After that, Selina didn’t remember much.
When she woke up, Saint Audrey, Melrose, Vika, the twin sisters, and that one (Coletta?) — anyway, a bunch of people were surrounding her bed.
‘Am I some kind of rare animal?’ Selina thought.
But everyone looked worried, so waking up probably meant nothing serious.
Afterwards, Selina learned from Vika that Bishop Ferens had been demoted to deputy bishop, and the original deputy bishop took his place.
In a way, it was pretty unfair for him.
But she couldn’t exactly say she knew about her past life, otherwise she’d be taken by the empire for research or executed as a heretic.
Either outcome, she didn’t want to touch.
Better to let it rot in her head.
This incident didn’t affect her much.
After sleeping for a whole day and night, she was full of energy.
Vika surprisingly gave her a few days off, saying she must be tired and needed a break.
‘Instinct told me that this woman giving me days off definitely means something bad.’
Sure enough, on the second day of her vacation, she received an invitation letter.
She took it from the mailbox.
The recipient on the envelope was clearly her.
Today Selina was off, but Hajime still had to work, so she was home alone.
She heated a glass of milk for herself and casually opened the letter at the dining table.
First, the banquet she was invited to was hosted by the royal family to celebrate the victory in the Rostav Offensive and Defensive War.
In other words, it was a social gathering among the empire’s nobility: eat, drink, dance, talk about the empire’s situation, exchange flattery, and incidentally discuss the marriage arrangements of the younger generation.
According to her usual novel-reading experience, the male and female leads should have a significant part — jealousy, accidental meetings, dancing.
‘Better not get involved in that kind of thing.’
As for the sender, it was probably some playboy attracted to her looks.
Although she had been keeping a low profile since arriving, as a young member of the church’s military division, she had quite a few people paying attention.
Since she was being watched, it was inevitable that her portrait would leak.
It wouldn’t be a problem to take some time to investigate her current address.
‘So annoying. I don’t want to go.’
Selina finished her milk and casually tossed the invitation into the trash can.
‘Better think about what to eat for dinner instead.’
In the evening, Melrose dragged her somewhat tired body home and looked toward the kitchen.
Selina was already there in an apron, preparing today’s dinner.
Without realizing it, she had gotten used to this routine.
The steaming dinner was far better in appearance and taste than any restaurant outside.
Selina’s unique cooking had completely conquered her stomach.
She pinched her own little belly.
‘It seems I’ve gained weight recently. Maybe I should increase my training volume.’
Melrose thought idly, her eyes scanning up and down Selina’s body.
Her figure was well-proportioned, her legs straight and long, and she was soft to hold.
It was a pity she had been refused co-sleeping not long ago.
Quite a pity, honestly.
“Huh?”
In the empty trash can lay a finely crafted card, instantly catching Hajime’s attention.
Not fearing dirt, she directly picked it out.
“Oh~ so it’s an invitation to the banquet. In theory, a noble can bring two family members or friends. Who sent this to you?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t look. I’m not interested in that kind of banquet.”
Selina put the stewed beef into both their plates, then took out today’s staple — white bread — from the cabinet.
“That’s true. Those social occasions aren’t much fun either. I heard the only thing worth seeing is a certain noble preparing to show off his daughter who ran away from home many years ago. Probably she’s older and hard to marry off. That’s why I say those nobles…”
Ding~
The sound of a spoon dropping interrupted Melrose’s words.
The two were suddenly silent for a few seconds.
Melrose thought Selina hadn’t recovered yet and asked with concern, “Are you okay! Do you need me to help you?”
“What did you just say?”
“Uh, do you need me to help…”
“The previous sentence!”
“Older and hard to marry off?”
“One more before that!”
Melrose was a bit confused.
Why was Selina reacting so strongly?
Then she snatched the invitation from Melrose’s hand and said calmly, “I’ll attend!”
“Stop, stop, stop!!! Don’t be so hasty, okay?”
Melrose picked up the spoon and put it in the sink.
“The holder of that invitation is Count Pulansi. Most likely his son sent it to you. It’s obvious he has his eye on you. If you use this, you’ll owe him a favor, and you’ll probably have to dance with that playboy.”
After listening, Selina frowned, as if weighing the pros and cons.
Hajime sighed helplessly and took out another invitation from her pocket.
“How do you have one too?”
“It’s not ‘how do I have one.’ The knight regiment I’m in is a guard unit. I’m a squad leader, so I can get one spot.”
Selina swallowed hard.
Her hand trembled involuntarily as she slowly reached for that invitation.
After she got her hands on it, the other invitation was pitifully thrown into the trash again.
Just as she was happily holding this one, she sneaked a glance at Melrose.
“Have I… owed you too much?”
Selina straightened her posture, lowered her head slightly, and kept her eyes fixed on Melrose.
“Well…”
Hajime scratched her head.
“I should say I’ve been receiving a lot of your care. It’s just a small favor!”
She seemed to want to say something, but didn’t know where to start.
‘I want to confide in her about that pain, but I don’t want to burden her with this sadness. Master, what should I do?’
She still couldn’t forget the backs of them leaving that day.
Who would have thought that farewell would be forever?
She patted her cheeks and said under Selina’s puzzled gaze, “The banquet is in three days. You don’t even have a suitable gown. What a disgrace. It’s a bit rushed, but tomorrow let’s go pick out some clothes you like!”
“Eh? Oh…” She was still dazed.
‘Come to think of it, I really don’t have a suitable gown. Although wearing a nun’s habit would be okay, it would be too conspicuous among a crowd of nobles.’
But that was tomorrow’s problem.
Since things had come to this, let’s eat first.
…
On the silent dining table, only the sounds of utensils cutting food and clinking against porcelain plates remained.
It was just an ordinary dinner, but to the servants, it was like a torture session.
The atmosphere had already dropped to freezing point.
The mother and daughter had no conversation at all, just silently… eating the delicacies on the table.
The long table seemed to stretch the distance between them.
They weren’t afraid to speak; they were afraid of the silence.
This situation had clearly gone on for a long, long time, until…
“Mother, I’ve finished my meal. I’ll take my leave now.”
Aili pulled her skirt and gave a simple bow, preparing to turn and leave.
The servants also prepared to clear the tableware.
“Wait, Aili…”
She was suddenly called to a halt.
The servant who had taken a step to clean the tableware carefully withdrew their foot.
In this atmosphere, it was fortunate not to be caught in the crossfire.
“Is there something you need, Mother?”
Aili asked expressionlessly.
She seemed like a puppet, her whole body wrapped in invisible strings.
“There’s a royal banquet in three days. Go show your face.”
“Mother, it’s just a banquet. I’ve attended many. Missing one wouldn’t matter.”
The blonde woman sneered and said, “This is an order, not a request. You’re almost seventeen. Most children your age are already engaged. It’s time for you to find a suitable person and marry.”
Aili took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry, Mother, but I don’t have that intention for now…”
“If you don’t want to go, I’ll choose for you.”
The blonde woman clapped her hands.
A servant brought over a notebook and casually flipped through it in front of Aili.
“If you don’t go, then you’ll only be waiting for someone like this.”
She pointed at the portrait on it.
Count Kele, forty-two years old, widowed, no son, with a daughter only three years old.
His appearance was decent, and his power, wealth, and looks were impeccable.
But… he and Aili were by no means equals.
She bit her lip, then released it and said in compromise, “I’ll go.”