Now Youโre Obsessed - Chapter 6
โโฆStill, everyone is cheering me on.โ
The maids didnโt specifically say it was them, but it must have been. Whenever Ariel cried or threw a tantrum as a child, they would somehow bring her things like Lionelโs used handkerchiefs or items sprayed with the same perfume he used, to comfort and console her with the scent of Lionel. It actually worked.
Feeling down, Ariel opened the package to find her favorite almond cookies inside. They were what she always ate when having tea with Lionel.
โHmm.โ
The shape and taste were awkward, as if a beginner had made them, perhaps reflecting the maidโs mood while making them, but the sweetness of the cookies lifted Arielโs spirits.
โRight. Everyone is cheering me on like this. I need to stay strong.โ
So, Ariel quickly recovered from her disappointment. She was too busy planning how to catch up to Lionel to spend time being dejected.
Even while she was feeling lost, Lionel would be scared, preparing to fight terrible monsters.
โHow can I get assigned to the subjugation team with Lionel?โ
Ariel pondered deeply. If she were assigned as a healer or assistant priest, she wouldnโt have to face demonic beasts, but becoming a priest in the Holy Kingdom meant she couldnโt marry. That wouldnโt do if she wanted to marry Lionel later.
So, the final destination she arrived at wasโฆ
โโฆYou mean becoming a saintess candidate, Ariel?โ
โYes, Father! Iโm going to become a saintess candidate.โ
When she said that, Marquis Tenia, her father, had a rather disapproving expression. Everyone around Ariel had a similar reaction. Even the maids who had been making almond cookies for her day and night were the same.
โMiss, you, a saintess candidateโฆโ
The reaction was awkward, especially from the maids who had been supporting her by making almond cookies. Ariel, feeling a bit flustered, asked brightly.
โWhy? Isnโt it okay?โ
โHmmโฆโ
โListen! Anyone with holy power, who is diligent and devout, can become a saintess candidate included in the subjugation team!โ
โYou do have holy powerโฆ butโฆโ
โDiligent and devoutโฆโ
โโฆtowards Lord Lionel.โ
โSo what? Being a saintess candidate isnโt such a grand thing!โ
In reality, a saintess candidate in the Holy Kingdom wasnโt the kind of grand figure people from other countries imagined. It was more like a monastic status for women who polished their holy power and faith, similar to priests.
โAnyway, those who are truly recognized as saintesses are separate.โ
Among the many candidates, very few actually progressed to the stage of being a true saintess. Therefore, the role of a saintess candidate was often used for bridal training. Ariel wasnโt aiming to become a true saintess anyway.
โAs a candidate, I can join the subjugation team if I pass the entrance exam.โ
She just wanted to be part of the subjugation team, in any position, to be with Lionel. Even menial tasks were fine. Such was the blind devotion of a young girlโs love.
โThis seems like the best path.โ
โMiss, usually the young ladies who choose that path have considerable holy power and are genuinely devoutโฆโ
โI may not have much holy power, but I can be devout.โ
โYou, Miss?โ
The maids who had looked after Ariel for a long time expressed their doubts one after another. Their tone was slightly reproachful but affectionate, as they cared deeply for Ariel. Their concerns were half right.
โWith such a small holy powerโฆ it will be difficult to do anything.โ
The instructor who received Ariel from the holy knight training instructor sighed deeply.
โHow did you even get into the academy?โ
โWell, I got in because I was qualified.โ
โMiss Tenia, having a light-hearted attitude wonโt do. Dealing with monsters and demonic beasts isnโt so easy.โ
โI know. Iโve been studying monsters and demonic beasts diligently through books.โ
โโฆYou may be blinded by your love for Lord Lionel now, but Miss Tenia.โ
The instructor already knew Ariel. By that time, Ariel had become a famous figure not only in the social circles of the Holy Kingdom but also within the Holy Academy for following Lionel around. With a somewhat skeptical expression, the instructor continued.
โI hope you didnโt apply for the position of saintess candidate too lightly. Itโs a very tough path if youโre serious about it.โ
โIโm not applying lightly.โ
โEveryone says that.โ
โEveryone?โ
โYoung ladies who apply to become saintess candidates for similar reasonsโฆ to support young lords who applied to become holy knights.โ
Despite speaking in such a manner, the instructor didnโt expel Ariel. Half of it was out of a sense of fairness in accepting saintess candidates, and half was the expectation that someone like Ariel would naturally drop out over time.
