Holy Maiden Hina And Imitation

“What should we do, milady!? This looks just like the announcement paper you issued! Even the ribbon and perfume are copied!”

“Ah, but the ribbon seems to match her hair color rather than her eye color. Since she has black eyes, I think a black ribbon would also be lovely, but perhaps Hina doesn’t like it…”

Cordelia said while looking at the milk-tea-colored—rather, slightly brownish cream ribbon.

“No, this isn’t the time to be relaxed. No matter how you look at it, this is imitation of the healing gathering you held. Are you really fine with that?”

“That’s right, milady!”

Surprised that Jean and Lily were unusually in agreement, Cordelia answered calmly.

“I don’t mind. Lord Kentonis asked me beforehand whether it was acceptable to publish it.”

“Seriously!? …So Your Highness knew too!?”

Jean widened his eyes and looked at Isaac, who nodded coolly.

A few days before the healing gathering, both Lord Kentonis and Sphida had contacted them. Apparently Count Lavori, Hina’s backer, had requested to publish something imitating Cordelia’s announcement newspaper.

Sphida declined, saying imitation lacked passion, so Pernot Company must have taken over the role instead. Meanwhile, Lord Kentonis was a businessman—after extracting plenty from Count Lavori, he had come to ask Cordelia for permission as a courtesy.

“Well, I didn’t expect it to be this identical, but it’s not like there’s copyright or a patent, so I agreed.”

“…Are you truly okay with that, milady?”

Lily asked anxiously.

“Of course, emotionally I really hate being copied. But many people couldn’t be treated due to the attendance limit at the last gathering, right? If Hina’s healing gathering is held, it will help those people too.”

“That… is certainly true…”

“Still, I feel sorry that it dragged His Highness into it as well… I increased his workload.”

Cordelia said gloomily.

Count Lavori had pressed Isaac, saying that if he helped Holy Maiden Cordelia’s event, then naturally he must help Holy Maiden Hina’s as well.

She felt endlessly apologetic for burdening him and creating the excuse.

As if to dispel her guilt, Isaac spoke gently.

“It’s fine. As I said before, matters concerning the Holy Maiden also concern the royal family. I expected Count Lavori to make a move eventually. If anything, it reduces the chance of other unreasonable demands.”

“Your Highness…!”

While touched by his support, Cordelia suddenly looked at Jean. If Isaac moved, Jean would be mobilized as well. She tried to apologize, but noticed his calm expression.

“Oh…? I expected complaints, but you don’t seem angry?”

“I was prepared for that level of work… Besides, after seeing Holy Maiden Cordelia-sama work that hard, how could I complain?”

He said and turned away abruptly. As Cordelia stared in surprise, Lily smiled and stretched up to pat Jean’s head.

“Jean-sama has grown up!”

“Your height hasn’t grown at all—ow.”

Smiling at their exchange, Cordelia moved to the next topic.

“In that case, aside from Hina’s healing gathering, we must plan our own future schedule.”

Just because the healing gathering succeeded once did not mean a happy ending. What mattered was the accumulation from now on. There was a saying that position shapes a person; for Cordelia to become the Grand Holy Maiden, she herself must act worthy of a Holy Maiden.

“Fortunately, some nobles have requested to accompany us on clinic visits. While His Highness and Jean assist Hina’s gathering, we will proceed with those.”

“Yes, milady!”

Cordelia exchanged looks with Lily and nodded firmly.

“I’m delighted to meet you, Cordelia-sama. You were always beautiful, but recently you shine even more. Perhaps it is the dignity of a Holy Maiden.”

“My, thank you. I am honored to visit the clinic together like this. Your presence is very reassuring.”

After finishing treatment at the clinic early, Cordelia and the marchioness exchanged polite compliments with business smiles. The woman was the environment minister’s wife and a supporter of Holy Maiden Cordelia’s charity work.

(The minister already supports the Eforl royal house, and I heard he cannot stand up to his wife. She has influence in high society, so I must secure her support.)

As Cordelia thought that inwardly, the marchioness spoke in a gentle yet probing tone.

“By the way, how is His Highness Isaac? I hear you two are quite close.”

“Actually… unfortunately I haven’t seen him recently. He seems busy preparing the royal capital’s healing gathering.”

Cordelia confessed. Immediately, the lady’s eyes sparkled.

“My! Then the rumors were true!”

“Rumors?”

When Cordelia asked, the marchioness hid her mouth with her fan and whispered quietly.

“…I heard this from a friend’s acquaintance’s son, but apparently Hina-sama won’t let His Highness Isaac go. Whenever anything happens it’s ‘Isaac-sama, Isaac-sama,’ and without him nothing progresses properly. Even Count Lavori has apparently complained.”

“My…”

Hearing this for the first time, Cordelia widened her eyes.

Indeed, since he began helping Hina’s gathering, her chances to see Isaac had sharply decreased. When she did see him, he usually looked tired, so she assumed it was hard work—but to that extent?

(I should bring His Highness relaxing tea next time… Still, Hina is the same as ever. I hope nothing happens at the gathering.)

Unfortunately, that concern would prove correct in a regrettable way.