And around that time, people began to speak to Elaine while keeping an eye on Sergey’s expression.
“I was so surprised. It was the first time I’ve seen a saint recite a prayer so fluently. How could someone so young do it!”
“Thank you for your kind words. It was thanks to the guidance of the priests of the Pavelo Temple.”
“Oh my god, I see you have the virtue of humility, Hohoh! That is why Saint Elaine was appointed as the family’s personal chaplain by Count Lindell’s son, right?”
It seemed like a question addressed to Elaine, but everyone’s eyes were turned to Sergey.
“Of course. Saint Elaine is the youngest ever to pass the chaplain test. She also got first place.”
“Really?”
Everyone looked at Elaine in surprise as if they had never heard such a story before, and Elaine’s face instantly turned red.
But Sergey paid no attention and continued to brag about Elaine.
“I heard that there are a total of 65 prayers in the Raom scriptures, but do the chaplain memorize them all?”
“Well, that’s a bit difficult. To be honest, I heard that not many chaplains have memorized it all….”
“I see. Saint Elaine memorized all 65 prayers, so I assumed all the other chaplains did the same.”
“Huh? Really?”
All eyes turned to Elaine again.
Elaine felt her ears burning and her back sweaty, but she gritted her teeth and smiled, trying not to look like she was bowing her head or cowering.
Someone in the crowd said to Elaine, half jokingly and half mockingly.
“Then, can I hear a prayer from the Melvins? It’s a prayer I really like, and I’d like to hear it in the voice of a professional chaplain.”
He made excuses, saying it was just his favorite prayer, but the Melvins were the least known of the 56 Small Books.
And the prayers contained therein were notoriously long and confusing, so that not a single one of the saints taking the chaplain test has memorized the prayers from the Melvins Book.
In fact, it was clear that even the person who asked for the prayer couldn’t memorize it.
Knowing full well that that would happen, Elaine cleared her throat and began to quietly recite the prayer.
“The purpose of Bara will be fulfilled in our body, speech and mind, for that is the very purpose of our birth, and the purpose of Bara will be our peace and tranquility… .”
The prayer flowing through the quiet dining room seemed to resemble an old bard’s song with its light rhythm.
People soon began to listen to Elaine’s prayer with faint smiles on their faces, while a few of the faithful clasped their hands and bowed their heads.
And when Elaine finished her prayer, applause broke out here and there as if it had been promised.
The person who had requested prayer was applauding reluctantly with an embarrassed look on his face, and Sergey studied his face carefully, whispering in a low voice to Hubert to write his name down.
Since then, no one has expressed any resistance to Elaine’s presence.
The dinner continued without any further murmur, and those who had been praising Courbet’s amazing cooking skills ended their meal satisfied with the fruit sorbet that was served as a palate cleanser.
“Now that we’ve finished eating, shall we go out to the hall and dance?”
At Sergey’s suggestion, the guests sitting at the table all stood up, laughed and chatted among themselves, and went out alone.
Then everyone was surprised at how different the hall looked from before.
“Oh my god! It feels like we’re in a magic castle!”
“What on earth happened while we were eating?”
When they first entered, the hall was dazzling with its ornate decorations, but now, candles were brightly lit everywhere, purple and silver curtains hung from the ceiling, and chocolate was flowing down like a fountain, and next to it, there were bite-sized pieces of fruit and madeleines neatly arranged on skewers so that they could dip them in chocolate.
There were tables with simple desserts and drinks here and there in the middle of the hall, so that anyone could eat and drink to their heart’s content, and butterflies were fluttering softly above the colorful flowers that were out of season.
What was most impressive was the pile of gift boxes near the exit.
“I have prepared a small gift for those of you who have generously accepted my invitation, because today is Saint Nicolas Day, the day of exchanging gifts.”
Everyone cheered at Sergey’s announcement of the gift. With Count Lindell throwing such a lavish party, one would have high expectations for the level of the ‘small gift’.
As if on cue, a chamber orchestra of twelve began to play a cheerful piece.
The combination of the lavish surroundings, the gifts, and the music, combined with the satisfyingly full stomachs, left the invited guests completely disarmed and laughing like children.
As if on cue, the chamber orchestra began to play cheerful songs.
The combination of the lavish surroundings, the gifts, and the music, combined with the satisfyingly full stomachs, left the invited guests completely disarmed and laughing like children..
