May nodded with a regretful expression and asked,
“Today is the day you’re going to the Grand Shrine, right?
“Yes.”
When nobles turn one year old, they go to the Grand Shrine to receive a baptism and a baptismal name.
In truth, the baptism itself, which merely signifies one’s birth to the deity, is not that significant.
The truly important part is the baptismal name given afterward.
This name, directly bestowed by the deity, is a word that foretells the future.
Every noble possesses a baptismal name, but Rose in the novel did not.
To be baptized, one had to go to the Grand Shrine in the capital, but at that time, it was impossible for Marianne.
It was the same even after Rose became a duke.
In her childhood, she was too busy surviving and didn’t know about the baptismal name, and when she did find out, she had already encountered black magic.
Those who practice black magic cannot step into the Grand Shrine, so Rose could never receive a baptismal name until her death.
‘But that’s not the case anymore right now.’
Ian intended to provide Rose with everything she couldn’t have in the novel, except for the crown prince.
***
“There are so many people.”
After leaving the townhouse for about ten minutes, they arrived at the capital’s streets.
The streets, tidy and well-organized befitting the empire’s capital, were crowded with people busy with their own tasks.
Ian handed a cotton candy to Rose, who was looking around with sparkling eyes.
“Try this.”
Rose, tilting her head at the fluffy pink cotton candy, took a big bite.
“Huh?”
Her eyes widened as the cotton candy melted away in her mouth.
“Uncle, it’s gone.”
“It’s because this is a cotton candy, it will gone right away when it comes to your mouth.”
Rose, munching because of the sweetness, looked so cute.
Unable to resist her cuteness, Ian kissed her forehead and resumed walking.
Due to the upcoming crown prince’s investiture ceremony, the streets were filled with food stalls and entertainment such as magic shows.
Ian bought whatever caught Rose’s interest, and after enjoying magic shows and other fun activities, they headed to the Grand Shrine.
The Grand Shrine, located at the heart of the capital, had an atmosphere similar to the grand cathedrals Ian had seen in Rome during his prime.
“How can I help you?”
At the gate of the temple, a holy knight asked, and Ian presented his ducal insignia, stating they were there for a baptism.
“The High Priest is expecting you.”
The place they were led to was a wide hall decorated with stained glass reaching up to the ceiling.
At the end of the hall was a floating dish with water that, intriguingly, maintained the same level without overflowing.
“Welcome, Duke Loenbaum, and Lady Loenbaum. I am Abigail, the third servant of Lord Aether.”
“Hello.”
“Hello!”
Abigail smiled as she made eye contact with Rose.
“You must be the one receiving the baptism today. Let’s get started right away.”
Ian nodded.
Abigail dipped her finger in the dish’s water and drew a symbol on Rose’s forehead.
“May Lord Aether’s blessing be with you.”
A blue light briefly flickered on Rose’s forehead before disappearing.
“Duke, please immerse the young lady’s hand in the basin.”
“Rose, just a moment.”
Ian took Rose’s hand and dipped it into the water on the dish.
The water rippled slightly, and unknown characters appeared on the surface before vanishing.
“Lord Aether has bestowed sincerity upon her. The young lady’s baptismal name is ‘Seraphina,’ which means ‘treasure’ in the sacred language.”
Ian smiled warmly.
The baptismal name seemed perfectly fitting, as Rose was literally a treasure to him.
“My treasure, Seraphina.”
When Ian kissed Rose’s cheek, she laughed gleefully.
“Duke, you should also immerse your hand in the basin.”
“I already have a baptismal name.”
Although the novel did not mention Ian’s baptism, but for his father, who cared about appearances, likely ensured that Ian received one. Therefore, Ian would also have a baptismal name.
“I am aware, but…”
“But?”
“There was a message from Lord Aether.”
Lord Aether, the deity of this place, was the one who had enabled the spirit of the deceased Sijun to possess Ian’s body.
‘Is he giving me a baptismal name despite not being from this world?’
Ian could not understand the deity’s kindness but decided there was no harm in accepting it.
Although he did not understand the deity’s reasons, Ian knew that Aether was a benefactor to him.
When Ian dipped his hand into the basin, the water rippled and unknown characters appeared on the surface, just like with Rose.
“Your baptismal name is… ‘Dawn,’ which means ‘salvation’ in the sacred language.”
‘Salvation, huh? Not bad.’
“Is it over now?”
“Yes. The baptismal name will be recorded in the sacred register.”
Ian nodded and turned his body.
“I’ll be going now.”
“May Lord Aether’s blessing be with you.”
As Ian left the hall, the priest clasped her hands together, remembering the sacred words she had just seen.
“Lord Aether.”
The deity did not respond to the priest’s prayer mixed with a sigh.
Only sunlight filtered through the stained glass, shining on the priest.
***
As the sun began to set, Ian turned towards a restaurant alley.
“Should we eat some dinner now?”
“My stomach isn’t hungry…”
Rose murmured, looking sulky as if she still wanted to explore more.
“We’ll come back after dinner. It will be even more beautiful at night.”
