“…Still, everyone is cheering me on.”

The maids didn’t 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 Lionel’s 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.

“Hmm.”

The shape and taste were awkward, as if a beginner had made them, perhaps reflecting the maid’s mood while making them, but the sweetness of the cookies lifted Ariel’s spirits.

“Right. Everyone is cheering me on like this. I need to stay strong.”

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.

‘How can I get assigned to the subjugation team with Lionel?’

Ariel pondered deeply. If she were assigned as a healer or assistant priest, she wouldn’t have to face demonic beasts, but becoming a priest in the Holy Kingdom meant she couldn’t marry. That wouldn’t do if she wanted to marry Lionel later.

So, the final destination she arrived at was…

“…You mean becoming a saintess candidate, Ariel?”

“Yes, Father! I’m going to become a saintess candidate.”

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.

“Miss, you, a saintess candidate…”

The reaction was awkward, especially from the maids who had been supporting her by making almond cookies. Ariel, feeling a bit flustered, asked brightly.

“Why? Isn’t it okay?”

“Hmm…”

“Listen! Anyone with holy power, who is diligent and devout, can become a saintess candidate included in the subjugation team!”

“You do have holy power… but…”

“Diligent and devout…”

“…towards Lord Lionel.”

“So what? Being a saintess candidate isn’t such a grand thing!”

In reality, a saintess candidate in the Holy Kingdom wasn’t 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.

‘Anyway, those who are truly recognized as saintesses are separate.’

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 wasn’t aiming to become a true saintess anyway.

‘As a candidate, I can join the subjugation team if I pass the entrance exam.’

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 girl’s love.

“This seems like the best path.”

“Miss, usually the young ladies who choose that path have considerable holy power and are genuinely devout…”

“I may not have much holy power, but I can be devout.”

“You, Miss?”

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.

“With such a small holy power… it will be difficult to do anything.”

The instructor who received Ariel from the holy knight training instructor sighed deeply.

“How did you even get into the academy?”

“Well, I got in because I was qualified.”

“Miss Tenia, having a light-hearted attitude won’t do. Dealing with monsters and demonic beasts isn’t so easy.”

“I know. I’ve been studying monsters and demonic beasts diligently through books.”

“…You may be blinded by your love for Lord Lionel now, but Miss Tenia.”

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.

“I hope you didn’t apply for the position of saintess candidate too lightly. It’s a very tough path if you’re serious about it.”

“I’m not applying lightly.”

“Everyone says that.”

“Everyone?”

“Young ladies who apply to become saintess candidates for similar reasons… to support young lords who applied to become holy knights.”

Despite speaking in such a manner, the instructor didn’t 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.

“It’s not the first time someone like you has applied to be a saintess candidate, Miss Tenia.”

“……”

“And those people usually leave within three years, finding their true calling. You will too, eventually.”

The words carried the implication that someone as frivolous as her wouldn’t last long here. Young Ariel understood the meaning behind those words and found the instructor’s cloudy gaze peculiar.

‘What does it matter what the reason is?’

After all, the greatest virtues upheld by the Holy Kingdom’s 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. Wasn’t 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.

‘Let them think what they want.’

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.

…And also the year when noble families started arranging engagements.

“This time, it won’t work, Ariel.”

“What?”

Ariel widened her eyes in surprise at Duke Frenderick’s unexpected words. The Duke put down his teacup with a bitter smile.

“Find another partner.”

“But I’ve always been Lionel’s partner for the November Ball.”

The November Ball was always held near the end of the Holy Academy’s 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 Lionel’s 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.

‘Can I be Lionel’s partner?’

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 Duke’s response.

“Why this time…”

“Lionel won’t be attending the academy’s November Ball this year. He’ll be participating in the subjugation team’s social events.”

“Ah.”

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 hadn’t seen Lionel’s face for a while.

Although Ariel was sixteen, her birthday was still some time away. Until then, she couldn’t even take the subjugation team entrance exam, so she was naturally separated from Lionel. After some thought, she spoke.

“Hmm. But Lionel is still a student at the academy.”

“Besides, someone applied to be his partner before you this time.”

“What?”

“A young lady from the subjugation team. I’m sorry.”

Hearing the Duke’s words, Ariel left the Frenderick mansion dejectedly. Even though one of Lionel’s familiar servants had given her a handful of almond cookies, she felt no better.

“This can’t be.”

Ariel was somewhat shocked as she had never imagined losing Lionel’s partner spot over something like this.

‘Could this be Lionel’s wish too?’

Lionel wasn’t at the mansion today either, so she couldn’t ask him anything. Ariel sighed. But her spirit was only briefly dampened.

‘…Lionel doesn’t like dancing much anyway.’

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 wasn’t good at, which only she knew.

‘Ah. I want to dance with Lord Lionel too.’

‘But you can’t dance with anyone else before dancing with your partner.’

‘Really, does she intend to monopolize the Lord? That’s too much.’

Because of this, she often heard such remarks at the ball, but she couldn’t help it. Ariel didn’t want to force Lionel to do something he disliked. He was so shy that even holding her hand had become awkward for him.

‘Come on. Aren’t we past this age?’

Was it about a month ago? She grabbed Lionel’s hand in front of others, and he had pulled away. Ariel had persistently held his hand, continuing to speak.