"The White Angel is in the city."
I first heard those words that morning.
My father called for me and spoke with a casual, offhand manner.
"Moritz, you are to attend the audience as well. Use the opportunity to establish a connection....Ah, and regarding the White Angel, it seems her name is not to be disclosed. That is what was written in the letter from the Church. Do not ask for her name."
I was expected to greet someone whose name I wasn't even allowed to know? Well, I suppose such things happen with high-ranking individuals.
A Saint-in-training and an Angel who was rumored to have saved a city in the neighboring territory. Both the marketplace and the city gates were buzzing with the news. Even so, my role was merely to offer a brief greeting at the start. I thought it would be an easy task.
In the evening, the doors to the audience chamber opened, and the party entered.
——An Angel was there.
Whether there was a Saint present or who else was in the group—those details only came back to me much later. My eyes were fixed on that small person, and I couldn't look away.
The face beneath the white hood was slightly cast down. One eye was quietly closed. The eye that remained open was a clear, pale green. It was a color like young leaves seen through water, and just looking at it made me feel restless.
Their skin was as pure white as fresh snow, without a single blemish. Combined with the refined features, they looked almost like an exquisitely crafted doll. Yet, I also sensed a softness that no doll could possess. It wasn't the carefully maintained beauty of a noble lady, but rather a beauty that felt as though it were simply "made to be that way"—natural, yet something that could never occur naturally.
"This is my heir, Moritz. He is thirteen. Please, keep him in your acquaintance....In times like these, it is best for young ones to establish connections early on."
I must have been standing there frozen until my father called my name. Hearing it finally made me realize this was reality. A greeting... I had to greet her...
"I am Moritz Soest. Saint, and, um..."
My eyes met the Angel's.
My mind went completely blank. My ears felt hot. My heart was pounding so loudly it was deafening. What was the rest of the greeting again?
"Come now, Moritz. Your greeting."
"...I—I have heard much of the rumors!"
My voice cracked spectacularly. I wanted to die.
I didn't process even half of the conversation that followed. The Angel sat quietly beside the Saint, nodding occasionally. Every time they nodded, the hood swayed. It was incredible. She was a picture of grace just by nodding.
"Moritz?"
"—Y-Yes! P-Please, this way! White Angel!!"
It seemed I had been ordered to guide them to their room. I stood up in a panic and walked ahead. The hallway felt long. This was my chance to say something clever. The weather. The city. I couldn't talk about the wheat because that was a dark topic. Um, well—
In the end, I couldn't get a single word out until we reached the room. It was a total defeat.
My heart was racing, I felt lightheaded, and I was utterly dejected.
I had never felt this way before.
I failed today, but I wasn't about to give up just because of that. If today was no good, there was always tomorrow. If they needed a guide, they needed someone to do the guiding. That was that.
The next morning, I stood before the entrance.
Guiding the group to the clinic was technically a servant's job. I had settled the matter with my father by telling him, "I want to make a good impression." Therefore, this was family business, and it was only natural for me to do it. That was the story, anyway.
"I—I will be the guide... I-I shall! I will guide you!"
My voice jumped from nervousness... Could I really not act more natural than this?
I don't remember the walk very well because I was in a daze, but I don't think I did a very good job. I had to show off my better side.
With that in mind, I volunteered to help carry patients at the clinic. However, because I wasn't used to it, I made many mistakes.
Furthermore, whenever the Angel began treatment, my hands would stop. I couldn't help but watch.
When green light overflowed from the Angel's hands, that light mingled with the light from the windows, making the Angel appear to glow faintly. I'm not exaggerating. They really looked like they were glowing. Perhaps they truly were a real Angel.
Realizing my impression wasn't going to be good at this rate, I brought over some refreshments. I went directly to the kitchen and had them prepare bread and baked sweets made from the finest wheat. The territory was rationing food to the clinic, but since those supplies were running low, the portions were gradually decreasing. Surely, this would be appreciated.
"Refreshments for the White Angel and the Saint! It's bread and baked sweets made at the manor!"
The Angel's eyes widened, and they said, "All of this...?" They even worried about whether our own household's wheat supply was alright. When I replied that we were fine since my family didn't use rye to begin with, they gave a smile and said, "Then I am relieved."
That smile was so dazzling that it alone made me feel like today had been a good day.
The Angel refers to themselves as "boku." They are an unusual person who speaks like a boy.
...I don't dislike that about them. In fact, I think it's a nice, unique trait.
And so, the beds at the clinic emptied day by day.
It was a good thing. The city was being saved. As the son of the lord, there was nothing more wonderful than this....And yet.
Once all the beds were empty, the Angel would leave for another city.
"...Alright."
I would invite them to tea today. Father said it was a young person's duty to establish connections. I would tell them I wanted to continue our acquaintance and ask to exchange letters. And then, eventually, an engagement...
I could say it. Yes. I could do this.
I stood before the door to the guest room and raised my hand to knock—it was then.
I heard the Angel's loud voice from inside.
"The Second Prince wants to introduce me as Count Meldorf's concubine!?"
My hand stopped.
After that, the voices inside became quiet, and I couldn't hear anything more. I remained standing before the door with my hand still raised.
"...Eh?"
The Second Prince. Concubine. Count Meldorf.
One cannot refuse an introduction from a Prince. Even I knew that much. To refuse the mediation of the Royal Family meant being prepared to have your entire house destroyed. For a commoner, it was a matter of life and death.
And Count Meldorf.
I had heard that name in scandals. He was known for taking numerous very young girls as concubines, only to discard them once he grew bored. I had seen him once at a social gathering; he was as fat as a pig. The Royalist Faction's bank...
That Angel. A concubine for that pig?
As I imagined the scene, my vision turned white.
—By the time I came to, I was sitting on the bed in my own room. I didn't remember how I had returned.
"Ah... Aaaahhh!!"
A sound escaped my mouth; my cheeks were wet.
I felt as though my future with her had been slammed shut with a resounding thud.
◇◇◇
It was in the evening when a letter addressed to me arrived from the Royal Capital.
It was from Cardinal Fesenmeier. Letters from the Church usually contained matters that I couldn't decide on my own.
"Could everyone read this with me?"
I called out to the three of them to consult with them before breaking the seal. Big Sister Therese, Mira, and Lina lined up beside me. The contents were surprisingly brief, a letter for business purposes only.
As soon as I started reading, I couldn't help but shout.
"The Second Prince wants to introduce me as Count Meldorf's concubine!?"
"Lord Rein, your voice is too loud," Mira admonished me.
I hurriedly covered my mouth. I mean, a concubine? Who, to whom?
I read on. ——"Since the 'White Angel' is of a high-born lineage under the care of the Church, we have naturally declined the offer. Furthermore, please keep this matter strictly confidential."——
They had turned it down. Of course they had. I am a boy.
Relieved, the tension left my body. I'd wasted my energy shouting before finishing the sentence.
When I looked up, Mira's eyes were fixed and cold. Lina was silently re-reading that line of the letter for a second time. Big Sister Therese was still smiling, but her eyes, like Mira's, weren't smiling at all.
"They declined... He certainly had a narrow escape, didn't he?"
She didn't say who. Since it said to keep it confidential, this matter ended here. And I think that's for the best.
The next day, Moritz came to guide us as usual.
His face was deathly pale.
"Angel, um..."
He started to ask something, then stopped. He guided us, but his steps were even more unsteady than usual, and he frequently stumbled, having to be supported by a nearby servant.
I really think he's unwell. He should probably get some rest.