"I am going to interact with my mother." Claudina's hands banged on either side of the armchair Chronos was resting in. He in turn lightly pushed her face away from his personal space.
She came back after a weeklong trip with Sylvester from a demon extermination and this is the first thing she says.
"Why though?" Chronos looks at her in a tired way. "I thought you hated her and you never want to see her face again in this timeline."
"I do. Still do in fact. But I want to punch the younger version of my mother."
Chronos felt like a part of his soul just left. 'What was I thinking when I made her a saint?!'
They were in the library of the temple, a mammoth of shelves filled with books. There were armchairs and tables spread throughout the large room while strangely enough there were some books were sentient enough that they would flap themselves like birds to fly around. The high windows were tightly closed in fear that the books would escape. Like the sentient books there were also creatures resembling bookmarks with arms and legs that shelved the books and kept the place clean. One of them had bough over a plate of madeleines and refilled Chronos' tea.
Chronos hadn't given up on finding a way for Claudina to return home. So he went to the library to review all the books again. Also to avoid Claudina and Sylvester and to get a moment's rest.
Last time they talked, it was about to form a cult where the corrupted priests would be lured in so that their blood is drained by hanging them on a spike. Sylvester said they would only drain the blood, not kill them while Claudina said they would need 'that' to lure them. When questioned what 'that' is, they said nothing. But if going by those venomous looks it cannot be any good.
Thinking about it bought shivers on his back.
Unfortunately despite being a god, luck was not on his side. Both saints were successful in tracking him down to say the strangest nonsense.
He slumped back. Sylvester was standing right next to her matching the expectant look of his response. He could almost see the metaphorical dog tails wagging. He couldn't say no to those hopeful faces.
Though if he did have the heart to say otherwise, has it stopped them from their antics?
'I might as well give in to them. It is easier that way. It's less cleaning up after them as well.'
Signing deeply he said, "Very well but at least tell me why?"
For once their Cheshire grins reached their eyes. 'I am going to regret this, aren't I?'
"We are so glad you agree!"
"The reason, child, the reason."
"Oh right sorry." Sylvester sheepishly rubbed his nape. "Claudina?"
"Chronos you already know what other people thinks about my mother right? That she is a vile, horrendous and wretched woman?"
"I know. I also know that never stopped you from spreading in depths things about her; such as her medical conditions or her dowry being bought with counterfeit money."
"Enough about that! I am still embarrassed about it!"
His lips tightened in to a line in a grimace. 'Nothing about it is embarrassing! Rather that just makes you seem more dangerous.' "I believe it to be otherwise. It seems unnatural for you to be embarrassed about something like this. "
Claudina looked scandalized. "It does not. It simply adds to my charm."
"What sort of sick charm is it?"
"It is not sick! It is my pure maiden charm."
"You are the furthest thing from pure!"
"I will kill you, Chronos. Mark my words. I will kill you."
"The reason is," Sylvester said coming between them "Claudina wants to one up her when Madam Sofia was also weak and vulnerable."
"And punching her is the way you are going to do it? Really?"
"Not directly punching her per say though her getting physically hurt is guaranteed," Claudina answered.
"I shall pray for Madam Sofia that she lives long enough to give birth to you then. But are you sure about this? Your future may be altered. "
"Compared to the abuse my five year old self faced I need to personally make her life a living hell. My future being altered is of no concern. If I can't look at the scared child in the eye without returning victorious my life is worth nothing."
Chronos stared at her determined eyes. There was a distinct hatred in them too. He may have understood her reason why she decided to become a saintess.
In order to face a past filled with regrets, a person would become something their past self is ashamed of or become the strongest person to overcome their trauma Both these ways is a to protect the so called past reflection and Claudina fits the latter.
It was a known fact that Claudina hated Madam Sofia. After she was born Madam Sofia became an abusive and neglectful mother and a dishonest wife that spend the duke's riches like water.
Many times due to her spendthrift nature, Claudina had to monitor the administrations and accounts to save any leftover penny in fear of the dukedom going to bankrupt. She restricted all of Madam Sofia's spending when she found most of the money went to her lovers. She threw a fit and it was that day when Claudina no longer cowered in front of her. She plotted against her to save her beloved home.
Duke Ivan's health had been declining during this time so Claudina was left in charge because he believed that his daughter would not take after her incompetent, useless mother.
And all this happened before Claudina was an adult. It was also one of the reasons why Claudina could not enter the temple earlier.
Chronos glanced at Sylvester. He was probably helping her. That boy is always in the side where it is right no matter how twisted it may be. So seeing his fellow peer being troubled by her past he will obviously stand by her side. He will not care of his hands are stained in blood if the good side wins.
'Your grandson is not righteous like you, old friend.'
He lowered his head. "Very well. Do what you want." Both saints broke into triumphant faces. "However," their smiles faltered, "I will be coming along to keep an eye on you."
He raised his head, pinning them down with a steely gaze "And that is an order from your god."
They froze before quickly going down in one knee. "As you command, my liege," they said in union.
"Hmm. Tell me your course of action the day before. Now leave."
