Chapter 451
Alexandriena, the Cardinal, successfully made a friendly first impression by trading Tannian’s name like a hot commodity. Meanwhile, Cardinal Aldino greeted us in a rather warm atmosphere.
Instead of engaging in a tiring conversation with a potentially uptight counterpart, my encounter with the two Cardinals started off pretty well. So, surely those Cardinals wouldn’t show their stuffy sides in front of me and Mar. That was enough for me.
“Is the tea to your liking? It’s brewed from leaves cultivated by elves, so you should get a unique flavor.”
The Emperor, sensing the pleasant mood, kept smiling as he interacted with the Cardinals.
Even in the Empire, these Cardinals from the Holy Kingdom could be a handful. If they decided to cause chaos, things could get messy. Even in a world where the divine isn’t as present, the church holds considerable power, let alone here. Therefore, even as the Emperor welcomed the Cardinals’ visit, he was likely quite cautious.
However, with gentlemen like me, blessed by the divine, radiating a friendly vibe, any potential worries the Emperor might’ve had disappeared in an instant.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, this old man gets to sip on something precious. Honestly, I’ve wanted to try this before kicking the bucket.”
Understanding the Emperor’s subtle concerns, the Cardinal responded with exaggerated laughter.
“Haha, really? I’m glad to make a dream of yours come true!”
Stealing a glance at the Emperor and then diverting my gaze back to my teacup, I couldn’t help but think: Why are you making someone else’s dreams come true while ignoring mine? If I were over seventy like Cardinal Aldino, would I get my wish for retirement too…?
“By the way, I heard the accommodations for the delegation were arranged by the Ausen Archdiocese. How about staying at the palace instead? We’ve got plenty of vacant rooms fit for your delegation.”
Even though the Emperor worded it somewhat casually, treating the palace like a hostel, I decided to let it slide. Considering they were already using the palace like a farm, treating it like an inn wasn’t that far-fetched.
“While we appreciate the kind offer, we’re actually planning to stay near the St. Paronas Cathedral. We’d like to be close to places blessed by your lord.”
“Is that so? What a pity. But if you change your mind, feel free to let me know.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll keep that in mind.”
With a polite response, the Emperor then turned his attention back to me.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“The Cardinal mentioned that he wishes to discuss faith with you and your wife.”
“I will visit the accommodations where the esteemed guests are staying with my wife.”
My instinctive response pleased the Emperor as he nodded approvingly.
“Discussing faith with the Cardinal is enticing, but I feel it would be troubling to impose on a newlywed Minister. I’ll remember this, so focus on the present, Minister.”
“Yes, I will.”
However, the Emperor seemed to have his reservations about pulling a newlywed into discussions with important foreign figures. He implied that he would extend my vacation, which was quite generous.
‘Then I can endure this.’
My mind instantly calmed. Being thrown into the deep end without any benefit is one thing, but if my vacation was extended, I could manage this without any fuss.
Time off is for relaxing, and sainthood is for pursuing righteousness—it’s a win-win!
“Would it be alright if I came over to where you are, Brother?”
“…Excuse me?”
I was startled by Cardinal Alexandrina’s unexpected invitation. She wanted to visit my home instead of me going to hers?
It could sound like a guest intruding on a newlywed couple’s abode, but given that my vacation was temporarily paused by the Emperor, it wasn’t a major issue. In fact, if they chose to come over themselves, that might be more convenient.
However, Cardinal Alexandrina had arrived, wielding authority as a saint right in the Empire. Having shown her deference to the Empire, the next logical step was for me to reciprocate, but her coming directly to my house felt like she was being overly humble.
“I’ve already interrupted the time of you and your sister; how could I ask you to come and go? Besides, shouldn’t it be the guest who comes to the host rather than the other way around?”
The sincerity in her words had me glancing at the Emperor, who seemed just as surprised by her unexpected statement. It’s rare to come across a high-ranking individual who would show such willingness to defer.
Before long, the Emperor subtly nodded my way, as if signaling me to heed the Cardinal’s words.
“I’m grateful for your consideration, Your Eminence. We gladly accept your kind offer.”
“Then I trust you’ll treat your guest with the utmost hospitality. I’m somewhat of a gourmet, you see.”
“Haha, I will keep that in mind.”
I chuckled as we shared a light-hearted conversation disguised as a request. It was only proper to welcome a guest wholeheartedly, so it was as if she was arriving empty-handed.
This was a rather positive turn of events, leaving me almost flabbergasted. Could Tannian being sacrificed for a cause amount to this much?
‘Looks like I’ll need to sell him out more in the future.’
If I ever get a chance to meet someone of the Cardinal’s stature again, I’ll kick things off by mentioning Tannian first.
Although my conscience pricked a little, the outcome was worth any lingering discomfort.
