Volume 6, Chapter 11 – Fiene in the Crosshairs

We were guided to a room on the third floor.

It was more luxurious than a hotel suite, complete with a balcony.

From there, I could look down upon a well-maintained garden, beyond which lay a beautiful cityscape of white and blue, and further still, a stunning, crystal-clear blue sea.

Furthermore, while Chris-san and the others had separate rooms from mine, our rooms were connected by doors, allowing us to come and go without having to step out into the hallway.

I appreciated this thoughtful arrangement.

This was likely a room used for hosting honored guests.

As I was surveying the room, Chris-san said something I didn’t quite understand.

“Fiene-sama, I understand your decision.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“The fact that you did not offer your hand to Bernard-dono just now.”

“Um…?”

I had no idea what she meant.

“Eh? I mean, you refused to be escorted by Bernard-dono a moment ago, did you not?”

“Yes?”

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Was I supposed to do something in that situation?

“Chris-dono, I also do not understand. Why was that man kneeling before Fiene-dono without saying anything?”

“…I see. Fiene-sama, Bernard-dono was waiting for you to offer the back of your right hand.”

“Hmm?”

I tilted my head.

“Only after kissing the back of the offered hand is Bernard-dono allowed to escort Fiene-sama. Therefore, by not offering it, Fiene-sama declined Bernard-dono’s escort.”

“O-oh, I see. But when I was in this kingdom before, that kind of exchange never happened once.”

Indeed, I had spoken with noblemen of this country before, but I had never experienced anything like this.

“Fiene-sama, you will be turning fifteen next month, will you not?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

For the sake of keeping my identity consistent, my birthday is set as October 7th—the day before I met Chris-san.

Since I had established that I was thirteen at the time, I would be fifteen this year.

But what on earth did that have to do with this?

“In our country, formal engagements are permitted once one reaches the age of fifteen. In other words, Fiene-sama will become a target for every noble in this country.”

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“…Excuse me?”

“To put it simply, many men who wish to raise their status and power by taking Saint Fiene-sama as their wife will likely come rushing in.”

“Eeeeh…”

As I stood there speechless at the absurdity of it, Lu-chan asked me something strange in a bewildered voice.

“Eh?! Onee-sama is going to marry a human?! Not Adelrose-san?!”

I have absolutely no intention of marrying a human man, but I feel like Ade is a different matter entirely.

“Um, I have no intention of marrying a human man, nor do I intend to marry Ade.”

“Ehh, but Adelrose-san is the same race, and she’s a beauty! I think Adelrose-san would suit you way better than some human man!”

“Eeeeh…”

I’m telling you, I don’t intend to marry either of them.

Besides, Ade and I are the same gender; isn’t marriage between us basically impossible?

“N-no, letting that woman take you from me is…”

Chris-san was muttering to herself.

It’s true that the idea of me and Ade getting together probably wouldn’t sit well with Chris-san.

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“Eh? But Adelrose-san helped us and even gave us kimonos!”

It seems Lu-chan has been completely won over by Ade.

I don’t dislike Ade, but for the time being, I think our current relationship is just fine.

“T-that aside! Fiene-sama, may I take it that you have no intention of seeking a fiancé for the time being?”

“Yes. Besides, I’m not even human. Once Char is chosen as the Saint, those noblemen who only see me as a tool for expanding their power won’t even spare me a glance.”

When I said that, Chris-san clutched her head and let out a deep sigh.

“Fiene-sama. In our country, a ‘Saint’ refers to one who is chosen by a Holy Knight and receives proof at the Temple; it is different from the ‘Saint’ as a Class. That is why you are treated as a Saint even while you are a Saint Candidate.”

“Eh? Which means…”

“Yes. Even if Charlotte-sama were to be granted the office of Saint via an Oracle, as long as the rosary you received from His Holiness the Pope does not lose its luster, Fiene-sama remains a Saint in our country, and in every country participating in the World Saint Protection Accord.”

What! That was how it worked!

“By the way, what is this Saint Protection Accord?”

“The World Saint Protection Accord is a global treaty that defines the obligation to protect Saints chosen by God and prohibits their use in war. Every country is a member, except for the Golden Sun Miko Nation.”

Geh, so that’s practically everyone.

“Furthermore, in the White Moon Kingdom, when a Saint-sama marries, they are granted the peerage of Saint Peerage and a territory known as Saint Territory by His Majesty the King. While the Saint Peerage cannot be inherited, as a rule, the legitimate child of a Saint Peerage is granted a title of Baron or higher. Therefore, even second or third sons of nobles who cannot inherit a title can maintain their noble status by marrying Fiene-sama.”

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Chris-san continued.

“Moreover, Fiene-sama is the world’s greatest user of Holy Magic and Healing Magic.”

Well, yeah. Both of my skill levels are MAX, so that’s a given.

“On top of that, Fiene-sama is more beautiful than any noble lady in this country, and as someone with High Elf lineage, the public perceives you as having a longer lifespan than an ordinary human. Since these traits are hereditary, such blood would undoubtedly strengthen a family lineage.”

Hmm, it’s a bit awkward to say it myself, but my looks are mostly thanks to the Unique Skill Beautiful Looks.

“For a commoner, Elven blood can make one a target of persecution or kidnapping, but for a house of Saint Peerage, it would undoubtedly be a subject of worship. It is normally unthinkable for a woman with such favorable conditions to be without a fiancé.”

“Um, so in other words?”

“It’s a feeding frenzy, I’d say. Haha, Fiene-dono. You can pick and choose to your heart’s content!”

Shizuku-san laughed jokingly.

“No, no, I don’t need any of that. Please help me shut them all out as much as possible.”

“Understood.”

When I said that with a look of exhaustion, Chris-san nodded with a completely deadpan expression.