Chapter 113: The House of Baron Roger (2)

Saint Istina.

The only woman among the leadership of the state religion opened her mouth.

"Who, in recent times, has made contributions to both the Imperial family and the Church?"

The two most powerful forces on the continent.

They were in an awkward, wary relationship, rarely crossing paths.

Because of that, no one in the VIP seats dared to speak easily.

"Probably no one. We've never exactly gotten along, have we?"

At her candid remark, Archbishop Thomas flinched slightly.

Would she really let something slip in front of the Empress?

But that was a needless concern.

The Saint I knew was every bit as shrewd and sharp as Her Majesty the Empress.

"However, the times are changing. As His Majesty the Emperor said, it is only through unity that the empire can sustain its golden age even longer."

Istina directly quoted the Emperor’s words, preemptively blocking any counterarguments from the pro-imperial faction.

Then, naturally, she gestured toward me and continued.

"The Church and the Imperial family must also come together as one empire."

A few state guests nodded, as if in agreement.

They too had been uncomfortable with the strained relationship between the two dominant powers until now.

"And I believe the role should fall to the young man who has recently aided both the Church and the Imperial family."

"That young man would be Lord Roger, I assume?"

In response to the Empress's question, the Saint placed a hand over her chest and answered demurely.

"That is correct. His abilities have already been recognized by His Majesty, making him the perfect candidate."

She was simply returning the compliment I had once given her.

Then she glanced sideways at me and narrowed her sacred eyes mischievously, like a little devil.

"He’s someone recognized by the ruler of the nation and capable of communicating across various classes—a true talent of the new generation."

Just hearing it made me sound like an extraordinary person.

But in truth, I was nothing more than a twenty-year-old who had once been a secretary candidate.

Still, her way with words was artful—fitting for a woman who had swayed the Church's most conservative middle-aged men.

"Hmm…"

The Empress seemed to think the Saint wasn’t wrong, resting her chin on her hand.

Then, unfolding her fan and giving it a gentle wave, she spoke.

"There's no harm in cooperating with the Silver Truth Church. What do the Archbishop and the Bishop think?"

The Archbishop nodded calmly, as if in agreement.

Then all eyes turned to Bishop Paul, the most meticulous and cautious among them.

"……"

Paul didn’t look particularly opposed.

However, now that such a critical decision rested in his hands at this high-level gathering, he prepared to speak with a serious expression.

At that moment—

The Saint slowly walked up to the Bishop.

And then, standing beside him, the Saint turned her gaze to Sonia, Bishop Paul’s daughter, and my younger brother, Ronie.

“Bishop, that boy standing next to your daughter— I heard he’s Sonia’s very first friend?”

“That boy, you say…?”

At the Saint’s suggestive whisper, the Bishop furrowed his brows.

He was glad, of course, that his beloved daughter—precious enough to hold in the palm of his hand—had finally made a friend. But the fact that this friend was a boy made him clearly uncomfortable.

True, at a glance, the boy looked decent—handsome, with big eyes and a kind expression.

And his older brother was me, the one who had helped his daughter.

Still, in this world, looks and blood relations weren’t everything.

He wore a doubtful look, wondering just how competent and sincere Ronie truly was.

Saint Istina, having read him like a book—

She leaned in and whispered lightly, as if it were nothing.

“Yes, so I looked into what kind of child he was— and it turns out he’s ranked third in the intermediate class, and his conduct is reported to be exemplary.”

“Ahem…”

The Bishop stared at Ronie, who was chatting comfortably with Sonia.

Unlike Roger, his bright, clear eyes were like those of the purest puppy in the world.

“They make a lovely pair, don’t they? Besides, Lord Roger’s foundation is unmatched in Nord’s entertainment industry.”

“The Erian Foundation, was it…?”

He recalled reading about a foundation in the papers once.

Not only did it manage famous celebrities, but it was also steadily nurturing many promising newcomers.

Recently, one of its models had appeared in a royal fashion show.

And the young girl who received glowing praise for her piano performance? She had the Erian Foundation’s mark as well.

