╔══ 𓆩♡𓆪 ══╗
Finally, Aurianna let go, her spirits lifted. "I should get cleaned up," she said, smiling genuinely this time.
"Yes, you should. You smell," Wein teased, but her eyes softened with affection.
As Aurianna made her way to her quarters, a sense of calm washed over her. The fortress buzzed with activity; the scent of baking bread and the hum of conversations filled the air. She paused near a storeroom, catching snippets of a heated discussion.
"I heard Ralph was caught being hands-on with one of the maids," a guard whispered conspiratorially.
"Really? The prince?" another voice responded, equally shocked. "If something like this gets out, King Girsal would be furious…"
Aurianna's heart skipped a beat. She pressed herself against the wall, listening intently. Ralph? Her brother? She couldn't believe it. Ralph had always been charming and kind, if a bit mischievous. But this? This didn't sound like him at all. Though it had been roughly six months since she'd seen him; surely one didn't change that quickly. Yes, it had to be a scandalous rumor with no weight behind it.
As she continued her way through the fortress, her mind couldn't help but race. What if it was true? That would be far from good. The announcement of Aurianna as Saintess had done wonders for the kingdom, but it hadn't completely alleviated the gloom permeating their land. The war was still ongoing, brutal and unrelenting. If news of the second prince being good for nothing got out, it could be disastrous. A scandal involving the royal family at such a critical time could spell disaster.
That night, Aurianna stood on her balcony, gazing at the stars. The weight of her new role, the encounter with Wein, and the troubling rumors about Ralph swirled in her mind. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I'll get through this," she whispered to herself. "I have to."
𓆪
Three years passed since Aurianna's acceptance of her role as primarily a healer. Each day was a blend of her duties and what little free time she had left she would spend her free time resting.
On the battlefield, Aurianna .Ade sure to always be useful. She knelt beside wounded knights and soldiers, her hands glowing with gentle light as she channeled healing spells to mend their injuries. The smell of blood and sweat mingled with the acrid smoke of battle, but Aurianna remained calm and focused on her job.
After a particularly fierce skirmish, Aurianna visited a nearby city to speak with its citizens and offer what comfort she could. The people gathered in the town square, their faces a mixture of gratitude and concern as they listened to her words.
"Thank you for your bravery to defend yourself long enough for us to get here. Most of the demons in this area have escaped, those who were injured were healed and the dead buried on clean ground," Aurianna addressed the crowd, her voice strong yet compassionate. "I know these are trying times, but we must stand together. Together, we can overcome any challenge. So please place your trust on the Sandeph Royals."
A murmur ran through the crowd, and a middle-aged woman stepped forward, her expression troubled. "Saintess Aurianna, we are grateful for your healing magic, but we've heard rumors… Is it true that you can only use healing spells?"
"Yes," Aurianna replied honestly, her gaze steady. "My primary focus has been on healing and support magic. It's what I can offer best in our current circumstances."
'I have a feeling that I can use attack spells. Yet I don't remember how to. What's more father said I shouldn't show others my revive magic.' Aurianna thought, biting her lip.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from the crowd. "Hey, Saintess! Remember me? You healed me last week!"
Aurianna turned, a smile spreading across her face as she recognized a Holy Knight among the citizens. He had a somewhat plump face, though the rest of his body was well-built, and he was fairly tall.
"Yes, Sir Kaede! It's great to see you. How are you feeling now?"
Sir Kaede stepped forward, his armor clinking slightly as he approached. "Thanks a lot, Saintess! I don't care what folks say; you're not useless without offensive spells!"
Laughter erupted from the crowd, mingling with good-natured chuckles from nearby knights. One of them affectionately smacked Sir Kaede's shoulder, prompting him to grin sheepishly.
Aurianna joined in the laughter, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Thank you, Sir Kaede. I'm glad I could be of help."
Though she had been unnerved at first by the realization that she couldn't utilize offensive spells like her predecessors, she remained determined to do all she could. Sir Kaede's gratitude bolstered that resolve.
Before she knew it, eight years had passed since she was declared Saintess. Now eighteen, Aurianna had celebrated her birthday just the day before, a national holiday in the Sandeph Kingdom.
Since becoming Saintess, Aurianna's days had been filled with exhausting but fulfilling work. But on her spare time she would often exchanging letters with her fiancé Dwane when on assignments and meeting in person whenever possible.
Her communications with Ralph were limited to occasional letters, as he always seemed too busy whenever she tried to arrange a meeting. The rumors of his womanizing streak persisted, and though Aurianna had started to believe them, he remained her brother, whom she loved regardless.
One evening, after a particularly grueling battle on the frontlines, Aurianna returned to one of the nearby fortress outposts and retired to her makeshift quarters.
Her robes were stained with dirt and blood, and her hands trembled slightly from the strain of channeling magic for hours on end. As she removed her gloves and rubbed her temples wearily, Aurianna couldn't help but reflect on the toll of war and her role in it. She had healed countless wounds and saved many lives, yet the weight of responsibility felt heavier with each passing day.
Aurianna changed into her nightgown, using a spell to cleanse herself magically, removing the grime and odor of battle. It was a practical spell that spared her the need for frequent showers, which she only indulged in for moments of quiet reflection.
Just as she was settling onto her grand, inviting bed, the creaking of the front door jolted her senses, piercing the silence of her room. 'I don't recall granting permission for the maids to usher anyone into my quarters,' she thought silently. Clad in her nightgown, she poised herself to rise from the comfort of her bed, only to discover that the person entering was none other than her own brother, Prince Ralph.
Prince Ralph possessed a striking presence, with his soft, oceanic blue hair and mesmerizing emerald eyes reminiscent of both their mother and King Girsal in his youth. Over the years, he had grown into his handsome features, often drawing comparisons to their father in his prime.
Anticipating the customary exchange of nighttime pleasantries, Aurianna greeted him with a sweet, innocent smile. "What brings you to my chambers, dear brother Ralph?"
She walked toward him, stretching her arms in a gesture of embrace, but was abruptly met with a forceful push, causing her to stumble backward onto the soft mattress. She glanced up, confused.
'Huh?' Aurianna blinked, trying to process what had just happened. He... pushed her? Why?
The smell of alcohol clung to Ralph, and his smirk was unsettling as he licked his lips, a glazed look covering his eyes. A chill ran down Aurianna's spine, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart.