Trash of the Count’s Family

t the meaning of a holy covenant.

The official name of a celestial covenant was the Covenant of Paired Stars, the contract that the Riester Imperial family and their collateral line made with priests.

This was where two people vowed in front of the Almighty God that they would become soulmates, officially becoming Religious Partners.

The Imperial family takes influential priests as partners to solidify their religious influence and support while the priest gains wealth, fame, and special privileges by being partnered with a member of the Imperial family.

I read that that was the case at least in recent history.

I heard that the Marquiss House of Duhem was part of the Imperial familys collateral line, so it wasn ’t weird that she was making a celestial covenant with a priest.

Empress Frédérique and Cardinal Boutier were connected by a celestial covenant as well.

Of course, the two of them seemed to have had a close friendship since before that.

Contractors of a celestial covenant supposedly could feel each other ’s emotions and hear one another ’s voices, but…… I have o idea whether it is true.

Anyway, that was how it was portrayed in a romance novel being published in the < Biweekly Riester >.

“However, we are lacking one witness. The covenant requires one noble at at least the Marquis level, and two priests at at least the Bishop level.”

The Marquis continued to speak. I nodded my head and scraped every last bit of Cassoulet off my plate.

The talk about the celestial covenant must have been interesting, as Christelle and Vice Captain Élisabeth were looking at us as well.

“If you are available, could you please be that final witness, your highness?”

“Me?”

I blinked a few times.

It wasn ’t hard to be a witness if I didn ’t have to go out of the Imperial Palace, officiate the ceremony, or be the moderator.

The people involved in the celestial covenant were the two people and not their families or the parish, so there shouldn ’t be any headache later for being the witness.

The House of Duhem was one of the Empresss close confidants, but the fact that Eunse never mentioned them must mean that they don ’t play a big role in QNW.

I turned toward The Cardinal.

I had nothing to lose since I would do it if she gave permission while I would just slack off if she said no.

“I think that it would be a good experience for our little prince. I approve.”

She calmly responded.

“Then I am fine with it as well.”

The Marquis became extremely excited and covered his face with both hands after hearing my response.

Captain Duhem thanked me with a bright expression on his face as well.

“For the esteemed royal priest to be the witness, Antoinette would be very happy.”

‘I guess his sisters name is Antoinette. This family was quite dramatic in many ways.

The Marquiss voice went up a notch.

“Is there anything you would like in return, your highness? I heard that your birthday is on the 31st. I will give you whatever you ask for as a present. As long as it is something that this lowly Marquis can do for you!”

“I ’m not sure.”

I now learned that May 31st was Prince Jesses birthday.

I had not even thought about it since my birthday is in February.

I felt that there was too much that I did not know about the prince.

I knew his birthday now but his middle name was still a blank.I ’m sure he has one.

“Your highness, please ask him to send you on vacation.”

Vice Captain Élisabeth gently interjected at that moment. I turned my head toward her.

Christelle and the young Countess were seated next to each other, looking at me with sparkles in their eyes.

I looked away after feeling too awkward but made eye contact with the Imperial Prince this time.

‘This is a really bad seat.

“I ’m sorry but I dont think it is the Marquis ’s jurisdiction on whether I get to leave the Imperial Palace or not.”

”That is true. But I will make a sincere request to her Majesty if that is what you wish.”

‘Dont you think that doing that would have the opposite effect instead?

“No, I dont think I need a vacation.”

“June in Riester is very hot, your highness. Please think about it carefully.”

Vice Captain Élisabeth smiled brightly and shook the glass of green apple juice in her hand.

‘I ’m sure it ’s not as hot as the Korean summer where it feels like the asphalt is melting.

“Vice Captain Élisabeth and I are scheduled to go play up north when the June heat blows in.”

Christelle sounded excited.

I thought that the two of them became really close through the Great Clearance of Demonic Beasts and I guess I was right since they were already planning their summer vacation together.

Then I had even more reason to keep myself hidden away in the Imperial Palace.

“Or maybe you should ask for a palace. You played a big role this time.”

Christelle went,oh my, oh my and slapped Vice Captain Élisabeth ’s back after hearing her quiet comment.

The young Countess peeked toward the Imperial Prince with a mischievous look on her face.What is up with these people?

“The mustard is quite spicy. I think you would like it, young lady Sarnez.”

I tried to change the topic.

Christelle had a skeptical smile on her face but quickly received the plate of lamb ribs I handed her after hearing that it was spicy.

This MC is mean but just so she should keep my secret.

I didn ’t know how much of the situation that the Empress and the Cardinal knew about, but I had absolutely no reason to admit that I found out the Imperial Prince ’s true identity.

”What is it, your Royal Highness?”

I ended up making eye contact with the Imperial Prince who had quite a serious look on his face.

“……Do you really want a palace?”

‘Wait, why is your train of thought off in lala land all by yourself?

– Click!

“Her Majesty is now entering!”

I heard an energetic shout from the direction of the most senior spot on the table. The orchestra stopped playing.

The rowdy room instantly froze over.

All of the nobles quickly composed themselves and stood up.

The Cardinal seemed to be the only one here who was relaxed.

I quickly wiped my mouth with a napkin and stood up following the Cardinal. After that……

“Looks like you are all having fun.”

A slightly low and husky voice cut through the silence like an iceboat.

It was not the same direction from which we had come. I raised my head half way to look forward.

The heavy marble wall behind the head seat was slowly opening.

There was a middle-aged woman standing a bit crooked at the center.Who knew that there would be a door there too?

”As you all know, my son was the winner of the Great Clearance of Demonic Beasts.”

She sounded tired. I could see a long and nimble sword through the gap in her pearl-colored jacket.

She was the only person who could carry a weapon in the Empress Palace.

Her short silver hair sparkled under the light. For some odd reason, I had to manually remind myself to breathe.

“So, keep on drinking. Dont even think about leaving early tonight.”

Empress Frédérique made that proclamation before glaring like a wasp.

Her sharp cherry-colored eyes pierced right through me.

I got chills on the back of my neck.

‘I guess I ’m not making it back before the day is over.