The stood up without another word and made a beeline for the door.
"I never want to be the receiving end of that glare again," Sylvester whispered quivering under his clothes.
"Agreed," a rare expression of fear was evident on Claudina's face as she whispered back.
"By the way write a detailed report of the sealing and extermination both of you," Chronos called out in a glacial tone.
They stopped in their tracks and dared to look back. He stared directly in their eyes with the same cold, empty face. They vanished behind the fluttering books and shelves.
A smirk stretched on Chronos' face. 'I scared them more then I intended to.'
Few days later, a letter addressed to Chronos arrived. There was no sender's name but he didn't need to guess who it was from. Only one person was so fond of forget-me-nots he thought seeing the blue flowers stamped in the white wax.
He opened it with a flick of the pen knife careful not to damage the flowers. He cut off the seal from the letter before pocketing the wax seal, full aware that person is going to demand the seal back. He could already imagine the outstretched hand in front as he unfolded the letter. He lightly chuckled.
A few elegantly written sentences were written on it: Tomorrow. Half past eleven. Main Street. In front of Orwen's Bakery.
He stared at the words. 'I need to find a form to go out incognito then.'
The next day Chronos left the temple without a word. As long as the Ruler, the King was alive, there was hardly any need for the True Ruler, the god, to make an appearance. And if any ghosts of wind can shake the cores of his kingdom, then such a kingdom should perish. He will simply found another kingdom.
Although he did change his appearance before stepping out. Going around his godly form already draws attention from the temple and palace; going in the streets will cause an even bigger uproar.
Before he left he closed his eyes and imagined his desired form. When he them again to look in the mirror there was young mischievous looking boy instead of the elegant, regal and wise god of time.
Now he was a good many inches shorter from his original form. This form was less muscular and more slender. His long grey hair was a neatly cut brown hair, the infinity symbol was gone, sculpted lips were now thinner with a slight pink tint, his high cheekbones was full with baby fat. His horns shrank and his stern grey eyes were a vibrant red. He changed his white robes to a white shirt, dark blue waistcoat and pants, a frilled cravat and brown dress shoes. His gold pocket watch was slipped into his front pocket.
He left through the front gates and no one stopped him from leaving.
The temple was near the Main Street as it leads straight to the palace. The residences of the Main Street are boutiques, cafes, salons, parks, museums, guilds, banks and government offices so people of the aristocracy and merchants are coming in and out of it with the occasional middle class people. Below the Main Street were the streets normally used by government officials while the one under it, are the streets used by the commoners.
As he walked down the street, strangers would openly gawk at him. Like Claudina he was also aware of his looks however he didn't made a show of it nor was he extremely proud of it. That is why he used one of his plain looking forms though it was a much younger form.
It backfired as groups of young to middle aged women tried to make conversation with him. He dismissed them with a polite nod and quickened his pace. 'Is this how Claudina felt when she walks the streets?'
By the time he reached the bakery the Main Street was starting to get crowded. The bakery was newly opened but fresh smell of bread wafted through the glass doors. Carriages with colorful eaves rolled on the stone cobbled road, the fountain in the square was playing and shops were opened for patrons.
Chronos pulled out his pocket watch. He was twenty six minutes early. He let out a whistle of breath.
He looked around. They didn't seem to be coming any time soon so he decided to enter the bakery.
Behind the counter was a plump man in a floured apron. A baker's hat rested on his head. The brown hair was stretched on his round head. His pudgy face looked small compared to his bulging stomach.
Chronos glanced at the displayed baked goods before saying, "Four buns. Two of them should not be glazed while the other has fresh cream in it."
The baker smiled as he packed the goods. Chronos paid the man a gold coin telling him to keep it, took the oiled brown bag and left.
Unbeknownst to him, for many months after this, many noble ladies would visit the bakery to able to meet him again.
Chronos sat by the fountain, took out one of the unglazed buns and bit into it. He finished it within a couple of minutes.
While he doesn't require any substance to live, he loved humans so he wanted understand them. So he began to imitate them by copying their behavior. He followed a sleep schedule and ate food like humans.
He drew out the other bun. Breaking it in a half, he crumbled the smaller one into bits while he ate the bigger halves.
He crushed the bits of the bun into smaller pieces and scattered them on the ground. Pigeons and sparrows alike flew down and started to feast on the meal. He fed them until all the pieces were gone yet the birds didn't leave. Rather some of them flew up to lovingly peck his head. Other flew onto his graceful fingers, chirping. 'Only animals has been able see my true form.'
"See I told you he would be here." He looked up. Claudina and Sylvester were weaving their way through the crowd.
"Lord Chronos, we were looking for you." They now stood in front of him. He was genuinely surprised. "How…did you know it was me?"
Sylvester exchanged a quizzical look with Claudina "Should…we not have?" she asked, uncertain.
A knowing smile spread as he slightly lowered his head. "No. Never mind, children." He reached into the bag and offered the last two buns to them. "You haven't had breakfast so here." They smoothly took it from his hands.
Slowly he got up. The moment he did so, the birds flew off.
He faced their confused stares. "Now what's the plan?"