Sergey, who was watching the scene, reached out his hand to Elaine.
“I heard that on days like this, the host has to dance first before the guests can dance. Will you help me do my part, Elaine?”
“Huh? Ah, but I’m wearing a saint’s uniform….”
“So what? Even in a maid’s uniform, you’d still be the prettiest.”
“Huh?”
Elaine was taken aback by the sudden compliment from Sergey, who had just a few moments earlier said he didn’t know if she was pretty.
She’d blushed at the dinner table, but now it was so red that she couldn’t hide it from anyone.
But even so, she did not refuse the hand that Sergey extended to her.
“I wouldn’t mind…if that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay, what are you talking about?”
Sergey hesitated, then snatched Elaine’s hand and pulled her toward him, then lightly held her waist.
“You haven’t forgotten how to dance, have you?”
Elaine nodded instead of answering, her heart pounding.
Then they stepped out into the hall at the same time.
Elaine’s white hand on Sergey’s shoulder was trembling slightly, but Sergey held her tightly, so her dancing body did not shake.
Sergey’s navy suit trousers were swept up in Elaine’s white saint’s robe skirt, disappearing and reappearing repeatedly as they walked across the wide floor of the hall.
The smooth steps, unhesitating turns, and constant gazes following each other were like watching a pair of butterflies flying around the hall.
“It’s beautiful.”
“That’s right. That girl from Newt’s family, she’s actually pretty good, despite her reputation.”
“Honestly, that rumor wasn’t about that girl’s behavior.”
Whether it was pure admiration or a look from Sergey, most of those attending the party today changed their minds about Elaine.
While Sergey was satisfied that the party was going according to his plan, Elaine simply found that moment amazing and precious.
‘I will never forget it until I die.’
On a cold winter’s night, looking out the window from the attic, she could see the light from the first-floor hall, casting an orange glow on the white snow.
The shadows of people moved dizzyingly in the light, the sound of cheerful music could be heard faintly, and the smell of delicious food wafted through the door.
That’s what winter was like for Elaine.
A season that is colder and hungrier, where she just blankly watches the shadows of other people’s fun year-end parties.
But now she doesn’t have to be haunted by those memories anymore.
Because today’s memories were so intense and ecstatic that they completely covered up all those winter memories.
* * *
The party ended at ten o’clock, and Elaine, who had tried to help clean up, had to return to her room due to Sergey’s nagging.
After returning to the quiet room, Elaine remembered that Rabes had said he would come over after the party, so she quickly changed her clothes and waited for Rabes.
[It seems like all the humans have gone back.]
A pitch-black figure with a familiar voice appeared out of the darkness.
“Rabes.”
[Did you have fun?]
“Yes. In fact, I still can’t believe that I prayed and danced in front of that many people.”
[You were good at dancing even at the debutante party.]
“Have you been watching me? You told me that you couldn’t go with me to the Sun Palace where the banquet was being held because the divine power barrier was so strong.”
At Elaine’s remark, Rabes wanted to hit his own snout.
Living as both Sergey and Rabes at the same time was quite confusing.
[I—I am a dragon. I know everything.]
“Well, I think Rabes really knows everything.”
Fortunately, Elaine believed everything Rabes said, so she believed his excuses as well.
[Ahem! What should I give as a present this year? Do you want to go to Mount Atalanchi again? Or fly over the capital?]
Flying through the sky on Rabes’s back was always thrilling and exciting, but after a long day of tension, Elaine, feeling strangely exhilarated, flopped down on the bed with Rabes beside her.
“For this year’s gift, please tell me the story of Rabes.”
Her smiling face was already covered in sleepiness.
Rabes chuckled and asked lightly.
[My story? What kind of story?]
“Umm… you said that you hated the previous contractor who betrayed you, but in fact, you still love that contractor a lot, right?”
Rabes was speechless at Elaine’s sudden question.
Rabes couldn’t answer because his feelings for Lancer were still complicated.
But Elaine continued talking on her own without listening to Rabes’ answer.
“In history books, Rabes is called an evil dragon, and before the return, people also called Rabes an evil dragon…but I know that you are actually a very kind and gentle dragon.”
[That’s…]
Rabes, who was about to say, ‘That’s only in front of you,’ ended up keeping his mouth shut because even that answer felt awkward.
* * *
