The preliminary practice of the festival, which began in this way, proceeded unexpectedly well.

As the High Priest progressed, Miriam solemnly traced the role of "witch princess" proxy.

The walk from the main corridor to the altar is perfect, as is the best way to salute the goddess.

Especially when he recited the words of the long sacred poetry, the priests around him looked surprised.

Behind the cathedral, Riesch smiles gently as she watches the rehearsal.

(The young lady is a hard worker.I'm sure you've been practicing secretly by yourself since you decided to represent the Witch Princess.)

Miriam is not Richie's "Lady."Still, with some pride, I support Miriam's efforts.

Someone walked up to Riesch like that.

"Excellent. The festival is going very well."

"Priest."

It's Schneider I've been talking to.Riesch looks up at him and returns a smile and a smile.

"Last night, I showed you a shameful place.I missed Lord Arnold so much. "

"Ah, ahh, no...."

You remember last night, Schneider looked a little awkward.

Then I coughed up and looked after Miriam in front of the altar.

"I apologize for causing Riesch to get involved in the festival."

"No, don't worry about that."

"That's not how it works.I should have chosen a girl of a slightly more discernible age to represent the Witch Princess, but... the Witch Princess family had certain characteristics in her hair color. "

The words remind me of the mural I saw on the balcony yesterday.

"Miriam was chosen to be a girl who fits the conditions in any way, even on his behalf."

"... was it based on a verse of the sacred poem 'Flower Haired Girl'?"

"Oh, my God. It's a part of" Spring Girl "for the public, but you know it."

"Someone taught me how to read."

Just in case, keep Arnold's name down.

On the other hand, surprises arose.

(What did His Highness Arnold think?)

While listening to Schneider, Riesch thinks.

(How likely is it that you read a sacred poem and realized 'that'?... No, that's His Highness Arnold.It's possible you've noticed everything from the beginning.That way, I know exactly what the gaze meant.)

As he spins his mind, Schneider looks at us.

It's calm, but it looks inorganic because of it.As Rieschett gazed at him, Schneider smiled and said:

"You have very beautiful hair colors."

……

Richie's shoulders twitched at the words.

Schneider doesn't notice.If this had been Arnold, for example, you would have immediately understood.

"If she had a hair color like Princess Riesch, she would definitely have been chosen to represent the witch princess.I am very sorry that you were not born in Domana..... "

"--If it is a ritual dedicated to God, above all, faith and passion are important."



Schneider glances at Riesch with a smile.

"Don't you agree, priest?"

"Yes... that's true."

"Miriam is very sincere in her role.I wouldn't be more honored if I could help you with that. "

"... is that so?"

Now Richie folds over to a silent Schneider.

"Speaking of which, the story changes, but the priest said something strange yesterday.Why should I not marry Lord Arnold? "

"Li, Lord Riesch, that story will be repeated soon -"

Riesche-sama!

Miriam ran along the main corridor, making a small footstep.

Schneider lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry."While watching carefully behind him, he caught hold of Miriam.

"Listen, Mr. Riesch! Practice, I never failed!"

"Yes! Excellent work, Miriam!"

When she hugged Miriam and said that, she laughed "fufu" with joy and helplessness.

Miriam, who dyed her cheeks happily, said with a stretched expression.

"But we still have to practice!The dress is not for production and I am not using any artifacts today.I'm going to change the schedule a little bit, so I'm going to try my best!'Cause you have to be careful when dealing with artifacts. "

"The artifact is the bow of the witch princess, right?In order to go through the seasons on behalf of the goddess, each of the seasons will shoot an arrow with its own power. "

"Yes, of course, I just pretend to shoot at the festival...."

Speaking of artifacts, bows and arrows are weapons.

Miriam seemed slightly nervous as to whether she understood it well.

Wanting to solve the tension, Riesch grabbed a small hand.

Miriam-sama, shall we have lunch?Today we arranged a special meal in the garden. "

"Is that a picnic!?"

"Yes, I'm sure it feels good because of the good weather.--The sun may be dazzling, so Miriam-sama should wear a hat. "

It's a maid's habit to say such things all the time.I was worried it might have been unnatural, but Miriam doesn't seem to care much.

"I've never eaten outside!"

Rieschett's eyes were shining, and the girl who shook her eyes was broken.

But Miriam's innocent expression changed as soon as she took her to lunch.



"Whoa, whoa, why..."

Arriving in the garden, Miriam saw a cross spread out on the lawn, stiff and shaking her body.

Since I had imagined the approximate reaction, Riesch proceeded with the preparation without worrying about it.And I invited Miriam on top of the cross.

"Come on, Miriam, this way."

"Wait a minute, Mr Riesch!! Hey, why...?!"

A small finger shows a bad mannered person with a finger.

"Why is Leo with you!?"

"... I don't want to stay, young lady."

Leo sat on the cross and said so with a loud voice.While arranging the plates on the cloth, Riesch gently squeezes.

"Miriam, don't point a finger at anyone.Smile for dinner and get to the table without fighting. "

"I didn't think Leo was here! Why on earth...."

"Weren't you worried about Leo this morning?"

"But all of a sudden, I'm not ready!!Leo, no matter how much Dad invited me, I've never been to the same dinner table!! "

When Miriam blamed him like that, Leo looked infidel.

