Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 916



916 – Congratulations are congratulations and this is this – 3

Suddenly, a surprise worship service at St. Charles was decided.

Of course, I don’t plan on doing something grandiose, even if I call it worship. If we gather together and pray, sing some hymns, and read the Bible, isn’t that worship? If it’s a small worship service with just acquaintances and no experts, that’s enough.

In the first place, the hostesses of the Imperial Family want to see the living saint, not to worship properly. After all, you can hear grand and pious worship at any church within the territory. What matters is whether the saint is present.

‘I feel like a totem.’

I touched the cross-shaped necklace with complicated feelings.

In the Office of the Inspector General, he was a totem-like figure who did not go to work, but now, as a living adult, he has become a real religious totem. A totem that sucks in believers like a black hole just by standing still near a church.

It seems like my fate is to be a totem for the rest of my life. It’s clear to me that I’m still like this at the age of not even thirty.

‘Can a totem also retire?’

For a moment, a cold sweat ran down my spine.

I already have a hard time retiring. In that situation, I even have an irreplaceable totemic tendency. It seems like the word retirement itself has been erased from the dictionary.

If things go this way, even when you are old and struggling, you may hear orders like, “Just stay in office, because your mere existence is of great help.” Your application for retirement may be rejected, saying, “What’s so hard about just staying still?”

The future seemed quite plausible, and my hands holding the cross trembled. I wondered if what I had received was not a saint, but a stigma.

‘If I burn down the church, my canonization will be revoked, right?’

A crazy thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly shook it off.

It’s crazy to become a living Aphel because it’s burdensome to be a living adult. I don’t want to be subjected to five bell tolls like Aphel and the King of Death in their later years.

…

‘The King of Death.’

As soon as I thought of the word ‘Death King’, my head turned to the side.

Florence, sleeping soundly in her cradle, and Lisianne, kneeling devoutly beside her, looked like a servant ready to rush to her master’s call.

“You only sleep for a few hours once you get to sleep, so just rest. Don’t wait around for me.”

“No! You may experience discomfort while sleeping! You have to wait next to me!”

It was such an intense scene that even when I suggested she take a break, Lisianne’s attitude remained firm.

She’s been like this since she was in the Barondom of Atini. To be exact, since Jang-saeng cured Florence of her illness. It’s as if she regarded Florence, who had received Jang-saeng’s blessing, as a saint.

‘You are an apostle.’

However, if my ears are not deceiving, Jang-saeng called Lisianne an apostle. Lisianne shrugged her shoulders, saying that she was Jang-saeng’s apostle. Of course, from our children’s perspective, an apostle was just a cute doll.

Anyway, Sado, who is like Jang Saeng-i’s personal secretary… Is there a need to serve the saintess with such utmost sincerity? Even if he feels close to her, there is no need to treat her like a superior.

First of all, in the Dawn Order, the apostles are above the pope, saints, saintesses, and saints. If we interpret this in the Dawn Order’s terms, Lisianne is higher than Florence.

‘Was the Jangsaeng sect’s system different from the Yeomyeong sect’s system?’

Well, then I can understand it somehow. Of course, there is no rule that all denominations have the same system.

“Ugh…”

“ah.”

“Look! You never know when you’ll wake up!”

Just then Florence opened her eyes, groaning.

As I watched Lisianne hurriedly crawling onto the cradle and comforting Florence, I couldn’t bring myself to say, ‘If you hadn’t made so much noise, you wouldn’t have woken up in the first place.’

He is also taking care of Florence with his own good intentions and sincerity. I can’t harshly point out a mistake he made because he was so enthusiastic.

“My lady, shall we sleep again?”

“right…”

Moreover, Florence felt a subtle affinity for Lisianne, and it was more effective when Lisianne comforted her than when someone else comforted her.

I think it’s because of Jang Saeng’s energy. Although he’s still young, he seems to be able to sense what energy saved him and where that energy resides.

‘You are a totem too.’

I felt a sense of kinship with Lisianne, who was smaller than Florence and was diligently patting the blanket.

You have become our youngest’s totem. A totem that makes me feel good just by being around you.

Still, it was a relationship that was formed because Lisianne liked it, and not one where Florence unilaterally benefited, so I was able to look at it with pleasure.

‘oh.’

Soon Florence’s eyes closed again.

That’s great, Lisianne. From now on, you will be our Florence’s mini-nanny.

Three days after the decision to hold the St. Charles’s Mass, the specific date and location of the service were set.

Even though it was a request made first, it was faster than I expected. Unless they are unemployed, nobles can’t gather together on the spot, and they have to go through a lot of coordination before they can gather together in one place. At this point, they were preparing to gather before I accepted.

But since we’ve already decided to hold the service, it would be better if we could get it done quickly. If we drag it out, it’ll just be annoying.

