Galerien [Southern Kingdom]
"What?" A sluggish drowsy voice asked. His voice was deep. His breaths came out as pant as he strived to stabilize them.
"Elder Sean wants to see you." The servant responded from outside the door.
"I'll be there," After responding he surges from his sleeping position and sits on the bed. Running his hand through his silver hair, he stood up and wore his robe. After putting on his shoes he strolled towards his door and walked outside.
Descending the stairs, he strides towards the main hall of the temple.
The two-way door was opened by two servants standing beside it, keeping guard.
An elderly man in a priestly garment came into view, his slight gray hair was barely visible since it was nighttime.
"You sent for me," He said as he ambled closer to the elderly man.
"Yes, I did. Sit." Taking a step closer to the elderly man, he sits in the chair closest to him.
"What were you doing in the Northern kingdom?" Elder Sean asked, the scowl on his face tells how dissatisfied he was.
"Helping a friend," The short reply only fueled his anger. Moving his butt to the edge of his chair he glared at the silver-haired boy before him.
"The truth, Dominic, What did you help him do?" Elder Sean happened to know the verdict already but wanted to hear from the direct source.
"I helped him to track someone." The short replies weren't making him less disgruntled.
"Can't you see he's manipulating you? Why would you do that, seeing how cruel he can be," Elder Sean was aggravated. He got the report on the massacre that happened in the North and unfortunately his curate was also involved.
"I was just paying my debt. His daughter was missing and he needed her-"
"For his voracious reasons." Elder Sean finished off. "He needs her to get what he wants, and we both know well what he wants."
Dominic moves his gaze to the window. It was drizzling outside and the weather was cold. His mind drifts back to the scene at the Northern kingdom, it wasn't his intention to cause harm.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Since you're an archpriest, the Elder priests have decided on a punishment. The little girl in question is in danger and a guard to protect her is being scoured for, so your punishment is to be her protector."
Dominic snapped his head towards the Elder. He scanned for a sign on his face to see if he was joking, but he wasn't. He wanted to disagree but he couldn't, punishment at the temple of priests is not up for negotiation.
"How long?"
"Till she's of age,"
Dominic nodded. He remained silent for a moment before he questioned,
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
Baffled, Dominic looked up at the Elder.
"Tomorrow..? That early?"
Elder Sean scowled at him.
"And whose negligence is that?" He sighed before his attitude softened. "You are the youngest curate in this temple and you've been here since age seven. You intend to become a priest and we Elders have decided to make this your final assignment, to right your wrong." He waited and took a sip from his cup. "You've reached the highest level of curate in a short period, a level nobody has ever reached, so I know you'll do this last assignment with ease."
Dominic took a deep breath. He smiles at the praises of his Master. His aim has always been to become a priest since he steps his feet inside the temple of priests.
"Everything has been prepared. Including your clothes, since you'll be protecting her, the priestly garments aren't necessarily needed, so they aren't added to your clothes." Said, Elder Sean.
Dominic frowned a little, but still, he nodded at his Master.
After some time he was dismissed. He stood up and walked to his room.
______
The Next Day
After bidding adieu to everyone, he entered the carriage which started trotting immediately. The distance from South to North was two and a half days. So they set off early.
He unwrapped the letter his master had given him, it has the temple seal on it. He was curious about what was written inside since he was told to give it to the king. He didn't even know how the Elders came to know that the little girl lives at the King's Mansion and needed a guard.
He was so deep in his thoughts and didn't notice when the carriage stopped.
"I'm sorry, Youngest Master, but I think we have company," The coachman reported, yanking him from his thoughts. He raised his head and looked out of the window. Four Men in black were standing lazily at the side while logs were on the pathway. He turns his gaze to the coachman before climbing out of the carriage.
"Remove the logs and keep going, stop at a tree with a black arrow. I'll meet you there," He told the coachman.
"W-what?..." Asked the startled coachman, he was scared.
"Just go. I'll meet you there," His firm tone made the coachman nod his head furiously and he quickly removed the logs for the way and trotted the carriage away.