"... I was just told I could eat delicious meat, so I didn't really like it, but I just had to come."

"Oh, did you say you were caught by meat...!?"

Miriam is stunned, but this is Riesch's operation.

Even Leo in the Knight's Life was tired at all times, but only when he had a party to bake meat in the garden did he come close.

"Sit down, Miriam.If you don't eat soon, you won't be able to practice this afternoon. "

"Uhh...."

Miriam sat tightly on the cross because her sense of responsibility was stimulated.

Reese opens the basket and takes out the lunch that the monks have prepared for her.

Cut a large round bread into two pieces, then sandwich it with plenty of vegetables and meat for lunch with sweet sauce.

In this case, dishes are minimal, and knives and forks are not required.Perfect for eating outdoors, it's an easy way to eat for ordinary people, but Miriam should never have seen it.

"I can't believe you sandwiched meat and vegetables in such big bread... hey, how do you eat this?"

"Please keep the bottom half wrapped in paper and hold it in your hand.Be careful not to overflow the sauce. "

"Just like this!?"

Miriam nodded and opened her mouth.

As he watched, Leo spoke out indifferently.

"Such an elegant way of opening your mouth, you can only eat the ends of bread."

"I can't help it, I've never seen it before...."

"... hmm"

Leo won't say anything more.

Instead, she opened her mouth wide in front of Miriam and hit the bread in her hand.

"Big pussy....."

Miriam was staring at the situation.

But eventually, when I looked at my hand, I opened my mouth as if I had decided.

And he bit me with a bite.

At first, she looked frightened and moved her jaw small.After a few seconds, Miriam's eyes sparkled.

"... nh, nh!!"

It seemed delicious.

After seeing a reaction that was too easy to understand, Rieschew burst out with a smile.Leo also grabbed his mouth aggressively and made it feel like he could smile.

"I'm glad you like it. Does Leo taste good?"

"…………… Somewhat"

"It's delicious, that's good!"

Relaxed, Riesch decided to start eating too.

Though I was worried, Miriam and Leo were having a little conversation.

"Leo... what sauce did Leo put on the meat just now?"

"Come on, it was spicy and tasty, so I was just hanging up."

"Is it painful? What does it mean to taste good when it's painful?"

"... I don't think children will understand, so you should stop."

"You're only one year old!"

They may find it unconscionable, but at first glance it's quite a pleasant conversation.

(... I don't know what caused Leo's injury.I'm worried about the "curse" your daughter says, but I've never crossed the line to have a better relationship with you.)

Yesterday Miriam said that she had the power of a curse and that those she refused would be in danger.

Before we truncate 'impossible', we need to find out why Miriam makes such a statement.

With that in mind, Miriam suddenly opened her mouth.

"Ah, you know... Is there anything wrong with Leo at home?"

"Nothing in particular, except my employer's daughter has a terrible tantrum."

"That's...!!"

"Leo, you can't be mean anymore."

As Rieschett licked, Leo threw the last bite of bread and sliced meat into his mouth and replied after he finished eating it.

"... I can get a room for myself, and I have free time after work.In that sense, it's easier to spend than an orphanage. "

The answer seems to relieve Miriam.With more than half of the lunch left, ask the next question.

"What was Leo's orphanage like?"

"Is that an interesting question?"

"Chi, no! I just want to know...."

Looking at Miriam leaning down, Leo seemed to feel a little guilty.

I slipped away from Miriam and explained in a vague way.

"I don't know what kind of place it is, but it feels different from person to person.It's a pretty easy place for someone who's fit to live there. "

"I heard Leo wasn't right for me, so I came to get kicked out."

Hmm.

Leo murmured in a very small voice at Miriam's words.It was a muttering noise that could not be heard, but Riesch could read the movement of the lips.

"I was right for you, so you let me out."

……

What does that mean?

Riesch wondered, but didn't want to disturb the conversation.Listen to Leo and Miriam while eating lunch again.

"Priest Schneider is in charge of the orphanage.Is Priest Schneider the father to Leo? "

"No way."



Miriam jumped her shoulders with a loud voice from Leo.

"I can't take care of him.I was taught how to live.That's all. I don't have any parents. "

"Heh, I'm sorry I said something weird.You can't inadvertently tell your father that blood is not connected. "

"That's what I'm saying... I've had dinner, can I go now?Clean up what you used. "

"Oh, Leo, wait, wait."

When Leo stopped in a hurry, Leo looked strange as he tried to get up.

"What is it? If I don't clean it up quickly, I'll have some afternoon chores...."

"I changed my work this afternoon.I talked to Jonal and told him, "I want Leo's time."

"-What?"

Richie laughs at Leo with a smile on her face.



--And after lunch.

In the courtyard outside the Grand Shrine, Riesch explained to someone.

"You may remember, but just in case.This is Jonal Leo, the cabin boy that she talked about last night. "

……

Leo looks at the person with a big, awkward look.I feel a little pale, but I don't think you'll be able to get used to it.

"And Leo, let me introduce you again. This one..."

Riesch once separated the words and looked up at the person standing beside him.

As far as I can see, this is a very unwilling expression.But without so much concern, I turned back to Leo.

His Royal Highness Prince Arnold Hein of Garchain.

……

At that moment, Leo squatted and said, "How did this happen...?"