Chapter 85
1166 Words
ELAYNE
“Ariana, that was dangerous.”
“It seemed fine to me. He accepted my offer.”
“But…”
“The church doesn’t have the resources to fight against attacks as of now. If it were to turn into public disarray, not a lot of people would get hurt. They have to fight for their freedom themselves.”
“Sometimes, you are just cruel.”
“I think it’s just being fair.”
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“Well, I don’t know. Would the competition still hold?”
“Of course it would. But before that, you could attend your friend’s wedding.”
“... I don’t think it’s a good time to return to Casella. I don’t feel worthy yet.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sure they’ll understand. After all, they’re the ones that sent the invitation.”
“... I’ll consider it.”
“If you do change your mind, just tell me. I’ll take you there myself.”
“What about you? You’re going around with me. It makes me wonder why you’re here in Rhonda.”
“I won’t lie, I’m here to check up on you.”
“Are you neglecting your duties again, Crown Prince Kalvin?”
“Of course not. I also came here to see the Saintess. Speaking of which, are you still interested in meeting her?”
“Of course I am. I planned to meet her my way before but now, I guess that’s not really possible.”
“Come to the gates of the Cathedral at dawn. We would go in together.”
We separated after having lunch. The next day soon came and I arrived at dawn, like he requested. I received quite the stares from the guards and soon, I was accosted by the man I had defeated the previous day.
“Aren’t you persistent? I told you that you cannot join the knightage.”
“I am not here to join the knightage. I am waiting for someone.”
“This is no place to wait for someone. Leave now or we would have no choice but to attack you for malice against the church.”
“... You know, you’re a funny man.”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you still harboring a grudge since I beat you?”
“W-What are you saying? You used dirty tricks to win.”
“But I won. And, if we’re going by your logic, since I beat you, you aren’t a real man.”
“Y-You… How dare you?!”
“It’s very early in the morning, could you not squeal like a pig? Some people are still trying to sleep.”
“I ought to cut your right where you stand.”
“Try it if you can. I will show you no mercy.”
Before he could draw his sword, a dagger flew past his face and embedded itself to the gate of the church. He reached with hands trembling to touch his face and screamed with rage when he saw blood.
“Y-You… I’ll kill you!”
“That is enough!”
We both turned to see Kalvin and the one who threw the dagger, Susanne, his cousin. Unlike the amicable face she always had on in Casella, she looked annoyed. I could even feel a little bloodlust from her.
“Y-Your highness.”
“Do you extend such rudeness to all of your guests? Does the church not have any manners?”
“No, your highness! He was threatening the security of the cathedral so I was challenging him…”
“He was waiting for me. You dared to lay a hand on my attendant? Is my authority worth nothing to you? Are you considering insubordination against the crown?”
“N-No your highness, I would never…”
Kalvin ignored him and looked up at the guards on the watchtower.
“If any of you still have respect for the crown, the take this man away and imprison him. When I am done with the Saintess, I would deliver my verdict.”
“Yes your highness!”
Without a second thought, they ran down and carted the man into the cathedral. If looks could kill, I presume I would be long dead.
“Did they hurt you, Ariana?” he whispered when he got close to me.
“No. You sure took your time.”
“Susanne couldn’t decide what to wear this morning.”
“Ahem! Kalvin, who is this?”
“A new attendant of mine. He would accompany me to see the Saintess today.”
“What about me?”
“Well, I told you not to come.”
“How rude.”
“You can just wait outside. We’ll be right back.”
“Kalvin!”
“Take some money and go shopping. The church is annoying but Rhonda does have the finest products in the kingdom.”
“KALVIN!”
Kalvin ignored her screams and pulled me into the cathedral. I thought she would follow but she surprisingly didn’t. Walking into the cathedral, we went into a chamber I had never reached before. He reached to squeeze my hand before we walked in deeper.
A man wearing the robes of a deacon came out to greet us. After going through the basic rites of washing one’s hands and feet, we entered into the inner chamber of the cathedral. There were statues everywhere, depicting Zerus doing various things. There was even one of him bathing. It was a nude statue that had me questioning the morals of the church. We were led into a big door which was pushed open by the deacon and we walked in. inside were two men and a veiled woman that I assumed was the Saintess.
“Welcome to the Cathedral, your highness. We did not know you were coming this early or we would’ve come out to welcome you.”
“I don’t mind. We have a lot to discuss so I came to have an early start.”
“Would you like to have a cup of tea, your highness?”
“No, I won’t. I didn’t come here for formalities.”
The more I listened to her voice, the more it was familiar to me. I stood behind Kalvin the whole time, half wondering who she was and half listening to their conversation. At some point, the other men left and it was us three in the room. Kalvin pulled on my sleeve and guided my hand until I was seated. I felt her stare on me.
“Is there anything more you would like to know, your highness?”
“No, but there’s something he would like to know.”
I stood up and walked up to her. In a swift motion, I lifted her veil, shocking the both of them.
“I was right. It was you the whole time, Noelle.”
- Writer
