Chapter 101.3

"...?!"

She wondered what he was alluding to.

She didn't ask, but she picked up on it too.

"Are you referring to the time when the previous Maiden Priestess passed away twenty-two years ago?"

"Ha...Maybe."

Arnold smiled in amusement, but it was a grim smile.

Rishe had seen this expression somewhere before.

The predecessor died years before His Highness Arnold, now nineteen, was born.

There was no way that Arnold could have been familiar with the events of that time.

However, the sense of disquiet in Rishe's mind became more and more pronounced.

Ever since my life as a maidservant, I've always wondered inwardly.

If they really wanted to protect Myria, they could have made a big show of announcing that she was the Maiden Priestess and thoroughly protected her in the name of the cause.

The Maiden Priestess was the reincarnation of the Goddess and an object of worship for believers all over the world.

It would have been better to make her existence public so that she could grow up in a safe environment.

But what was the reason for hiding her existence and giving her up for adoption to the Duke's family?

"――Rishe."

Smiling, Arnold looked into Rishe's eyes and whispered.

"Do you want to help that priestess's child?"

"..."

She nodded earnestly in response.

A large hand stroked Rishe's cheek and tilted her head up. Then he continued calmly.

"The festival will take place today as scheduled. It seems that it will be held without a hitch, with all the necessary arrangements in place."

"What...!!"

The ceremony would be held by Myria as the Maiden Priestess and the archbishop.

Myria would be left alone among the people who wanted to kill her. No matter what happened there, there would be no one to help her.

"Why in the world did Your Highness advise me against the assassination? I can't believe the Duke isn't the least bit suspicious of the Order..."

"You say the craziest things."

Arnold remarked, and Rishe looked up at him in confusion.

"Lord Jornal is a devout believer. Do you think he was only raising a child who was the Maiden Priestess because of the Order's order?"

"Uh...."

"But now, the Order is wishing for his daughter's death. Under such circumstances, what reason would the Duke have to protect a child who is not even related to him?"

"!!"

Arnold said in all seriousness.

Noticing this, Rishe hurriedly denied it.

"That's not true! To His Excellency Jonal, Myria is an important daughter. Even if it is the will of the Order, even if she is a daughter not related to him by blood, he would never put her in danger."

Rishe knew this perfectly well.

His Excellency cared for Myria from the bottom of his heart and raised her with great care.

That was definitely a genuine affection that transcended the boundaries of blood ties and duties from the Order.

"That's why I want to help...Myria-sama, Leo, and His Excellency, Duke Jornal are all here."

"......."

Arnold cast his eyes down slightly.

"Then don't worry about it."

After that, he gently told Rishe, "If that's what you want, I'll make it happen."

"Your Highness...?"

Arnold got up from the bed and put on his coat, which was hanging on a chair beside him.

"You should rest for a while longer."

"...?"

Arnold left the room and closed the door quietly.

His Highness Arnold is on our side. This is the most reassuring thing.

A ripple arose in the depths of her heart.

Rishe pressed her lips together, stood up, and began to dress herself.