Bishop Paul had always been a man who observed others calmly.

And what he saw with his objective eyes in the Erian Foundation was…

“Well, yes. If one is to pursue such noble work, there should be no obstacles.”

An uncut golden gemstone.

“I also support Lord Roger’s elevation to a barony.”

When Bishop Paul gave his approval, I let out a breath of relief inwardly.

The Saint, on the other hand, glanced at me and casually flashed a V sign with her fingers.

‘Really now, cheeky even in front of the Empress and the Archbishop.’

Maybe she would’ve made a better Chief Secretary than I ever could.

“Very well, it seems the Silver Truth Church is also in favor.”

The Empress folded her arms.

Then, standing across from the Saint and me, she looked at me with a pleased expression.

“However, you do understand that a barony is not a title we can bestow simply by agreement, yes?”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Now it was my turn to finish things.

“Please don’t worry. I have no intention of causing trouble by making unreasonable requests of Your Majesty and the Bishop.”

I adjusted the collar of my suit.

Then, returning to a formal posture, I addressed the giants of the empire.

“I’ll secure the approval of the remaining two houses with my own abilities.”

I had already secured the support of the Church, the Imperial family, and the Fern family.

Now, all that remained were the Grand Duke of the North’s house and the Western Grand Duke’s house.

“Do you believe you can secure letters of recommendation from both your own former household—and another that holds hostility toward you purely for being born of the first?”

These were families that might still harbor resentment from the way I left.

And one of them belonged to Duke Heriot, the most notoriously exacting businessman in the world.

They could very well prove more difficult than even the Emperor or the Archbishop.

But.

Who in this world would dislike the noble title of ‘aristocrat’?

Having seen the privileges they enjoyed right before my eyes, there was no way I could stop here.

I would seize it, no matter what, and live out my days in comfort.

“Of course, Your Majesty. Please trust me with this.”

The Empress stared directly into my jet-black eyes.

Then, without much hesitation, she gave her approval.

“Go ahead, Lord Roger.”

After all, gaining another ally from her point of view was always welcome.

“The Empire always has a place for young talents like you.”

With a light heart, I turned away.

Then, stepping back one step at a time, I looked toward Istina, Ronie, and Sonia, who had been waiting.

Wearing the same smile I once had in my secretary days—the smile that had always put those I served at ease.

“……!!”

Naturally, the first to react with joy was my younger brother, Ronie.

But then…

“Congratulations, Roger.”

Before Ronie—who had looked like he might come bounding forward like a puppy—could even move, Saint Istina subtly stepped in front of him.

Like a wolf, she approached with practiced ease and offered me a gentle smile.

“Shall we say it was an impressive audience with the Imperial court?”

At her move, Ronie looked momentarily stunned.

Sonia, standing beside him, gently tugged at his sleeve from behind.

“Thank you. It was all thanks to you, Saint.”

I smiled humbly and offered her my gratitude.

In response, Istina began descending the campus steps alongside me, declining leisurely.

“I do know, you know—? That even when you were barely keeping yourself afloat, you still mentioned me.”

Istina pulled down the hood she had been wearing.

Then, draping it over one arm, she revealed her saint’s robe.

The noonday sunlight poured over the radiant silk fabric.

Thanks to that, her silhouette—fit to be in a masterpiece painting—cast elegant shadows beneath the sun.

“So there’s no need for thanks. I should be the one expressing gratitude.”

Trailing behind us down the campus stairs came Sonia and Ronie as well.

Like a baby wolf and a puppy.

“She’s right, Master. There’s no need to pretend to be modest anymore.”

Even the red-haired female knight, as if she had seen right through my slippery tricks, let out a graceful laugh from behind.

Truly, women were such difficult beings to deceive.

“Honestly, you’re secretly thrilled again this time, aren’t you? Thinking you pulled off another great move?”

With noble eyes and an entirely unholy, seductive voice, the Saint whispered to me.

At that, I cleared my throat, as if I’d just heard the whisper of the devil.

