Liz, who became the new saint, is busy every day. In addition to the morning, noon, and night prayers, she is taught by Sasha, the former saint, and the chief priest how to perform and prepare for the various ceremonies and rituals that are held throughout the country.

Liz was on her way to the Festival Hall after her daily noon prayer in the cathedral. It was for her practice for the baptismal ceremony. Baptism in this country is a ceremony to bless those who were just born in this world.

 

“Liz.” She stopped and turned around. It was Keefa.

The priest accompanying Liz said as he briskly went off, “I’ll go to the Festival Hall first then.”

“Can I talk to you right now? I need to tell you something.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“There’s something I want to give you.” Keefa had his usual gentle smile, but his cheeks looked stiff. Was he nervous?

 

At that moment, she had a thought. She “understood”. He was going to propose. She looked intently at his face, and a small box with a gold accessory flashed into her mind.

 

‘…No, no.’  It’s better not to know any more, it feels like it’s the right thing to do. Yet, she saw it. The inside of the box is black velvet and at the center of it is a gold band with a large red stone.

Liz is not familiar with jewels and stones such as rubies, garnets, and spinels. She doesn’t know what it’s called, but it’s very beautiful.

She figured that out of thousands of gemstones, he searched and selected one that’s the exact same color of her eyes. 

“I’ll be giving you a ring.” He said.

She felt something on her chest. She didn’t let it show up on her face since she ought not to know of it yet.

“So—” Keefa continued.

 

Suddenly, “Saintess!” A young priest appeared from the corner of the corridor as he called her over. He looked younger than Liz, probably an apprentice. He was holding a chest with the temple’s pattern engraved on it.

After he called out to her, he suddenly realized that the person next to Liz was Keefa. He turned pale at once. 

“No. It’s nothing!” With all his strength, he pulled back and hid behind the corner. He must be trembling all over in fear.

“You seem to be in a hurry. I’ll come back later.” Keefa smiled, feeling sorry for him.

“…Alright.” 

 

With a nod, Keefa smiled and left.

Liz walked down the corridor and went to the corner where the priest was, “What did you want?”

“Aaah!” He didn’t have to scream like that.

“I apologize! I didn’t know that it was the crown prince who was with you. I’m sorry. Have you guys finished your conversation?”

“We didn’t finish, but it’s fine. He said he’d come back later.”

“Ah! I’m so sorryー!!” The priest looked like he was about to get on his knees.

“It’s okay. I even thought that we should go to the Festival Hall together.

Of course, Keefa will come back later to propose.

It’s better to pretend that she doesn’t know. Pretend that she’s innocent and that she hasn’t noticed anything.

From the brightness of the red jewels to its shape, it’s best not to mention it. Keefa is definitely trying to surprise her, and she is truly quite happy.

 

Her response is obvious. And if the saint and the crown prince were to marry, the king, ministers, temple, and the people would unanimously approve. There’s nothing to worry about.

 

It’s just…

 

‘Is it okay?’

 

Liz knows herself well enough that she’s blunt and unsociable. Even when she’s very glad, her expression does not show on her face. Still, even if she knew beforehand, her surprised face wouldn’t even look satisfied. She affirmed that Keefa has poor acting, but so does she.

‘It’s an important power for a saint.’

As a woman, she may not be good enough. Liz walked down the hall as she thought about it.

 

In the evening, the next day, Keefa called Liz over to the royal garden.

‘It is a proposal…!’

She’s never been there, she saw a scene with a white fountain. He’ll bring out the ring and properly propose to her once again.

Nervous, Liz had also brought out a ring she promised to give to Keefa. She has asked Oliva, a former saint candidate, now Sasha’s lady-of-waiting, to introduce her to a jeweler. The jeweler has a close relationship with Olivia’s family, she’s a daughter of a noble.

 

In a drawing room in the temple, Liz was troubled by the rows of dark brown gemstones in front of her. Olivia was looking at Liz with great interest while Shiro yawned. In the end, she chose the boulder opal. It’s a beautiful stone that changes its color depending on the cut. The design of the ring is very simple, just the way Keefa prefers. The ring is placed in a small box wrapped with a ribbon on it.

 

‘Alright.’

In front of the garden fountain, just as she had pictured in her mind, Liz touched the small box in the inner pocket of her robe with determination.

She’s prepared. It’s just doubtful whether she can execute it well or not.

