Day 3 of the festival. In the schedule of the Caldera Imperial Academy’s Fall Festival, which runs from Monday to Friday, Wednesday morning had dawned.
To be honest, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t tired. I barely got any sleep last night.
If I had to explain why, the first reason was that my dreams were quite restless.
They weren’t just mere nightmares. They were something that felt confusingly close to reality. It was as if I had stepped into a different world; that vivid dream…
Helena appeared. After taking all the medication that Professor Moritz had prescribed, she had not shown up for a while.
The dream was heavenly because it felt so real, yet it was hellish for me because it was so vividly real.
It’s a puzzling situation. While facing it, I suffer so much, yet when I can’t face it for a while, I am engulfed by fear, trembling alone when it’s time to sleep. I feel as if I am the only one who remembers Helena, and I am haunted by the terrifying anxiety of erasing her from this world forever.
And that fear just disappears neatly upon waking from the dream. My discomfort was just an additional burden.
The first reason I came out of the dormitory complaining of exhaustion is that Helena appeared in my dream.
If there is a first reason, there has to be a second reason as well.
After dreaming of Helena and waking up in the early dawn, unable to fall back asleep and suffering from fatigue, the second reason was none other than Riina.
A way to ensure Riina enjoys the festival. In order to implement that, I would have to…
“…Tsk.”
It was a pointless thought. Since when did I start being so careful about my actions?
Since I couldn’t get any sleep, I decided to visit Professor Moritz’s clinic early in the morning, aligned with the time he opened. I had something I wanted to ask him.
It was a request that clearly seemed unreasonable: “Could you step out for a bit on Friday?” Yet, Professor Moritz readily agreed to my request.
“Then, now…”
With this, the preparations to ensure Riina enjoys the festival were almost complete. With Professor Moritz along, there wasn’t much to worry about.
As I examined the medicine bottle in my hand, I suddenly put it away into my pocket.
This morning, I had received a strong painkiller prescribed by Professor Moritz. A medication that provides the strongest pain relief possible, excluding narcotic painkillers.
There were strong warnings from Professor Moritz about potential side effects, like severe drowsiness or nausea, but for someone like me who had experienced coughing up blood, those side effects didn’t seem significant, so I didn’t care.
Alright. Now, the last thing I needed to prepare was…
‘…I can do it.’
Only my mindset.
I tucked the small Bible, which I had placed on my thigh, into my pocket. I noticed Sub-Priest Sofia stepping out of the dormitory.
After glancing around for a moment, she spotted me sitting on the bench in front of the dormitory and smiled brightly as she approached.
“Head Priest! Good morning!”
“Good morning.”
There was no trace of deceit in Sub-Priest Sofia’s smile. That sight made it difficult for me to meet her gaze.
‘I can do it.’
Even as Sub-Priest Sofia took my hand and helped me to stand, and as we left the dormitory to head towards the annex courtyard where the festival was taking place.
‘I can do it.’
In my mind, there was only one persistent thought.
‘I must do this.’
As Sub-Priest Sofia held my hand, her cheeks lightly blushing as she stepped into the annex courtyard.
I hated the thought of her face being twisted because of me. But…
‘As long as I’m the one in pain.’
Riina’s desperation reached me. I couldn’t just ignore it.
I just needed to suffer in silence. Quietly, so that no one would know.
After all, once Friday’s tasks were over, it would be the weekend, and I could take care of my body without anyone knowing. That’s what I believed.
Of course, I didn’t plan on handling everything by myself. Depending on the situation, I intended to propose cooperation to Priest Luciana, who was standing next to the Adelhaid Duke.
However, there was one question.
Knowing the state of Riina von Adelheit, why didn’t Priest Luciana do anything?
‘I should meet and talk with her.’
In any case, I would eventually need to meet and talk with Priest Luciana.
And it was too much to go meet her right now.
“Head Priest! Look over there!”
First, it was right to focus on what I could do right now. I turned my gaze towards the direction Sub-Priest Sofia was pointing.
“…What is that?”
“It seems to be a booth operating under a self-made entrepreneur…? ‘How to live life with a random fortune.’ Doesn’t it pique your curiosity?”
“…”
Right now, as a professor. And as someone who decided to enjoy the festival alongside Sub-Priest Sofia, I should do my best in that role.
“Let’s try it out!”
“Sub-Priest Sofia. A little slower…”
Doing my best in the present moment is what I can do.
—
Luciana Lisakova glanced over the girl in front of her, Riina von Adelheit.
Her snowy white hair, like the first snow of winter, seemed to perfectly represent the purity of a girl who had never left her mansion. Lisakova Priest’s hand approached her forehead.
“Ugh…”
“…”
Hearing Riina’s sleep murmurs, Lisakova Priest’s hand paused in the air. She hesitated for a moment, deciding whether to withdraw her hand, but then gently placed it on Riina’s forehead.
Lisakova Priest’s hand was cold. The fact that she had been wandering around the mansion without any specific tasks since the Adelhaid Duke had gone out with other attendants had caused her hands to become icy after a long walk in the moderately chilly autumn weather.
As the cold hand touched Riina’s forehead, a slight warmth was felt. Riina’s body shivered.
“Ugh… Luciana…?”
“…My lady.”
Eventually, Riina’s eyes fluttered open. Her dimly red eyes met those of Lisakova Priest.
Staring blankly at Lisakova Priest for a moment, Riina gently clasped Lisakova Priest’s cold hand with both of her own. Lisakova Priest’s arm naturally wrapped around Riina’s shoulder.
