While I do not know who this man is since the temple was only created so that the empire also has religion in its culture, what I do know is that the temple should have been on friendly terms with the imperial family.
And yet, after I ask John to investigate about it, a month prior to my first arrival here, he said that the connection between the imperial family and the temple started to go downhill about six months ago.
That wouldn't make sense since me, Andrin and Valerie wasn't here in this world yet at that time. Not to mention, among all of us, I had the biggest contribution in changing the story line.
Since the time overlaps, the only other explanation would be another transmigrator like us was here in this world first and was also the one who broke the relationship between the two.
The imperial family has been the same as in the novel, meaning, whoever it is their influence have already reached the inner sanctum of the temple.
"Baroness, you are saying that there is nothing between you and the first prince?"
"Yes. Is something wrong with that?"
"...."
"Is there something unbelievable to what I said?"
"Will you please explain why his highness cut his hair. As you know, the imperial family's tradition of having long hair is because their hair also represents their faith to the Goddess. It would be problematic if the people doesn't get any answer right away"
So basically, the temple ask the reason why prince Diego cut his hair to her majesty but was ignored like the others. Now, they are sending a cardinal to me, the source of the topic, to know the reason.
Had they sent someone who is lower than archbishop, their entry wouldn't have been permitted. But since he is a cardinal that is a completely different story as he holds a big influence.
"In summary, the prince fell in love with me but I rejected him saying that I prefer men with short hair. I didn't thought he would actually cut his hair honestly. What's more, I still rejected him after he cut his hair"
"May I ask why?"
"Because there is another person who is asking for my hand with marriage in mind. I said to the two that I will wait four years to determine whether their feelings are genuine or not which brings us to the present. I have no ties with the first prince, that's it"
"...."
"By the way, if you were to report this wrongly and the public were to interpret it in another way that I told you, my impression for the temple would go down and hit rock bottom"
"Is that a threat?"
"If I say yes, what are you gonna do about it, cardinal?"
"Do not worry for I do not have any intention of bending the words you have said to me today"
"That is good"
"I will take my leave then, baroness. Thank you for the time you have given me"
"No problem"
I gave him a piece of paper before he left that contains one word.
"I don't know what that word means but, isn't that the same as the language you and big sis is using?"
"Yes. It is. Apparently someone like me is here in the empire. I doubt they would kill me since they would also die if they were to do that"
At the very least, they know more than Andrin who never finished the novel.
But why would they want the temple and the imperial family's connection with each other to fall apart?
I set aside the question that pop up in my head and went to the infirmary to do my job as usual.
Since the body I am possessing is naturally weak to cold at the moment, I have to wear a thicker jacket.
-Do not be so gloomy, master. From afar, you look like a giant snowball!
That doesn't really make me happy.
"My lady, do not worry, the training ground that is currently being used is warm. Once we get there, you will be able to rest well"
"That's right! It is the warmest place in the entire place"
The apprentice knights accompanying me encourage me with a bright smile.
Once we arrived at the indoor training grounds that is connected to the infirmary, warmth greeted my skin.
Despite not having any fire inside, it was truly warm. It almost made think that it was already spring.
"Aaah!!!"
Once again, it has begun.
The apprentice knights that were being trained by John, who are currently half naked, screamed at the top of their lungs after seeing me, a young noble lady while they were half naked.
"John, are they still not used to it?"
"Well, it is not like everyone is open minded about such things anyway, my lady. So please understand"
The new knights were frantic to wear their shirts to cover their upper body.
"You all should dry your backs first before wearing your clothes. Anyway, I will go to the infirmary and wait"
"Yes, my lady"
After going inside, the knights went in one by one after the other.
"My lady, is that cat perhaps yours?"
"Yes. He really likes me which is why he would always follow me"
"May I touch him?"
"Go ahead. But I am gonna have to warn you, he doesn't like being touched by anyone but me"
The knight slowly approach Xavier who is in his cat form. Before getting close enough to Xavier, Xavier hissed and climb onto my shoulder.
"Hahaha, you are right, my lady. I wish I also had a pet that clings to me like that"
After some time passed, it was the new batch of knights to get examined by me.
It was their first time to get check up by me which is why they were anxious. The other knights were older and found it amazing that a noble young lady like me to be the one to check their health.
But to these young knights who are still in their puberty, things are not as easy as the others. Because of that, both John and prince Diego was present in the infirmary to guard me.
"Will you please stop moving. It will be harder for the two of us if you keep doing that"
"I, I'm sorry. This is my first time letting a woman see my... my body... like this"
Why is he getting so red when he is younger than me by a year?
The apprentice knight immediately stop trembling after lifting his head. I turned around and saw the two smiling behind me.
Because of that I felt pity for the apprentice knight before me that he might get killed by the two impulsive guys behind me.