Chapter 145 – The Pope and Ted

“Grandfather.”

“Oh, Ted. Good of you to come.”

On my way back from my family home, I stopped by to see Grandfather.

I’d been mulling over what Tally-san told me and what Father had said earlier when the urge to see him suddenly hit me.

Whenever I hit a wall, I always end up like this.

“Are you busy?”

“Not at all. Perfect timing, in fact. I’ve got something good here.”

What Grandfather held up was a bag of tea leaves.

He broke the seal, and a familiar aroma filled the room.

It was Kirue tea again, and I couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

“Hm? What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. It’s just… my favorite scent.”

I said it with a smile, and Grandfather’s eyes crinkled. “I see, I see.”

Haha. Gotta get Marie to buy tea with a different scent soon.

As I chuckled to myself, Grandfather poured the hot water and widened his eyes.

“Did something good happen?”

He gazed at the tea leaves unfurling in the water as he spoke.

“No… Well, it’s about Marie.”

I hedged, and Grandfather poured with a wry smile.

“That one caught me off guard. A proposal right there? I figured it’d be somewhere more romantic… you know, someplace beautiful…”

Seems that was what had Grandfather hung up.

The location, huh.

Tricky business.

Grandfather set my tea down on the table.

“Why that timing, of all times?”

“Well… After what happened, he probably couldn’t keep quiet anymore.”

Grandfather’s face turned ambiguous, like he knew more than he let on.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Nothing specific… Oh, right—has Marie ever gotten any marriage proposals before?”

“Oh, plenty. More than you can count.”

“That many? I never heard…”

Grandfather started to bring the cup to his lips but set it back down untouched.

“But no matter who it was, she said flat-out, ‘Turn them all down.'”

Grandfather chuckled “Ho ho” and lifted his cup again.

“What will Marie do?”

Grandfather’s brows shot up as he nodded happily, clasping his hands in front. “Well now…”

It was just like Father’s gesture from earlier.

“I’ve thought ever since she was little that Marie had a thing for Heart.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Just a hunch. Whenever she gets anxious, she always scans for Heart.”

Is it that others can spot it plain as day, but she never notices?

Like Tally-san said… Am I dependent on this version of myself that protects Marie…?

“It’s good to take an interest in others, but don’t overthink it. Ho ho.”

Grandfather laughed merrily as he called the White Priest over for a refill.

I probably like Grandfather.

I’d hate it if he were gone, and I respect him too.

I respect Marie the same way.

Is that any different from whatever Heart-san or Marie feel?

It’s getting more confusing by the minute.

“This is all Tally-san’s fault for saying weird stuff to me!”

The words burst out of me in a loud mutter as I passed through the church gates.

Passersby shot me sympathetic glances.

They probably pegged me as some Holy Knight apprentice who’d gone nuts from training.

For some reason, my feet carried me toward Central Park.

Do people instinctively calm down around fountains?

Which would make Grandfather my personal fountain?

No, this is bad. Too much overthinking—nothing makes sense anymore.

As I wandered into the park, cheers erupted from deeper within.

I glanced up, and there was a tiny rainbow arching over the fountain.

“Rainbow!””Whoa!””Pretty~””So cool!”

Kids raced past, bumping into me.

I found myself drawn toward the fountain too.

“Do it again~””That Holy Knight’s awesome~””Oh, it’s the Saintess~”

Hm?

Is that Heart-san and Marie?

Heart-san smiled at Marie, then conjured another rainbow over the fountain.

The two clasped hands and dashed off together.

“Ah! Another Holy Knight over here!”

While I stood there dazed, the kids swarmed me.

“Hey, make a rainbow~””Do it~””More, more~”

What a pickle.

With no choice, I mimicked Sid-san’s moves and flung some water magic skyward.

“Whoa!””It’s sparkling!””Amazing~””Just like the parade!”

They begged again and again, and I ended up spending ages laughing with them.

Who knew peaceful moments could warm the heart like this?

I’ll tuck this confusing feeling away and keep it safe.