"Your Highness," The four Men said together, which earned a glare from Dominic as they walked closer to him.
"Don't call me that." He snapped at them. "What information did you get?" His tone has turned frighteningly low and commanding, and the good boy image he kept at the temple has completely disappeared. His aura has become tyrannical and Frightening.
"The girl is indeed the person you are looking for, That's also the reason for the problems always lurking around her." The first man at the left reported. His blue eyes were deep and his black hair was finger-combed backward.
"Did she know anything?"
"No, your Highness- I mean Master, she's clueless," The same man replied.
"Good." Dominic nods his head in satisfaction. "Simon, you're coming while the others stay."
Simon, the blue-eyed man nodded. He gestured at the other three, they all leaned before spinning and fled.
Dominic stood and watched them as they fled away. He prepared to stride but suddenly halted. He sensed a presence behind him and a movement.
"I knew I'd meet you here," A say came behind him, recognizing the voice Dominic tilted his head and looked at the man from the corner of his eyes. The two scars on his face were visible and horrible which he didn't bother to hide.
"What do you want, Xavier?".
"The girl," Xavier replied. He strides and stood in front of him,
"Bring her to me,"
Dominic didn't reply. He just walks away leaving Xavier. He traced the trail the carriage wheel left behind until he got to the carriage.
He clambered into the carriage and it started trotting shortly.
___
Verian [Northern Kingdom]
Three days later
Alexandra sits at the front of a big chamber. Besides her sat King Magnus and Katherine, and in front of them were six men.
"Is this all?" She heard lady Katherine whisper, her voice was very low but due to lady Katherine sitting close to her she could hear it.
"The last one hasn't arrived yet. He is by far the youngest among all the men, and he is a curate; A priest in training." Thomas, who had arrived the day before yesterday, answered.
"A young priest?" Lady Katherine appeared astonished.
"Weren't you informed- never mind, he's a curate, not a priest yet. I hope Alexandra decides on him." Thomas wishfully said.
"But he's late. I don't think King Magnus will-" The disturbance from the door opening halted her words.
Alexandra gazes at the door as it opens. She sees the feet and then the torso, which belongs to a young boy. She looks at his face and her eyes automatically dilate. She gasped inaudibly when her eyes met with his. She knows this face, the cold-blooded eyes. She had seen it before.
Golden... brown shoes?
Oh no! He's here to get her!
But why does he appear this young? She was sure the golden-brown shoe guy was ten years older than this.
"Finally, he's here," She heard Lady Katherine sigh in relief.
"I think we should proceed now." Lady Katherine strutted up from her seat and walked toward the six men and one boy, she collected an envelope from each of them and strode back to King Magnus and gave them to him.
King Magnus read through them and nodded at Lady Katherine, giving his approval.
"Lexi, it's your turn now."
She has to decide on a bodyguard. She had documented what she would raise a query on but she found it too silly after reviewing the questions. So she decided to just select the less scary one among the men.
She rose from her seat and hiked toward the men. She gawks at them slowly as she examines them, from their clothing down to their shoes and their facial expression.
The man on the right side, near the golden-shoe boy, seemed the best choice so she pointed at him and glanced in the King and Lady Katherine's direction.
"I want him." Her small voice sounded across the hall.
"I knew you'd choose the young Priest!" Thomas clamored excitedly.
Alexandra giggled noticing Thomas was mistaken. She didn't select the priest boy. She turned her head and looked at the man she pointed at, but she was startled when she saw her hand pointing at the golden-brown shoe boy.
There seemed to be a mistake. She pointed at the man at the right and not the golden-brown shoe boy. She was sure of that.
"No... no, I didn't-"
"Thank you all for showing up, I appreciate it." King Magnus showed his appreciation and the men were directed to the entrance, leaving the golden-brown shoe boy.
"Thomas will show you to your room." He told the boy and nodded at Thomas, Thomas chuckled and took the boy with him.
Alexandra just stood there, dumbfounded. This wasn't right...