The garden in the palace is beautiful.  A stone pavement was laid around the elaborately built fountain. There were also a variety of flowers in full bloom. The area smelled of the fresh blooming flowers.

The temple courtyard is beautiful and well-maintained, however the palace is more beautiful.

She heard the sound of footsteps on the cobblestones.

“I’m sorry to have called for you.” 

Under the sunset glow, Keefa stood before Liz. His dark brown bangs swayed with the wind. He gave her a handsome smile.

 

‘…Finally!’  She felt fired up.

She left Shiro in the room. If she brought it with her, it would’ve been grinning and staring at her the whole time. She’d be distracted and would have a hard time concentrating.

“This is for you.” He held out the little box with gold, just like the object that flashed into her mind before.

“I want you to marry me.” 

Liz looked up at Keefa. She had a serious look on her face, her chest was tight

She took it and opened the box, “…Thank you.” On the velvet was a gold ring with a red stone on it.

“Wow, a ring! I’m so happy! Thank you.” She tried so hard to look surprised, she even brought out the joy and happiness from her heart.

And yet, Keefa looked at her blankly and burst out laughing.

‘…’

It’s a proposal. A beautiful garden, a nice ring, and a good atmosphere. The situation is perfect. So, why is he laughing? 

The laughing Keefa said in pain, “Liz… you’re really a terrible actor. You’re even worse than me.”

“Eh!?” Her face twisted. Keefa laughed when he saw. What is this? Absolutely ridiculous.

“—I’m sorry for laughing.”

“Yeah.”

Keefa chuckled and smiled gently at her, “You don’t have to force yourself to look surprised or happy. I know that you’d  be happy even if you didn’t do it. I have no powers like you nor magic like the priests, but deep down I’d know that about you.”

Joy surged throughout her body, her cheeks loosened and the corners of her mouth rose. She found herself smiling, a sincere smile, “Thank you.”

“Yeah.” He gently took the ring from her and held her right hand. He slowly placed the ring on her finger.

“I finally have you this time.” Keefa murmured with deep emotion. He must be remembering what happened 500 years ago.

In his last life, no matter how much he wished, he could not get it. 

 

“Yeah, me too—” She took out the small box in her robe and untied the ribbon. Oh, isn’t it supposed to be him to open? She took the ring out to give to Keefa. She gently grasped his right hand and put on his ring the same way he did to her. The size was perfect. She had checked it in advance with Eric, Keefa’s close aide.

She laughed at the dumbfounded look on Keefa’s face, staring at the ring.

“I got you this time.” 

“…That’s right.” Keefa hugged her as if nothing else could even be any more lovelier. In his warm arms, she closed her eyes as she’s swimming in happiness.”

The sun is setting even lower as the sky is becoming darker, creating a beautiful hue. 

""

He takes her right hand and bent down, gently dropping a kiss at the back of her hand, on the base of her ring finger.

* * * * *

“My Lady!”

“Your Royal Highness the Crown Princess!” 

6 months after their wedding, a priest and the royal clerk were looking for her.

 

“Please stamp this document—!”

Liz was nowhere to be found, there’s no choice. Shiro flew before them. When it showed up, they thought that Liz would be nearby, they were looking around for her.

On the other hand, Shiro had ink on its paws and went towards the papers they both held in their hands.

“Kyu!” 

It tried to stick its paws towards it at the same time. If its able to press together and release it,  it’ll show a splendid meatball mark.

 

“Hey!” She showed up at the corner.

“My Lady!”

“Crown Princess!”

“Shiro, we’d have to rewrite the document.”

“Gyu.” 

 

Liz seems to have a dignified air of a saint and crown princess. She is completely different from the time she was at the selection when Shiro was created, it thought.

 

“‘I’m sorry! I asked to see you in the office, but you weren’t there.”

They were saying the same thing but they point to a different place, being in the temple office and the palace office.

“It doesn’t matter. You need a seal right? I’ve brought mine.”

Of course she brought it because she “saw” the situation. The priest behind her nodded. With a calm smile, she held both seals of the saint and crown princess with both hands.

 

“Then I’ll stamp it—ah.”

“Ah!?”

It seems they had their papers in reverse. This won’t do. It’s unusable. In the end, they’d have to make a new one. If this is the case, it’d be fine for Shiro’s meatball stamp.

In front of the two, who’s shoulders were slumped. Liz was pondering. 

 

Shiro reconsiders. Liz might still be the same as when they first met. 

 

End. Thank you for reading!

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