Tendencies And Countermeasures (1)

“Oh, welcome back. Look, Cordy, as expected of the royal palace. I’m glad you were given such a lovely room.”

When Cordelia entered the room assigned to her in the palace, her mother—who had apparently arrived earlier—said gently.

“Yes…”

Cordelia’s ducal home had been luxurious enough, but the royal palace was exceptional. It was absurdly spacious in every direction—just how many people could fit into this single room? A small conference room was nothing compared to it. And this was merely a guest room called the “Chrysocolla Chamber.”

Hina was likely heading to the western “Tourmaline Chamber” assigned to her right now. Until one of them was formally chosen for the newly established title of Grand Holy Maiden, they would have to live in the palace.

(Still… “Grand Holy Maiden,” huh…)

Cordelia let out a small sigh.

Two Holy Maidens had suddenly appeared, but naturally they could not simply split the throne in two. And once the Sacred Beast acknowledged a Holy Maiden, she could not be demoted back to an ordinary person.

Therefore, the council had created a new title—“Grand Holy Maiden,” above that of Holy Maiden.

From now on, the authority to choose the king and the right to become queen would belong to the Grand Holy Maiden. In effect, what was formerly called the Holy Maiden was simply renamed.

“But that’s good, isn’t it? This means you can remain His Highness Isaac’s fiancée openly from now on, Cordy.”

Her father said this cheerfully. She appreciated his support of her love, but as a scholarly type ignorant of politics, he apparently had not considered what lay ahead.

A knock sounded, and Isaac and Jean appeared. The moment he entered, Isaac expressionlessly took Cordelia’s hand.

“Are you alright? Any injuries? How do you feel? Anywhere strange or painful?”

As he tried to check all over, Cordelia hurriedly stopped him.

“I-I’m fine!”

As she flushed, an exasperated voice spoke—it was Jean.

“Your Highness. Someone strong enough to send a Sacred Beast flying wouldn’t get hurt, I think.”

“It wasn’t physical strength, it was magical power!?”

After glaring at Jean, Cordelia raised her arm toward Isaac.

“See? Perfectly healthy!”

Seeing that, Isaac finally seemed relieved.

“More importantly, are you alright, Your Highness? Does your arm still hurt?”

“I’m fine. Thanks to you healing me. Thank you.”

He looked at her with an unusually gentle expression, and Cordelia blushed brightly.

The shock of everything had left her mind overheated, yet even on such a day he remained as beautiful as ever.

As she gazed dreamily, Jean behind them stared with a deadpan expression. Just as she briefly considered making an obscene gesture, Isaac spoke seriously.

“The situation has progressed in an unexpected direction… Cordelia, what do you want to do?”

His earnest eyes made her straighten as well. They needed to discuss something very important.

“It was certainly unexpected, but at the same time, I believe this is an enormous opportunity. If I am chosen as the Grand Holy Maiden, every problem will be resolved.”

—Yes. There were so many headaches she had panicked, but simply put, this was a great chance.

If Cordelia became the Grand Holy Maiden, Isaac could become king, and she would become his wife. In a sense, it would be the world where the Holy Maiden never came—the rose-colored happy ending Cordelia had dreamed of.