PRKE 43

CHAPTER 43………………………………………………………..

“I usually don’t believe rumors, but this time there isn’t even a shred of exaggeration. No lead actor from any theater would be as beautiful as a young lady like you.”

“Oh my, madam, you’re making me blush.”

Aris covered her lips with a fan. As her lovely eyes glanced downward, the young nobles watching her let out sighs of admiration.

With her soft demeanor and beauty, Aris was an expert at enchanting others, rivaling even the most skilled professionals.

“Oh my, Lady Dolencia! It’s been a while. You’ve been hiding away so carefully! I was worried you might be unwell.”

“Unwell? Not at all. Thank you for the bouquet of roses you sent me recently. I arranged them in the most beautiful vase in my room.”

“I’m glad to hear you’re in good health. Now, tell me—what enjoyable thing have you been doing all by yourself?”

“I wish I had something to brag about, but unfortunately, I don’t.”

Aris stuck out her tongue slightly with a playful “beh.”

“There was a glorious event at the Lorenst family, which I am connected to. They told me to avoid causing any trouble. So, while I stayed home, I indulged in all the reading I had been putting off.”

A secret party and all she did was read? Anyone hearing this would think I told her not to attend the party.

As expected:

“My goodness, that was the reason? Lady Dolencia, who is so cultured, causing trouble? That’s absurd.”

Aris gave me a sidelong glance as if pretending not to hear. The noblemen around her followed her gaze, and I felt my cheeks burn.

Aris, displaying her social skills to perfection, was the most dazzling presence here.

She was surrounded by people, and laughter bloomed wherever she went.

Though I had been forced to refrain from attending parties since the imperial delegation banquet, Aris had always been a popular figure in high society.

Her beauty, her connection with Count Lorenst, and even her unique position as a cleric—all these placed her squarely in the spotlight of society.

By contrast, I, with nothing to my name except the unusual fact that I had joined the Lorenst household, received little attention.

I didn’t particularly want sudden attention now. I just thought, time is a bit precious.

Since I’m here anyway, might as well fill my pockets.

Perhaps because this was a princess’s tea party, the attendees’ attire was quite extravagant. Just casually pocketing a few decorations could make my pockets bulge.

As I crossed my arms and surveyed the crowd, a glass was suddenly offered to me.

“Would you like a drink?”

It was Karsatuna, with jet-black hair, royal blue eyes, and a floor-length blue gown that symbolized the royal family.

Her pale skin, due to illness, slightly concealed her beauty, yet she was still extremely striking.

Following her gaze, I realized belatedly that the glass in my hand was empty.

“Thank you. I was thirsty anyway.”

Karsatuna smiled faintly as I took the glass.

From somewhere, a soft sigh was heard.

“She’s smiling….”

Hmm.

I absentmindedly emptied the glass. Another was offered.

“……?”

Seeing Karsatuna, I tilted my head slightly.

“Would you like some cake too?”

There was no need for her to fuss over me like this.

It was both new and a bit burdensome to have someone attending to the young lady of the house, so I simply took the glass she offered and gave it a small shake.

“This is enough.”

Karsatuna smiled again.

“She’s smiling again!”

I sighed inwardly at the new exclamation.

She must not smile often.

“If you only drink, your stomach will be full. Don’t you want some cookies too?”

Despite her cold appearance, Karsatuna was remarkably kind.

Because of my previous life, it felt strange to be receiving care from someone I felt I should be protecting, like a bird under my watch.

This is a bit awkward.

I unconsciously drained the drink. As soon as the glass was empty, Karsatuna offered another.

“…….”

“You don’t want this? Shall I give you something else?”

…Better to just hold it without drinking.

It had been a time of endless, overwhelming goodwill.

“Igrene!”

A short woman ran up shouting loudly.

It was Princess Laratou.

The princess, wearing a relatively short pink dress ending just below her knees, came to a stop in front of me.

“Princess.”

I quickly lifted my skirt and bent my knees politely. Others around me did the same.

“Don’t make it so formal! Anyway, there you are. I’ve been looking for you since a while ago.”

I drew in a startled breath.

Princess Laratou ignored the reactions around her and gave me a quick glance.

“Why didn’t you come to me directly?”

“I thought you were having serious discussions with others.”

The princess nodded with a slightly dark expression.

“Ah, yes, it was an important matter.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about the drought starting in the western lands. Have you heard?”

I nodded. Karsatuna, seemingly indifferent to external matters, just blinked.

