Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 84
“Madam, cheer up…”
When Freesia had informed Thea that they might not be able to visit Maia Street, Thea seemed a bit disappointed.
Yet, it seemed that Freesia was more disappointed than herself, showing an awkward smile beneath her lace veil.
“It’s fine. I just need to see the item for the Imperial Grandson anyway.”
“Still…”
“Ah, here it is, Madam!”
While they could not visit the luxurious area, going out was not entirely forbidden. Thanks to this, Freesia, along with Thea and Van, had come to the glass workshop where she had placed an order. Being away from the bustling market due to the use of the furnace had helped.
The elderly craftsman did not know exactly which noble family Freesia belonged to, but he came out to greet the young noblewoman personally. His face, flushed from the kiln, brightened when he saw the party.
“Ah! Have you arrived?”
“I heard everything is ready.”
“Yes, that’s correct. I wonder where you heard about this place to place an order…”
The old man, excited, showed his work wrapped in linen cloth.
“When I made this, everyone laughed at it and thought it was bizarre.”
“Even the work of a master can be seen differently depending on the observer’s level.”
“Ha ha ha! You do say things that make an old man happy. Try using it yourself.”
“Uh… hmm.”
The item the craftsman handed over was a very rudimentary pair of reading glasses.
The lenses, two round pieces of glass fixed with a middle hinge, were intended to be held up or perched on the nose while reading. In time, beast bones and wood would be intricately carved to fit these lenses, but that time had not yet come.
“Ah. It’s too, too dizzying.”
Freesia, who originally had good vision, quickly put the glasses aside as the world appeared too large. However, the old man kept laughing at the veiled lady’s dizziness.
“If the vision of the person receiving this item doesn’t match, you can always call me.”
“Um… I shall do that.”
It might be more than shocking if the Imperial Grandson were to make a personal visit, perhaps even enough to affect the craftsman’s heart at that age. She prayed it wouldn’t stress his heart…
Freesia asked him not to sell it to others for a while, and after securing the precious item, she left only to find the street noisier than before. There seemed to be cheering at the entrance of the street…
“Sir Van. Why is the street so crowded?”
“Listening to the music, it seems likely that…”
However, before Van could finish explaining, the source of the commotion gradually became clear.
People wearing white clerical tunics indicating they were messengers of the deity, adorned with purple stoles and light golden capes, and wearing light purple hyacinth wreaths were walking in two lines. Alongside them, the temple’s choir and attendants followed, enhancing the procession’s sacred atmosphere.
‘These are priests coming up from the provinces to the capital’s temple.’
During this event period, each region elevates its most capable priests to the status of capital temple priests. Arcturus, due to the scandal of the previous generation, had no priests who enjoyed such honor.
Freesia, observing the procession with curiosity, widened her eyes upon seeing a familiar face.
“Ah…!”
The young priest from Deneb was among the group.
She had seen him only once, but his memorable appearance and the youngest among them had caught everyone’s attention. The onlookers also expressed brief surprise and admiration as he passed.
“My goodness…”
“It’s rare to see such a young priest.”
“Is he really official, not just an apprentice?”
“Judging by his attire, it seems so.”
Freesia herself was struck with admiration. He was acknowledged for his scholarship and talent to be promoted to the capital’s temple, despite being about the same age as her.
‘Wow. I thought he was impressive even when I saw him in Deneb.’
Once again, she felt envious. She craved even a bit of recognition, while this man received much from many…
Then, Thea, seeing Freesia lost in thought, chimed in.
“Madam, how about receiving a blessing from our new priests?”
“Blessing…? Do we need to get it from them specifically?”
“Yes! They say blessings from those who have just come up from the provinces are particularly effective.”
“Oh, that’s just superstition, Thea.”
“But still! Even if it’s superstition, isn’t it good to have good things?”
“Hmm…”
Thea hoped it would ensure her mistress’s favor, but Freesia considered it positively for a different reason.
‘Since I’ve made this gift, why not bless it? It can’t hurt.’
Besides, there might eventually be a need to show her face at the capital’s temple.
‘To clarify what exactly Adamant desires. And what happens if that desire is fulfilled…’
Plus, it was more comfortable to ask someone slightly less unfamiliar.
Meanwhile, having seen such events a few times while working at the capital residence, Thea began to encourage earnestly.
“When the procession ends, they will hold a blessing ceremony in front of the temple. Madam, you won’t have to wait and can receive it right away.”
“Alright, that sounds good.”
Freesia nodded slightly at Van, indicating she agreed, suggesting it was an action that wouldn’t bring disgrace to her family.
Reflecting on it again made her head heatedly childish.
‘Izar and even Sir Karoli.’
Just you watch. I won’t feel hurt at all.
