Chapter 203 (2/2)

“Oh, I’m sorry to treat you. Please have some tea.”

“Oh, thank you.”

I unwittingly opened my eyes wide, holding the mug. Light pink tea and sweet scent. Uh, this tea is …

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, but…”

“Good. Actually, I have reserved this for you as a gift. Please accept this.”

“Pardon?”

Opening my eyes wide, I looked at the pouch he gave me. Is he going to give me this tea, and this much?

“I think I heard that you like tea. When I saw this tea, I immediately recalled you. Please accept it. It’s a little something for you.”

“Oh, thank you for this precious thing …”

Watching me shaking my head, he said with a faint smile, “You don’t have to be so surprised. Of course, it is a rare tea, but it is not as expensive as you think.”

“What do you mean… ”

What he gave me was a special tea from the Sono kingdom, which had excellent taste and aroma. As very little was produced, its tax rate was hiked when the tea passed the borders, so even the imperial family found it hard to obtain. When I was the empress in the past, I enjoyed it only occasionally.

Then, why did he give this precious tea to me?

“As you know, all the imported goods brought to the temple here are exempt from taxes. So, you don’t have to feel burdened by it.”

“Ah… ”

He was right. All the imports passing through the borders are subject to tariffs, but those used at the temple were an exception. Of course, the importers had to verify they were actually used in the temple by accompanying a priest.

Even so, I felt a bit burdened because it was too much, but I could not refuse the favor given by the High Priest. I bowed my head to express gratitude, thinking that I should repay next time.

“If you insist, let me accept it, Your Eminence. Thank you for your favor. ”

“You’re welcome. In fact, I had a headache because of lots of things. I’m happy as you accept it gladly. I feel like I fully recovered from my fatigue that has built up these days.”

In fact, in times of uneasiness involving the change of regime, there were more people visiting the temple. Besides, these days the noble factions including the Duke Jena family were frequenting the temple.

As if he was pondering over something, he suddenly said while glancing down at the pink tea, “You look more shiny after going through a hardship. You are so beautiful. ”

“…Thank you, Your Eminence.”

“If you were like a sheltered plant in the past, you now look like a flower on a cliff that has blossomed in the midst of rain and wind. As you’re in a precarious position there, I think there are lots of people who can’t sleep, thinking of you.”

“… ”

I stared blankly at the man in front of me.

What the heck is he talking about? Did he invite me here to talk such nonsense?

As if he read my look and expression, he smiled after staring at me.

“Oh, I got it. I hear you’re going to have a coming-of-age ceremony soon, but you’re still unfamiliar with this. Let me get to the point right away.”

“… ”

“Hmm, recently you have received God’s prophecy about the birth of a new root, right? ”

“Ah, yes.”

“Sooner or later, the baby who was born at that time, the sixth root of Vita, Sextus, will come to Sanctus Vita.”

“Is he the new High Priest? But he is too young…”

Even if the High Priest can use divine power, how can a baby who has not yet become one year old do anything? Besides, isn’t Sanctus Vita a temple where the High Priests’ confrontation with the top priests is very severe?

When I tilted my head, the High Priest said with a mysterious smile, “You look puzzled. Well, I can understand because almost nothing is known about the new High Priest.”

“Oh, I see.”

“By nature it is our duty as the root of our Lord to wander around without settling in any specific place and practice the will of the Lord. However, there are exceptions to anything. Like now when there is a generational change, I’m allowed to stay in a certain place for a certain period while taking care of my new colleague.”