โItโs not the first time someone like you has applied to be a saintess candidate, Miss Tenia.โ
โโฆโฆโ
โAnd those people usually leave within three years, finding their true calling. You will too, eventually.โ
The words carried the implication that someone as frivolous as her wouldnโt last long here. Young Ariel understood the meaning behind those words and found the instructorโs cloudy gaze peculiar.
โWhat does it matter what the reason is?โ
After all, the greatest virtues upheld by the Holy Kingdomโs doctrine were faith, hope, and love, with love being the greatest. Joining as a saintess candidate out of love seemed perfectly aligned with that principle. Wasnโt love the most noble force?
But that was only her opinion. To others, Ariel appeared to be a foolish young lady reaching for an undeserved position out of an impossible crush.
โLet them think what they want.โ
Ariel was simply determined to earn the qualification to join the subjugation team.
* * *
Time passed, and she turned sixteen. The year when the subjugation team entrance exams began, and the future paths of a few successful students were decided.
โฆAnd also the year when noble families started arranging engagements.
โThis time, it wonโt work, Ariel.โ
โWhat?โ
Ariel widened her eyes in surprise at Duke Frenderickโs unexpected words. The Duke put down his teacup with a bitter smile.
โFind another partner.โ
โBut Iโve always been Lionelโs partner for the November Ball.โ
The November Ball was always held near the end of the Holy Academyโs term. It was an event where all enrolled students gathered to build social connections within the academy.
Since entering the academy at twelve, Ariel had secured the position of Lionelโs partner until she was fifteen. She had always been the first to rush to the Frenderick mansion, asking Duke Frenderick and Lionel if she could be his partner.
โCan I be Lionelโs partner?โ
Each time, Lionel sighed, and Duke Frenderick laughed and said she could. Ariel had naturally assumed it would be the same this year, so she was surprised by the Dukeโs response.
โWhy this timeโฆโ
โLionel wonโt be attending the academyโs November Ball this year. Heโll be participating in the subjugation teamโs social events.โ
โAh.โ
Although boys and girls in the Holy Kingdom generally joined the subjugation team at sixteen, Lionel was an exception. He had already passed the subjugation team entrance exam at the top of his class at fifteen and was active in the team.
As a result, Ariel hadnโt seen Lionelโs face for a while.
Although Ariel was sixteen, her birthday was still some time away. Until then, she couldnโt even take the subjugation team entrance exam, so she was naturally separated from Lionel. After some thought, she spoke.
โHmm. But Lionel is still a student at the academy.โ
โBesides, someone applied to be his partner before you this time.โ
โWhat?โ
โA young lady from the subjugation team. Iโm sorry.โ
Hearing the Dukeโs words, Ariel left the Frenderick mansion dejectedly. Even though one of Lionelโs familiar servants had given her a handful of almond cookies, she felt no better.
โThis canโt be.โ
Ariel was somewhat shocked as she had never imagined losing Lionelโs partner spot over something like this.
โCould this be Lionelโs wish too?โ
Lionel wasnโt at the mansion today either, so she couldnโt ask him anything. Ariel sighed. But her spirit was only briefly dampened.
โโฆLionel doesnโt like dancing much anyway.โ
It was only natural. He was always more interested in honing his swordsmanship or holy power than in social activities.
He had only learned the basics of dancing, and even then, he often stumbled and made mistakes while practicing with Ariel. So Ariel never asked him to dance at the November Ball, even as his partner.
She was satisfied just knowing that the perfect Lionel had something he wasnโt good at, which only she knew.
โAh. I want to dance with Lord Lionel too.โ
โBut you canโt dance with anyone else before dancing with your partner.โ
โReally, does she intend to monopolize the Lord? Thatโs too much.โ
Because of this, she often heard such remarks at the ball, but she couldnโt help it. Ariel didnโt want to force Lionel to do something he disliked. He was so shy that even holding her hand had become awkward for him.
โCome on. Arenโt we past this age?โ
Was it about a month ago? She grabbed Lionelโs hand in front of others, and he had pulled away. Ariel had persistently held his hand, continuing to speak.