Chapter 9 - The Perplexity of Archbishop Valeria of the Royal Capital
"—This is..."
Before the siblings of the Marquess's house who had been guided to a room in the cathedral, Archbishop Valeria could not hide her surprise.
"I am sorry to trouble you, Your Grace," the petite young lady of the Marquess's house said as she sat with a straight back, pushing forward a set of two documents.
"Are you sure about this, Lady Hazen?"
"The circumstances are as I have explained."
The dissolution of an engagement followed by exile—no matter how one thought about it, it was not a story that made sense. And yet, what was the meaning of this proposal?
"The church can also intercede with the Crown Prince, Lady Hazen. From what I have heard, it is far too—"
Distorting her wrinkled cheeks, the elderly Archbishop shook her head.
"I am grateful for your concern. But what has happened cannot be changed. His Highness likely has no intention of retracting a judgment he has once proclaimed."
Kurtfried, sitting beside his sister, did not change his expression. However, inwardly, he was thinking, That's because Sister won't bow her head.
"Therefore, Your Grace, while I cannot be helped, I wish to ask for the church's protection for those who remain."
As she spoke, Ariarein indicated the documents on the desk with an elegant gesture. The white-haired old Archbishop let out a sad sigh and looked down at the documents.
"Of course, I shall do as you wish, Lady Hazen. However—as I thought, what is unreasonable remains unreasonable, and I too..."
"Only your concern, Your Grace. The church must not involve itself in secular matters. Even if there are things it must involve itself in, it should not be for such trivialities."
"You call your own exile a triviality?"
Since the current Marquess Mares—Ariarein's father—had taken over, House Hazen had continued to make large donations to the church in the royal capital. The Archbishop sympathized with the misfortune that had befallen the young lady of House Hazen, with whom she had many ties.
"Compared to the authority of the church itself, it is but a triviality. It is only about me alone."
As a practical matter, the church could not poke its nose into every judgment carried out in the name of the King. Unless it was a matter concerning the church's priests or monks, or the church itself, the church had no grounds to intervene.
The Archbishop shook her head in silence and reached for the documents on the desk.
"I have no objection to the contents, Lady Hazen. I shall certainly take this upon myself. Those who remain will be fine, but what will you and your brother do?"
"For now, we return to our home. After that, I must consult with my father. We shall vacate the villa by tomorrow evening."
Counting on her fingers, the old Archbishop tilted her head suspiciously.
"Is the deadline for the exile not the evening of the day after tomorrow?"
Ariarein chuckled softly and nodded.
"Yes. But waiting is not in my nature. Besides, now that it has come to this, I must show at least a bit of grace in my departure."
"I see," the old Archbishop nodded, her shoulders dropping. After staring at the documents for a while, she let out a breath, picked up a pen, and signed each of them.
"I am grateful to you for granting my unreasonable request, Your Grace. I leave it in your hands."
Taking one of the documents and handing it to Kurtfried, Ariarein stood up. Kurtfried also stood up, and the two bowed deeply.
"Lady Hazen, please, do not do that. It is I who must apologize for being unable to do anything for you at a time like this, despite having received such great favors."
To the old Archbishop who spoke in a flustered manner, Ariarein shook her head once more.
"No, Your Grace, it is precisely because it is you that we can leave the royal capital without any lingering regrets."
In Ariarein's expression as she smiled quietly, the Archbishop sensed something different from the words she had spoken. She didn't know what it was.
—But if it is her, who is reputed to be a genius.
This request must also have a clear meaning and purpose. And she likely cannot speak of it to me right now.
"I pray for your safety and good fortune, Lady Hazen. In the name of the merciful Heavenly Father and the all-loving Heavenly Mother."
If that is the case, then all I can do is pray and faithfully keep the promise we have made. In the end, it is not so different from usual, the Archbishop thought.
The Archbishop silently watched the sister and brother of House Hazen as they bowed politely once more and exited.
This one is a bit shorter.
There's a certain flavor that only an elderly member of the clergy can bring out (Potter's wheel gesture).