In 1147, New Year arrived at the residence of the de Medicis Family of Saint Flueve Empire. Falma was now 12 years old, and Lotte was 10 years old.
“Good morning Falmsama”
“Fuwa! Good morning… What are you doing?”
When I woke up and saw Lotte’s face on the bedside, 10 cm in front of my eyes. I pulled my chin a little over the folded arm on the bed, swaying my face left and right.
“Oh, I was just looking at Falmsama's sleeping face.”
When the pink eyelash flashed his eyes, nonstop blinking. Falma thought that he was being a pervert but Lotte seemed to be happy just by being in the same space as him.
“What's this?”
When I thought that my waist was getting cramped, Blanche dived on the bed; I didn’t notice. The spoiled attitude of Blanche didn't seem to change that easily.
“Is it because it's cold today?”
Lotte opened Falma’s windows.
Outside was a silver world; Saint Flueve Empire was now covered with snow.
Oh, we have snow today. It's beautiful, but I want to get rid of it.
Falma thought involuntarily, he wasn't good with Snow.
Last winter, Falma's beloved horse slipped on the icy road. The horses were a four-wheeled-drive. He was watching the snowy road sweetly with a careless sense of mystery. Thanks to the falling horse, he stumbled and fell asleep for a day.
“It's snowing outside. I wish to relax at home. What will Lotte do today?”
“The scenery in the garden is wonderful. I think I'll draw a picture”
Lotte was looking at the garden with her sparkling eyes.
Looks like I can't erase the snow now since it will interfere with Lotte's painting.
“I'm going to get a good night’s sleep. You can take your time.”
Other than that, the rest will be desk work from the shop.
As New Year arrived, Falma thought it would be better if the Diversis Mundi Pharmacy took a break for a few days. So, Falma decided to spend the New Year at home after a long time.
“Falmsama, what should you wear today?”
“I will wear casual clothes because I'm at home.”
“Certainly.”
Lotte took out his clothes from the closet. As she had arranged the clothes with TPO (Time, Place, and Occasion) in mind, she would be saved in picking clothes. For example, if Falma were to participate in formal occasions. However, if she were to neglect the arrangement of clothes and leave Falma on his own discretion, there would be trouble.
“That one!”
Lotte was now holding the clothes ruffled in fancy folds and cuffs. Since Lotte was a servant, she was interested in Falma and Blanche's fashion. The reason was, she couldn’t cloth herself with a fancy dress.
“Oh, I see.”
Looks like Lotte will be my servant for a while
While asked to keep the button, Falma was troubled by Lotte's gaze. Although they were still children, it's embarrassing to be seen by Lotte while changing clothes. Lotte herself would be uncomfortable if that's to happen as they grow.
Even if I say I could change clothes myself, I guess a scion mustn't change clothes by himself huh.
Falma thought that it'd be better if Lotte's job as a caretaker were to be replaced by her mother or a male servant. There's no change in the fact that aristocratic life was a hassle.
“Lady Blanche will have her change of clothes.”
“Hai (yes).”
Falma was dressed in simple clothes, while Blanche's dress had frills on it. Both Falma and Blanche headed towards the dining room. He suddenly took the replica of the staff ID card from the wooden box on the desk. While going down the spiral staircase, Blanche wondered at a point.
“Older brother, why do you have that all the time?”
“This is…”
“What’s so important about it, older brother?”
“It’s an important thing.”
In his previous life, it's a must to put the ID card in the chest pocket of the white coat (lab gown). Since the ID card was also a key card to the laboratory, it became a habit for him to always carry the ID necessary when moving around the room. It's just a replica, but that was a proof that he was anxious in the corner of his heart.
I have to go out early.
Falma thought of going to the Great Church to see the great treasure. Since it was said to be a treasure, its state might be different from the former employee ID card. The Great Church wasn't located in Saint Flueve Empire.
The main shrine of the church was in a small city named “Holy Land (Sacred Country)”.
The Holy Land, like Vatican City, was a religious place where only the priests could live. Although it's necessary to cross the border, it was impossible to step in front of the Holy Land.
According to the chief priest’s story, going to the Great Church wasn't easy. Falma's existence was yet to be known by the Great Church. If it was known that he existed, he might be put under house arrest for fact that he was the precious treasure (Staff of Medicine God) of the Church.
It was said that the chief priest who oversees the Great Church had a troublesome secret art of divination. He thought about sneaking at night and stole the great treasure when the security was very low.
The Great Church was like a dungeon. Even if you entered as a robber during night time, you couldn't reach the location of the treasure. The chief priest said he was going to guide him. Falma's heart ached with the thought that a chief priest would guide him to steal the great treasure.
It seems like I would be excommunicated with Chief Priest Solomon if we crossed that dangerous scenario. A country consisting of priests was about to be discovered by just walking three paces.