—
The day after the Emperor summoned me to the Sun Palace, Cardinal Alexandrina visited my mansion.
“It’s nice to see you again, Brother. I felt bad coming empty-handed, so I brought a gift… Do you like strawberries?”
And she came bearing a basket overflowing with strawberries!
Seeing her lift the basket with a gentle smile felt oddly surreal. The first time we met, she fed a horse a carrot, and now she’s presenting strawberries. Is she a saint or some sort of agricultural wizard?
“Yes, I do like them. I was planning to get some soon, so thank you.”
I shoved aside any ridiculous thoughts as I gratefully accepted the basket. Besides, Louise has a peculiar fondness for fruits.
“You’ll find this flavor to be unlike any other. It looks delicious, and I’ve blessed it, too.”
“…I see.”
I glanced down at the strawberries that suddenly transformed from “just fruit” to “fruit blessed by a Cardinal.”
How lucky am I to be offered blessed strawberries? Am I meant to eat them or sell them?
‘Why is someone like her holding such a position?’
With complicated feelings whirling around, I looked at Cardinal Alexandrina. I shouldn’t be the one to judge, but she’s only twenty-nine and has a quirky personality. By all appearances, she shouldn’t be holding a high office.
The Holy Kingdom must have its complexities.
Unless, of course, she possesses abilities that overshadow her age and temperament.
—
The Minister of the Information Department personally guided me to my room.
I gladly accepted his offer, which felt perfectly reasonable. Though I had already set my heart on considering beatification basics, I shouldn’t trivialize the process of canonization.
Thus, while any in-depth inquiries might be overkill, I still needed to engage in some meaningful dialogue. Even a nominal question could stretch our conversation, so I was thankful for the room arrangement.
And above all, there was a particular spot in this residence I urgently wanted to see.
“This is it. Brother Tannian stayed in this room.”
As the Minister paused in front of a door, I bit my lip to hold back a grin; I feared I might reveal just how excited I was.
Yes, this was it. I had come all the way to the Minister’s humble abode just to see this room.
“Brother. I believe I heard that Brother Tannian also once resided in your mansion. Would it be alright if I stayed in that room?”
“Oh, of course! I’ll guide you there right away.”
To fulfill that lofty ambition, I even made a bold and forthright request, taking advantage of my guest status. Thankfully, the Minister quickly agreed, but I still felt a tinge embarrassed.
But what does it matter? If I can share a space—albeit one he used before—with Tannian, I’ll take on a little bit of discomfort.
While it may be a room of the past, time is a flimsy wall between Tannian and me.
“Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll send someone when it’s meal time.”
“Thank you, Brother, for your kindness.”
Nodding and smiling as the Minister opened the door and stepped back, I found myself grateful to him. Blessed, Tannian’s advisor, and the one who secured me this room—truly, after the Lord and the Pope, I ought to afford him deep respect. I could bow my head to such a figure as many times as necessary.
‘Is he gone?’
Of course, respect and privacy don’t mix. Once I confirmed the Minister had walked away, I hurriedly entered the room and shut the door.
As soon as my foot hit the floor in that room, waves of ecstasy washed over me. Step by step, I approached the bed, and—
“Ahhhhhhh—”
I threw myself onto the bed, inhaling deeply.
This room belonged to Tannian.
This bed was where Tannian slept.
…
I took deep breaths, my heart racing with anticipation.
I just need to hold off this excitement until it’s meal time.
—
Alexandriena sat quietly, tearing off pieces of bread and placing them into her mouth, exuding the aura of a pious and devout priest.
Was this the same person who fed a carrot to a horse in the middle of the palace and blessed strawberries? Aside from these eccentric behaviors, she was nothing short of stunningly normal when she kept her mouth shut.
Actually, I realized there were two such ‘normal’ people around me. Eri and the Wise Duke also appear beautiful as long as their mouths don’t open. But once they do… well, that’s another story.
‘Sounds like their mouths are well-suited.’
Whew— after taking a good look at the Cardinal chewing her bread, I decided to dip into the soup. Thankfully, my guest looked satisfied, so I felt at ease to continue my meal.
No doubt about it, this chef is trustworthy—no matter who comes as a guest, they leave impressed.
‘Though I almost messed it up myself.’
Thinking about it still sends chills down my spine. Tannian first resided in this mansion two years ago, and I barely remembered which room he had occupied. So, as I strained to recall, I ended up pointing to the room right next to where the Cardinal entered—Rutis’s room!
Thanks to Enen’s blessing, I managed to secure the correct room for the Cardinal, but I dreaded to think how things could have panned out if she had stayed in Rutis’s chamber instead.
‘Putting a guest in the same room as that guy would have been disastrous.’
Ignoring the fact that Rutis, by rank, is also considered a guest, was genuinely chilling.
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