“Well, even I can’t help but feel pleased, being recognized by both His Majesty and the Archbishop.”

I turned my head sharply to change the mood.

Then, naturally, I asked the two students.

“Ronie, what will you do now? Are you planning to wait until your match?”

“There’s still a long time before it’s my turn— so I thought I’d look around the festival until then.”

Ronie answered as he glanced carefully at Sonia.

In response, she showed both of her eyes and playfully looked away, feigning indifference.

“Are you sure you can afford to be so relaxed?”

“O-of course. I’m fifth in my class, you know?”

Ronie lifted his chin high, telling us to trust him.

But Sonia simply chuckled at the sight, finding him adorable.

‘Well, he’s at that age where all he wants to do is play.’

I didn’t question him for being a little carefree.

Because I knew.

I knew just how hard Ronie had worked all this time.

And now, for the first time, he was letting himself want to enjoy a moment with someone.

In other words, even my little brother’s heart had finally found some room to breathe.

At seventeen, he was finally acting like he was seventeen.

“Yeah, loosening up a bit before a match is good.”

From what I could remember, he’d almost never lost a match in the past.

And in this life, he had grown even more internally.

There was no reason to worry at all.

“But make sure you go warm up at least an hour before the match. Got it?”

“Got it! Don’t worry!”

Once I gave my permission, he nodded with an excited expression.

His emotions were always so easy to read.

“What about you, Saint? If you’d like, I can escort you to the Central Cathedral.”

In other words, I was offering to take her straight to her residence.

At that, the Saint came to a sudden stop.

She began fiddling with the hood draped over her arm and then...

“Well, I’m not actually in charge of this region, so I don’t have any more appointments—.”

Feigning innocence with the same kind of expression Sonia had just made.

The two women locked eyes.

And then, as if on cue, they winked simultaneously.

“Why don’t you enjoy our academy festival too, Saint?”

Sonia poked Ronie lightly in the side as she said it.

Then, Ronie chimed in, saying it was true.

"That's right, Lady Istina. Our festival’s actually famous enough that people from outside come to see it."

"Hmm—. Well, if the two students say so..."

The Saint placed her index finger gently against her soft cheek.

Then, locking eyes with me, she smiled with her eyes as if to say she had no choice.

"Well then, perhaps I’ll take a brief look around too?"

"Understood. In that case, I hope you enjoy the festival."

I bowed my head in a polite gesture.

Right after, I began thinking about borrowing a carriage to go see the Western Grand Duke’s daughter.

However—

While I was still bowing, I sensed no response from her.

As I slowly raised my head, I found the Saint staring down at me with a frosty, expressionless face.

"Are you seriously telling me to wander through that massive crowd all alone, without a single escort?"

I blinked, wide-eyed, like a red fox caught off guard.

In response, she waved her free hand—the one not holding her hood—lightly in the air.

"Even so, I’m not exactly a knight, you know."

"I already figured out a while ago that you're strong."

As I kept giving firm replies, Istina let out a deep sigh.

Then, from within her silver hair, her blue eyes shimmered with a hint of hurt...

And for the first time, she wore the expression of a woman in her twenties.

"If this is the first festival of my life, I’d still like to enjoy it with someone I know."

At her words, I didn’t respond right away.

After all, I had recently experienced those emotions myself—a first taste of breaking free.

The kind of life where I once believed the Grand Duke’s house was the entire world.

A life I’d escaped from, only to now find satisfaction in what I had.

Compared to the days of living as someone’s shadow, it was deeply fulfilling.

"I understand. Then I suppose I’ll stay and watch Sir Ronie’s match before heading back."

At last, I smiled warmly and descended the steps with her at my side.

Together, we stepped into the lively festival grounds.

Unaware of the ripple this day’s memory might later bring.

――――――

As we made our way down toward the festival grounds, a bird caught my eye.

And that bird wasn’t one commonly found in the Imperial capital.

It was a mountain dove that only lived in our Nord region.

Sensing my gaze, the bird stared intently at me walking beside the Saint—then flew off.

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