Chapter 1-Inheritor
At present, Louise Balzac is one of the most prominent female heirs in Vassen, and is the most popular bride-to-be. However, contrary to what the outside world thinks, the eldest daughter of the distinguished Brudo Count, Louisa Brudo, did not grow up in the splendid Brudo court - in fact, she was sent to a convent in Fontenoy when she was young and was brought up by her aunt.
"...So, Mary, you need to get along as well as possible with Louisa Countess," Mario priest said to his niece as their carriage approached the convent.
The young girl sitting opposite him was not yet fifteen, but was already quite plump and attractive.
Mary, the niece, was confused by her uncle's words: "Why? Uncle, I thought the Count hadn't decided yet, and maybe he wouldn't be satisfied, in which case Louisa Countess wouldn't be Louisa Countess anymore, she would just be Louisa nun."
'Louisa Balzac', is Mario priest benefactor, the eldest daughter of Brudo Count. According to the 'inheritance law for eldest children' in this land of Brudo, she would be the first heir to this land without brothers. But the problem is that she was sent to a convent very early, and people thought the Count's intention was to make his daughter a nun.
If a woman becomes a nun, she is like a man who becomes a priest or a monk, and loses her relationship with the secular world, inheritance rights are naturally out of the question.
Brudo Count has another daughter, who is the daughter of his second wife, and she can inherit the title and become the future Brudo Countess.
"Perhaps the Count originally thought that way, thinking that he would still have a son. But now it seems unlikely, so he must consider recalling his eldest daughter," Mario priest did not explain much.
Mary pouted: "But Eva Miss...
Mario priest interrupted his niece: "The Count has already made his decision, compared to Eva Miss, Louisa Countess is more important."
'Eva' was the second daughter of Brudo Count, who could only be referred to as 'Miss' or 'Madam', while 'Princess' was a title exclusive to the eldest daughter of the Count's firstborn heir--this was rare, the problem was not the 'eldest daughter', but that women were rarely given inheritance rights at this time.
Mario priest was the private chaplain of Count Brudo, and had been serving the count at his court. Mary arrived at the Brudo court five years ago and was immediately captivated by the luxurious court life. During this time, she was taught by the countess... Of course, she would rather see 'Miss Eva' become the Countess of Brudo than the 'Louisa Princess' she had never seen.
"The count will regret it!" Mary sulked, turning her face away. "Think about it, a princess who grew up in a convent, a stuffy little nun. Perhaps we'll see a pale-faced girl with her head wrapped, who knows nothing but to pray and sing hymns. How could such a girl be qualified to rule Brudo?"
Mario priest paid no attention to his niece and, when they arrived at the convent in Fontro, it was much busier than usual, as if there was a banquet being held--this was very unusual in a convent, as the very purpose of establishing a convent was to enable monks and nuns to lead a secluded life.
"It seems we've stumbled upon a wedding," Mario priest said as he stepped out of the carriage.
Their party was large, consisting of Mario priest, his niece Maria, two nuns, and over a dozen knights. They had come to meet the future countess of Brudo, who was being escorted to her wedding as "Countess Louisa."
Of course, such a conspicuous group had drawn the attention of the convent, and soon someone came out to greet them.
In addition to the nuns in dark habits, with their white headscarves pulled tight and cloaks of clouded wave, the leader was a bishop wearing a small round hat without a brim.He was in charge of presiding over a very important "wedding" today, so he was dressed more elaborately than usual.
The priest's tunic, which was made of silk, was embroidered with cross-shaped patterns. He wore a brown wool cape on top, with cross-shaped patterns on the collar, front, and hem, and was decorated with silver braid.
He had a white linen handkerchief wrapped around his wrist, and in his hand was a bronze-plated censer with a beautiful religious theme on the cover. Incense was burning inside!
The "wedding" referred to was actually the ceremony of blessing a young girl to become a nun formally, which was also considered a "marriage" for this era. Nuns were also called "the bride of God".
The blessing of a nun was a privilege of the bishop, which was also the reason why the local bishop was present at the convent. He stepped out of the procession and led the crowd to welcome Mario priest.
"We are here to receive Louisa Countess," Mario priest explained as he walked into the convent with the local bishop, shoulder to shoulder. "Count Bruodu believes that the future ruler of Bruodu cannot stay in the convent forever."
The bishop apparently had heard some news as well, nodded head: "Barzac Countess has temporarily left the convent, and I have sent someone to invite Louisa Countess."
"Barzac Countess" referred to Louisa Barzac's aunt, the sister of Bruodu Count, and the current head of the convent. "Madame" could also be a term of respect for nuns at this time.
The bishop accompanied Mario priest and Mary into a small meeting room in the convent, which was just as plain as any other room in the convent. A few high-backed chairs were bare, showing the natural color of the wood, with no carvings or decorations. Besides the chairs, there was only a small table, and a water kettle was placed on it.
The bishop and Father Mario sat on either side of the small table, while Mary sat on the outside of Father Mario's side. A nun brought in a bottle of wine and served it to the guests.
Soon, the bishop sent a nun ho was accompanied by a young girl dressed in secular clothes. It was obvious that everyone in the reception room realized that the girl was 'Louisa Countess'.