If I had met Reandro first, without meeting Sathelus first… what would have happened?

Would I have fallen in love with this man?

“The Empress Mama is here.”

In the meantime, the High Priest approached us. Why on earth did this person come? I blinked in surprise.

And belatedly, Ken rushed in.

“Empress Mama. I apologize. Since I wasn’t informed separately, I tried to stop them…”

“Empress Mama clearly said it’s okay to bring a friend.”

Me? Did I say that?

No, I don’t remember saying that. But the High Priest was insistent. As I looked at him blankly, he asked insistently.

“Is there a reason why Marquis MaXoo can come, but I cannot? Empress Mama, are you uncomfortable with me, by any chance?”

“Yes.”

It’s not really pity; why is he doing this? I thought he was a cute duckling, but he’s more like a noisy goose.

“Ah.”

“Suddenly visiting like this, it must be uncomfortable for you.”

“I just… wanted to make a friend for Shannensia Yang. Isn’t having many friends a good thing?”

Caritos, who looked like a wet duck, patted the back of the child next to me.

“He was specially brought from the temple because he’s a smart child. Of course, he’s from a good background. So, it would be good for Shannensia Yang to make friends with him.”

With snow-white hair that seemed free of any dust, golden eyes. A child who, as soon as our eyes met, politely lowered his head.

“I greet Empress Mama. I am Haven Heluga.”

“I am Isabella. Since you’ve come all the way, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Caritos didn’t like it, but he couldn’t send the child away harshly. In the end, I headed towards the space where the children were.

Perhaps sensing someone coming, the children peeked their heads out like meerkats and stared at me.

“Hey, kids, a new friend has come.”

“Wow! Hello!”

“……. ”

“Uh… Hello.”

The first to greet was Shasha, and Rodelo pouted without saying a word. Merkin bowed his head in greeting.

“I am Haven Heluga. I live in the temple and am striving to become a priest.”

“In the temple? I haven’t seen you… Oh! I am Shannensia!”

“I’ve heard about Shannensia.”

Heaven, who didn’t seem to have the intention of making friends, spoke briefly.

Childlike but too mature. Caritos, who had been looking proudly at Heaven, forcibly seated him next to Shannensia.

“Shannensia Yang, let’s get along well from now on. Haven is a good child with a good background, and he’s smart. It would be nice to play with him. Unlike some others.”

Caritos blatantly scanned Raven and Merkin. As if to show that they are very different from him. In the end, I couldn’t stand it and opened my mouth.
“High Priest Caritos. You’ve been talking about origins and such, but regardless of their background, I don’t see any issue with them becoming friends.”

“Still, it’s better than the kids brought by Marquis Max. They’re of a different class. A different class.”

Something I had been holding back broke off at his proud introduction of Heaven.

“Different class?”

“Yes!”

Just say ‘X.’ I want to say that.

What should I really say? He’s like a person with a head full of flower gardens.

“Please stop.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dividing the children’s class based on their background. If that’s the case, I am also a Marquess’s daughter. Does that mean I’m of lower class too?”

“No, but isn’t the background important for men? Just looking at it, the class is distinguishable.”

How good is your background, anyway?

“And children should make friends from a young age. How much discernment does Marquis Max’s X have, who has caused many incidents, and has character problems?”

“Stop it. You can’t differentiate between words you can and can’t say in front of children.”

“Empress Mama, it’s better for you not to associate with such a person. He has a bad temper. How badly he behaved when he came to the temple.”

Caritos, who had been talking cheerfully and smiling all along, glared at Sathelus. With a face full of irritation.

“Anyway, that’s what I think.”

“Are you saying, High Priest Caritos, that the other two children seem to have an unclear birth and appear to be lower compared to Heaven, so you’re suggesting they should be sent away?”

“Yes.”

“How good is Heaven’s background then?”

I looked at him with my shoulders raised. Perhaps now thinking his words are getting through, he began to pat Heaven’s head.

“Helluga Houjak, Heaven, is from a famous family known for scholarship. I don’t know if you’re aware, but it’s a distinguished family. He’s said to have been born with an extraordinary mind. Although he is from Helluga, his body was a bit weak, so the Lady of the Houjak entrusted him to the temple. Oh, of course, the child got better.”

To avoid catching even the slightest flaw, he kept talking hesitantly.

“Is that so, Heaven?”

“Yes, Empress Mama.”

“Do you need a friend?”

“I cannot understand. I do not know what you mean by asking.”

“It’s a pure intention. It’s about whether you really need a friend, whether you came here voluntarily, or whether you were forcibly brought.”