the royal family, and various sects are trying to curry favor with me. But even that is not an official designation, and there has been no real progress…not that I mind, as it would be a headache anyway.
In short, it seems my sisters have been associating with these unrecognized, unofficial ‘Heroes’.
…They’re certainly straying from the proper path.
“Even if they’re popular with the commoners, they haven’t been officially invited, so I don’t think you’ll be able to meet them. But they might be disguised among the noble’s retainers, so be careful.”
“Yes, thank you, auntie.”
I see, such things can happen at celebratory events with many people present.
When I responded with a princess-like smile to Lady Camille’s, her face unexpectedly became uneasy for some reason.
“…Are you really going to be okay, dear? You’re kind-hearted like Folt, and since you’re such a pretty girl, there might be some perverts who don’t care about age, so please be very careful.”
“Yes…”
I can’t imagine anyone would think that way about a scary child like me, but my relatives tend to overestimate me.
“Shall we have one of my sons escort you? I have three, so you can take one back with you if you’d like, Euru-chan.”
“No, that’s…”
The conversation has taken an odd turn.
The Holy Kingdom’s royal family is all boys, and it seems my aunt’s family is also all boys.
Normally for a royal family, having sons is preferred. But you see…like my grandfather, when it’s all boys, the topic of “Princesses are so admirable, aren’t they?” inevitably comes up from somewhere.
If they only have sons, then they’ll try to bring in their ideal princess from somewhere else. That seems to be the reasoning, as Vio informed me that I’ve been receiving a flood of marriage proposals from home and abroad now that I’m eight years old.
My standing is that I have royal bloodline and a claim to the throne, but I have a lower barrier than a princess born into the royal family. I’m also called a saint, like a rare commodity that’s about to sell out.
I won’t say I’m uninterested in romance, but in my position, ordinary romance is impossible, you know…
Not that I would know, having run away after things got awkward with my cousin.
Am I being too self-conscious…?
My aunt probably took in my older sisters thinking that if she educated them to be obedient, they could become potential fiancées for her sons, but that was unrealistic.
I absolutely adore those sisters who willingly jump into the pitfall themselves!
Anyway…
“I’ll be fine, auntie. I have knights escorting me today.”
“Oh, what adorable knights.”
I dragged out the stiff Noel-kun from behind where he was frozen in nervousness, and Lady Camille narrowed her eyes in delight at how bishonen he looked in his formal suit.
I’ve thought he was bishonen before, but when properly dressed up, you could easily mistake him for a noble’s son.
Noel-kun had completely stiffened upon being smiled at by the queen, while I wore a smug look observing him satisfactorily. Lady Camille chuckled at the sight before suddenly turning serious and softly whispering in my ear:
“Euru-chan, be very cautious of the Costelle Faith until you leave this country.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
After parting from Lady Camille, I pondered her final “warning.”
The Costelle Faith, a cult-like worshipping the fertility goddess Costelle, is recognized as the state religion of the Holy Kingdom of Taliteld and the Kingdom of Sigress due to its approachable doctrine that endears it to the populace and its large number of followers.
The Costelle Faith has been involved with Taliteld since its founding, with its main temple and the Pope located entirely within the Holy Kingdom.
But what did she mean by be cautious of the Costelle Faith…?
If I recall, the person in charge of the Costelle Faith here is the Archbishop, I believe…
“—Lucia?”
…Hm? Ah, it seems I made Noel-kun anxious with my contemplative state. That’s no good…if I keep spacing out, I might get lost in this abnormally large hall.
“It’s nothing. My apologies.”
I gave him a smile and looped my arm around his as a precaution against getting separated. His face stiffened at that.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing!”
Noel-kun does act oddly at times.
He’ll be working during the journey, so I wasn’t able to converse much with the strictly disciplined mr bear and Vio keeping watchful eyes. But it seems we can chat a bit today at least.
///
***
***
///
Just by us walking draws stares from those around us.
The people of this country are unfamiliar with me, so while they don’t approach much which is fine, they do gaze rather persistently as a result.
“My apologies, Noel.”
“…Eh? For what?”
Noel-kun, who had been tense and stiff, glanced at me after a moment’s pause.
“Don’t I stick out unpleasantly? It can’t be very comfortable being around me.”
Upon me saying that, Noel-kun shook his head in surprise.
“It can’t be helped that Lucia stands out, since you’re a princess and a holy maiden.”
Hmm…those “titles” are just what others randomly call me, but…
As I made a wry expression thinking about that, Noel-kun suddenly turned beet red and opened his mouth as if resolved.
“Besides…Lucia is beautiful.”
“Is that so…?”
Uwaaah! That’s so embarrassing!
No matter where I go, I am either feared or kept at a distance. My family and the people in the mansion call me [cute] and [beautiful], but I’ve never had a boy say such things to me with a straight face!
Noel is also blushing, and I’m probably blushing too.
Well, for Noel, I’m the [adored holy maiden], so his evaluation of me is unusually high due to his biased perspective. I wonder how I appear in his eyes?
As I ponder this, we end up in silence, unable to look at each other properly.
“Excuse me, are you perhaps the Princess Eurushia of the Taliteld Duchy?”
“…Yes?”
The unusual address makes me respond involuntarily.
Even at such an informal large-scale party, there are rules for nobility. Those of lower rank cannot speak to their superiors until they are addressed. Otherwise, the main guests, the bride and groom, and even the royalty would be constantly greeting people without rest.
I’ve already greeted over a hundred people, introduced by my aunt Camille. But as I go down the ranks, the introductions stop, probably because of my scary appearance.
Anyway, the person who addressed me without an introduction and broke the unspoken rule, who could they be?
“Ah, with that dignified and beautiful appearance, you must be the ‘holy maiden’ Eurushia!”
Since I responded even a little, the well-dressed older man, wearing a robe and a very familiar-looking holy symbol, seemed to think he was ‘permitted’ and approached me familiarly. Noel stepped forward, ready to shield me at any moment.
…It’s the Costelle faith, isn’t it?
…Isn’t that flag-capturing a bit too soon?
“I am Calisto, the Archbishop serving at the royal capital’s temple. I heard that the renowned ‘holy maiden’ Eurushia was here, and I have come to greet you.”
Calisto bows deeply.
…I don’t like this.
At least, he doesn’t seem to be plotting anything…Religious people and their schemes, that’s just about right. (major prejudice)
This person has a somewhat naive aura. And not a good kind.
I like well-aged food, but when fermentation goes too far, it becomes ‘smelly’. And this is not even a fermented food, just an overly aged type.
“Mr Calisto. I am Eurushia-von-Versenia.”
Discarding my previous thoughts, I greet him politely in princess mode.
Calisto is a thin older man of around fifty, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but to be honest…he doesn’t make my heart flutter at all.
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