Maya's plan was a big success because no one suspected her of sneaking into the Inner Shrine. Be that as it may, she couldn't calm down after finding out the truth.
Why would they treat a holy maiden like that? Everything they did contradict what she learned and practiced from birth. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
She paced around her room, trying to think of an idea so she could meet with Aisha again.
Last night, she escaped without being able to talk with the Priestess, so she had to think of another plan. Something that wouldn't make her look suspicious.
Right when she finished thinking about that, the door was knocked from the outside. "Maya, are you inside?"
She was startled to hear Ren's voice from behind the door. Around this time, he usually already went to the shrine to study. He hardly ever visited her in her room.
A sense of apprehension grew within her. She didn't feel like meeting him, but it would be weird if she pretended to sleep.
Opening the door, Maya's gaze locked with Ren's cold one. Although they were siblings, they weren't that close because Ren was the family's pride, whereas Maya wasn't. So it was rare for him to look for her this early.
"Brother? Why are you looking for me?"
"Can I get in first? There's something I want to ask you."
Maya's body suddenly felt tense. Ren had always been a bright kid for as long as she could remember. Sometimes, she felt like her brother could read through her mind, making her wary of his intention.
It couldn't be that Ren noticed she went to Inner Shrine last night?
Maya quickly brushed off the thought and made way for him to enter. She kept reminding herself that she had gotten rid of the evidence, so everything should be alright. If she tried to shoo him away, he would probably become suspicious instead.
After closing the door, Maya turned around to face her brother. "So? What do you want to talk to me about?"
Instead of answering, Ren suddenly took her sword on the table, catching Maya off guard. His eyes narrowed down as he examined it closely.
"You haven't trained for a long time, so why does the handle so wet?"
Her heart jumped at his question, but she tried hard to play it cool before answering. "It's because I sometimes use it to train late at night. But why are you touching my things without permission? Put it back."
"Maya, you weren't training last night, nor did you stay in your room the whole night."
Maya's whole body stiffened. Under Ren's accusatory gaze, she broke into a cold sweat. "Brother, what are you trying to say? I was in my room for the whole night. It was so cold I didn't want to get out of bed. Where would I have been if I wasn't in my room last night?"
Ren didn't reply immediately and put her sword back on the table instead. "Who knows? But let me give you a warning, my little sister. It would be best if you didn't poke your nose where it doesn't belong. Or you wouldn't be able to afford the consequences."
After saying those words, Ren walked past her and left the room, leaving the stunned Maya behind.
Ren knew she was sneaking out last night. If he told their father about it, Maya's life would probably be over. He was here to warn her not to do anything reckless again, or he wouldn't put a blind eye to the matter anymore.
"This is bad. He's probably will tell Father to ground me. I have to meet the Priestess before it happens."
***
Using the time when her brother and father weren't around, Maya sneaked into the Priestess' quarter again. Since this place had been empty for a few days in a row, she didn't expect much when she arrived.
However, when she checked on her room, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the Priestess was actually there for once!
Maya was trained to make her steps as light as possible since she was a child, so Aisha had yet to notice her presence. The latter was lying on the bed with sweat rolling down her forehead.
"N-No…Please save me…."
Maya stood beside the bed and was thoroughly surprised to see her suffering alone with no one tending to her. She was clearly sick, yet the fireplace had no fire, making the room feel colder.
Inside such a room, there was barely any furniture except for a bed and wardrobe. And the owner of the place could only curl in bed with an old blanket covering her body.
It was just too much.
Maya gritted her teeth, feeling a strong urge to yell at whoever let her become like this. Wasn't she supposed to be the most honorable lady on the island? So why did she live more miserably than a servant?
Because she would soon turn into a vassal. There was no need to treat a vassal kindly. As long as she wasn't dead, then that was enough.
Maya could already guess the answer, yet there was inexplicable pain in her heart. When she thought about how the benevolent Priestess she knew would no longer be herself in the future, there was a deep sadness within her.
"No, I can't let that happen. This isn't right at all. She doesn't do anything wrong."
Maya quickly made up her mind. Everyone on the island had gone crazy.
If the Priestess remained on this island, trapped among those monsters, she would eventually lose her life.
"Priestess, can you hear me?" Maya gently shook her body.
Aisha groaned softly before slowly opening her eyes. "Maya, is that you?"
"Yes! Priestess, what happened to you? Why didn't you call for someone to help?!"
Aisha didn't answer her and instead smiled weakly with her chapped lips. "This is just the usual thing. I should be fine if I sleep some more."
Maya's heart aches so much hearing that. The usual thing? So this wasn't the first time she was in this condition?
"But Maya… I'm so happy you are here. I thought… you are also fed up with me. I was scared you won't be my friend anymore…."
"What are you saying?!" Maya's words cracked as she held back her sobs. "Are you an idiot? When someone insulted you like that, you should be angry!"
"But because of me… someone will be unhappy again. I don't want that."
"You are so frustrating, you know that?" Maya uttered helplessly before crouching down with her head buried on the bedside. She dared not to face her genuine and clear eyes. "I'm sorry for what I said back then. I didn't mean it. It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. I never hated you."
"Really? Thank goodness. I'm glad to hear that."
Maya bit her lips. A small fire blazed in her eyes when she finally raised her head and made a vow to the small Priestess.
"Priestess, I swear I will save you from this hell hole you are in. Everyone in this place is crazy, so I will take you out of this place!"