The Consecration Mass and Unspoken Understandings

Having contributed enough Kollers to sustain Caroline’s extravagant spending for the next few days, the two individuals emerged from the elf fortune-teller’s modest tent.

Gazing upwards, they observed the fiery clouds, clustered like embers, slowly drifting over from beyond the city walls, heralding the imminent arrival of dusk.

Audrey wore a look of unsurprised relief, while Rhine feigned an air of nonchalance.

An unspoken, mutual pact to remain silent about the divination’s outcome seemed to have settled between them.

As they strolled along the street, they noticed vendors had already begun packing away their stalls, each face reflecting a serene contentment—be it the quiet hope for the future, the eager anticipation of imminent joy, or a heartfelt reverence for the Holy God.

As luck would have it—or rather, unluckily—Audrey’s clandestine excursions were far from a novelty; the Cavendish family had, in fact, long devised comprehensive contingency plans for such occurrences.

Did they not notice the magic-powered carriage now approaching from down the street? It, too, seemed to converge, with an almost uncanny precision, directly upon the young mistress, who was attempting to hide her face in a sheepish, guilt-ridden manner.

With a soft whir, the carriage, evidently poised for this very moment, executed a smooth turn, its side door coming to a precise halt before them.

Daniel, stepping out from within, instantly and anxiously intercepted the pair.

“I’ve found you both! Where in the world have you been hiding for the past hour? Sister, Auntie even specifically instructed me to delay my search, allowing you a little extra time to play. But now, we’re truly running out of time!”

“Time? What time are you referring to?”

The master of feigned ignorance inquired, her voice laced with deliberate innocence.

“Why, the annual Consecration Mass, of course! The entire family is required to attend, and even my mother and sister have journeyed all the way from the earldom to be present.”

At the mention of the word ‘sister,’ a fleeting shimmer of starlight danced in the depths of Audrey’s eyes, only to be swiftly extinguished by a sudden gloom.

She then numbly tugged at Rhine’s sleeve.

“You need to fend off Daniel for me. There are far too many relatives over there for me to handle alone. If anyone asks, just tell them I was kidnapped.”

“Don’t be absurd! Do not drag me into your personal woes! You’re perfectly content to use me as a human shield, utterly disregarding whether I might lose my livelihood, aren’t you?”

Rhine gently dislodged Audrey’s small hand, then, with a look of profound understanding, turned to Daniel and earnestly suggested:

“This particular husky, I implore you, must be returned for proper care and maintenance.”

“Rhine, you must accompany us as well.”

“Eh? Why is that?”

“Normally, retainers are not permitted to accompany our family to such events, but… considering the events of last time, I extend my most sincere gratitude to you. Therefore… ah, therefore… you will come with me.”

“…Forgive me, but as the husky’s personal attendant, I’m afraid I cannot accompany you.”

“My sister is hardly a husky! Uh, no, that’s not what I mean… no. It’s… in truth, it’s also Father’s and Uncle Philip’s express wish. In any case, you are an esteemed guest of the Cavendish family, not a mere retainer. Yes, that is precisely what I mean.”

Daniel’s incessant stammering was practically sending Rhine’s blood pressure soaring.

What exactly was the young master trying to convey?

It was only out of deference to Daniel’s status that Rhine managed to restrain his irritation.

Where had that former bluntness vanished, that sharp edge that once threatened to cast him out of the household?

Could it be that Daniel was, in fact, intimidated by Rhine’s prowess?

‘Ah, so he had finally been subdued and now harbored respect for Rhine’s imposing presence. A truly teachable young man, indeed.’

Rhine instinctively reached to adjust his hat brim, only for his hand to find empty air.

He thus settled for casually sweeping his dark bangs aside, before delivering a resigned, gentle reply to Daniel:

“As you wish.”

Little did Rhine realize the profound impact this subtle gesture, coupled with his resigned gaze, would have on Daniel.

It was, for all intents and purposes, a playful flirtation.

“Ah—very well, please, please come aboard the carriage with me.”

Throughout this entire exchange, the remarkably astute Audrey observed everything with a cool, discerning eye.

The sensation of transitioning from a direct participant to an external observer was remarkably subtle, yet it allowed her to grasp the full implications instantaneously—

‘So, my own cousin intends to poach my retainer!’ she mused.

Audrey was intimately familiar with Rhine’s exceptional qualities as a servant; aside from his overly proactive nature, he was virtually a walking bag of tricks.

