The Child is Loved By The Holy Constellations - Chapter 5
Chapter 5
[ ‘Guardian of the Golden Field’ takes a look]
[ ‘Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ wiggles her fingers.]
[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ coughs.]
I sighed as I looked at the message window that showed a gloomy reaction right away.
Ending the story in an unfinished word—At those words, my conscience stabbed me in the chest without any remorse.
Having said that, I couldn’t just tell them to take responsibility. Regardless of the readers’ reaction, I was the one who couldn’t finish the story and turned a blind eye to it.
I touched the phrase, “Dream of the impossible,” with my fingertips lightly. Yes, it was only the feeling of the paper rubbing against my fingertips without any meaning, but I kept touching it over and over again.
…Because it is my fault, too.
Just because readers don’t like it doesn’t mean I had no affection for the story. Who thinks it is not fun, if they write and post it themselves in the first place?
It was just that I lacked the courage to write my own story, regardless of the reactions of others.
—Dream of the impossible. ☆
The phrase caught my attention again.
The truth is, I wanted to end the story. As a writer, when you start a story, you start with the conviction that the story will be interesting.
However, when it hits a wall in reality, you realize that it is not like that at all. Some people continue their story until the end, for the sake of the few readers who read their writing…
But… I didn’t have the courage to do that. I turned away from writing that was originally a way of escaping from life and allowed me to release stress to my heart’s content.
Still, such writing appeared as a new world in front of me.
As the world, the characters, and the characters I thought and set came alive, I also melted into it.
Maybe, that is why the Gods are like that. Even though the Gods are not flawless and did not fully tell me the truth, I do not hate them in the slightest. Rather, they look cute.
So, I mean… wouldn’t it be bad to act for those cute Gods?
With that in mind, I finally opened my mouth.
“…Ah. Let’s do it, then.”
[ The constellations watching you cheer with joy. ]
I laughed out loud at the response. Who should be happy, wouldn’t this change?
I muttered to myself and put the guidebook back. Still, it seems that I am lucky enough as it is just before the original story began?
…Let’s try changing the genre.
At least, let’s change it so it’s not as exhausting—that I would not dry up or risk my life?
[ The ‘Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ says she will not let that happen. ]
[ ‘Guardian of the Golden Field’ says he will break their fingers if they dare to raise their hands to the Creator. ]
[ ‘The Librarian of Nippur’ says that it is for the Creator to communicate in this way. ]
I was happy to hear that, but at the same time, I sighed with a complicated mind. I have said this before, but obviously, there will be restrictions. Perhaps it is because it has put a great burden on them for notifying me like this.
[ The constellations make a fuss. ]
…I knew it.
If possible, let’s try to solve it on my own. I made up my mind deciding so.
I should be grateful that even in the worst circumstances there is a way out, and that they have given me the option to get out of the orphanage and live in a better environment.
If I make a mistake, the original, which has only a little left, will be destroyed. Then, it is almost like being thrown bare, so I have to be as careful as possible approaching the upcoming storyline.
Though I have a lot of questions, I can look into them later.
For example, why the novel I wrote became a reality.
“…Uh, I’m sleepy.”
I’m sleepy. It is the first time a day has felt so long. From orphanages to temples, to things about the Gods.
With a small sigh, I climbed onto the bed and covered myself with the blanket. The blanket was light yet warm, and it was so soft to the touch, which made me even more sleepy.
I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer and eventually shut them. Now, I needed a rest.
The past few days have been rather calm. Rachel came to wake him up, washed, changed my clothes, and ate. And, the rest of the time was free time. It was a very peaceful time to freely walk around the inside of the temple.
“The children are staying here, Beatrice.”
In addition, I even visited the place where the children in the orphanage were staying. The boys were so excited to play with the ball without even realizing that Rachel and I were coming, and the girls got together to play with dolls.
Seeing all of them like this was a relief. I was glad to see with my own eyes that the children were really out of the orphanage.
‘It doesn’t look like they are fighting with each other.’
It was also reassuring to see the child who had been trying to bully me got along well without threatening anyone.
Still, I wanted to hear from the children and see if they really liked it. So, I let go of Rachel’s hand and ran to the children nearby.
“Huh? Beatrice!”
“Wow, it is you!”
When the children saw me, they smiled brightly and ran to me. Then, one of them raised his voice to the fullest and chatted loudly.
“I love it here!”
“It is so much better than the orphanage!”
“There is no director, there is no hitting!”
“Yeah! There is a lot to eat, too! They said we could eat whatever we want!”
“A lot of toys as well! The adults here are so kind!”
“This is the first time I’ve been to a place like this!!”
I laughed heartily seeing the children chattering like that.
“I’m here, too!”
It is truly a relief. The environment here is much better than in the orphanage. Looking at the faces of the children, it seems that they are sincere.
Thinking so, I continued to glance around the children, and then I saw a group of children from a distance, hesitating and unable to come close.
‘Those kids…’
They were the kids who bullied Beatrice at the beginning, which one of them was bitten by the cat.
I narrowed my eyes and studied them, and Hans, who was the leader of the children, approached me first.
“Hey, Beatrice.”
The child was so hesitant enough to say that he was completely different when they first met. All of the sudden, he mumbled, blushing his cheeks.
“Well, thank you…”
“Huh?”
“You… the priests said that we came here thanks to you. And…”
The boy slowly turned his gaze and finished speaking.
“Apologize if I’m wrong… Because you were…”
I could not help but laugh at that attitude. Oh, cute. When he accepted that he did something wrong like that, I can’t help but accept his apology.
