After seeing off Arnold’s back, Rishe exhaled.

She took a few deep breaths to quell the burning in her cheeks, then a priest came to the balcony.

“I beg your pardon, Rishe-sama. We’ve suspended the ritual for a break, and it will take a little longer before it resumes.”

Seeing the apologetic look on the priest’s face, Rishe inclined her head.

“It’s no big deal if that’s the case. But what’s going on?”

“W-The thing is…”

The priest bowed and continued in a troubled tone, “The acting Maiden Priestess locked herself in her room…”

“…”

***

After leaving the ceremonial cathedral, Rishe strolled alone in the courtyard.

[Apparently, Myria-sama did not like the costumes we had prepared for the festival.]

The monk spoke with drooping shoulders.

[At present, a bishop who is acquainted with Myria-sama, is at the door with the Duke of Jonal, trying to persuade her. If we don’t alter her costume by tomorrow morning, we won’t be able to make it in time for the festival.”

As a result, a great commotion was ensuing in front of Myria’s room.

The bishop who was in charge of Rishe’s ritual was one of the people acquainted with Myria, so he joined in coaxing her.

After Rishe offered to postpone the ritual, she inquired about the location of the room where Myria was said to be holed up.

However, she didn’t head towards the corridor where the Duke and the others gathered and walked along the courtyard leading to the back of the guest house instead. She had some conjectures, but she discovered something unexpected on the way.

There’s only small footprints left.

The tip of the footprints led to the forest that surrounded the outside of the Grand Shrine. The owner of the footprints seemed to have headed that way.

Upon our arrival here, we were told that the forest surrounding the Grand Shrine is off limits because it is a sanctuary…

She examined it carefully, but they appeared to be a boy’s shoes from the shape. Moments after bypassing the footprints, Rishe looked up at the guest room building where she had arrived.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from the easternmost window on the third floor.

“I will! I will only wear a pink dress to the festival!”

“…”

The birds perching on the trees in the courtyard were startled and flew away at once. The next she heard was the Duke’s voice.

“Myria! How many times do I have to tell you, listen to me!”

Thank God. Both of them looked fine.

The argument between father and daughter was a relief that she patted her chest.

Even though they didn’t suffer serious injuries, there was the aftermath of the carriage slipping and plunging down. She was worried that they’d be mentally drained, but from the sound of their voices, they seemed to be fine.

The windows were open and the curtains were drawn.

From where Rishe was standing, she could see the back of Myria standing there scowling at the door.

It looks like a lot of people are really crowded behind the door… This will only make Myria-sama even more stubborn.

Rishe scanned her surroundings to make sure there was no sign of anyone else.

She then looked up at one of the trees that lined the courtyard, the one closest to Myria’s room.

“…”

She rolled up the hem of her dress, revealing the dagger attached to her thigh.

She disregarded the dagger and reached her fingers over the belt that secured it. A thin rope with a hook at the end was tied and bundled to the fastener of the belt.

Now then…

Myria’s voice was still echoing from the window she looked up at.

“Why don’t you understand, Papa? That carriage ended that way because of my magical powers!”

“Don’t be silly. It was a wheel malfunction, an accident!”

“No, it wasn’t. It was my power! So do me a favor, or you’ll be in big trouble again!”

“Myria…”

“All of you, hurry up and get away from the door! Or else…”

Myria’s voice came to a sudden halt.

She looked back at the window, as if she had sensed some kind of presence, and stiffened as if she were looking at something unbelievable.

“Huh…e-e-ehhh?!”