“Oppa!”

“Our Teresa, how have you been?”

“yes!”

While Count Tilglehen was busy welcoming the ladies of the Imperial Count family, I also went to the Count’s castle in advance.

I am the father of my children and also the older brother of my precious younger sister. It is natural for me to play with my younger sister whenever I have free time.

“Hello, Pungyo!”

“Yeah. Hello.”

Teresa, who welcomed me warmly, waved both arms at Poongpung, who was next to me.

Then it clung to the fluffy, abundant body.

“Hehehe, Pungyo is so soft and cuddly!”

I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Teresa covered in wool. The fur is really soft.

I want to push that thing and make it into clothes. The hair will grow back anyway as time passes.

“Master, Master? Why are you looking at me like that…”

“Just because I think Teresa and I play well together.”

He patted Boong-boong’s head, which was shaking anxiously, as if he had read the desire in my eyes.

But I’m not saying I’m going to cut off its tail or hooves, so wouldn’t it be okay to shave its hair? It’s alopecia, so it’s not like it’s sensitive to whether or not it has hair.

However, if you force something that the person you are dealing with hates, you will incur deep resentment. Let’s think of him as a middle-aged man who has put a lot of effort into growing a beard. In that case, it can be understood as ‘hair that is cherished’ rather than ‘hair that grows anyway’.

– Ah, benefactor human! It’s a benefactor human!

– Benevolent human! Benevolent human!

‘ah.’

As Teresa climbed up the stairs to the Abundance, colorful spirits began to swarm from across the hallway.

It seems like they get bigger in number, type, and size every time I see them. They only play near the World Tree and can come to other places to play, so they come without hesitation.

By the way, I heard that the area around the academy and the national cemetery have become playgrounds for spirits. Fortunately, spirits are considered to be auspicious beings rather than harmful creatures or pests, so everyone welcomes them.

– Welcome, benefactor!

– Nice to meet you! Come often!

“Why don’t you come to our house?”

– The benefactor’s house! It’s popular! We’re going in order!

– That’s right! Our turn! We’re far!

“I see.”

This was the first time I heard this story, so I couldn’t help but chuckle. I thought the spirits just went wherever they wanted, but there was some sort of order and rules.

Well, if they were really coming over, our mansion and the castle of Count Tilglehen would be in chaos. There has to be some level of control so that spirits and humans can coexist.

– But I like it here too! The wide open space! The rocky place!

– That’s right! They’re all good! The World Tree is good, but other places are good too!

The chattering spirits soon landed on my shoulder.

And some quick-witted ones landed on Teresa and stopped her jealousy early.

‘That’s smart.’

Thanks to you, I couldn’t help but be impressed. These guys are the ones who often come to our castle to play. They know how to act in front of Teresa.

“dismissal!”

“Ah, butler.”

However, the spirits’ chatter was forcibly ended by the appearance of the butler who came running in a hurry.

Perhaps because they are still shy around adults, the spirits naturally flew away when the butler appeared.

“I should have greeted you earlier, Your Majesty. I apologize for greeting you only now!”

“I’m busy working. You don’t have to worry about it.”

I shook my head quietly at the butler who quickly bowed his head.

He’s the butler who’s doing the work I should be doing. If the butler is late because of work, wouldn’t I be crazy to be upset about that?

Honestly, I have nothing to say if the butler calls me a shameless guy, but I have no intention of becoming a crazy person.

***

I couldn’t open my mouth when I saw Your Majesty walking next to Miss Teresa.

He is smiling as he returns to his hometown after a long time and sees his youngest sibling. He must have been extremely happy to see his tenth child not long ago.

From noble mtl dot com

Is it right to report such news that would disturb His Majesty’s happiness?

Of course, the report itself should be done. But isn’t there a better time to do it than now?

‘does not exist.’

No matter how many times I thought about it, the conclusion was the same.

This is not a report that needs to be timed, but a report that needs to be delivered as soon as possible. My reason is screaming at me. My experience as the head of the Countess of Tileglehen is crying out fiercely.

“dismissal.”

That’s why I mustered up my courage and opened my mouth.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

His Majesty, who had just handed the chocolate to Miss Teresa, turned his gaze to me.

“This worship service, please.”

I felt breathless for a moment, but I continued to speak bravely.

“It seems that since Your Majesty has become an adult, this is the first time you have gathered with other nobles, and since it is a gathering of the heads of the Imperial Count families─ the rumor spread quickly.”

“I guess I’ll have to accept that. It’s my first social activity, aside from going to Artini.”

“Her Majesty the Empress has sent word to ask if she can attend the service.”

His Majesty’s steps suddenly stopped.

It’s strange. I feel so sorry even though it’s clearly not my fault.