“What brings me here?”

Minister Juniper raised his eyebrow. He moved his hand towards his chin and leaned towards the Head Bishop. His eyes seemed to have pierced through the bishop because it seemed like he was sweating a waterfall. The Head Bishop gulped as he took a step back. The little girl that was behind him put her hand on her cheek before approaching me.

She waved her hand towards me, signaling me to come towards her. I approached her and leaned forward. She then whispered into my ear.

“What is happening right now?”

“I have no idea, but it seems the Head Bishop is getting a harsh glare,” I whispered back.

The little girl tilted her head before approaching Minister Juniper and poking him. Minister Juniper then leaned back to his normal position and looked at the girl.

“Hi, my name is Mia. What are you doing to Head Bishop Silverwood, mister?”

“So, it is him.” Minister Juniper mumbled. “Well, hello Mia, I am Minister Juniper. Think of me as a friend of Silverwood.”

He then turned to Silverwood and glared at him coldly.

“Silverwood, old friend, why didn’t you tell me that it was your turn to be in charge of the Hidden Church. It’s been like what? At least a decade since I have seen you, you should’ve written a letter at least.”

Silverwood turned pale and glanced at me with his shaky eyes. I shrugged in response because honestly, what am I supposed to do. It seemed to me like it was an old friend who wants to reconnect.

“I-I was going to write to you old c-comrade once I got settled down. I only just arrived here a week ago. If you saw the state of this place when I first arrived, it was a complete mess. Y-yeah a mess.” He nodded while gasping for his breath.

This guy was clearly lying. I have seen my students lie better than this when they forgot to do their homework, and at least when they lie, they are not sweating what equates to the entire red sea. I then approached Mia and put my hands on her shoulder.

“Let’s just leave these old men to themselves while us ladies talk about other things,” I whispered into her as I led her to a separate area nearby that was within their line of sight.

“By the way miss, who are you?”

“Me? I’m Princess Vienna von Ainzberg, but you can just call me Vienna.”

Although this was a clear violation of etiquette, it would be an even bigger problem if she were to refer to me as ‘Princess Vienna’ if we ever meet again. s

“A real princess?” Her eyes sparkled. “I have never meant a real princess before? What’s it like being a princess? Do you live in a big castle? Do you have a bunch of maids? Do you meet with other princesses from different kingdoms to have tea parties with them?”

“W-well I-I.”

I looked back at Minister Juniper and Head Bishop Silverwood, they seemed to be having a fun time, with the minister putting him into a headlock. I glanced back at Mia whose eyes were still gleaming with joy.

“Y-yeah… I live in a big castle. I do have a bunch of maids, and I do meet with other princesses from different kingdoms to have tea parties with them.” I replied in a proud stance.

This feeling of guilt lying to her is not good, but at the same time, that face is so precious that I do not want to ruin it. It reminds me of when students were confident that they got full marks on their tests before I handed it back to them with a low score on it.

“Wow, so cool!” She replied with a glowing aura around her.

“A-anyways Mia, why were you following the Head Bishop earlier?”

“The Head Bishop was examining my eyes earlier?”

“Your eyes.”

“Apparently I have a gift where I can see people’s aura. I think he called it ‘aura eyes’ or something.”

“Really now? Can you tell me more about it?” I kneeled to meet eye level with her and patted her head.

“The Head Bishop says as I grow older, my gift could help save people’s life because of its ability to see anyone, even if they are buried in rubble or they are in the dark.”

“I see… that is an amazing gift. Is there anything that you specifically told to not tell anyone?”

“M-maybe…” She replied as she poked her pointing fingers together.

“You can tell me, I am the princess of this kingdom, besides I won’t tell anyone of this secret either.” I winked.

Mia tilted her head and pondered for several seconds before signaling to me to come closer. I approached her and turned my ear towards her.

“The Head Bishop told me that my gift is a rarity because it allows me to see figures through walls.” She whispered.

My eyes widened. What kind of wall hacking ability is that and what kind of god decided that ability was, okay? That ability sounds game-breaking.

“T-that sounds like a unique gift for sure.”

“Mhm, but it's really hard to keep it a secret, so I’m glad that I can at least share it with someone. Especially with the princess of this country!”

“T-thank you,” I replied as I patted her head.

I glanced back at Minister Juniper and Head Bishop Silverwood who seemed like they were still going at it with each other. This time Silverwood somehow managed to Minister Juniper into a headlock but the minister was not going to give up easily since he was trying to stomp his right foot onto one of Silverwood’s feet. I turned to face them and pinched my eyes. I guess this is something I have to fix.

“Ahem. Minister Juniper, Head Bishop Silverwood, is this the conduct that you should be acting in front of the princess of this fair kingdom?”

“Princess?”

“Oh right, I forgot to tell you, old friend. This here is Princess Vienna von Ainzberg.”

“Eh? Our High King has another child?!”

“Well, he did have many lovers back in our adventuring days.”

“I-I understand… Now Juniper, what are you here for.”

“The High King ordered for her appraisal.”

“So, you’re here for an appraisal ritual?”

“Yes.” Minister Juniper replied with a wide grin glowing with pride.

“Why are you like this… Alright, let's-let's just begin the ritual already…”