“Okay.”
Ian stroked Rose’s head gently as she answered obediently. As they entered the restaurant, someone grabbed Ian’s wrist.
“Excuse me, sir.”
It was a child with silver-white hair so long it trailed on the ground.
Despite looking about ten years old, the child’s eyes were as wise as those of an elderly person.
Although Ian was kind to children, he asked, making eye contact,
“Why? Do you need any help?”
The child looked intently at Ian’s face and then spoke.
“Have you received divine help? Your soul and body are not aligned.”
Ian, who had been smiling kindly, halted.
“What are you talking about?”
The child clicked their tongue and released the wrist they were holding.
“You!”
Just as Ian was about to ask the child something, the child’s pupils turned vertical, and the bustling street suddenly became quiet.
It was as if time had stopped; people also ceased moving.
“Is it because of the flow? Is that why you were chosen?”
Hearing the mention of ‘flow,’ Ian furrowed his brows.
“You… What the hell are you?”
“The flow is just the flow. But you souldn’t put blind faith in the flow.”
As soon as the child finished speaking, the previously quiet surroundings became noisy again.
The child had vanished as if they had never been there.
“Uncle?”
Rose called out to Ian, who was staring blankly at a spot. Sensing something was off with him, she called again.
“Huh? Oh. Let’s go.”
Ian glanced once more at where the child had stood before entering the restaurant.
He ordered food from the waiter and fed Rose while his mind remained cluttered.
‘Don’t put blind faith in the flow?’
Ian had never blindly believed in the flow.
If anything, he was wary of it.
Following the flow would lead to Rose’s death.
“But it’s strangely unsettling.”
As Ian murmured to himself, Rose, who was eating her dessert ice cream, tilted her head.
“It’s nothing, Rose. We will continue our journey starting tomorrow.”
“Are we going on another trip?”
“Yes, we are.”
Rose hesitated.
“Why? Don’t you like traveling?”
“No, but Sebastian…”
“Sebastian?”
‘Why is Sebastian suddenly being mentioned?’
Rose glanced at Ian cautiously before continuing.
“Sebastian told me to say I don’t want to go if uncle suggested a trip.”
“Ah.”
Ian realized that Sebastian, who he had asked to prepare for the trip, must have said something unnecessary to Rose.
“It’s okay. Uncle will handle it.”
Ian gave Rose a wide smile.
***
After being appointed as the Crown Prince, it was customary for him to give a street speech to show respect to the commoners.
The nobles, exhausted from three days of feasting, sat on prearranged chairs with weary faces.
The commoners stood farther away, observing the scene.
“Is there a seat available here?”
Ian turned his head to see a sturdy middle-aged man with faded gray ears and a bushy tail.
“Your Majesty Napharoa.”
Ian greeted him.
“You may sit.”
Napharoa, the king of the beastmen, fluttered his cloak as he sat down next to Ian.
With nothing else to say, Ian turned his gaze back to the podium.
“What do you think of the beastmen?”
“I have no special thoughts about it.”
He was sincere.
Although he harbored ill feelings toward Fenrex in the novel, he bore no such sentiments towards the beastmen.
He had no thoughts about the other beastfolk.
“Why?”
“Do I need to have thoughts about that?”
Napharoa stared intently at Ian.
“Are you saying you don’t think of them as animals in human form?”
“The difference between animals and humans is the ability to communicate.”
It was a wise answer.
Napharoa burst out laughing at the unexpectedly interesting answer.
“Stop laughing. The Crown Prince will be here soon.”
Napharoa stopped laughing and stood up, following Ian.
Golden, shining hair.
Prince Siegfried, with his young but distinct features, climbed onto the platform with knights and magicians.
“Wow, it’s the Crown Prince.”
“Our Crown Prince is so handsome!”
The murmuring of the commoners ceased when the Crown Prince stopped walking.
The nobles all bowed their heads simultaneously.
“May the blessings of Aether be with the Crown Prince.”
The commoners echoed the nobles’ greeting.
Crown Prince Siegfried smiled contentedly and nodded.
“Take your seats.”
With the amplification magic of the magician, Siegfried’s voice echoed throughout the square.
As the nobles sat down, the commoners held their breath and watched Siegfried.
“I am Crown Prince Siegfried.”
The speech finally began.
“I heard you have a niece?”
“Yes.”
Ian, who had been watching the speech indifferently, nodded.
“Why didn’t you bring her today?”
“She has a fever.”
It was an excuse.
Though he had no choice but to bring her to the banquet to meet the Emperor, he didn’t see the need to bring her to a speech where she had to sit still until it ended. With a heavy heart, Ian left Rose at the townhouse.
‘We’ll go back as soon as the speech ends anyway.’
“Then she won’t attend the banquet?”
“Yes.”
Even though there was a three-day banquet, another banquet was scheduled to celebrate the end of the Crown Prince’s speech.
“Then, may I visit the townhouse…?”
As he mention he want to come to the townhouse, Ian turned his head.
At that moment, he saw a familiar face grinning among the commoners.
‘That’s the dark mages!’
