The Divorced Duchess

Chapter 16.2: OATH AND DISMAY

CLAVERENCE Empire….

Year 563….

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow across the quiet town, young Darvan sat on his porch while waiting for someone to come out of the edifice. He was planning to spend some time together with his best friends.

“Darvan!”

Darvan stood up and waved back to the person who called his name from a short distance. He smiled as he looked at the twins walking towards him. At first glance, it was nearly impossible to tell them apart, and their synchronized movements added to the intrigue.

“Quadir! Qurique!” He greeted the twins. “Both of you took so long to come out.”

“Our lecturer asked for help from the academy,” Quadir guilelessly ranted.

“It is because you volunteered to help even though I didn't say yes,” Qurique said.

The twins were one year ahead of him, with strikingly similar features that made them the talk of the neighborhood. Despite their identical appearances, Qurique and Quadir had their unique personalities that set them apart. Quadir was the extroverted and easy-going, while on the other hand, Qurique was the introverted twin and the most studious among the three of them. The three of them once met in a charity organization, and then became friends after having a common interest in hunting.

“Time to hit the road,” Darvan announced. They had planned to visit Goddess Enah’s shrine.

As the carriage meandered along, the three passengers gazed out of the window at the timeless downtown. They enjoyed seeing some architectural marvels, constructed and displayed a reverence for the classical style- marble columns, arched windows, and intricately carved reliefs. There were also horse-drawn carriages clattering by, conveying passengers to their destinations with a timeless charm.

At last, the three young men approached the grand entrance of a revered temple nestled within a tranquil grove. Their polished leather shoes echoed softly on the stone path as they made their way to the Goddess Enah’s shrine.

Upon entering, they were enveloped by a hallowed ambiance, a sanctuary of serenity and sacredness. The air was perfumed with the lingering scent of incense, and soft, flickering candlelight danced upon the polished marble floors. As they ventured deeper into the temple, they approached the central shrine, where a magnificent statue of the deity Enah stood. They paused, and their heads bowed in reverence, their expressions marked by a deep sense of humility.

“Do you think she could hear my appeal?” Quadir asked them after they prayed.

“Let me ask you, Quadir,” Darvan responded to his friend. “Do you believe in her?” On the deity Enah.

“Yes,” Quadir promptly answered.

“That’s the answer.”

On the other hand, Qurique went out first without informing the two of them. When they were done with their duty inside the shrine, they followed Qurique. However, curiosity killed a cat, so that's what happened to Quadir.

“We should head out, Quadir!” Darvan said in an almost whispered voice. He was panicking because they had entered a private chamber, but his good friend stood there as if his curiosity was piqued beyond restraint.

“Darvan, do you see the scepter on the marble pedestal?”

“Shh!” He tried to remind Quadir to keep silent. “What if the Pontiff and other holy priests find out that we have entered this chamber?”

Quadir unveiled a reassuring smile and said, “They will not find us, Darvan. At this time, they are preparing to pray in the other shrine.”

Darvan knitted his brows. “How do you know their temple routine?”

“I had predicted,” Quadir replied.

“But if they capture us here, a huge punishment awaits us!" he asserted.

“Alright, if you insist.”

Darvan sighed with relief. It was favorable to him that Quadir was listening to him.

“But we need to see the scepter closely and make a pact.”

“I don’t want to,” Darvan firmly disagreed.

“If you don’t want to, you may forget our friendship from now on.”

If there was one thing that the twins had in common, they could manipulate someone in their own way. Darvan knew how the twins could get what they wanted without having a long discussion. This might be a trait of the Chauverthier clan.

Quadir dominated him with a simple trick, and that led Darvan to follow what Quadir wanted at the moment.

In the center of the chamber, atop a marble pedestal, rested an elegant divine scepter. As soon as they looked at it closely, Darvan could tell that this scepter was emitting forceful energy. The central shaft of the scepter was made of precious plated gold and meticulously carved and engraved with intricate patterns. At the top of the scepter, where the staff narrows, it has a decorative finial with an encrusted gemstone of ruby.

“I remember my mother had always told a tale about the divine scepter. She said that if we agree in front of a scepter, it will serve as a witness of a binding pact.”

“What a powerful symbol,” Darvan commented.

Then, Quadir looked at him as if he were implying an unacceptable idea to him. “Please stop whatever thoughts you have because we will both regret it afterwards.”

“May you help me fulfill this notion of mine?”

Darvan shook his head at Quadir’s suggestion.

“Please stop this, and we have to return before the Holy Elders find us.”

Darvan was terrified at the idea of being labeled as a trespasser. He was also frightened at the thought of his parents catching him doing something against their guidance.

It was too late when Quadir touched the divine scepter and uttered a phrase of pact.

“I, Quadir Chauverthier, pledge to let my future descendant have a bond connection with Darvan Psycheberg’s future descendant.”

For a moment, Darvan couldn’t comprehend what Quadir was thinking. He stood in a state of stupefaction as he stared at Quadir.

Quadir snapped his fingers at him. “It is your turn to take the pledge, my friend.”

“I refuse to believe that this is happening,” he uttered.

“Nevertheless, we have to make a pact because I wanted to prove what my mother stated.”

Darvan couldn’t refuse his friend as he wanted to finish what they had started; otherwise, his frustration of being caught would come to reality.

“Darvan of Pscycheberg house will pledge to let my future descendant have a bond connection with the Chauverthier clan.”

At the time their oath was completed, a luminous light from the scepter began to emanate a soft, melodic hum, resonating with the very essence of the room. It seemed to respond to their pledge, its luminous core swirling with iridescent hues of blue and green. It was as if the scepter ratified the vows they made.

Until Darvan went back to the manor, he couldn’t believe he had done an unbelievable deed. After he made a pact with Quadir, everything inside the chamber went back to its normal position. He immediately pulled Quadir out of the chamber and briskly walked out of the temple without looking back.