e on its own.

“Yes. Originally, I was supposed to return to the seminary, but the Temple gave me a little time to rest before the ceremony.”

At the word ‘Temple’, Julian’s face stiffened slightly.

“The ceremony…?”

“It sounds grand, but it’s really just a simple procedure. I’ll take classes about the doctrine, take an exam, and finally participate in a ceremony to confirm if I’m qualified to be a Priestess. Didn’t you also go through it when you were young, Julian?”

“I did. So you’re doing that ceremony again.”

Any child born in the Empire, upon reaching a certain age, would receive baptism. At that time, if a child had an especially strong love and reverence for God, a bright light would shine from the holy water poured over their head.

In Julian’s case, nothing special happened, but he had seen it occur around him from time to time. He had heard that many of those children entered the seminary to become Priests.

A gentle smile appeared on Beatrice’s face as she thought about her life at the Temple. Seeing this, Julian, who had been so relaxed just moments ago, felt his heart burn with anxiety.

He liked it when Beatrice was conscious of him. But whenever she spoke of the Temple, Beatrice seemed like someone who had completely forgotten everything that had happened between them.

Afraid that she might notice his impatience, Julian forced a relaxed smile.

“The reason I wanted to talk with you for a moment is because I have a favor to ask you, Beatrice.”

“Yes? A favor…?”

“I told you before that I have an older brother, right?”

Beatrice quietly nodded. Julian was the second son of the Sancio family, so she already knew he had an older brother. As they spent more time together, the two had naturally started to share bits and pieces of their personal lives, and one of those stories was about his brother.

“It seems my brother and father have decided they can’t just sit back and watch me any longer.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Startled, Beatrice looked at Julian with wide, rabbit-like eyes. Julian lowered his head as if intimidated, glancing up at Beatrice for her reaction.

She accepted his words without a hint of doubt. Julian hesitated, as if struggling to speak.

“Julian, please tell me more.”

“…It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but my brother told me not to come home anymore.”

“What?”

Beatrice’s lips parted slightly as she stared blankly at Julian. For a moment, Julian wondered if he’d gone too far with his lie, but there was nothing he could do about it now.

“I guess they mean they can’t watch me act like a reckless colt anymore.”

“A colt! Julian, you’re a very handsome horse, not some wild colt.”

“Thank you for saying that, but it’s true I haven’t lived a very diligent life up to now.”

“That’s…”

Beatrice’s words trailed off. She remembered the incredible stories she’d heard from the other girls when she first arrived. She couldn’t say, even as a platitude, that he’d lived a diligent and moral life. But Beatrice shook her head vigorously and grabbed Julian’s hand.

“No, I’m sure your brother was just speaking out of frustration. Go home and clear up the misunderstanding. I know better than anyone how hard you worked this semester.”

“Beatrice.”

“If you want, I can go and testify for you. I’m not a Priestess yet, but I will be soon, so your family will surely believe I never lie.”

At least for this semester, Julian had been working on his graduation thesis and attending classes diligently. She couldn’t speak for other classes, but when it came to pharmacology, Beatrice could say with certainty.

To be abandoned by one’s family—just thinking about it was heartbreaking, and before she realized it, Beatrice looked as if she might cry.

Seeing Beatrice’s eyes grow moist, Julian hurriedly spoke up. Even if the lie was necessary, he didn’t want to make Beatrice cry.

“I told my brother just that. So today, a letter arrived.”

“Yes! And?”

“If I make an effort to restore the family honor I’ve damaged, he said he’ll let it go just this once.”

“Restore the honor… What exactly does that mean?”

Beatrice began to worry about Julian’s troubles as if they were her own. Seeing this lovely side of her, Julian clenched his fist, barely restraining his desire to kiss her.

It was broad daylight, and for now, there was no reason to enter the ‘room’ again. If Beatrice ever noticed his dirty, shameful desires, everything between them would be over.

“My brother is very interested in relief activities. Beatrice, you said you’re going back to your hometown for the break, right?”

“Yes? Oh, yes… That’s right.”

“So, about that…”

Julian smiled brightly, like a flower in full bloom. His refreshing smile made Beatrice stare at his face in a daze, almost as if she were spellbound. Because of that, she completely missed what Julian was saying to her.

When she finally snapped out of her trance, Julian was watching her carefully and asked,

“Is that okay?”

And Beatrice answered automatically,

“Huh? Yes! I-it’s fine.”

“That’s a relief. Then let’s pack up and meet again.”

Her dazed response was enough for Julian, who got the answer he wanted and quickly stood up, not giving Beatrice any chance to reconsider. He moved so fast, as if afraid she might stop him at the last moment. All Beatrice could do was watch blankly as Julian seemed to fly away from her.

***

When Julian appeared with a large travel bag, Beatrice finally realized what she had agreed to.

“Let’s go.”

The small carriage Beatrice was originally supposed to take had already been sent away by Julian. In its place stood the grand, impressive carriage of the Sancio family, looking twice as large as the original.

Julian, as if escorting a Lady, gently took Beatrice’s small hand and helped her board the carriage. The smooth progression left Beatrice with no time to be flustered—she could only go along with it helplessly. By the time she came to her senses, the carriage had already loaded their luggage and passed through the Academy’s main gate.

“J-Julian?”

“Yes, Beatrice.”

“Right now… Um, that is…”

Beatrice fumbled, not knowing how to respond.

Was he saying he would go to the orphanage together with her? Or was he planning to drop her off and go somewhere else?

She desperately wanted to find words to decline politely. Life at the orphanage was rather poor and not a place suitable for a high-ranking noble like Julian.

But after hearing about his family, it was difficult for Beatrice to say anything that might hurt him. Julian, as if reading Beatrice’s hesitation, smiled with a forlorn expression.

“Sorry. I must have made things difficult for you, Beatrice.”

“N-no… That’s not it. It’s just… It would be really uncomfortable for you to live there.”

“It’s fine.”

“There aren’t any soft beds, and there’s no fancy bathhouse either. Everyone has to share a room…”

“I can sleep anywhere. I used to sleep just fine with my head on a desk in the classroom. As for bathing, since the weather is warm, I can just wash in the nearby river. I’ve never used a shared room before, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

“S-still…”