As soon as I found out that Colette was a saint, I introduced her to my mother.
"Mother, this is Colette of Duke Alcott family. She will be my wife." (Laurence)
My mother looked surprised at the sudden introduction, but she quickly regained her composure and stared at Colette's blue-silver hair.
"I've never heard of a saint in Duke Alcott family." (Mother)
"Colette has only just been recognized as a saint. She will be visiting her mother, who is also First-ranked Saint, at a later date to greet the members of the church." (Laurence)
"I see. So that means she was certified as a saint at the age of 10, huh?" (Mother)
My mother said this as if to confirm.
I knew she was thinking, "She probably isn't a powerful saint," but I decided to make her my queen.
However, since this was a complete surprise to my mother, I decided she would need some time to sink in, so I left her room without saying anything more.
Three months later, my mother called me.
My mother picked up some documents from the table and handed them to me.
"Laurence, here is a report on Colette submitted by the church. Her magical power is below average, so she will not be chosen by First-ranked Saint. Please choose another saint as your queen." (Mother)
I had predicted from the beginning that Colette's magical power was low.
Therefore, I looked at my mother with a serious expression and bowed my head.
"Mother, I will not marry anyone other than her! Please select Colette as the First-ranked Saint." (Laurence)
My mother put the papers back on the table and folded her hands in her lap.
"That's up to Colette. The selection committee is there to select the most capable individuals." (Mother)
Hearing those words, I realized that this was my chance to ask for help and tried desperately to plead.
"I heard that in the last selection meeting, Duchess Sutherland was a more powerful saint than Mother! But it was Mother who was actually chosen as the First-ranked Saint! So, the selection meeting is meant to choose a saint who is 'right for the king,' right?" (Laurence)
The moment I said that, my mother's expression took on the sternest look I'd ever seen, and she spoke in a stiff voice.
"Laurence, as the one who will become king, you should stop speaking such foolish delusions! 14 years ago, and even now, I am the most powerful saint! That is why I was chosen as the First-ranked Saint at the selection meeting. There was no dishonesty or unfairness whatsoever." (Mother)
My mother's tone was stronger than ever, and although I was momentarily intimidated by her forcefulness, I knew I couldn't back down now and retorted once more.
"But the Duchess was too young to become my father's wife! That's why..." (Laurence)
"Even if that's the case, that has nothing to do with the results of the selection meeting! That girl was weaker than me! That's why she became the second-ranked Saint. That's all there is to it!!" (Mother)
"So……"
That couldn't be right.
Traditionally, the king would take a First-ranked Saint as his wife.
That's why the selection committee must had taken that into consideration and chosen someone of an age that could marry the King as the First-ranked Saint.
However, my mother's expression was stiffer than I'd ever seen it before, and I could tell she was determined not to back down from her position.
Therefore, although I gave up on asking further that Colette be selected as First-ranked Saint at this point, I expressed my feelings in the hope that my mother would understand.
"Mother, being a king is a lonely thing. Therefore, in order to properly maintain one's position, one needs someone they can trust by their side. For me, that person is Colette. No matter what happens, I can trust that she will never betray me. Please let Colette be by my side so that I can become a righteous king!!" (Laurence)
My mother didn't reply, so I bowed once more and left her room.
Three years had passed since then.
Although my mother continued to treat me the same as before, she continued to stubbornly refuse to marry Colette.
"The king will marry First-ranked Saint, and the First-ranked Saint chosen by the selection committee is the most talented saint of the time."
That was the only thing she insisted on.
…I was stuck.
Unable to find a solution, I sat down on one of the benches inside the castle and let out a deep sigh.
Then, as I was looking aimlessly at the garden, a blue-silver color suddenly peeked out from between the trees.
I instantly realized it was Colette's hair and a smile naturally appeared on my face.
At the same time, a bright voice rang out.
"Lord Laurence, I knitted a sweater! It's a fluffy black and grey sweater that boys love." (Colette)
"Hey, Colette, I'm glad you came. Is that a sweater for me?" (Laurence)
I received the fluffy black and grey blanket from Colette, spread it out and try it on my body.
She then noticed that the sleeves were clearly different lengths, which convinced me that this poor workmanship was definitely the workmanship of Colette.
"Is this sweater handmade by Colette? It's amazing. I'm very happy, but it's summer now. I'll wear it when it gets a little cooler." (Laurence)
"But since autumn is about to begin, it's getting chilly in the mornings and evenings. So, if you feel even the slightest bit cold, please put some clothes on.... Lord Laurence has been looking a bit cold lately." (Colette)
I was startled when I heard the last word added timidly.
Recently, I'd been worried about my mother not accepting me, and I'd often found myself deep in thought.
Perhaps Colette saw me like that and was worried about me.
And because Colette had a simple way of thinking, she believed that if your body is warm, your heart will naturally be warm as well.
I was so happy about that sentiment that I put on a sweater right there, even though the heat was still lingering that day.
"Yes, thank you, Colette. My heart feels warm and calm." (Laurence)
After saying that, Colette smiled softly and happily.
Then, she brought both hands to her chest, she made a fist with each hand and squeeze it tightly.
"I want to heal Lord Laurence's injuries and illnesses, so I'll do my best in my saintly training!" (Colette)
"I see, thank you." (Laurence)
I found Colette's enthusiasm amusing and was happy about it, so I replied with a smile, but then she quickly lowered her eyes to the ground.
"But even then, I may not be able to become number one. But the First-ranked Saint, who will always be closest to Lord Laurence, should be the most outstanding saint. After all, if something were to happen, she would be the one to save Lord Laurence, so it would be terrible if a weak saint became that position."
"Colette?" (Laurence)
For some strange reason, I called her name without understanding what it meant.
Then Colette looked up at me and smiled.
"Lord Laurence, I would be happy to be by your side in any way possible." (Colette)
"Not me! I won't be happy unless Colette becomes my queen!!" (Laurence)
Belatedly, I realized that Colette was about to dump me, so I hurriedly spoke up.
"Colette, you're the only one I can trust! I don't want any other saint by my side!" (Laurence)
However, when I saw Colette's troubled expression, I realized for the first time that she might have been mistaken up until now.
Since discovering that she was a saint, Colette had been attending church almost every day.
Generally, unmarried saints lived in the church, but saints born into noble families typically commuted to church from home.
Therefore, while her time there may be a little shorter than that of a normal saint, there was no doubt that she spent the majority of her day at church.
Colette received teachings about saints every day at church, but perhaps this has led her to believe that having strong powers as a saint was an absolute requirement for being queen.
——Royalty and the nobility enjoyed many privileges.
And, Colette was the daughter of a duke, the highest-ranking aristocrat, and was the woman I, the future king, would like to have as my queen.
Therefore, regardless of the level of her abilities as a saint, I thought it would not be difficult to select Colette as First-ranked Saint... but in reality, it might be difficult.
In the royal castle garden, where the summer sun was still intense, I was shivering even though it wasn't cold.
I suddenly no longer understood the true nature of what I was up against, and I felt a sense of dread.
It was then that I realized that the group of saints might be based on completely different ideas and authority than royalty and nobility.