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Volume 6 Chapter 5 Part 1

Translation and editing by Team Foxsunes

Since we left the royal capital and arrived here in the Blue Sky desert, ten days have passed. While I did not understand the meaning when the princess said 『war』, time went by peacefully. In the midst of that, simultaneously with the continuing of the medium’s education in becoming Prince Consort, the preparations for the ceremony, which was a public affair, continued steadily. Today I was allowed to watch the preparations as the Princess’s escort. 

This town, which was practically in the middle of the Blue Sky Desert, had a large spring surrounded by high walls; was it something you told someone who had just arrived in this land? In the surroundings of this spring, which was the one and only water source nearby, a splendid altar was set up to worship the high-ranking water spirits. It was said that, because the medium had faced that altar to wish for the divine protection of the water spirits, the spring had not dried up and produced clear water to this day. This time, added to that, the holy blood of the princess, who had the divine protection of the goddess, filled with spiritual power, would be offered as well. Since ancient times, regarding the mixing of old noble blood and water that had been uninterruptedly continued, it was said that to make the connection between this sandy continent and the water spirits stay strong, was the biggest objective of this ceremony. 「It’s as much as having a small wound on your fingertip. About as much as one drop,」 the princess told me this when I was worried about whether or not offering blood was going to be alright.

Today was the finale of the preparations for this ritual, it was something like a final rehearsal. Before I watched over them, the princess and the medium had talked to the priests and magicians in the vicinity, while more or less imitating the flow of the ceremony. This time the ritual would be different from the other years. Not only would the divine protection of the spirits be prayed for, a component of magic, using the princess’ blood as the intermediary, would also be added. For this reason, the knowledge of the man, who was currently of the highest rank when it came to magic, was necessary. 

Edi, along with the princess, and the medium. Those three all each had their own different, beautiful aspects. Although they were only standing besides each other, that impact was staggering. The elder priests and magicians who knew the sweet and sour of the world beside them watched as they sat down. Yes, I understood that feeling. These three people were so radiantly beautiful, they made you rather apprehensive.

Among them, my view was naturally pulled towards the princess and the medium. Perhaps, it was thanks to me telling him over and over until my mouth became sour, but the medium’s attitude toward the princess was clumsy, but appropriate toward a lady. Let’s say it was a passing score. The two people who eventually were to marry and support this country. Now the princess was still the taller one, but my wanting that, by the time the medium would outgrow her, he had become someone who would support the princess peacefully, was not unintentional. 

It was a precious sight to see the medium solemnly continue the rehearsal, but I also somehow felt terribly out of place. Anyhow, did they really need me? Was it okay for me to be here, not to help out with anything, but just to watch over them? 

These hard to express worries swept across my chest and as I let my gaze wander, my eyes suddenly met with Heinrich’s, who had just finished his talk with this town’s high priest. His left eye, which was the color of young grass, narrowed gently. Because I let my frightened behavior show, when I looked back at him challengingly without averting my gaze, he bowed to the high priest who was in charge of this town and turned his feet in this direction. It was pathetic that I naturally put myself on guard when the young Heinrich briskly approached. Heinrich probably noticed this as well, and seemingly intentionally pretending that he didn’t, he smiled at me. 

「Filmina-dono, thank you for your hard work.」

「I have not been working very hard. I have not done anything. I am so out of place that if feels awkward.」

「Oh? It seem that for a self-proclaimed friend of the princess, you have weak knees.」

「………」

Really, this young man’s every word bothers me. I was not hoping for him to back me up, but this is the kind of thing that is offensive when being told by another person. I felt like the label saying “useful”, that I put on myself, had been overwritten by some higher-up. 

Although I somehow managed to not let my smile disappear, my cheek was starting to twitch. With his oh so gentle smile, the young Heinrich looked down on me. If I looked away, it would be my loss. Especially because of that, when I looked back at those eyes with the color of young grass, the princess and the medium, who had more or less learned the flow of the ritual, came our way, taking Edi with them. 

「Your highness, young medium. Thank you sincerely for your outstanding labors.」

「Sure!」

「Of course. Thank you, Filmina.」

As I held up the hem of my dress and curtsied, the medium and the princess nodded generously and showed a smile. There was nothing more dazzling. My heart that had become dissolute from my conversation with Heinrich was healing. Whether the relief showed on my expression, the princess looked at my face unblinkingly and glared at Heinrich at my side. 

「Heinrich. I do find it unthinkable, but you could not have been bullying Filmina, have you?」

「Of course I haven’t. Isn’t that right, Filmina-dono?」

I nodded strongly at the young Heinrich who shamelessly stated this. 

「Yes. We were just making some conversation.」

Who would even say that they are being bullied? For Heinrich, his previous comment couldn’t even have been sarcasm, and even I don’t want to let the princess know that I meekly keep getting bullied. Exactly, I’m not even getting bullied. I haven’t lost just yet. 

「If so, that’s all well」muttered the princess with an expression that was not especially satisfied. The medium who was at her side wondered at this situation that he could not completely grasp. I gave him a smile.

「Your highness, young medium. Edi as well. I heard that these were all of today’s plans. If you please, could we perhaps have some tea?」

Be it called a rehearsal, the preparations they made today still went hand in hand with more than enough nervousness. The time to rest their bodies well was surely needed. For that reason, I had been allowed to wake up early and make some sweet baked treats and a small light meal. In the end, this was about as much as I could do, and it was frustrating, but it should be countless times better than doing nothing. Upon hearing my words, the princess said 「That sounds good」and smiled lightly. The medium’s face broke into a happy smile. 

「Heinrich-sama, would you like to join us as well?」

When I asked the young man next to me, the left one of his grass-colored eyes twitched. He seemed like he wanted to say he was surprised. Apparently, it was unexpected of me to invite him. But no no, whatever he says, I am not narrow-minded enough that I would ignore Heinrich here and go have tea. 

Anyhow, I am not some faint-hearted young lady that has been pampered and raised like a flower in a greenhouse. Because of the man that currently fills the position of my husband, who hurls irony, sarcasm and whatever at me. And as if that weren’t enough, my spirit is more like a weed. I wouldn’t want to feel hurt by or to give in to all of Heinrich’s trivial words now. Because … self-loathing, I had already had plenty of that. Well, I was feeling a tiny little bit annoyed. But in spite of that, to not invite him to tea over was not how I behaved. If I did such a thing, would that not seem as if I admitted my defeat and shamelessly fled? 

「Heinrich-sama?」

「Oh, excuse me. Well then, I will indulge in your invitation. I shall also join you.」

「Thank you very much. Then, Edi, excuse me for asking this, but would you please assist me?」

 I smiled to Heinrich. When I pointed my gaze at Edi, the man looked as if he was about to say something, but eventually nodded reluctantly. Then, we moved to the princess’s biggest room to have tea. 

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