Translator: Nox

Chapter 22

Episode 22. Change

2023.09.22.

At that moment, presences of several people were felt not far away. Footsteps were approaching this way.

Soon, priests appeared from the corridor.

Among them, who all looked similar in their identical robes, a middle-aged man at their center particularly stood out.

He had common black hair and peculiar green eyes. At a glance, he seemed an ordinary middle-aged man, but an aura emanated from him that no one dared approach.

Spotting Blair and Herdin, he strode over and greeted them first.

“To run into the two of you like this—how fortunate.”

Gerard Lumiel.

The surname ‘Lumiel’ was granted only to the Pope, attesting to his life.

A man born in the red-light district called the dirtiest underbelly, who rose to the position closest to God.

He never forgot his childhood and lived protecting the weak, as if practicing the words, ‘God descends to the lowest places in the world.’

Thanks to that, he enjoyed great prestige and the admiration and respect of all. Even Katrina trusted and relied on his words.

Some said he clung to power, but others praised it as wise to win the Emperor to his side without making him an enemy.

Whatever others said, to Blair, he was a benefactor who saved her from severe internal injuries in a fire accident, and she had always lived with gratitude toward him.

Blair greeted Gerard along with Herdin.

“We meet Your Holiness the Pope.”

“I heard there was an unfortunate incident at the hunting grounds today, and Your Excellency took the lead in resolving it. Allow me to express my thanks to both of you.”

“It’s nothing to be thanked for. Anyone there would have done the same.”

“How magnanimous, as befits a hero.”

Even at Herdin’s somewhat curt response, Gerard smiled. He possessed the leisure born of age and position.

As Gerard was also heading to worship, the three proceeded together to the temple’s main hall.

Gazing fondly at Blair and Herdin, Gerard spoke.

“By the way, to become a true couple in just a month... I’m deeply moved that the two of you have grown safely and consummated your marriage.”

“It’s thanks to Your Holiness saving me that day.”

Blair unwittingly mentioned ‘that day’ and belatedly glanced at Herdin. But Herdin’s expression was impassive.

Then it dawned on her that Gerard’s words applied to Herdin as well.

‘When the previous Duke and Duchess passed away, His Holiness led the memorial services for them.’

The previous Delmark Duchess, Herdin’s mother, had been famous for her piety in life.

She served the weak and donated generously, building her reputation. Among temple folk and the commoners, some quietly revered her as a ‘saint.’

When she met an untimely end in an accident, Gerard grieved deeply and personally officiated the funeral for the Delmark Duke and Duchess.

For the Pope to officiate the funeral of non-family nobles was exceedingly rare in history.

That connection continued to this day, with the Delmark Duke family still making massive annual donations in the previous Duchess’s name.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s quite remarkable.’

That two children from noble and imperial families, both tied to Gerard through tragic accidents, had formed a marital bond.

Gerard’s words of deep emotion didn’t seem empty at all.

As they talked, the three arrived at the main hall.

The entrance bustled with nobles gathered for worship. They were all buzzing about the incident at the hunting grounds that day.

Gerard halted and said,

“Please go ahead. I have preparations outside.”

“Then I’ll visit the temple soon.”

“Anytime.”

Gerard responded to Blair’s words.

At that moment, a faint magic circle was visible between the collar of Blair’s clothes. Seeing it, Gerard’s eyes darkened coldly.

Gazing at the newlyweds’ retreating backs as they entered the temple, Gerard murmured softly.

“May the two of you build a blessed household.”

* * *

“Ppii― ppi―”

The baby ermine in the basket cried toward Blair. It was whining to play.

When Blair reached into the basket, the ermine flipped onto its back as if waiting and playfully nipped her hand weakly. Tickled as the hand-sized creature rubbed against her, she laughed.

At New Year’s Festival, the ermine couldn’t even open its eyes properly and barely moved. But after a fortnight of Blair’s devoted care, it had grown healthily, opened its eyes, and now whined all day with overflowing energy, demanding play.

