Elizabeth stood up as soon as the morning prayer finished.
"Bless us with your holiness, our great Saintess!"
She bowed and smiled kindly to the worshipers who participated in the morning prayer at the main temple, the one that belonged to the God of Light and Creation. Before exiting at the back of the altar intended for the temple's officials only, she released a gentle wave of divine mana to bask the people on it.
These people are citizens of the nation, and they also possess divinity, so the purpose of her action was just to revitalize their mana.
After receiving their farewell greetings and gratitude, she proceeded to leave. After the prayer at the main temple, her next schedule was to offer a short ritual in all remaining temples which can also be found within the mountain's vicinity. Only situated at different points of the mountain.
She trod down the boulders carved into stone steps towards the next temple which lies approximately three hundred meters away from the main. The morning sun had just risen and the hue of the sky consisting of different colors was really breathtaking.
Usually, Eli would casually stop and stare at them for a good while, basking herself in the cool breeze of the morning wind while appreciating the vast canvas above her. But today, her mind was occupied by the letter she received from Semaria. Her steps were hurried and impatience was written on her face.
"One of the very few moments where you showed genuine emotion."
She stopped after hearing a familiar voice. Turning around, she found the second highest priest smiling at her.
Bowing with her hands clasped together on her front, she greeted the higher-ranked official, "Your Eminence. Why have you come here?"
"I was present at the morning prayer, but you seem distracted. So, I followed you." Second Highest Priest Deuxen answered.
The priest's eyes showed concern. She avoided his gaze and continued to walk her path.
"Mona fell in slumber, by the dreamcatchers." She answered casually. But she knew the second high priest felt the tremor in her voice.
Of all the demons she could encounter, why does it have to be those potent ones? Her desires are the perfect food for those hungry hounds. And for Mona to take weeks to wake up, she could probably tell the catchers had served the most delicious course to hook the mischievous fellow.
She could only hope for her not to entirely take the bait.
"Careful."
Eli flinched when she felt the hands of the second highest priest wrapped around her slender waist. Her thoughts had completely wandered to Mona's situation and she failed to realize she was already walking past the stone step landing. If Second Highest Priest Deuxen had not stopped her, she would have rolled down the rocky terrain of the area.
"I shall complete the offerings instead. You really seem distraught." The second highest priest suggested, even more worried at her.
She gave him a soft smile to show her appreciation but also shook her head to refuse.
"I still can perform the remaining rituals. I must do it." She steadied herself and stepped away from him. Luckily, she insisted on paying offerings to the temples alone. If someone had seen their proximity, a rumor might spread.
Inside the mountain, proximity between the opposite gender should be observed. "Thank you, Your Eminence."
"Then, please watch your step. I will still accompany you." He answered and continued to walk down.
Walking before her, the second highest priest didn't speak again. He calmly trod the steps and Eli followed after. She tried to erase any thoughts involving her friend in the meantime, lest she make a mistake during the rite ceremony.
Once her job is finished, she will immediately seek permission from the first high priest to leave the nation and help Mona. She was sure First Highest Priest Yunis would allow her, recalling how he treated Mona during the two years she served the temple.
"Lady Mona will surely come back safely." Second Highest Priest Deuxen said. His voice was convincing and confident. Continuing his steps without looking at her, he added, "She's not weak, nor her heart. She may be longing for a certain picture, but she won't lose sight of what is concrete. Trust her, Eli."
She felt complicated when he heard the priest call her by her nickname. She didn't respond and just silently observed him. His long white hair sways freely in his every movement. He looked noble and dignified even from behind.
Second Highest Priest Duexen is the only one who can really tell her true emotions, despite her efforts to always flash a solemn yet gentle mask. And Mona was the one who always ripped that mask off.
She didn't know what was it that easily drew her to the lady, even when she tried to build walls around her, Mona would just casually walk in a door she wasn't even aware existed and extremely caused disorder inside her.
But honestly, the mess doesn't really matter to her. She was just glad to have found someone she could be herself again. Since her lost friend hadn't returned yet.
"I don't.... really know." She murmured after a while.
The second highest priest may also be one of Mona's friends inside the temple, but he did not spend every passing day with her, unlike Eli who was constantly pestered by her every day. She saw how Mona favored the children and ignored the rest, but would sometimes look at a happy family with longing and sad eyes.
So, she knew how dangerous her situation was.
No matter how strong her heart is, if the things that make it strong were to be used against her, there's no way it would not waver.
She looked up and prayed to the God of Light and Creation to shake Mona from her prolonged slumber.
And then, she continued on her way.
* * * * *
"Is there something you fancy here, my lord?"
The courteous yet excited voice of the shop owner caught Luven's attention.
He was currently looking over a line of beautiful silk bands with different patterns. His eyes are hovering around to find something that will perfectly suit the person in his mind.
He can't seem to choose one and even had the urge to buy all of them. But giving all of them might look imposing and arrogant.
In the end, he grabbed a white one with a black crescent shape embroidered on both ends. The owner rolled the silk band and put it inside a wooden box printed with their shop's name on the lid.
After receiving his purchase, he left the accessories store and mounted his horse. Then, he had it run towards the Grand Duke's castle. He had actually come to the north to visit his sister, and only stopped at its capital to buy a gift.
He felt excited at the thought of meeting her again. Even though she refused to be acknowledged as his sister, he still wanted to talk with her. Their meeting at the Omun province was short and quite unpleasant. So, he's really determined to spend his whole vacation with her, no matter what.
When he reached the castle's main gate, a knight announced his arrival through a magical device and waited for the answer.
The knight listened on the device and looked at him.
"Marquess Vandross, the Grand Duke said that you didn't inform him of your visit. So, he is busy right now and can't accept you." The knight announced politely.
Leuven furrowed his brows and glared at the castle as if his stares would reach the Grand Duke inside.
"Tell him I sent a notice of my visit. He didn't reply so I assumed it was okay." He answered back.
When the knight turned to him again to deliver his master's response, his restrained annoyance broke free after hearing his answer.
"His grace said, 'Your fault for assuming it like that. Now, go home.'"
Gritting his teeth, he answered with fury towards the knight firmly standing after the gate. His companions are lined up behind bars and becoming vigilant toward him.
"Open this door and let me face him!"
But the knights were unmoving and their gazes were pointed straight ahead.
Luven clenched his fist and prepared to unsheathe his sword to force his way. But fortunately, he was stopped by a voice approaching the knights.
"You don't have to resort to violence, Marquess Vandross. The fault is entirely mine. I left his grace his letters to add more work for him, but he froze and exploded them instead." The man bowed curtly and ordered a knight to open the gates.
Luven calmed himself down after the attendant apologized, and answered in a sour tone afterward, "So, he deemed my letter as insignificant."
The attendant didn't respond. The gates opened and he stepped inside, pulling his horse behind him.
"May I ask what is the purpose of the marquess' visit?"
He scanned the surroundings of the grand duchy and answered, "To visit my... Lady Mona."
In his peripheral, he noticed the sudden pause of the attendant. His instincts bothered him that something was wrong, so he completely turned towards him and asked seriously.
"Is there something wrong with my sister?"