The metal clip fell to the marble floor, making a deafening noise. All the maids cowered and bowed to the floor because of that noise.
The Queen's pale skin trembled, and blue veins stood out clearly on her neck.
“Princess, what have you done?”
“His Royal Highness the Royal Highness…… has, personally sent a letter…… to the Holy See……”
The messenger maid was now sobbing and shaking all over. It was clear that Princess Irenea had caused the Queen's wrath, but no one knew who that anger would spread to.
The Queen closed her eyes and slowly took a deep breath. Sharmasit, sympathizing with his master's feelings, growled nervously and ran back and forth everywhere, making those below not dare to stretch their legs.
"……Then."
The queen broke the long silence and opened her mouth, the maids bowed deeper.
“So who are these people from the Holy See who came looking for them, and why did they come?”
The maid passed information to Cornelia and slowly explained the details.
The delegation approaching the capital was no ordinary delegation. That is
Miracle Investigation Team
, quite famous within the Holy See.
Because true miracles are difficult to explain within human terms, the Church has seriously investigated phenomena that could potentially be miracles.
Sometimes, in some territories, people even fabricate miracles for profit. The practice of impersonating a Saint, transforming the body or object of a Saint into
Relics
and displaying them for sale for money is a common occurrence.
Therefore, the Church established a very special investigation delegation, including priests with deep faith, with strict standards. That is it
Miracle Investigation Team
.
“Why was I unaware of such an important incident?”
Holy See, it was a city-state with power like a monarch. Sixteen affiliated congregations joined together to form the Miracle Investigation Team, which is the body that investigates the authenticity of the miracles.
miracle
happening all over the country, carefully selected from within the Holy See.
If this is proven to be a real miracle, it will be worshiped as
Relics
, or that person will be honored as a Saint of extraordinary virtue and canonized.
Currently, that Miracle Investigation Team is going to the Royal Palace to investigate the miracle of the statue of the Holy Maiden placed in the fountain square of Thanh Kim Thach Palace.
And Cornelia, there's no way to stop that.
“Cesar, listen carefully.”
Cesar nodded at my words.
“Lucia is in the basement of the Blue and Golden Stone Palace.”
"Yes. Basement of Thanh Kim Thach Palace."
“Can you really do it?”
Cesar looked at me with a slightly sad expression.
“Maybe……”
At that moment, I grabbed Cesar's cheeks and pressed again.
“Not ‘maybe’. Can you do it?”
"Okay."
Caesar nodded. Only when I heard that certain answer did I feel reassured. Because this campaign must be led by Cesar.
“Richard said that Countess Elvira's daughter, Lucia, cannot use the Force normally because of the Queen's intervention.”
"YES."
He answered very well. I gently pinched Cesar's nose.
“So, what does Cesar need to do?”
“While Ren attracts attention, finds Lucia, and releases the Force.”
Cesar muttered what had been repeated many times. I quickly rubbed his bangs vigorously.
“That's right, very good.”
"Really?"
“Yeah, if Cesar can't do it this time, it'll be big trouble.”
I intentionally emphasize the word
big deal
. Cesar listened to me, seemed a bit nervous, he cleared his throat.
“Cesar will do well.”
I stroked Cesar's bangs again.
“If we do well this time, what will we get next time?”
“Er……. Huh?”
“What will you do?
Miss
?”
“Er……. Um, the good thing?”
“What good thing?”
That moment, I felt a strange feeling. Before, everything was solved with just a caress, but now Cesar demands a worthy reward, I feel Cesar has grown up. Perhaps this is the feeling of a mother when she sees her child grow up. But to truly mature, you should give more than just carrots.
“That, that depends on how well Cesar does, right?”
But Cesar's inquiries were extremely persistent.
“So if I do well, will Ren give me something nice?”
He asked again like driving a nail into me. So I have no choice but to answer.
"Uh, yeah. If this goes well, I'll agree to something you want."
I have to promise that. But this time, Cesar extended his little finger to me.
“Then promise.”
"Huh?"
This is something I taught Cesar a long time ago, at that time I think Cesar did not understand what this little finger hooking meant.
But Cesar, do you remember everything?
I was really touched and had to answer.
"Okay, Cesar. I'll do anything for you!"
Needless to say, that promise later became the cause of my endless regret.
The Holy See's Miracle Investigation Team began its investigation into the miracle that occurred inside the Imperial Palace.
A maid showed her hands and testified about the miracle of the statue of the Saint.
“Thanks to this miracle, the wound on my hand has healed!”
She said that when she prayed, the Saint personally removed this pain, and she saw the Saint and heard Her words.
The maid could only shed tears like rain, repeating over and over that she had felt a miracle.
“When I got close to the statue of the Saint, my chronic headache disappeared.”
Another maid's words seemed more logical. That maid often cleaned the floor, so she must have had a sore neck and head from having to keep looking at the floor.
But when approaching the statue of the Saint, his headache suddenly disappeared and his mind became clear. There was also a maid whose toothache was cured, a maid who said her menstrual cramps had disappeared, and even a woman who said that thanks to the Saintess statue she gave birth to a son.
“What do you think, Father Guiliano?”
Ambrogio, a member of the Miracle Investigation Team, is an old monk wearing gray robes and a shaved head.
Tonsura
(hair shaving ceremony). He asked his colleague and disciple, Guiliano. Although he has not yet been ordained as a saint, Guiliano has extremely powerful Divine Power.
They crossed their arms and stared at the controversial statue of the Holy Maiden.
"I don't know. I feel like there's something unusual. However, I don't think those women's statements are lies."
“I understand. If Priest Guiliano says so.”
Ambrogio easily accepted. Guiliano slowly approached the statue of the Saint and stroked it with his hand.
"But this situation is too strange. If the Saintess statue really performed miracles, then the Divine Power must be felt."
“Hmm.”
The two priests walked around the statue of the Saint and examined it carefully.
"Indeed."
“Does the priest also think so?”
The priests looked at each other and nodded.
“This is not a miracle.”
There was certainty in their voices. Guiliano concentrated again and used his hand to caress the face of the Saintess statue.
“I sensed a faint trace of magical power on the face of the Saintess statue.”
Ambrogio coughed and asked him.
“Just who made this up……. It's hard to understand.”
“Even though I don't know the reason, asking directly the person who sent this letter is most accurate.”
At that time, a guard standing nearby announced that person's arrival.
“The first royal concubine of the Asetria Empire is coming.”
There was a woman limping over, being helped by a maid. The light blonde woman wore a light blue dress, hiding her beauty with simple makeup, but she was a stunning beauty.
However, the atmosphere was so melancholy and beautiful that even the priests who were not close to lust were surprised.
“Glory of the Holy Cross. Nice to meet you Priests.”
Her intelligent eyes contained reason, and as soon as he met the Princess, old Priest Ambrogio could feel her kind temperament.
"God bless. It's an honor to meet Your Royal Highness the Royal Highness."
Guiliano took out the letter and asked the Prince.
“Your Royal Highness, the content of this letter says that you witnessed a miracle, is that true?”
The prince heard that, blinked once and then sighed softly. At that moment, the young priest's heart sank.
A choked voice rang out. That gentle sound made their ears tingle.
"That's right."