Blair offered her hand to the ermine and fell into thought.

‘The guild should be contacting me around now.’

There had been no progress on the divorce preparations entrusted to the guild or the identity of the assailant. The fire incident was still in discussions with Agnes, but no major advances there either.

Thus, Blair had spent monotonous days since New Year’s Festival. Caring for Ppippi and learning the duties of the lady of the house from Mason.

She’d seen Herdin only a handful of times since, but not seeing him was preferable for her peace of mind.

She enjoyed this boring peace, but worried she might grow too accustomed to it and settle into it.

The more so, the more Blair read books about the country she’d live in after divorce, studied the duke family’s budget plans, and diverted her easing heart elsewhere.

“Madam, I’ve brought the milk.”

Blair snapped out of her thoughts at the maid’s voice. The entering maid timidly offered the milk for Ppippi.

‘This child...’

Only then did Blair realize she was one of the maids docked pay for bullying Rina back then.

Caught even by Herdin, the incident blew up, and perhaps terrified, they hadn’t touched Rina since. They reportedly avoided even speaking to her.

They couldn’t avoid their lady Blair, but seemed to tread carefully to not provoke her.

Delivering milk was a simple task, but knowing their feelings to some extent, Blair knew it took considerable courage for this girl to stand before her.

‘Her name was... Melly.’

What this child did to Rina was undoubtedly wrong, but it had already been properly punished and concluded.

Before regression, unaware, she’d passed it by. Thus, she never grew close to the duke family’s people until death.

‘But this time, it might be different.’

With Herdin having punished them more severely than she suggested, taking the villain role, she could easily grow close if she extended a hand now.

No need to overly curry favor, but why pass up an opportunity a few words could seize? It would benefit Rina too.

Blair took the milk bottle from the maid and gently clasped her hand.

“Thank you, Melly.”

“N-no, it’s only natural for me to do it.”

At the unexpected response, Melly bowed dazedly.

It was natural for a servant to assist their lady, yet she was thanked. By someone she assumed naturally disliked her—no, someone she had no grounds to complain if hated.

‘Come to think of it, I never apologized for that time...’

With everyone shunning Rina, she’d gone along as a bystander. Not joining in felt like she’d be shunned herself.

But that was just her excuse.

Late, but she wanted to seek forgiveness now. From Rina, and from Blair.

Yet she feared bringing it up. Afraid of disturbing Blair’s quieted mood.

Hesitating with lips trembling, a peeping sound came from the basket. Her gaze naturally drifted to that small, cute creature.

Then, Blair spoke.

“Do you like animals?”

“Ah, yes......”

“Then, could you look after this one when you have time?”

“Pardon?”

“I read in a book that ermines live in groups. So it probably needs friends, but I can’t bring another baby from a living mother for its sake, right? So I thought of making lots of human friends instead.”

“Ah......”

“Of course, only if you’re okay with it.”

“Y-yes! Leave it to me. I take care of the cats in the annex too.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Blair smiled brightly at Melly’s response. Seeing Blair value her will, Melly felt shy.

How could a mere word stop her from a proper apology?

Melly bowed deeply to Blair.

“Madam. Back then...... I’m truly sorry. Raised without manners, I was arrogant beyond my station. I’m really sorry. I wanted to apologize properly.”

Blair blinked in surprise at the sudden apology, then smiled gently.

“I’ll accept your apology. In return, will you take good care of this one?”

Even if Blair reprimanded her for bringing it up again, she’d accept it gladly. But the response was an unexpectedly kind attitude.

Melly blinked, then nodded vigorously.

“Yes! I’ll take good care of it.”

“Oh, by the way, this one’s name is Ppippi.”

“Ppippi......?”

“Yes. Doesn’t the cry sound similar?”

Blair asked with a quite serious face. As if answering its name, the ermine peeped.

‘......Our Madam has no naming sense.’

Melly bit her lip to suppress the laughter bubbling up. Still, the name was pretty cute. And the proud Madam somehow a bit cute too.

At that moment, a knock sounded.