Chapter 4

Moreover, Lisbeth often gave her clothes to the maids—then, the maids would take off the expensive lace to sell, and alter the clothes to wear themselves—but since she kept giving them only dark colors, that must have bothered them as well.

Still, this time too, she intended to choose an achromatic color. She understood the maids’ feelings, but she simply didn’t feel like it.

“Call Madam Riesling.”

“Shall I tell her to come tomorrow?”

“There’s no rush. The Grand Festival isn’t until next month anyway.”

“Still, I’ll tell her to come as soon as possible!”

Becky left the room with a bright smile. Lisbeth once again gazed out the window with a bored expression. Buds were starting to sprout on the trees. Seeing those tender, young colors, she let out a sigh.

At just twenty-something, life already felt a little tiresome.

* * *

“You look so beautiful, Madam!”

“How about these pearls?”

“No, today, put on the sapphire necklace over there.”

“But the pendant is so small!”

“It’s fine, use that one.”

On the day before the Grand Festival, the mansion was busy. The maids in charge of Lisbeth’s dressing were disappointed that the dress was gray again, but at least they were pleased that sparkling silver lace wound richly over the bright gray fabric of the skirt.

Lisbeth stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, gradually becoming more radiant. She did not have an unattractive face. Before her marriage, she had been counted among the most beautiful ladies in society. Her fine, wavy hair, the color of bright wheat fields, and her eyes like rippling seas had captivated more than a few men.

‘But what does it matter.’

At this young and fine age, she wore the label ‘widow’, which she could never take off. Ever since her husband became bedridden, she had avoided the social scene for that very reason. She could not bear the pitying or envious gazes.

Tsk tsk, at such a young age. No matter how young and pretty, with a husband like that, what can you do. A young, wealthy widow is easy prey for wicked men, what will become of her.

Whenever she heard such talk, she felt unable to breathe. Living almost in seclusion, Lisbeth made a firm decision. She would never give her heart to anyone. She would stay motionless, inside the strong, high walls she had built.

After attending tonight’s banquet for the Grand Festival, she did not plan to attend such gatherings again for a while.

“All done, Madam.”

“Really, there’s no one as beautiful as you, Madam.”

As the maids chattered brightly, Anna, Lisbeth’s escort, who had been waiting by the door, stepped forward. She was a female knight whom Lisbeth had hired not long after her husband’s death. Fearing rumors if she kept a male knight, or that he might harbor ill intent, she had deliberately found a female knight.

“The carriage is waiting outside.”

“All right.”

Lisbeth slipped her foot, clad in lace stockings, into a small shoe wrapped in satin and stood up. Standing tall and straight, she somehow gave off a sorrowful air. Placing her hand in Anna’s outstretched one, Lisbeth walked slowly.

With the maids and servants seeing her off, Lisbeth boarded the carriage. At the coachman’s call, the carriage drawn by two horses headed slowly toward the center of the capital. As the early spring sunlight poured in through the window, Anna reached to draw the curtain. But Lisbeth stopped her.

“Leave it.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Soft wind and sparkling sunlight flooded Lisbeth’s face. Once again, she gazed absentmindedly out the window.

All of it should have been beautiful and lovely, but for some reason, she felt nothing. No, perhaps it was because of the hole in her heart. A hole created by losing the meaning of life.

The closer they got to the city center, the more crowded the streets became. The Grand Festival, held once every five years, was an event honoring the first High Priest, Bedience, who had heard the voice of God. While there were annual festivals, the Grand Festival held every five years was a little more special.

This was because at the Grand Festival, the High Priest would introduce a virtuous young priest to the crowd. Usually, the priest introduced at this time would later become a high-ranking priest, or even ascend to the position of High Priest.

The Royal Family would invite the young priest introduced at the Grand Festival banquet and form connections. In other words, it was an occasion to form ties with a promising priest.

Lisbeth had no need to form connections with the temple, so she had no reason to attend the banquet. However, the Royal Family required all nobles to attend. She could skip the regular festivals, but attendance at the Grand Festival was a must. It wasn’t compulsory, but it was an unspoken rule.

“Will you be leaving the banquet early again today?”

“I’ll just show my face and leave.”

“You could enjoy yourself a bit longer, couldn’t you?”

“I don’t feel like it… I’m already tired.”

Anna clicked her tongue inwardly. Her Madam, at least ten years her junior, had become excessively worn out from just a few years of marriage. It must have been from being disappointed by so many people in so many ways. Besides, being widowed at such a young age must be sad. Perhaps things would get better after a few more years. Anna didn’t press her further.

Soon, they arrived in front of the Grand Temple. The square in front of the temple was crowded with lines of nobles dressed in their finest. Taking Anna’s hand, Lisbeth slowly began to climb the thirty-three steps to the Grand Temple. Those who recognized her greeted her from here and there. Lisbeth responded with a gentle smile.

“It’s been a while, Madame Ellor. I thought I’d see you at Countess Piria’s salon the other day, but you weren’t there.”

“I wasn’t feeling well. I wanted to see you too, it’s a pity.”

“Madame, please stay a bit longer today. Are you hiding a honey jar at home? Hoho!”

“Yes, it’s the Grand Festival after all.”

The friendly Madames gathered around Lisbeth. She smiled and replied, but inwardly let out a weary sigh. She didn’t have the energy for small talk with the people of society. Nor was she in the mood. But unable to show it, she just nodded.

The seat she took with the Madames, leaving Anna behind, was not far from the platform where the High Priest would preach. The High Priest, who spoke on behalf of God, would sometimes bestow blessings with divine power, and people believed the closer they were to the High Priest, the greater the blessing they would receive.

Lisbeth did not believe that. If she had, her life wouldn’t have turned out this way. As far as she could remember, her family had always sat in the second row every year before her marriage.

Once the many nobles had taken seats up front, and the relatively well-off commoners sat behind, the hall of the Grand Temple was full. People chatted in low voices as they waited for the ceremony to begin. The most talked-about topic was the young priest to be introduced today. And with good reason……