But… was this truly the most awkward way to extend an olive branch?

Regrettably, she was but a single step removed from the complete truth, and thus was unable to intervene before the situation spiraled into an even more precarious state.

After all, human desires are inherently free, and one could hardly fault oneself for failing to apply the brakes.

If blame were to be cast, it would surely fall upon a certain utterly oblivious, wretched male who was unwittingly causing all this trouble.

****

Approximately ten minutes later, the trio disembarked from the carriage.

Before them stood the venerable grand cathedral, its solemn edifice dominating the view, while the sprawling plaza was already teeming with congregants arriving for the Mass.

“It appears quite crowded,” Rhine remarked, clearly unaccustomed to such a bustling atmosphere.

“Nobles from neighboring territories also converge here,” Daniel explained, “to demonstrate their piety towards the Holy God and their respect for the Cavendish family. Our own family is already gathered in the central courtyard.”

Daniel stepped ahead, presenting an invitation adorned with white feather motifs to the priest stationed at the entrance.

He gently placed his left palm over his heart, then clasped both hands together, performing a perfectly executed bow.

The white-robed priest offered a gentle smile and, taking holy water from the baptismal font, sprinkled it lightly upon Daniel’s head.

“May the Divine bless you, Daniel Cavendish.”

Rhine’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly at the sight; to him, holy water was not a blessing, but rather a veritable curse.

He leaned in and whispered discreetly to Audrey:

“I’m not a believer. You should go in alone.”

Just as he prepared to make his discreet escape, Audrey’s hand shot out, seizing his sleeve with a fierce grip.

“You refuse to help me, yet you expect my assistance? You’re coming in with me; if we’re to suffer, we shall suffer together.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…”

Before Rhine could even mount a protest, the holy water had already been sprinkled upon his head.

He cast a resigned glance at the benevolent priest.

“My child, what is your name?”

“Rhine.”

“May the Divine bless you, Rhine.”

Through a combination of pulling and insistent urging, he was reluctantly drawn into the grand cathedral.

Traversing the nave, they found the grand cathedral’s magnificent dome adorned with intricate carvings, depicting the ancient legend of the God of the Covenant:

They had neither father nor mother, descending from the ethereal high heavens, and awoke upon the island of ‘Hitz’. Adopted by the islanders, They lived there for many years, first learning the warmth of human kindness. Day and night, They gazed upon the boundless sea, questioning the sun and moon, yet remained ignorant of Their own purpose. Subsequently, when the small island was ravaged by a tempest, and Their godfather was tragically consumed by the relentless waves, They embarked upon a long and arduous journey…

The final scene depicted Them transforming into feathers, ascending back to the high heavens, a solitary sacrifice made to atone for the sins of humankind.

— ‘Redemption’

“What an utterly antiquated tale,” Rhine commented, clearly unmoved by religious narratives.

“It has undoubtedly been fictionalized and embellished over time; otherwise, They could hardly be considered the omnipotent, supreme God.”

“Perhaps this story intends to convey that even the Divine was once human, before ascending to godhood,” Audrey mused, her gaze still fixed upwards.

“A truly compelling narrative always merits a touch of embellishment.”

Having passed through the chapel and entered the central courtyard, they found Audrey’s aunt, Julia, engaged in lively conversation with a cluster of her peers.

Upon noticing Audrey and her companions, the topic of discussion naturally gravitated towards the younger generation.

Rhine observed a number of unfamiliar female faces among the assembled guests.

The gaze of one particular black-haired noblewoman settled upon Daniel, who, in turn, respectfully lowered his head.

“It has been too long, Mother.”

The noblewoman, however, rose slowly and hesitantly, her eyes holding a faint, distant look.

She swiftly closed the distance between them and embraced Daniel, holding him silently, without uttering a single word.

The women, who had moments before been engaged in such cheerful conversation, quietly fell silent.

A mother, having endured the news of her son’s assassination attempt, was undoubtedly overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions.

“Let us allow mother and son a moment of quiet solace,” Julia announced, offering a gentle smile.

“I must now excuse myself, for there is still a certain young mistress who requires my careful tutelage.”

With a conciliatory smile, Julia swiftly departed, pulling Audrey along towards the changing room by the church’s side door, where she instructed her to don more appropriate attire.

This left Rhine utterly out of place, standing alone and somewhat bewildered amidst the shifting currents of the crowd.