TGPFC 10

Chapter: 10

The Fallen Church’s Genius Perfumer

You and I have been through something monumental together. You are proof of my miracles, so my lily-of-the-valley is like a sacred relic empowered by my own strength. There’s a direct connection between you and me. That’s why even a hint of fragrance is enough.

‘……Then.’

Prim tightened her grip on his hand.

‘What if I offered an even stronger fragrance?’

Well… if it’s a properly crafted fragrance from you, it’s not entirely impossible. But even I need some strength to convey a message to Yulberon. That guy is… prideful. You’ll have to push a bit of fragrance into him to make him willing to give an oracle. And when he actually issues the oracle, he’ll demand power from us too.

‘Delivering heresy punishment is a tremendous honor. And still…?’

The only evidence you can present to Yulberon is my words—that I want to protect you.

Barin hesitated for a moment before continuing.

My lily-of-the-valley, I understand your feelings and I’m as regretful as you are… but here, there’s no proper perfumery or refined ingredients.

To create such a fragrance, a controlled environment and high-quality, purified ingredients are required. It would be impossible in this poor orphanage.

Yet Prim’s clear green eyes shone vividly.

‘No, there’s a place where the ingredients are ready.’

Oh, Prim, my lily-of-the-valley! You don’t mean that mad couple’s villa, do you?

‘Barin, if I offer this fragrance, and it’s strong enough, could you ask Yulberon to send an inquisitor?’

Of course I will. But, my dear, calm down! Throwing your body in to save that reckless girl—how exactly will that help our future?

Barin’s voice was gentle, almost seductive.

Yet gods were neither merciful nor warm. To those who did not trust them, they showed indifference, or worse, cruelty.

Prim opened her eyes briefly. Beside her, the boy murmured an innocent prayer.

“Please, I hope there are lots of potatoes at today’s meal. Also, please let Prim pass the perfumer’s exam. I’ll try my best too…”

If Rosien had known that Bianna, adopted and now in danger, would never reach adulthood and would be killed, he would have done anything to stop it. He was a good person.

‘……They said the Corvas couple left behind an enormous perfumery. If I had access to it now, I wouldn’t have to worry about the perfumer’s exam.’

In reality, she would have had to borrow money to prepare for the perfumer’s qualification test, and borrowing was not easy. Money is not lent to just anyone.

Would that perfumery really fall into your hands? Even if Yulberon knew you had a stake in this, he wouldn’t issue an oracle in meticulous detail like: “Go to Sanbertal now, punish the heretics, and transfer the heretics’ assets to the Barin temple.”

Barin smirked. Prim tilted her head.

‘I would be adopted by the Corvas couple.’

— Huh?

‘Usually, children inherit property. This is the heretics’ property, but since there’s an innocent victim and rightful heir, I can inherit it.’

Well… I suppose… but could you inherit the parents’ estate you “killed”?

‘I didn’t kill them. That’s the job of Yulberon’s inquisitors.’

You ordered it!

‘Only Barin and Yulberon know that. Yulberon isn’t going to issue an oracle detailing: “Since Prim reported her adoptive parents as heretics, she cannot inherit their estate.”’

Barin fell silent for a moment.

As with all crafts, perfumery dulls if left idle. In Barin’s plan, there was no period for Prim’s senses to weaken or stagnate. She had to rise quickly and be recognized as the greatest perfumer.

Prim’s reasoning made sense.

But what if something went wrong?

She could not risk that much. To Barin, Prim was the only stake.

If you gamble and gain less than your stake, you lose everything if it goes wrong!

More importantly! Lily-of-the-valley! How do you plan to offer the fragrance there? Without going to the temple…!

‘That’s been considered too.’

N-no…!

But Barin lost his chance to voice an objection. The bouquet had crumbled, dried as if for ten years.

Even with the direct connection between Prim and Barin, nothing in this world comes freely.

As Barin shouted words only he could hear, Prim finished her prayer.

‘Next time, I’ll bring an even better fragrance, Barin.’

“Done? Shall we go?”

Having already completed her prayers, Rosien approached and quickly lifted Prim onto his back.

“Rosien.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Rosien adjusted Prim on his back. It was his habit. Whenever Prim spoke while being carried, he would adjust her once more before replying. Just recalling this made her chest ache.

“……I want to swing.”

“Oh! Great, great!”

At Prim’s simple wish to swing, Rosien carried her up the hill immediately. He seemed genuinely delighted that she was interested. Prim recalled the swings she had neglected in her past life, and, like mixing sweet jam into tea, she drank her guilt away.

“The weather’s really nice, huh!”

As Rosien pushed the swing, Prim watched the early morning sky just as the sun began to rise.

While swinging, they hummed choir songs and reviewed chess and ancient Koelenthor lessons that Prim had recently insisted on learning with Priest Marceria.

When the sun fully rose, Prim said:

“Rosien, we’re family, right?”

“Yeah, yeah!”

After Prim had been cursed, she had told Rosien to leave, believing a crippled orphan would only be a burden.

At that moment, Rosien had tears streaming down his face, voice trembling, forcing a smile and stubbornly insisting:

We’re… basically family. No, we are family, right? Huh?

Their hair color and faces were completely different. To any observer, they were strangers.

Yet they stayed together. Simply because there was no reason to separate. Rosien called it family.

Because they were family, he would never leave her behind, no matter the situation.

That’s why you protected me too…

After shedding tears, his eyes red and puffy, Rosien held Prim tightly once more.

They had come this far together. And gone far. Together.

“So, even if we’re apart for a moment, we’ll meet again soon, right?”

“As long as we don’t separate.”

“……Right, as long as we don’t separate.”

But truly, even if they were apart for just a short while…

Prim said:

“……Rosien, I’m going to be adopted.”

The hand gently pushing the swing froze.

Prim gripped the ropes of the swing tightly. She wanted to see Rosien’s face behind her but forced herself not to turn. Instead, she spoke.

“The Corvas baron and baroness want to adopt me.”

“……You, you hated them.”

Rosien managed to speak, his voice hoarse as if from a cold. But he didn’t seem shocked by the unexpected news.

Quickly, he added:

“If you don’t want to go, the priest won’t force you. Bianna also refused several times before going.”

Bianna had been noticed for her appearance, so some families wanted to adopt her, but Marceria had always found excuses to prevent it if Bianna didn’t want to go.

“I said I would go.”

At Prim’s words, Rosien ran forward and faced her.

His deep green eyes rippled like waves. He opened his mouth as if to shout.

“Even if you’re being adopted… you’re still…!”

Prim understood the words he held back.

You can’t walk on your own.

He, who had carried her everywhere, knew this best.

Yet Prim felt no hurt. Instead, Rosien’s expression reflected more shock at her words.