Our eyes met for just a second. She lowered her gaze with a defeated smile, then held out Dirk. “Sister Myne, please take care of Dirk.”
Her furrowed brow, lowered eyes, and trembling frown felt all too familiar; she had looked the same way when she had told me she wished I had saved her as well back when I started restructuring the orphanage.
A sharp stab of pain pierced my heart. I had made her a promise back then: I had told her that I’d be there for her the next time she was in trouble, that I would save her when she needed it.
I nodded to myself, then lifted my head. “Lord Sylvester, I have a request.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“May I ask you not to execute Delia?”
“Why?” Sylvester asked, his deep-green eyes already gleaming with interest.
“Delia was simply tricked by Count Bindewald and the High Bishop. It is true that she made a lot of mistakes here, but she wasn’t acting maliciously. Not to mention, she was only the High Bishop’s attendant for a brief time, and given her very young age, I don’t think she was involved in his illegal activities or flower offering at all.”
“...Hm. True, but she was here and involved in the heart of this conflict, so she can’t escape punishment. As the archduke’s daughter, show me how you would judge her.” His gaze made it clear that she would be executed as normal if he wasn’t satisfied with my response, and I swallowed hard at the strictness hidden within the amusement in his eyes.
“Delia will return to the orphanage that she swore never to visit again if she could help it.”
“That’s all?”
“A-And, erm, she will not be allowed to become anyone’s attendant. As the only escape from the orphanage is being taken as someone’s attendant, this means she will remain there for the rest of her life, forced to stay in the orphanage she hated so much for however many years to come. I believe that is more than enough punishment for her.”
Sylvester glanced at Delia, saw the blood draining from her face, and gave a small nod. “Seems like that will be a good punishment for her. Sure. Consider it done.”
“I thank you. Delia, you will now live in the orphanage. Your job will be to look after the orphans that are brought to us, starting with Dirk.”
“...Understood.” Delia squeezed Dirk in a hug, and her stiff expression softened just a bit.
The New Me
The knights bustled about, tying up the High Bishop and his attendants to take them away. I asked whether there was anything I could do to help, then saw Dirk still limp in Delia’s arms.
“Um, I am worried about Dirk. If possible, I would like to go to the orphanage with Delia to inform Wilma of the circumstances.”
“That’s not important. Let someone else handle it,” Sylvester replied, his arms crossed and feet firmly planted as he looked down at me. “The most important thing here is figuring out what’s gonna happen with you, and we haven’t even started on that. Ferdinand, lend us your room.”
“As you wish. Please give me a moment to prepare.” The High Priest smoothly turned around and returned to his room, preparing to welcome Sylvester, the archduke.
Delia hugged Dirk. “Thank you, Sister Myne. I will be fine on my own. Goodbye,” she whispered before starting to walk to the orphanage. I watched her go.
“Are you Myne’s father?”
“Yes, sir. My name is Gunther.”
I turned around to see Dad kneeling before Sylvester, who was looking at him with an expression blank enough that I couldn’t tell what he was thinking at all.
“Call your family. You’re all we need to finish up the adoption papers, but I’ll give you all an opportunity to say your goodbyes.”
“...That is appreciated,” Dad said as he stood up, his legs wobbly and fists tightly clenched. He too wore a blank expression, his low status preventing him from showing the storm of emotions raging within.
“Gunther, one moment. I will have someone show you to the gate,” Fran said as he stood up as well. He winced in pain, then instructed a nearby gray priest to guide Dad to the gate. He didn’t forget to instruct someone to wait at the gate as well, since Dad would be coming back with the family soon.
“Alright, looks like Ferdinand’s all done. Let’s go, Myne.” Sylvester started walking as soon as he saw one of the High Priest’s attendants come out to summon us. Karstedt followed a step behind, having just finished giving instructions to the Knight’s Order. When I started going as well, Fran took a wavy step forward to accompany me.
“Fran, you can go back to my chambers and rest if you’re in too much pain...”
“No, I am your head attendant, Sister Myne. I cannot allow my mistress to face an important discussion like this alone,” he said. There was nothing I could do about the firm resolve in his eyes. I permitted him to follow, and he walked on while doing his best to stop the pain from showing on his face.
Once in the High Priest’s room, I was guided to the table, which had already been prepared for visitors. I sat down in the seat offered to me, but Sylvester and Karstedt went over to the High Priest’s desk to discuss something.
“I am glad to see you well after all that, Sister Myne,” Arno said gently as he pushed a serving cart carrying a tea set over to me. Fran moved to help as usual, but let out a grunt of pain after trying to extend his arm. “Perhaps you should return to your room, Fran? You seem to be in great pain, and she has other attendants who can be here,” Arno murmured in a rebuking tone.
I wasn’t supposed to get involved with conversations between attendants, but I was worried about Fran’s wounds too and wanted to throw my full support
