Book 17: Chapter 31


    My, Your Majesty, Miss Nier, we are so honoured you still remember our orphanage, not to mention that you brought gifts. I was thinking about preparing summer clothing for the children, and you have brought us materials. Your timing is impable. Thank you so much. May God bless your kind souls, said he orphanages dean.


    The man in charge of the orphanage still had his signature eyes-shut smile. He looked the same as before. Actually, he was a little plumper. The orphanage was on track, after all. Furthermore, they hadnd that nobody would take from them. With nothing to worry about, I guess the dean put on some weight.


    Nier and I gave them the presents. The dean cheerfully served us teas. With a smile, he corrected himself: Sorry, my greeting was incorrect. You are now His Majesty and Royal Princess, Her Majesty, correct? I know about your childs baptism. How blessed. I knew two people in love with each other would be happy together, true?


    You didnt know that wed get married when Ist came, did you?


    What do you mean? I noticed it the first time. You were always looking at Royal Princess, Her Majesty.


    Ah okay, okay, lets go see the kids.


    Face glowing red, I quickly tried to switch the topic. However, Nier noticed it, so she came over with and wrapped her arm around mine with a soft giggle. She mustve overhead us by the looks of it. Nheless, I dare say she wouldve been disgusted to hear that if we were in the past.


    I handed the candy to Nier. She cheerfully went off to look for the children. I set the material onto the table and told the dean to go see the tailor. I remember the tailor worked for the royal family. With my hand-written decree, they would make clothes for the dean for free. Although he was reluctant to make so many pieces for free, they worked for the royal family, so there was no refusing.


    The dean and I were upstairs as before. Nier yed with the children down below. We looked down as we did the first time I visited. I looked at pretty Nier and the sunlight. I softlyughed: How nice to have such peaceful days. If there was no trouble when I came back, then it would be perfect. Something annoying had to happen during this trip, though. By the way, I also noticed you have chosen the old church, correct?


    The dean smiled. The golden hoary leaf hanging by his chest gently swayed. After a quietugh, he answered, Is that what everybody refers to them as nowadays? The church is different to how they were in the past now. In the past, they would extort people for money, but not now. Nowadays, the church will provide us with money and living expenses every year. They will also let our children help out at the church. They have helped us in many ways. Therefore, I am very grateful to the church, and I believe them. Recently, a new church has surfaced, correct? It is a good thing for religion to flourish. I may not be religious, but the two different religions have developed independently, so they can develop a better creed, I would assume.


    Itd be nice if they didnt fight.


    Fight, did you say?


    Yes.


    It sounded as though the dean didnt know what happened. I didnt borate. Instead, I turned my attention to the children. Smiling, I inquired, You said that the children went to work? Where do they usually go to work? In the church?


    Not exactly. It depends on which location requires help. For instance, they might help at the unloading zone. Things are convenient for the children there, as well. Despite the guards inspecting the adults goods, they never inspect the things the children carry. As such, the church usually asks the children to move and transport things.


    Theyre not transporting any illegal goods, are they?


    I recalled the salt incident. I couldnt believe they thought of making statues with salt to get them into the city. Had I not had a lick, I never wouldve figured out their trick.


    Is the church still trying to transport illegal goods? What is it this time, gold? Gold needs to be handed to the royal family. Only a small amount circtes among the people. Illegally transporting salt is one thing, but gold? In the best scenario, youll just lose your hands. In the worst scenario, your head will roll. If the children are transporting gold, then they would be able to avoid inspections. Does the church have the guts to do that, though? I contemted.


    It definitely is not gold. Although they do not inspect the children, they still take a look. Inside is firewood. They must be using it to start fires. The deanughed as he waved his hand.


    I smiled helplessly. I mustve been too jumpy. I did notice there were lots of fire braziers and fireces in the church. That justified them requiring a ratherrge amount of firewood. It would make sense for them to transport firewood, then.


    I nodded: Tell the children: if there are illegal goods, tell them not to touch it and to report it; otherwise, trouble will definitelye knocking. For instance, if they move gold, theyll have their hands amputated in the best case scenario. Dont let the church turn you into aplices.


    Your Majesty, you may be a little prejudice against the church due to the past incident. The church is now totally different to how they were in the past. I believe the church will not ept that. Hence, you do not need to worry about them doing anything.


    I shook my head: Small favours arent representative of ones true nature. Its fine as long as the children are fine. However, if Im being honest, I, too, have something I want to do. As you mentioned the unloading zone, I shall go and take a look. The current rtionship between the two churches is capricious. A fight could break out between them at any moment. I need to ensure that neither side are transporting anything dangerous, especially weapons. They must not be allowed in.


    The dean smiled: Mm, there sure is a lot for you to pay attention to and worry about, Your Majesty. I shall not keep you, then. Your daughter with Royal Princess, Her Majesty must be very cute. It is a pity I did not get to see her.


    If you want to visit the Royal Pce, just mention my name. Im sure the guards will let you in. In saying that, the status quo is quite vtile. I dont want to bring my daughter out, since I rarely have safe moments.


    True.


    The dean wouldnt dare to go to the Royal Pce even though I said that as it was heavily guarded, and nobody was allowed to approach it.


    I went downstairs and called Nier. Nier, however, seemed to want to go home Perhaps she missed Daisy because she saw the children I didnt n on going back. If I said that, though, she would probably be put on the spot.


    I had to end the days exploration there. It was dangerous for me to go to the unloading zone by myself. If the church was doing something there, it was best not to alert them. I didnt think anything would happen if I was one dayte.