Chapter 68
Of course, Marianne knew that an angel like Cinq would never do such a thing.
As a dutiful mother-in-law, Marianne resolved to give her all for tomorrow’s banquet.
At that moment, one of her maids approached and whispered.
“Madam, the guest you were waiting for has arrived.”
Marianne’s eyes sparkled with interest. She quietly placed her teacup down, dabbed her lips with a napkin, and spoke.
“Cinquerus, and you as well, dear. Thank you for the tea. It was delightful.”
Cinq smiled bashfully, a crumb of biscuit still clinging to her lips.
“……”
While Marianne hesitated, debating whether it would be appropriate to remove it for her, Lantimos reached out swiftly and brushed her cheek.
“Cinq, you’ve got a bit of biscuit on your face.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Narrowing her eyes, Marianne shot Lantimos a sharp look and said,
“Dear, you need to go inspect the Ternue Bridge immediately. And stop by the workshop to settle the final payment.”
“Ugh.”
“That bridge will be used by all the guests tomorrow. As the lord, it’s your responsibility to check it! And we can’t have rumors spreading that the lord of Kalasca doesn’t pay his debts.”
“Understood, Marianne. I’ll take care of it.”
Lantimos glanced at Cinq.
“Cinq, my dear, how about we go together—”
Marianne interrupted sternly,
“Cinquerus has her own duties to attend to!”
She inhaled sharply through flared nostrils like an angry dragon, then added in a low voice.
“Cinquerus, the Priest Pheres will be arriving shortly. Later in the evening, I’ll send the beautician to prepare you. Please follow her guidance.”
Cinq nodded politely.
“Yes, Mother. I will.”
Lantimos grumbled.
“Does Cinq really have to study even on the day before the banquet?”
“My dear…!”
Marianne looked ready to breathe fire.
“I enjoy studying,” Cinq said, stepping in with a sweet smile.
“It’s fun… and more than anything, I want to get used to things quickly so I can help with the estate.”
Her cheeks flushed with modesty.
“You and Father have worked so hard to manage this vast estate. I want to be of some help, even just a little.”
Moved by her sincerity, both Lantimos and Marianne were deeply touched.
With teary eyes, Lantimos said,
“Cinq, my precious girl. Your heart alone is enough!”
Marianne, though more reserved, nodded. Internally, she resolved:
‘Cinquerus, my dear treasure. You have nothing to worry about. Just trust your mother-in-law.’
***
In the study, a priest in a black robe awaited Cinq.
“Cinquerus, welcome.”
“Father Pheres, thank you for coming again today.”
The elderly priest smiled warmly at her greeting.
“Teaching a student eager to learn is the greatest joy of my life. Please, take a seat.”
“Yes, Father.”
Lately, Cinq had been studying mathematics and theology with Father Pheres.
She enjoyed all her lessons but was particularly absorbed in her studies of the scriptures.
“…The king set up a great golden statue in the plains and commanded his people to bow before it. He declared that anyone who disobeyed would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Who could defy such a command?”
With a voice as soft as wool, Father Pheres recounted a passage from the scriptures.
“But three apostles refused. Enraged, the king ordered them bound and thrown into the fiery furnace. This song, sung by one of the apostles, is recorded here. Would you like to copy it down?”
“Yes, Father Pheres.”
Cinq’s blue eyes sparkled brighter than ever as her pen scratched across the paper.
Watching her intently, the priest continued,
“The king sought to force them into submission to a false god, but even in the fiery furnace, the apostles’ faith did not waver. Thus, the Lord sent an angel to save them.”
Hearing this, Cinq looked up at the priest.
“Cinquerus, do you have a question?”
Hesitating, Cinq finally spoke.
“Father Pheres, do you think angels truly exist?”
“Of course. Because the Lord exists, His angels are also among us.”
Cinq placed her pen down and touched the angel-shaped pendant hanging from her necklace.
“Do angels have wings? And do they appear different from ordinary people?”
Smiling gently, the priest replied,
“Not necessarily. There is a story in the scriptures about this as well.”
He shared a new tale in a kind voice.
“When the Lord sent an angel to foretell the birth of a hero, no one realized he was an angel. They asked for his name, but the angel did not answer. Only after he ascended to heaven with the flames of a burnt offering did they understand he was an angel sent by the Lord.”
The priest noticed a faint smile forming on Cinq’s face—a smile like that of a young girl who had uncovered one of the world’s hidden secrets.
“Cinquerus?” he called softly.
“It’s nothing, Father. I just found it a little moving.”
“I see. Now, Cinquerus, if you want to get to your mathematics lesson, you’d better finish your transcription.”
“Oh, yes…!”
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