“I heard crops can’t grow because there hasn’t been rain.”

“Exactly. Even the cleric sent by my father only brought a brief rain, but it didn’t improve the situation. It seems worse than expected. People have even starved to death.”

Even the poor in Riorza rarely went hungry due to abundant resources.

This meant the situation in the western lands was more serious than widely reported.

Karsatuna muttered with a dark expression.

“We should open the warehouses and send relief supplies.”

I looked at her silently.

She, who had been reclusive due to chronic depression and insomnia, still hadn’t lost her compassion for others.

It was strange to feel a mix of awe and melancholy knowing such a kind person had made tragic choices in her previous life.

“The royal-sponsored rain ceremony might be held sooner than planned.”

The royal rain ceremony was one of the kingdom’s largest events.

When it rained during the ceremony, a few days of relief followed, calming the unsettled public.

I nodded.

“The family should prepare as well.”

“Oh, the Lorenst estate has always taken the lead for the local rain ceremony, hasn’t it? Lady Aris Dolencia belongs to the Lorenst family.”

Princess Laratou glanced at Aris, who was conversing with others.

“Is Lady Dolencia in charge of the ceremony too?”

“I am overseeing the overall ritual preparations.”

“Oh, Igrene, you really are capable! Please invite me to this year’s ceremony at the count’s estate as well. My father will likely attend too.”

“His majesty?”

Before the royal ceremony, noble families held local rain ceremonies, but it was rare for the king to attend.

Seeing my surprised expression, Princess Laratou beamed.

“Not only my father, but many will come from the temple as well. They’ll want to see Lady Aris Dolencia’s abilities and commend her.”

She gestured toward Aris among the crowd. The group that had been laughing loudly before now seemed subdued.

Watching Aris and her friends glance over here, I asked,

“They didn’t do this in previous years, right?”

“The atmosphere has been unsettled lately.”

Princess Laratou lowered her voice after scanning the surroundings.

“This is a secret, but recently a cleric in the central temple lost their blessing.”

My heart sank.

I stared rigidly at Princess Laratou.

Karsatuna frowned as if this shouldn’t be possible.

“Lost their ability? Is that even possible?”

“That’s exactly the problem! As everyone knows, the power of water comes from the gods—it shouldn’t disappear.”

I swallowed hard while watching her mutter in frustration.

“How did you find out about this, Princess?”

“That cleric seemed so flustered that they kept silent, but recently confessed to the chief cleric. It’s unprecedented, and internally they’re wondering if it’s a bad omen. Ah, but this is absolutely secret.”

Princess Laratou pressed her finger to her lips.

“If this became known, the already uneasy public would panic.”

“Of course.”

I nodded subtly and glanced around.

“But isn’t it strange? Could it be that the cleric was just old, and that’s why they lost their blessing?”

“No, they’re still young and have many duties. The reason is unknown, which makes it even stranger.”

I swallowed hard.

I had absorbed divine energy a few more times by stealing sacred objects under Giovanni’s orders, but now I was fairly certain which cleric Princess Laratou meant.

It’s the cleric I first touched.

I casually covered the back of my hand. I knew no one else could see the mark, but I still felt a chill.

I can’t let them find out.

Instinctively, I closed my mouth like a clam.

“Well, it’s an extraordinary case, so no need to worry too much. The drought too… if the nobles cooperate with the royal family, the rain ceremony should solve it, right?”

The princess brightened the mood with a cheerful expression.

I nodded, hiding my complicated thoughts.

“You must be worried as well, Princess.”

“Of course. I want to offer prayers at the temple, but my father won’t allow it…”

She pouted her plump lips in dissatisfaction.

“You, Princess, received a strong blessing among the clerics. It could help—why does he oppose it?”

Even as I asked, I guessed the answer.

He must want to keep her hidden.

But even in this situation, would he really want to keep the princess inside?

The princess hesitated.

“Well…”

“Because of the prince?”

At my words, Princess Laratou’s eyes widened, then she sighed.

“Yes. Actually, we were going to send an invitation to the prince for this tea party too, but my father threw a fit, so we gave up.”

“…….”

“But prayer is a different matter, isn’t it? It’s for our kingdom’s people, but he says no because it’s too visible. Isn’t that unreasonable?”

Seeing her upset face, I suggested instinctively.

“If it’s that bad, why not wear a veil like before?”

“Shh! That’s a secret!”

The princess gasped. I couldn’t help but laugh at her frantic, darting glances.