I. Debutante

“Welcome, Laura.”

“I’m sorry for visiting during your rest time…… Father.”

“Not at all. I always welcome Laura’s visits.”

With a gentle smile, a silver plate filled with desserts exuding a sweet fragrance was placed before her.

“These are cookies baked with granulated sugar on top, and pastries filled with custard cream. Try them.”

“Thank you! I’ll enjoy them.”

The sugar cookies, crispy on the outside and sweet, were something Florencia greatly enjoyed. Her purple eyes sparkled as she carefully brought the round cookie to her mouth.

Although she became an adult today, Florencia didn’t feel particularly different.

By now, the splendid debutante ball fitting for the bright spring day would be in full swing, but she hadn’t even considered attending. Not only would no one welcome her presence, but appearing in such shabby attire would surely cause many people to express their displeasure.

If she were to disappear from the world one day, the people of House Hazel would certainly not care in the least.

“It feels like just yesterday when I first saw Laura…… Yet that was eight years ago. Congratulations on coming of age, Florencia.”

Though she had a beautiful name meaning ‘blooming flower,’ Florencia barely remembered being called by it. She was always addressed as ‘hey,’ ‘you,’ or ‘useless girl’ —

This kind priest before her was the only person who called her by an affectionate nickname.

“Laura, how does it feel to be an adult? Does it feel any different from before?”

“Honestly, I don’t feel like an adult yet, Father Ludwig.”

“Hmm, you’ll feel it soon. Anyway, to think that the little girl who was crying in front of the temple has become such a fine lady. I’m truly happy.”

Ludwig rested his chin on the long table, constantly watching her eat. His other hand elegantly extended, tapping the table lightly as if keeping rhythm.

For some reason, he seemed genuinely happy.

“The debutante ball must be in full swing by now. Why didn’t you go? There might have been a decent young man who could capture Laura’s heart.”

“Father…… Please don’t tease me. You know well that I’m not interested in such things.”

“But Laura, coming of age has a very special meaning, so surely different good things must be waiting for you compared to before.”

“Good things…… Do you really think so, Father?”

“Of course.”

As she shook her head as if it were a story far removed from herself, Ludwig made an expression full of conviction, as if to give her courage. His gaze fell on the plate where more than half of the cookies and cakes had already disappeared.

“Laura, you must have been hungry, huh? You’re eating well.”

“Ah, yes……”

Florencia blushed and gently put down the choux pastry she was holding. Noble young ladies considered eating a lot in front of others to be extremely unrefined behavior, so they didn’t eat much outside their homes. Of course, that was the circumstance of ‘real’ noble ladies who could normally eat whatever they wanted.

“It’s fine. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Noticing her hesitation, Ludwig smiled gently and offered more food.

Haven’t you eaten? At that question, Florencia’s face turned bright red again. In truth, she hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday morning, not just missing recent meals.

“Yes, Father. Actually……”

The main reason was because of her sister Eriendna, who had also come of age today. That girl, who would be the star of the debutante ball with her beautiful appearance, had tormented Florencia throughout the ball preparations. Fix the fan and gloves, sew additional decorations on the dress, change the ribbon on the hat because she didn’t like it…… Florencia hadn’t had time to eat since yesterday, busy fulfilling Eriendna’s demands and following her instructions.

“Actually, after Eriendna left for the ballroom, I tried to eat something late, but, um, Mother…… said eating outside of meal times was vulgar behavior and told me to wait until tomorrow.”

Her young face grew sadder as she recalled Lady Hazel’s cold expression as she ordered even the hard bread reluctantly offered by the kitchen maid to be taken away.

“They denied you meals? You mean they starved you?”

A cold light momentarily flashed across Ludwig’s beautiful eyes like noble gems. He shook his head as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“I simply cannot understand. Why do they hate you so much, Laura?”

“But I can’t say it’s wrong when everyone hates me. The only one who doesn’t avoid me…… is just you, Father Ludwig.”

After saying this, Florencia anxiously watched his reaction.

“Um, Father…… you don’t hate me, do you?”

“Of course not.”

Her face brightened noticeably, finally looking relieved at his cool response.

Eat plenty, Ludwig kindly placed an éclair, Florencia’s favorite bread, in her hand.

“You’re the only one in this world who treats me so well……”

“What a cute thing to say.”

Ludwig, who had risen from his seat and approached the cabinet, laughed lightly at those words.

“By the way, Laura. With only eight months left until graduation from the academy, you really need to decide on your path. Were you serious about becoming a saintess?”

While taking out a transparent crystal bottle from the cabinet, Ludwig observed her from the corner of his eye. Florencia had just taken a bite of the thick, elongated chocolate éclair.

“Yes, the family won’t care what I do anyway. However……”

A clear glass filled with translucent orange liquid was placed before her.

“I’m worried about my young brother Michael. That child only hopes for me to graduate quickly so we can live together…… Wow, Father! Is this juice? The color is so pretty!”

“It’s alcohol made with soft fruit pulp. It’s mild and has a nice fruit fragrance, so it should be easy to drink. Try it.”

“Yes, then……”

The clear liquid went down her white throat with gulping sounds.

Watching this, Ludwig quickly muttered something under his breath. Even though he used holy power, there was barely any movement in his neat lips, so subtle that even she, sitting right next to him, noticed nothing. For a very brief moment, a transparent light scattered like spring heat haze and seeped into Florencia’s back.

A moment later, Florencia put down her glass and exclaimed with a bright smile, “It’s delicious!”

“It’s cool and sweet. You should have some too, Father!”

I’ll have better alcohol later, he declined lightly, and Ludwig also smiled, gracefully creasing the corners of his eyes.

“That’s your coming-of-age celebration drink.”

Florencia, who had been holding the glass with both hands and taking a few more sips, opened her eyes wide like a rabbit.

“You prepared this for me?”

“I’ve been brewing it for several months. I’m sorry I couldn’t prepare flowers and fruits because I’ve been busy these past few days.”

“Not at all, Father…… I thought I wouldn’t receive anything at all…… Father, you’re always so kind and such a wonderful person.”

Gratitude and emotion filled Florencia’s gentle eyes.

In the Holy Empire of Lebleia, there was a tradition of gifting celebration drinks, flowers, and fresh fruits to young ladies and gentlemen who came of age and had their debutante. Just this morning, her sister Eriendna had received several champagne bottles in luxurious containers, bouquets, and baskets of luscious fruits from family members.

Florencia suddenly felt strangely sleepy. Was it because she had woken up at dawn to help prepare Eriendna for her ball attendance at her sister’s insistence? Or was it because she felt at ease being with the kind priest? She felt her body sinking deeper and deeper into the soft chair she was leaning against.

“As I always say, I’m not such a good person, Laura.”

Ludwig spoke in a voice that somehow seemed bitter.

That’s not true…… Answering in a voice now barely audible, Florencia leaned even more deeply into the chair. Drowsiness tinged her heavy fingertips as she set down the glass she had brought to her lips on the table.