NATHAN
I have never seen a Saintess more disgruntled to attend a chapel service. It was amusing seeing how blatantly annoyed she was. She wasn't even hiding it. Prince Ferdinand covered that up with a veil, muttering something in a ears. I heard her snort and walk away, coming in my direction.
"I have a question for you, Lord Silver. Would you spontaneously burst into flames the moment we cross the threshold of the church?"
"As much as that would delight you, no."
"Pity. I thought you would at least be useful as a distraction."
"Your words hurt, Lady Winifred."
"Then act like they do."
Perhaps it was because she was more annoyed today but she didn't apologize after that. I didn't hold it against her but I wanted to know just why she feared and hated the church so.
I used to be a huge fan of the other gods before I was betrayed. The one I loved devoted their life to the church and I admired that. But that devotion soon became my undoing.
"Lady Freya, what a lovely outfit."
"Thank you, your highness."
"You're welcome. I have never seen someone wear black so boldly to chapel before. It ought to be an interesting service."
I agreed with the princeling. But I was sure that the reason she was wearing black was because...
"Lady Winifred asked me to wear this with her. If you give me a little time, I could go change..."
"No, no, it's fine. You do look beautiful in that. I'll be delighted to escort you, my lady," the prince bowed, extending his hand to her.
"I'm fine, your highness. My father would be less than accepting to seeing something like that."
"Of course."
The princeling sounded disappointed. He didn't appear to have any romantic interest in Lady Freya before but after he heard the rumors, he was beginning to express interest. Amusing.
Darryl arrived as well and we piled into the Prince's carriage. He insisted that we all went together and picked the seat beside Winifred. It had to do with something about their image but it didn't visibly bother Winifred. I thought maybe she was finally getting used to the prince...until she avoided his touch again.
His aura was strong and he knew how to reign it in. She could see the aura around him and was wary about what would happen should they collide. So far, nothing had happened but she wasn't taking her chances. Her dislike for the prince was funny though.
When we arrived at the chapel, I could sense several people looking at us, including some very powerful people. I doubt there was a saint alive at my level but I wasn't lowering my guard.
"Welcome, your highness!"
"Bishop Matthew. What an eager welcome."
"I came to pay my respects to you and..." he lowered his gaze to Winifred. There was a look of shock on her face, matching the one she had when we first met. But that sort of thing was impossible. There was no one powerful enough in the kingdom that her eyes could perceive. That meant there was another reason.
This Bishop Matthew got on his knee and took her hand. She didn't snatch her hand back or say a single word. From the looks of it, I wasn't the only one that was shocked.
"A pure heart," she murmured softly.
"Thank you, Saintess. It would seem Oriel also recognises my will."
"...yes."
He let go of her hand and stood up.
"The Pope directed me to bring you and the lady to see him. Please follow me."
I was curious but it wasn't my place to pry. Besides, there was something else my eyes caught.
"I thought Samuel said all of them were destroyed. Interesting."
Before one got to the doors of the huge grey cathedral, one would encounter two fountains, three statues and a garden which held a stream. On the bank of this stream was an ebony stool. It was an ordinary looking stool with three legs and several carvings along its body.
That stool was one of the artifacts I carved with my own hands. It wasn't a particularly important item, at least not to me. But it held something I needed urgently, at least to obtain my eyes.
But, why did the church have it?
WINIFRED
I wasn't interested in meeting that geezer. The one I was interested in was this Bishop Matthew. He was the youngest bishop on service, being only 15 years of age. He was the pope's favourite and... Winifred's favourite person after Darryl left her.
He was there when she didn't have anyone and his presence was quite literally her safety. No one would treat her horribly when he was around. However, he wasn't around that much. But, when he was, he spent every waking moment with her. She naturally fell in love with him but Matthew had taken an oath of celibacy and devotion to Oriel. They couldn't be together.
However, when everyone in the world turned their backs on her, he defended her to her last breath, dying with her. It was a sign that he loved her just as much as she loved him.
"Bishop Matthew?"
"Yes?"
"I heard a little something about an oath of celibacy and devotion to Oriel. Is this compulsory for all bishops?"
"It certainly is interesting that you know about something like that. But, I will answer your question. No, it's not compulsory."
"But you're thinking of doing it."
"I'm considering it. It's a huge responsibility but his holiness keeps encouraging me. I'm praying for insight on this matter."
"What better insight than word from a Saintess?"
"Then I'm all ears."
"Don't do it."
There was a long, awkward pause before the prince finally spoke.
"Is this what you're taught in your classes?"
"There are a lot of interesting things I'm being taught in my classes. You can ask Lord Silver about it."
{Somewhere in the main hall, a certain Saint felt a shiver down his back}
Bishop Matthew stopped in front of a set of huge doors and opened them.