Lisakova Priest did not stop her. She only allowed her body to twist slightly, making it easy for Riina to hug her arm.
Feeling the coolness emanating from Lisakova Priest’s arm, Riina slowly straightened herself, trembling all over. The hazy cloud that had surrounded her eyes had vanished.
“Ahh… Luciana. What’s going on?”
“I came to check on your condition, my lady.”
“Hmm… I’m perfectly fine…?”
Perhaps she hadn’t fully woken up yet or maybe she wanted to appear that way.
Riina covered her mouth and yawned demurely, then snuggled back into her fluffy blanket and laid back down. Lisakova Priest quietly watched Riina, gently brushing away her disheveled white hair.
“My lady. Yesterday, I went with the Duke to the Academy’s Fall Festival.”
“Really?”
Riina’s eyes immediately sparkled. Lisakova Priest barely succeeded in suppressing a sigh that was about to escape.
“Yes. We visited Lady Laura’s club booth, and we also met the professor who is teaching Lady Laura.”
“I see… That must have been fun…”
“…Not particularly.”
“Liar. Just hearing about it sounds like it was incredibly fun.”
Lisakova Priest discreetly averted her gaze. The colorful autumn scenery outside the window caught her eye.
While she was looking, Riina, half-awake, spoke in a slightly drowsy voice.
“Luciana… How was the festival? Tell me about it…”
“…”
“I can’t escape from the mansion, you know. Hmm…”
Each word Riina uttered felt like a sharp pain slicing through Lisakova Priest’s insides. She barely managed to hold back her swelling emotions.
“There were various festival booths lined up.”
“Hmm… And?”
“There were numerous people. The citizens living in the city, the academy staff, and students enjoying the festival from various places…”
Riina calmly closed her eyes. Perhaps she was faintly imagining the things Lisakova Priest was describing.
“I see… And?”
“And… there were several booths where you could have new and exciting experiences.”
“That sounds fun. Did you try any of them out, too?”
“Since I was in the position of serving the Duke, I couldn’t experience those.”
“That’s a shame… Hmm.”
Riina’s eyes slowly opened. Her crimson eyes gently rolled over to Lisakova Priest, who was seated on the edge of the bed.
“You must have wanted to enjoy the festival too. I’ll tell my father.”
“I’m fine. I’m just doing what I need to do.”
“No. I’ll scold him on your behalf. It’s absurd that you said you’d go see the festival and didn’t enjoy anything at all! No matter how much of a father he is, he’s got to be reprimanded for this.”
“…Lady Riina.”
Lisakova Priest’s expression slightly hardened. Watching her, Riina smiled brightly and buried her face into the fluffy pillow. Muffled sounds slipped out.
“Hehe… I’m just kidding… There’s no way I would really do that…”
“…”
“If only Carmondorf had been there, it would have been fun.”
“That…”
Lisakova Priest fell silent. Riina still didn’t know what Carmondorf had done.
The Adelhaid Duke, worried about her condition, had instructed everyone who knew about Carmondorf’s truth to keep quiet.
Riina had only heard that “Carmondorf’s health worsened, and he went back to his hometown.”. For Lisakova Priest, who wasn’t inclined to lie, it was also a conversation topic she didn’t want to bring up.
‘…Lying doesn’t sit well with me.’
Lisakova Priest swallowed a hollow laugh. It’s not that lying doesn’t sit well with her. It’s lying that comes out at random times in front of Riina.
“Anyway, Luciana. Tell me more about the festival…”
“…Lady Riina.”
Riina looked at Lisakova Priest with an innocent expression. Her gaze held pure curiosity and a hint of resignation.
“Do you… really want to enjoy the festival that much?”
“…If you ask if I want to enjoy it, well, I’m not sure…”
Seeing Riina momentarily struggle with her thoughts, she then smiled lightly and shook her head.
“No, I’m satisfied just hearing about it from you.”
“…”
Lisakova Priest understood.
Kind-hearted Riina was lying so she wouldn’t feel unnecessary worries or guilt.
Riina had always been poor at lying. Whenever she tried, her right eyebrow would twitch.
“…Is that so?”
But Lisakova Priest didn’t press the matter further. If it’s Riina’s will, it should be respected.
Yes, that’s how it should be.
“…But what if, hypothetically.”
“Hmm?”
Why won’t my mouth stop?
“What if there were a way for Lady Riina to enjoy the festival…? How would you want to do it?”
“I…”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Riina gently smiled and shook her head.
“No, it’s fine… Even if I think of a way to enjoy the festival, it’s clear that someone will have to endure discomfort…”
“…My lady.”
“And if I ever get to enjoy the festival even once, I think it will become unbearable for me… Hmm. I’m fine.”
This frail girl, with her kind heart, feared that she would disrupt those around her if she indulged.
She feared that her greed would grow like a snowball if she enjoyed the festival by causing trouble.
“So, um, if I can’t enjoy the festival like that, wouldn’t it be better to just watch the fireworks from here…?”
“…”
Lisakova Priest bowed her head. She bit her lips hard, but felt no pain.
“If that is Lady Riina’s wish, I will follow it.”
“…Thank you, Luciana. You’re saying that for my sake, right?”
The sight of Riina weakly smiling became a painfully deep wound in Lisakova Priest’s heart.
“That’s enough. Just tell me more about the festival. Luciana. That’s all I need.”
“…Understood.”
Lisakova Priest respected Riina’s wishes.
And she would not allow anyone to go against Riina’s desires.
That was the choice Riina made, even while enduring her pain…
