âRishe-sama!â
â!â
The door of the room was opened, and a lovely girl peeked inside.
Myria came into the room with sparkling eyes, wearing a white flower crown in her light purple hair like a violet flower. Arnold glared at Oliver, but Oliver bowed and left the room.
âMyria-sama, are you ready for the celebration coming up?
Rishe asked as she hugged Myria, who returned a smile akin to a broken flower.
âYes, Iâm all set!â
After all that had happened yesterday, Myria had stoutly offered to resume the festival to Schneider and her father.
The duke objected, but Myria shook her head. When her father told her about her origins, Myria took it all in and said.
[I am the Maiden Priestess, am I not? Then I want to play my part properly.]
[Myriaâ¦]
[I want my mom and my dad, who had protected me all these years, to see me in my best.]
Hearing this, the Duke cried and was appeased. Thus, the festival was to resume later.
After finishing her preparations, Myria was dressed in her Maiden Priestessâs white dress.
âHow are you feeling?â
âI was so sleepy yesterday, but today Iâm fine!â¦Iâve heard that after the festival, you will immediately hold the ceremony to break off your engagement to your former fiancé, and then return to Garkhain.
âYes. Thatâs what weâre preparing for.â
Rishe nodded with a wry smile.
From the start, she had made a lot of demands in order to come to this Grand Shrine. With her wedding preparations underway, she couldnât hold Arnold indefinitely.
âIâm so sad to say goodbye.â
âMyria-samaâ¦â
Myria looked down with a tearful expression, and Rishe felt suddenly sad.
Iâve long known it. In this life, I canât always stay by my ladyâs side.
Myria was a beloved young miss for Rishe.
She was willful, a tomboy, and most of all, an incredibly lovable and kind girl. From the day she met Myria at the age of eleven until the day she married at the age of fifteen, she had watched her grow up.
In the midst of all this, she regarded her like a younger sister.
But that was a life that would never return no matter how lonely I amâ¦
âYou know, Rishe-samaâ¦â
A small hand grasped Risheâs hand tightly.
âIâm going to bid you farewell now, but even if I donât see you oftenâ¦ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âMyria-samaâ¦?â
âRishe-sama, can I think of you as my big sister ?â
Myria couldnât possibly tell how surprised Rishe was.
Resisting the urge to cry with joy, Rishe bent a bit. Then she stroked Myriaâs shyly tinted cheek and smiled.
âI would be very happy to have a sister like you, Myria-sama.â
âWaâ¦!â
Rishe hugged Myria tightly as she squealed with joy.
Then she pulled, looked at her, and laughed. Myria then ran towards Arnold.
âYour Highness, Crown Prince!â
ââ¦â
Arnold regarded Myria in silence, but the carefree Myria wasnât intimidated.
She plucked at the hem of her dress and gave a ladylike bow.
âPapaâ¦Father told me Your Royal Highness helped us. Thank you, Your Royal Highness.â
ââ¦â
Rishe looked at Arnold, inwardly chilled.
To Arnold, Myria was his blood cousin. Myria didnât know that, but Arnold must have had some reservations on the matter.
Iâm sure that His Highness had his own concerns about Myria-sama, but he wonât claim her as his cousinâ¦
Arnold replied to Myria with a cold tone and frosty eyes.
âI helped because my wife wanted it, nothing more.â
âUm, I seeâ¦â
Myriaâs shoulders slumped, and she immediately displayed a look that said, âIâve got an idea.â
âBut, Your Royal Highness is going to marry Rishe-sama, arenât you?â
âWhat about it?â
âThen, Your Royal Highness is my big brother!â
ââ¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â
Arnold raised a pensive eyebrow at Myriaâs remarks.
Seeing this, Rishe couldnât help but laugh.
âUm, pfft!â
âWhatâs so funny?â
âNothing. I think youâre right, Myria-sama. After all, His Highness Arnold is the man who will be my husband.â
Rishestroked Myriaâs head and looked into her honey-colored eyes and said.
âThink of us as familyâ¦Not only me, but also His Royal Highness, Arnold.â
âMy pleasure! Rishe-sama, Iâll do my best for the festival!â
Myria jumped up and down and smiled at Arnold.
âYour Highness. I also hope youâll have a look.â
ââ¦â
âWell then, Iâm sorry for disturbing you!â
Myria excused herself cheerfully and quickly left the room. From the other side of the door, Leoâs scolding voice could be heard, but it was drifting further and further away.