The First Grand Holy Maiden Of The Lakisen Kingdom (2)

“I hereby appoint Cordelia Harmonia, the Eighth Holy Maiden, as the First Grand Holy Maiden.”

At the center of the cathedral filled with solemn air, upon a dais covered in a crimson carpet, the king attempted to place a tiara above Cordelia’s head as she knelt in her Holy Maiden attire.

Beside him stood Crown Prince Isaac, the imperial guard knight Jean, Hina — now once again Elrina — the Seventh Holy Maiden, and Fenrir, faintly glowing, all quietly watching.

—The vote held during the Founding Festival resulted in an overwhelming victory for Holy Maiden Cordelia.

The coronation ceremony had been safely conducted just days ago; Cordelia officially became the Grand Holy Maiden, and her fiancé Isaac finally became Crown Prince.

“It all happened so quickly… it doesn’t feel real at all…”

After everything ended, Cordelia changed out of the heavy Holy Maiden attire into her usual dress and sank into the sofa of her now-familiar private room as she spoke.

“Now that it’s over, it feels like an instant. I feel as though I only met you just the other day.”

“Your Highness, with all respect, I believe that’s only true for you.”

Just how far back was Isaac tracing his memories? Before Cordelia could say it, Jean immediately retorted, and Lily briskly followed up.

“Milady, this isn’t the time to say it doesn’t feel real. Between your move, the wedding, and Prince Isaac’s coronation, there’s a mountain of work ahead.”

“You’re right, we’ll be busy… Speaking of moving, where will El live from now on? Actually, where is El?”

As if remembering, Cordelia looked around.

Right after Cordelia was chosen as Grand Holy Maiden, Elrina had readily admitted:

“I figured it would be like this… I won’t say I’m not frustrated, but the Grand Holy Maiden should be Kana-chan. You worked harder than anyone.”

And she had also said:

“But I’m glad to be free from troublesome stuff! Maybe I’ll open a clinic and make money from treatment fees?”

However, when Cordelia told her, “Holy Magic users are forbidden from charging money for treatment,” she loudly complained.

—Yet Elrina was nowhere to be seen.

(That’s strange. Recently El would definitely come to my room at times like this.)

“Lily, could you call El? Tell her we’ll all have sweets together.”

Before, the fastest way was asking Fenrir, who was sprawled in front of them waiting for snacks. But mysteriously, the moment Cordelia became Grand Holy Maiden, the connection between Fenrir and Elrina disappeared completely. It happened at the same time the dark magic vanished entirely from Cordelia.

Instead, it seemed Fenrir was now connected to Cordelia. Thanks to that, she could clearly sense Fenrir trying to beg sweets from the cooks whenever he had the chance.

“Still, it’s strange. The moment I was chosen Grand Holy Maiden, it switched so easily.”

There was even a time she seriously worried because she couldn’t hear voices. Ignoring Cordelia’s feelings, Fenrir spoke calmly.

‘Well, the moment I thought you were the Grand Holy Maiden, a round bump appeared on your forehead. When I pressed it, we connected.’

“Wait, what!? The connection works like a switch!?”

Cordelia held her forehead with a displeased face. Whether the Sacred Beast system was complex or simple, she truly could not tell.

(And on my forehead of all places… I’m not some great Buddha statue…!)

She had many things to say, but just then Lily, who had gone to fetch Elrina, returned out of breath, looking extremely flustered.

“Milady, this is terrible!”

“…What happened, Lily?”

Sensing a very bad premonition, Cordelia asked.

“The visiting prince from the neighboring kingdom has apparently fallen in love with Elrina-sama at first sight! He refuses to leave until she agrees to marry him…!”

“—What!?”

Isaac spat out his tea, and Jean burst out laughing.

“…He was supposed to tour the garden later. Why is he in Lady Elrina’s room?”

‘Sounds like quite a troublesome fellow. Shall we go see?’

“Ha ha ha! Good for her, she found a suitor!”

“Jean-sama! This is no laughing matter!”

“I’ve had enough trouble already——!?”

Inside the warmly sunlit room, everyone’s shouts echoed.

It seemed that before reaching Cordelia’s desired “rose-colored happy ending,” there might be one more incident — or perhaps not…