Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 448: The Saint’s Ceremony
The commotion over the Saint’s disappearance quickly subsided after the palace announced that she had never left the grounds.
The following day, Prime Minister Duke Barriera, whose reputation extended even into neighboring nations, conducted a formal [Character Appraisal] at the royal palace. Matilda was officially recognized as a Saint.
“Now that His Excellency Duke Barriera has endorsed her, she must visit our country and bestow her Blessing upon His Majesty before the people.”
“Your nation has enjoyed stability for years. Surely you can wait. Our king ascended the throne only two years ago. We need the Saint’s Blessing to strengthen his authority and stabilize the realm, so you must yield priority to us.”
“Both of your kingdoms are fortunate compared with ours. We have suffered poor harvests for several years, and our people are starving. The Saint must visit us as soon as possible and bless the afflicted lands throughout the country.”
Every ambassador had a different reason for wanting the Saint. They crowded around the representative of the Kingdom of Luwan, each seeking priority for their own nation.
The Kingdom of Sart had already secured an agreement. In return for Duke Barriera’s appraisal, Matilda would tour the kingdom and bestow her Blessing in several regions.
A group of promising young people close to Matilda’s age had been selected to accompany her. Tauro and his companions had originally been assigned only for the portion of her stay within the Royal Capital, so the wider tour should have had little to do with them.
The day after the appraisal, a ceremony was held to introduce Matilda to the young people chosen as her companions.
Tauro, Haku, Aeris, and Zion attended on Prince Fleue’s recommendation.
The gathering included heirs of powerful noble houses, talented commoners whose abilities had earned them adoption into noble families, and exceptional younger sons who ranked near the top of the kingdom’s finest academy and were expected to become senior officials after graduation.
These really are the young elites who will carry the kingdom’s future.
Prince Fleue was right. This is an excellent opportunity to form connections.
Tauro was especially pleased that Haku, the future head of House Graunewald, had been included.
“So my role is to help your younger brother Haku make connections, correct?” Aeris asked after Tauro explained the situation.
“I-It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
Haku greeted her nervously. Aeris looked especially beautiful in the elegant dress she had chosen for the ceremony.
“Brother… is Lady Aeris truly your girlfriend?” Haku whispered.
“Ha ha… I’m not sure I can call her that. She’s a very dear companion.”
Tauro answered with a strained smile. No one had ever asked him the question so directly before.
“Lord Tauro, do I look out of place here?” Zion asked anxiously.
As a half-beastman, Zion had an unusual appearance. She had left her customary hood behind and wore a dress prepared by House Graunewald, leaving her cat ears and tail clearly visible.
“Zion, you’re adorable, so hold your head high,” Aeris said, taking her hand. “Your appearance may be rare and attract attention, but that’s also part of your charm.”
“Lady Aeris… Yes. I’ll try not to feel ashamed.”
Zion squeezed Aeris’s hand and gathered her courage.
“You two are delightful. Why not come with us? We’re about to greet the Saint.”
A boy who appeared to belong to a high-ranking noble family approached them. Expensive rings and necklaces covered him, and several boys of similar age followed behind. He had blond hair, brown eyes, and looked about fifteen, making him slightly taller than Tauro, who was still growing.
“And you are?” Tauro asked, stepping between the newcomer and the two girls.
“No one addressed you,” said a bespectacled boy at the blond youth’s side. “This is Lord Suguro, grandson of Marquis Halagoura. He wishes to speak with the ladies, so move aside.”
The boy reached out to shove Tauro by the shoulder. Tauro shifted away so easily that the hand struck nothing but air.
“It’s all right, Tauro,” Aeris said. She faced the blond boy without the slightest hesitation. “What business does Lord Suguro have with the daughter of Marquis Van Dyne?”
“Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter? Then you’re Lady Aeris?”
“I am. I see that you know my name.” Aeris turned her gaze toward the bespectacled follower. “The person you just attempted to push is a son of Count Graunewald. Your own family is a viscount’s house, if I remember correctly. You should be more careful about behaving so rudely.”
Aeris showed no fear of the name Halagoura. House Van Dyne led the kingdom’s largest neutral faction. Marquis Halagoura had repeatedly tried to draw Marquis Van Dyne toward his own faction, fearing that the neutral bloc might instead align itself with Duke Barriera.
“My companion was discourteous,” Suguro said quickly. “As Marquis Halagoura’s grandson, I apologize on his behalf. So you truly are Lady Aeris. I had heard that you were beautiful, but the rumors don’t do you justice. Would you dine with me sometime?”
Having apologized, Suguro immediately tried to invite her on a date.
“Lord Suguro, today’s ceremony is being held for Saint Matilda. You should direct your invitation to her instead.”
Aeris declined with perfect politeness.
“Y-Yes, of course. We were just about to greet her. I won’t trouble you any further.”
Overwhelmed by Aeris’s composure, Suguro withdrew with his followers.
“He was definitely admitted through family connections rather than talent,” Aeris said once they were gone.
“Ha ha… Some of the boys following him seemed capable,” Tauro replied. “They may simply have chosen the wrong person to follow.”
He watched the group depart with a hint of regret.