“Since we’re starting theological studies today…… I wasn’t sure which textbooks you’d use, so I brought what I had for now.”

With a student’s determination to study hard, Florencia had gathered her silver hair into a round bun, revealing her soft nape. Inside the package she had brought with much effort were various writing instruments, theology books used at the Academy, and several types of bibles.

“Oh my…… It must have been heavy to carry. I told you not to bring anything since I have all this content memorized.”

“Still, it’s the first lesson, and it didn’t feel right to come unprepared. Also, I met Andrew on the main road, and he helped carry it to the main gate.”

“I see.”

Ludwig pulled out a small, square-packaged hard case from the bundle.

“What’s this?”

“It’s chocolate. I made some for you to eat during the lesson, as I’m grateful for you taking time out of your busy schedule for me.”

Florencia blushed and quickly added,

“The ingredients aren’t very good, so it’s not that delicious.”

“No, it’s very delicious. Thank you, Laura.”

Blushing shyly at the kind compliment, Florencia lowered her head and said in a small voice,

“Actually, I was worried I might anger you, my teacher, because I’m lacking in many ways…… My mother always said that a slow child like me only understands when physically disciplined.”

“Hmm, Laura. Are you trying to bribe me in advance so I can’t scold you? Bribing a priest…… I don’t recall teaching you such things, but you seem to know how to navigate the world.”

“Th-that’s not it, Father Ludwig!”

Florencia’s face turned bright red at his teasing tone, and she jumped in place. Ludwig shook the chocolate box in front of her eyes with a stern expression.

“Then this is clearly a bribe, and I’ve already been bought? I’ve already eaten two pieces, which is terrible.”

“Father…… You’re teasing me now, aren’t you……”

Ludwig burst into light laughter seeing Florencia at a loss from his playful teasing.

“Laura, you don’t need to worry in advance. This will be a type of education you’ve never experienced before, so I don’t intend to scold you harshly if you don’t do well from the beginning.”

“As expected, you are so kind, Father……”

“Ah, of course, since you’ve agreed to be educated by me, you are my disciple, so I will occasionally discipline you if you don’t work hard or act against my wishes.”

“Yes……”

But I won’t treat you too harshly, Ludwig added.

After some more time passed, Florencia looked around.

“By the way, Father, are we studying the Bible here? It seems quite far from the main hall, so why here……?”

“Because I want to be alone with you, Laura.”

Though his tone was casual, Florencia’s heart strangely fluttered at those words.

“Laura, come this way. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, Father.”

Ludwig entered the lake first and extended his hand to help Florencia enter without falling. She removed her low-heeled, soft lambskin shoes and carefully stepped into the water as he guided her.

His warm, large hand gently held the tips of her small hand placed on his. Such an action was common courtesy for any man who knew manners when escorting a lady, but today even that minor contact felt peculiar.

The edge of the lake was shallow, and Florencia’s pure white bare feet were clearly visible through the transparent water. The water temperature felt pleasantly cool against her skin, and she secretly wiggled her small toes without Ludwig noticing.

As she moved toward deeper water holding his hand, Florencia glanced back once. Suddenly, the dry land beside the lake where she had been standing just moments ago felt very distant, and she had a strange feeling that she wouldn’t be able to return on her own.

The two reached the center of the lake where Ludwig had been standing. Due to his considerable height, she hadn’t realized it, but the water was deeper than expected, almost completely submerging Florencia’s legs. She was inwardly surprised to see that Ludwig’s priest’s robe wasn’t wet at all.

‘They say robes imbued with strong holy power don’t get wet or burn…… It’s really true.’

“Sit here, Laura.”

Ludwig seated Florencia on a flat, large rock in the center of the lake and sat down beside her. The rock, moderately warmed by the early summer sun, felt pleasantly warm. His long hair, with its soft, pale golden hue, sparkled as it reflected the sunlight.

“Finally, from today, we begin your saintess education, Florencia.”

“Yes, Father Ludwig.”

“When I first met Laura…… Since you didn’t know how to pray at all, I taught you that first. Then I taught you how to read and write.”

Recalling those times, Florencia’s face slightly flushed.

In fact, most of what she knew now had been taught by Ludwig. Even though she was now recognized as Count Hazel’s daughter, not much had improved; when she first met him, Florencia had been in a situation far worse than a maid. She hadn’t even received basic education like learning to read and write.

“When you turned twelve, I taught you piano, and just before you entered the Academy, I mainly read history books to you. Come to think of it, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in my life teaching you.”

In truth, despite learning from an excellent teacher, Florencia’s piano skills remained at a very ordinary level, and she had barely absorbed even half of the other things he had taught her. Feeling like she had only wasted his time, she felt a bit stung, but Ludwig seemed quite satisfied.

“This year, when I’ve taken charge of your theological education, I think it will be the most meaningful and rewarding time among all the things I’ve taught you.”

Sitting beside him as he seemed to appreciate the summer breeze and sunshine before getting to the main point, Florencia felt unusually tense today. The lake under the warm sunshine was peaceful and quiet. Only the occasional sound of gentle ripples creating white spray on the calm surface could be heard amidst the peaceful scenery.

“Father, the lake is so clear and transparent that I can see everything inside.”

“This lake is a sacred object in itself. I consecrated and purified it with my power.”

Even for a lake that wasn’t very large, purifying the entire thing would seem to require quite high holy power……

As Florencia tilted her head in thought, she suddenly noticed that her wet dress was clinging to her legs. The thin chiffon summer dress revealed the contours of her thighs, just like the transparent lake. She hurriedly tried to peel it away with flustered hands.

Ludwig, who had been quietly observing her, placed his hand over the back of hers to stop her action.

“……Father?”

“Laura.”

His voice, deeper than usual, was as deep as the lake.

“Listen carefully. I’m about to begin your education, but we won’t simply memorize and interpret the Bible like in the Academy’s theology classes.”

“What? Aren’t we studying the Bible?”

“Of course, we’ll read the Bible, but that’s not all. We’ll study something more important.”

“Father…… I really don’t understand. Please explain it more simply.”

The hand of Ludwig that held her right hand tightened slightly. She tried to pull away in surprise, but his firm knuckles held on and wouldn’t let go. Her skin, where the wet cloth clung to it, felt strangely hot.

“For a saint, the most important thing is to never doubt God’s existence. To live your entire life by God’s side as a saintess, an ordinary level of faith is insufficient. Have you ever heard God’s voice up close or directly felt His presence beside you, Laura?”

“No……”

As an ordinary person without holy power, she couldn’t have experienced such things. Only those born with even a little of God’s power, those chosen by God, could have such experiences. Just like the man right in front of her.

Even though he knows this well, why is Father telling me this……?

Is he perhaps trying to tell me that someone like me, without holy power, is impossible to teach……?

“Laura.”

Florencia suddenly lost confidence. Ludwig bent down to meet her eyes as her head drooped dejectedly, and broke the brief silence.

“I can help you have that experience.”

“……You, Father?”

“Yes, I’ll help you become accustomed to feeling God’s power that dwells everywhere. So that you never doubt God’s existence from the depths of your heart. If you faithfully follow my teaching, by the end of this course, your heart will naturally be filled with abundant faith.”

“That would be nice…… But how?”

Florencia’s eyes trembled. Gently covering her delicately trembling eyelids with his lips, Ludwig whispered softly. There is a way.

“Through me, God’s representative with strong holy power.”

The soft lips that had lightly covered her eyelids pulled away with a slight sound.

“Through intimate and close physical contact.”

At the end of those words, soft and warm lips covered Florencia’s lips.