Chapter 46

I returned from the Orsein territory a day earlier than expected.

The day after the ball, Lord Joshua introduced Lili. He said, "If there is such a wonderful songstress, there’s no need for a priestess from the Carving territory to be here, right?"

Mr. Andrea’s husband is a high-ranking official in the territory, so he suggested, "Why don’t you discuss and prepare with Mr. and Mrs. Andrea?"

Lili said she had married into a baron’s family, but the man she was to marry was the son of Lord Orsein’s younger brother. ...I could tell she was up to something devious again. She must be planning to replace the lord.

The appointment of the territory’s lord should be the responsibility of the Margrave. In fact, he must have come to the Orsein territory to look for a replacement after the change. If the candidate wasn’t ready, they would have to come from the Carving territory, which, of course, probably doesn’t have as many capable people as here.

Land degradation quickly leads to the degradation of people’s hearts. Once it is allowed to deteriorate, people can no longer grow, and the land becomes even harder to live in. The next generation of children, who will bear the consequences of irresponsibility, are truly pitiful, as I see with Naga and Kevin.

I hope Lord Joshua will do his best. I want him to be the hope of Carving.

Lady Camilla said she wanted to go on a ride with me today, but then she said, "Why don’t you see me off at the border of the capital?"

"Don’t get in my carriage!"

What happened to your horse?" I asked. "He’s hungover, so he wants a ride."

You don’t look hungover at all! And you left the ball so early last night.

You really don’t learn, do you?

When we crossed the border into Carving, the steward’s messenger and knights were lined up to welcome us.

Wow, they look so dignified. The difference from the neighboring territory is clear.

It’s like being treated like royalty.

Since Lord Joshua became the head of the family, Carving has really changed. The knights are disciplined and full of the spirit to protect the border, and the people seem to feel safe.

We got out of the carriage at an inn on the border for a break.

Lord Joshua offered his hand to help me down. It’s a common occurrence during our travels, but it makes me feel like I’m his wife.

On the other side of Lord Joshua, the strong and sharp-eyed knights stood on both sides of the road, guarding us.

They must be preparing to welcome Lady Alicia.

In the Orsein territory, the guards always welcomed us in the same way, and the people were surprised by the knights’ dignity.

Even the maids would come out to watch from the windows of the lord’s mansion. But that’s impolite. It clearly shows how poorly they are trained.

I wonder if Lady Camilla wanted to do this farewell and welcome with Lord Joshua. She might have wanted him to train her knights.

"What do you think, Arietty?"

Lord Joshua leaned in close to look at the documents I was reading. He was so close that I could feel his body heat.

Too close! Too close!

I tried to hide my nervousness and calculated the dates on the schedule.

The urgent message from the steward was about the departure date and schedule for the priestess’s tour. The announcement of the departure date is official, but the schedule information was obtained independently by Carving.

There’s a month until the departure date, so the official schedule will be notified to each tour location in order, but we can go and get it ourselves.

It’s not hidden, but if we wait for the official announcement, the preparations for the welcome will be delayed, so I advised them to go and get it.

After that, I was often consulted about the welcome preparations and am now a full member of the team. My presence has been well accepted.

I’ll leave once I’m settled in.

I wrote down the schedule clearly on a piece of paper. Normally, it takes 15 days by carriage from the capital to Gil-Ganzena. The number of people hasn’t been officially announced, but there’s information that it’s about 60. That means there are probably about 20 songstresses. With 60 people, and with nearly half being young women, we need to consider double the time.

And we need to include several ceremonies along the way.

"The temple festival is 7 days. The schedule is 45 days. ...That’s a bit long."

I don’t know where they will stay, but it’s a bit long.

Moreover.

"The request is to accompany the priestess back to the capital with the head of the family."

The priestess wants Lord Joshua to accompany her back to the capital, along with the ball.

The council will start around that time, so Lord Joshua will go to the capital.

But if he moves with the priestess’s group, he will be quite late.

So, I considered a 5-day stay and wrote down the start of the council, frowning.

"Is it difficult?"

"If the priestess’s return is scheduled with the tour, it will delay the start of the council. If he accompanies them part of the way and then rushes back, he might make it."

Even then, he would arrive the day before.

"Can the request be declined?"

Oh, you’re thinking of declining? How heartless.

"I don’t know. It’s a bit different from what’s usually requested by the temple."

Lord Joshua was silent, folding his arms.

"There’s still time, and once the tour starts, the schedule will change. It’s best to make a decision then."

He nodded. The officials around him nodded as well.

"Should we inform the territory about the festival dates?"

The dates are set, but this is the final destination, and they could change. If it continues as is, it will be at least 2-3 days late.

So, I shook my head.

"It’s best to wait and see how the tour progresses. The schedule will change based on the decisions of the priests in charge. The approximate dates are already known, and frequent changes will cause confusion."

Lord Joshua murmured, "It’s starting."

He met my eyes. His gaze was full of trust. I nodded.

"It’s like a battle."

Lord Joshua chuckled. The officials and knights around him smiled, looking at him with trust.

Maybe it is.

The priestess and the songstresses are coming to save the people of Carving.

The mission of the welcoming side is to ensure the safe return of the songstresses. I want to make sure they are as comfortable as possible and that as many people as possible receive blessings. I want to make thorough preparations.

"Almost there. Everyone, keep up the good work."

The officials responded, "Yes," to Lord Joshua’s words.

At the inn on the border, I parted ways with Lord Joshua and slowly returned to the capital, spreading hymns in each place.

"Priestess, please bless this child." A newborn baby was placed in my hands.

It was so small and fragile, fitting in one of my arms. I couldn’t bear to sing loudly, so I sang a blessing softly and gave a verbal blessing.

The custom of blessings spread quickly. Now, people come to the temple one after another to receive blessings. It’s good that this custom has taken hold.

A cool breeze started to blow in the capital.

By the time the tour arrives, it will be the height of autumn, when the mountains of Carving are at their most beautiful with their vibrant foliage.

I will have to see Lord Joshua and Lady Alicia standing side by side, which I have been avoiding.

At that moment, I want to stand on my own strength. I want to leave this place with a bright face, unaffected by Lord Joshua’s kindness or Lady Alicia’s disdain.

The time will come when my efforts will bear fruit.