I entered the temple and passed through the large door deeper in. I found myself in a large, silent, and solemn room with a tall, wide domed ceiling. I let Tutte lead me along, trying my best to look as inconspicuous as possible.
Why would I want to be inconspicuous, you ask? Well, it’s because I realized that the way I looked stood out.
You see, looking at the other kids, I couldn’t mask my surprise. The first thing that popped out to me was their hair colors: most of the children had black, golden, or brown hair, albeit in differing shades and hues, but no one had silver or white hair like mine. Their eye colors were all quite varied too; some of them had the same eye color as me, so perhaps their mothers were originally from another country.
Also, everyone’s skin was slightly toned and healthy-looking, which made sense considering the Kingdom of Aldia had strong sunlight and a warm climate year-round. Why don’t I have a tan? I spend time outside, but for some reason, my skin is white as snow...
So, yeah, looking at the other kids made me realize that my appearance stood out from the rest. It was making me feel a bit awkward, so I tried to hide in the corner and not draw any attention to myself. In the end, being a duke’s daughter did make people steal some curious glances at me, but no one really tried to approach me any further.
“Now then, we shall commence the Oracle Rite,” began an acolyte as they called the room to order. “Once your name is called out, please step forward and place your hand on the Oracle Jewel.”
At the back of the spacious temple were several staircases leading up to a faintly glowing, glittering crystal pedestal. The order in which we were to approach the pedestal was influenced by noble society’s internal hierarchy. Houses that sought to stand out would go first, while houses that didn’t wish to make as much of a show of themselves would go in the middle, and then the children of smaller houses would go later... The order was decided by those kinds of considerations. Whether a house’s preferences were respected was mostly decided by their influence.
“Incidentally, Tutte, when’s my turn?” I asked.
“I believe you’re to be last, based on the master’s request,” Tutte replied. “He said something to the effect of ‘Going last will make her shine the brightest.’”
Son of a biscuit! Father, I never asked for this! I don’t want to stand out like this...
I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. Meanwhile, the Oracle Rite began, and the children were called up one by one to the pedestal.
I watched a child nervously touch the crystal. It lit up faintly, releasing a glow that was a mixture of red, green, and blue. The kid then closed their eyes and stood there for a moment. Before long, they opened their eyes and stepped down from the pedestal with a pensive expression.
“What were those lights?” I asked.
“They’re a gauge of the strength, intellect, and magic of the person who touched the Oracle Jewel,” Tutte explained. “The thicker the color and the stronger the glow, the better a person’s abilities are.”
So, if it glows a hard red, that person excels in strength, and the brighter it glows, the stronger they are?
“Ooh... I’m surprised you know that, Tutte,” I said.
“I went through the Oracle Rite myself,” Tutte said with a shrug.
“Oh, really?” True enough, she’s five years older than me, so it makes sense that she’s gone through the rite before me. I’d forgotten about that. I wanted to ask her how it went for her, but I decided against it. It was probably a very private matter, and intruding on that would have been boorish of me.
“I understand the glowing part, but why do they just stand there for a while?” I asked.
“That’s because they’re hearing God’s words,” Tutte said.
“Huh?! You can hear God’s voice?!” That was something a modern girl like me found very hard to believe, so I ended up raising my voice despite myself.
Tutte cocked her head quizzically, as if to ask “Yes, what of it?”
God must be active and tangible in this world. For all I know, He may have even manifested in the world in the past. That’s a fantasy world for you!
The children went one after another, each of them touching the pedestal that shined in multicolored lights. It gradually made my eyes flicker.
As I watched, I could feel my pulse pick up. Isn’t it almost my turn? How much longer is it? I looked around restlessly. I couldn’t tell how many children were left before me because they weren’t lined up. Everyone was standing wherever they pleased, only stepping up when called, and the children who’d already finished the rite weren’t leaving, so I couldn’t tell how many were left before it was my turn.
My confusion ended up being short-lived, however. After an hour had passed since the first child stepped up to the pedestal, a visible difference in attitude began to develop between the children who were already done and those who weren’t. Once I’d noticed that, I realized only a handful of people were left besides me, and my pulse picked up once again.
I can’t mess this up... I’m not going to hold the pedestal too hard and smash it, am I? If that happens...I’ll be done for...
My turn drew closer by the minute, and with it, my simple nerves started growing into overwhelming concern. I was starting to suspect everything I saw, and most of all, I was doubting myself.
Ahh... If I’d known about this, I’d have practiced holding a crystal ball or something... I mean, I don’t think I’ll crush it, but what if I crack it? Ah, what do I do, what do I do?! My hands are shaking from the stress!
What I believed to be the last child ahead of me had their name called, and a few minutes later, they returned to their place.
I-I-I-Is it finally my turn?! I crossed my fingers nervously, hoping for a miracle. Never count out the power of a modern girl’s good luck charm!
“Next, Mary of House Regalia!”
At the sound of that call, I feel my heart explode with stress. Noooo! I can’t believe the modern girl’s good luck charm let me down!
I stiffened like a block of wood, and Tutte looked at me concerned, her eyes asking me what was the matter.
Oh, what’s the point of worrying anyway?! I’m a duke’s daughter, for crying out loud! I need to pull myself together!
I steeled myself, looking up and stepping forward. But just then, the heavy door to the temple opened with a screech, and several attendants in knight’s attire ran into the room.
“The Aldian Kingdom’s first prince, His Highness, Prince Reifus, has arrived!”
The atmosphere within the temple tensed up at once. The people standing by the doors moved to the room’s corners at once. I, however, was so tense that I ended up freezing in place halfway to the pedestal.
A single figure walked into the temple, knights in tow: the first prince of the Kingdom of Aldia, Reifus Lukua Dalford.
The sight of him made everyone look on in fascination—especially the girls. He was dressed in an outfit of white and blue, and his fair, slender limbs moved elegantly with every step he took. His golden hair was smooth as silk, and his blue eyes were profound and beautiful enough to draw you in. Although he had the delicate face of a young boy, his dignified expression nonetheless imbued his features with an air of nobility. The very image of a prince!
I had no idea the kingdom’s prince was my age. That having been the case, then, it stood to reason he was participating in today’s Oracle Rite.
With him being a royal, and probably very busy as a result, he was able to arrive late and also got to cut in line. No one complained, though—he was royalty, after all. The crowd circled behind him, allowing the prince to pass as he walked in my direction.
Oh, no, I should make way for him too... Despite my panic, my thoughts were catching up to what everyone else was doing. I decided to move, but then...I felt my body slump.
Oh, no! I actually screwed up!
As I tried to move away, my feet tangled because I wasn’t used to my shoes, and I tumbled to the floor.
“Whoa, there...” spoke a gentle voice.
As those words reached my ears, I felt someone catch me. Wait. Who just caught me? Don’t tell me it’s...!
I moved my eyes up fearfully, dreading to even raise my head, only to find myself gazing straight into the prince’s face.
I actually stumbled into thiiiis?!