Rishe rushed down the main nave with fluttering tiny footsteps.

Schneider was flabbergasted and bowed to excuse himself. Rishe closely watched his back, but accepted Myria’s hug.

“Did you listen, Rishe-sama?! I never missed a beat at the rehearsal!”

“Yes! That’s very impressive, Myria-sama!”

She seconded and hugged Myria back, earning her delighted giggle.

Myria’s cheeks were dyed with happiness, but then she said with a taut expression.

“But I still need to practice! This dress isn’t for the real show, and I didn’t use any of the sacred tools/ceremonial objects today. The setup will change a bit more, so I’m gonna try to stay on top of it! It’s because you must be very careful when handling sacred objects!”

“The sacred tool is the bow held by the Maiden Priestess, right? She shoots arrows infused with the power of each season in order to rotate the seasons on behalf of the Goddess.”

“Yes. Of course, we just pretend to shoot at the festival…”

Even though it was a ceremonial object, a bow and arrow was a weapon.

Myria showed a slight tension, perhaps because she knew this well.

Rishe massaged her small hand to relieve her tension.

“Let’s go for lunch, shall we, Myria-sama? Today, they specially arranged for us to eat in the garden!”

“Is it a picnic by any chance?”

“Yes. It’s a beautiful day, so I’m sure it will be pleasant. ―― The sun may be too bright, so you should wear a hat, Myria-sama.”

She developed a habit in her maid life and tended to say such things. She was worried that it might appear a bit strange, but Myria didn’t seem to mind that much.

“I’ve never eaten outside before!”

Rishe beamed as the girl’s eyes lit up with excitement.

However, Myria’s innocent expression changed as soon as she was taken to the lunch table.

***

“W-What, Why…?”

When Myria arrived at the garden and saw the cloth spread out on the grass, she stiffened and trembled.

Rishe expected her reaction, so she proceeded with her preparations without worrying. She then beckoned Myria over to her on the cloth.

“Come on, Myria. Please come here.”

“Wait a minute, Rishe-sama! Hey, why is…”

A small finger pointed unceremoniously at one person.

“Why is Leo here?”

“…I didn’t want to be here, My Lady.”

Leo sullenly remarked while sitting down on the cloth. Rishe gently chided her as she set the dishes on the cloth.

“Myria-sama, don’t point your finger at people, okay? When you eat, smile and don’t fight at the table.”

“I didn’t know Leo was here! Why on earth…”

“You were worried about Leo this morning, weren’t you?”

“But I’m not prepared for this out of the blue!! I’ve never been to the same dinner table with Leo, no matter how many times Dad invited him!!”

Leo sulked when Myria accused him of this.

“… I just came here because they said I could eat delicious meat, even though I didn’t really want to.”

“Oh, you mean the meat lured you here…?”

Myria was aghast, but this was part of Rishe’s plan.

Even Leo, in her knight life, was always curt, but only when she told him there would be a meat-roasting party in the garden did he come close to her.

“Please take a seat, Myria-sama. If we don’t eat soon, you won’t be able to make it to practice this afternoon, you know?”

“Ugh…”

Perhaps stimulated by her sense of responsibility, Myria sat down awkwardly on the cloth.