“It’s okay. I forgot about it.”
At that, he smiled lightly. He apologized to this point, so I did not want to be meaner for anything.
When Hans apologized, the children who followed him sneakily approached and apologized as well. After reassuring them that it was okay and that I had forgotten, I went back to Rachel’s side.
“Nyaan~”
“Kitty, you are here?”
I patted the cat’s back, which was groaning and rubbing its head against my legs. Well, I guess I should name this cat, too.
Let’s put it on hold for now.
Even though it is up to me to choose a place to raise me, I still don’t know if that person will even take over the cat, right? So, I need to be cautious.
‘Even if the Gods are behind me, it is not fun to meddle blindly…’
[ The ‘Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ stops while trying to give the oracles to the followers. ]
Do not. Do not interfere. If you keep doing that, the original work that is far away is going to be dusted and scattered in the air…
[ ‘Guardian of the Golden Field’ shuts the ‘Queen of Flowers and Nymphs.’ ]
[ The Librarian of Nipur’ advises you to do your best. ]
Do not try to do things behind my back!
[ The constellations are making a fuss. ]
I don’t know if these are Gods or just children…
Ah. Sighing. Rachel, who was beside me, spoke up.
“Beatrice? Is there something wrong?”
“Oh, no. But…”
Rachel made eye contact with me and waited patiently for my next words.
“Where is the better place?”
At those words, she narrowed her eyebrows in trouble.
“Well, I don’t know about that either.”
“Why?”
“It is Beatrice’s decision.”
When she tilted her head as if she didn’t know anything, Rachel said with her bitter smile. “Beatrice, I am going to meet the High Priest in a little while.”
“Is that why you are wearing such pretty clothes? To see Grandpa?”
I lowered my head and glanced at her clothes. Somehow, there were a lot of gold threads on the clothes. It’s not a dress, but I don’t think there are many priestly clothes that use so much gold thread.
Rachel nodded her head slightly.
“Yes. Don’t you like it?”
“It’s not…”
I don’t know how to express this feeling. I am definitely the one who chooses, but I feel as though I am being swayed without even having time to relax with everything that has been going on.
As my expression darkened, Rachel reached out and gently touched my cheek.
“Beatrice, the choice is yours. No one is forcing you.”
I blinked in embarrassment, wondering what expression my face revealed. Rachel said, stroking my plump cheeks softly because I have not lost any baby fat yet.
“So, it is all right. You do not have to worry.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I’m telling you.”
After hearing her say so, I nodded my head at Rachel’s gesture of holding my little hand tightly. She seems to be good with children. Even if I am really a five-year-old child, she certainly made me feel reassured.
“Shall we go then, Beatrice?”
“Are we going to see Grandpa?”
“Yes. If you don’t want to go right now, shall we go play a little longer?”
I shook my head lightly at Rachel’s question. It is quite tempting to say that I don’t have to go right now, but wouldn’t it be better to finish it sooner rather than later?
“I will go now.”
Smiling, Rachel gently curled her eyes at my words. Then she said, reaching out and stroking my hair lightly.
“You are a good kid. Shall we go, then?”
Nodding my head, I took Rachel’s hand. She smiled sweetly and started strolling, following my tiny steps.
“You are here, Beatrice…”
I bowed down my waist to the High Priest in a polite enough manner for a child. To a Priest, God’s word is absolute, but it is a little burdensome.
I was guided by Rachel and sat down on the comfy sofa, which was right next to the High Priest. It was like a granddaughter sitting next to her grandfather.
“Beatrice, you can choose the one you like the most.”
Saying so, the High Priest listed portraits that looked well beyond ten pages. Looking at it, I thought to myself.
‘Indeed. This is how you choose.’
Perhaps this was also overshadowed by the people on the side of the temple. Although there is an oracle of God and an equal opportunity is given to all, it is a curse if the jewel is given to the powerless.
So, I would have to choose only those who could hold the jewels in their hands and protect them. Or ones with some money.
But, I don’t think that should be part of my decision. The same goes for the Gods.
I gazed at the portrait. Each one of them was the King of a country and had a crown on their heads with splendid clothes. Of course, the portrait in the front is…
“Ah, this is His Majesty, the current Emperor of the Empire.”
I knew it. Thinking like that, as if I was not interested, I grabbed the portrait by hand and picked it up, before releasing it again repeatedly.
I was well aware that this choice is more important than ever—how much I can be involved in the story I have been working on and how I can conclude what I have not finished, all depends on this choice.
‘Then, the one who I should choose…’
The Emperor of the Empire, who is the father of the Male Lead, then Crown Prince.
The Duke of Creighton, who is set as the villain in the novel.
Count Droasen, the father of the next Lord of the association.
And the temple, essentially.
I could stay here if I wanted to.
Besides, I can’t remember the setting very well, but among the male candidates, there was a holy knight. Though I don’t know which temple he belongs to.
‘Honestly, it does not matter.’
I have no intention of changing the flow of the story by targeting male candidates. If the male candidates, who are supposed to be obsessed with the female lead, turn their attention to me, the story will be ruined.
Plus, the reason the story does not end there is simple. It was because I did not write the backstory.
‘Still…’
Even if I didn’t do anything, it was obvious that the story would progress over time. But, the story is bound to be a scourge. In addition, temples are excluded from the option in the first place because the Gods do not allow me to stay.
If I did, I would have followed the footsteps of the original story. Beyond an extra, such a development was a no-go.
Finally, I lifted up a portrait of a person.
“Grandpa, this.”
“Oh…?”