Erica watched the surface of the liquid in the glass gently lapping.
“Each person must take one and drink half, then exchange glasses and drink the rest.”
It was manhwaju.
Of course, since Sebastian and Erika were still underage, the contents were replaced with holy water instead of alcohol. This meant something like this.
Sebastian reached out first, followed by Erica, and shared a glass.
‘After drinking this… … We must leave the capital.’
After becoming aware of that, I felt like my heart was somehow slowing down.
Then, Erica made eye contact with the old priest.
I don’t know how Erica interpreted the reason for his hesitation, but the old priest smiled and nodded slightly as if it was okay to drink.
It was as if it gave her courage.
Erica put more pressure on the hand holding the glass.
‘Let’s drink.’
Only then did I make a decision. She brought the glass to my face, and then she carefully took a sip of the holy water.
After emptying half of the contents and putting it back down, Sebastian reached for Erica’s glass as if he had been waiting for it.
He emptied the contents in one go without the slightest hesitation.
Erica, on the other hand, took a small sip and swallowed it, and when the boy quickly put down the glass with a ‘click’ sound, she drank it quickly as well.
The old priest said with a warm smile.
“Well done to you both. “This concludes all ceremonies.”
Sebastian nodded.
“Then I guess I’ll just have to go.”
Hearing the boy’s firm words, a slightly sad look appeared on the old priest’s face.
“It’s been a while since we last met, but it’s a shame we don’t even have time to have a cup of tea together.”
“Please understand. “The situation at the border is so bad that we have to go down straight away.”
“I understand. “Just think that the old man couldn’t overcome his disappointment and resorted to treason, Grand Duke.”
After laughing out loud, the old priest turned his gaze to Erica.
Even though she was dressed up beautifully in precious clothes, she was already very concerned about the girl who couldn’t hide her nervous appearance.
‘He’s only ten years old, so how scary can he be?’
So it was.
The reason why Noh Shin Kwan bothered to add one more word was:
“for a moment.”
Erica, who was about to turn around to follow Sebastian, stopped.
“yes? “Why are you doing this, priest?”
Sebastian was also looking at the old priest with a puzzled expression.
“Can we take just a moment longer? “I would like to bestow a blessing on the young lady.”
“axis… … “Blessed?”
Erica’s lips opened slightly when she heard the unexpected words.
This was because he knew very well that the blessing of a high priest was a rare thing that not only commoners but also nobles with ordinary titles could hardly receive.
Their blessings were so precious that it could be said that they existed only for the royal family and the Archduke Acliffe.
It was to the point where it was impossible to even dream about it, except for a select few.
‘Can I really receive such a blessing?’
That was when I was thinking about that. Sebastian, who was next to him, accepted the old priest’s suggestion.
“Thank you very much for your consideration.”
“ah… … ?”
Erica looked back at him in surprise.
Sebastian looked at her as if there was some problem.
“No, nothing.”
Erica knows too. Without asking or questioning, I just said thank you, like Sebastian does now, and bowed my head and said that I deserved it.
However, given my social status, I couldn’t help but notice.
The old priest asked Erica a question again with a warm smile.
“Are you okay, miss? “Please tell this old man what he is worried about and why he is hesitating.”
“Oh, I… … that is.”
However, Erica could not answer right away and continued her conversation before secretly looking away.
It was to keep an eye on Bonpiju.
As expected, there was a disapproving look on the head maid’s face.
‘I guess you feel bad because I have received a blessing that even the real Erica Blanche could not receive.’
On the one hand, it was unfair. She didn’t get it because she asked for it; it happened purely out of favor from the other side.
‘I can’t believe I have to be criticized and criticized for something I didn’t do.’
If it weren’t for my mom, I would have rushed out of this place right away if I were to look at her like that.
Erica pursed her lips and lowered her gaze, suppressing her sadness.
Meanwhile, Sebastian raised an eyebrow as if he thought Erica was strange.
“What is there to worry about?”
It was because he couldn’t understand why the girl was so reluctant and delayed in answering that one of the high priests had given him a blessing directly without asking for anything.
However, Noh Shin-gwan’s reaction was different.
“You’re still young, so you might not know.”
He opened his mouth in a much softer voice, as if he understood why Erica was hesitant.
“ah! “Are you afraid that you might get sick?”
It wasn’t anything in particular, but since she couldn’t explain the whole situation, Erica just nodded.
“Hehe, yes. Sometimes there are people like that. Because the feeling of accepting sacred power is unfamiliar, there are some who feel it as pain.”
“… … .”
“But I guess you don’t have to worry about that at all. Isn’t that right, Grand Duke?”
Sebastian seemed to have received it before and immediately nodded.
“Adults may not know this, but children tend to accept divine power naturally.”
“you’re right. “They are clean souls, so they are bound to be friendly.”
Sebastian nodded half-heartedly and agreed. He seemed like he wanted to leave the main hall quickly.
It was obvious that if she took any more time with this matter here, she would be looked at as unpleasant, so Erica felt that she couldn’t just hesitate any longer.
“then… … “I will accept it with a grateful heart.”
So, I nodded cautiously and added in a low voice.
“By the way, High Priest. “Can I ask you to bless me, not this marriage?”
I wanted to be greedy to this extent.
‘Anyway, married life… … ‘Because it’s fake.’
To be honest, there was a reason why I did not believe in the efficacy of the blessing.
Erica just wanted to hear warm words of encouragement from someone, saying, ‘Everything will be okay in the end.’
At that moment, a light of surprise flashed through the old priest’s eyes. Then, heh heh, he nodded with his characteristic good-natured smile.
“You’re so clever.”
He replied that he would do so and rolled up his right sleeve slightly.
“Come on, girl. “Could you please put your forehead close to me for a moment?”
Erica took half a step forward with her hands clasped together.
As I lowered my gaze slightly, the old priest’s hand approached me without hesitation.
“Life is where joy and sadness coexist, and good and bad things happen alternately. Sometimes, there will be times when things are so difficult that you can’t do anything on your own. Those moments will most likely make you very tired and tired.”
Erica clasped her hands together as if praying to the Lord and listened quietly to the old priest’s words.
“But in the end, I hope you laugh and that you finally become happy. This power will awaken your dormant potential and help you whenever and however you want.”
“ah… … .”
“That is the blessing I give you.”
My forehead, touched by the priest’s fingertips, felt angry, but soon became warm.
Erica slowly lifted her eyelids.
The old priest who was standing nearby had already taken a couple of steps back and widened the distance.
“Are you okay?”
Nothing had changed.
Well, other than feeling a little warm and fuzzy.
“thank you. Minister.”
Erica nodded slowly and answered in a whispering voice.
The old priest looked back at Sebastian.
“Shall I drop it off for the Archduke as well?”
“I’m fine.”
When the offer was rejected outright, the old minister smiled sheepishly.
“haha. “It looks like this old man wasted a lot of time.”
“Then I’ll leave now.”
After bowing politely, Sebastian turned to Erica and said.
“egg plant.”
“Yes, Archduke.”
I couldn’t hold on anymore. After nodding his head, the old priest went out again, following Sebastian and Erica.
While they were performing the short ceremony, the knights of the Archduke replaced their tired horses and prepared to depart again.
“How much longer do I have to wait?”
“You may leave immediately, my lord!”
The luggage was being transferred from the carriage Erica rode in the Marquis to the Grand Duke’s carriage.
Sebastian asked, pointing with his chin. His expression was frowning.
“Is that the unit price of the luggage you brought from the Marquis de Blanche?”
