After we had our breakfast Artemis sent Amelia away as I still needed to go with her to priest Andreas so he can do one more check up on me and see if the curse is still active.
Though a little unhappy that her playtime got delayed - Amelia couldn't do anything about it, except glaring at me and Artemis as she went back to her room with her head bent down.
Priest Andreas was staying in the guest house mansion, just near the main house.
As we were walking there , only silence was between us. Artemis talked about some things now and then but I couldn't have a proper conversation with her.
In the morning all the emotions of the original Rio and my memories of my past life came crashing when I woke up and I couldn't control myself and cried in her embrace. But now when I have accepted this new world somewhat and cleared my thoughts, I just don't know how to act around her.
She's not like Amelia with whom I can feel an attachment. I would've ignored Amelia too if she didn't have Ria's face. But with Artemis I feel no connection. I mean Rio's feelings of love are there and I could still see them as memories in my head but I can't feel them - they're just like a good movie that's stuck in my head. So even if I love her character in it, but having a one on one conversation as her son , now that would be difficult for everyone, let alone me who lived half his life as a nobody.
Plus the fact that I also have to be careful that she doesn't notice anything strange - she is much much more powerful and intelligent than I am. I can use the excuse of the curse to get away with some things but you can't expect me to look into her eyes and call her MOTHER and hope that everything goes well.
But I also can't ignore her as that would make it all the more harder for me to live in this place and protect Amelia. Cause if I did that then I think they'll just adopt a new son - after all they did do that in the original book.
I was lost in my thoughts when I felt someone tapping on my shoulder.
"We're here. What are you thinking standing there all lost and zoning out." - Artemis said.
"Nothing. Let's go in. " - I replied and started walking ahead.
There were some guards standing at the gate and some who were patrolling the parameters but no one said anything. When I finally reached the gate they bowed down their head and opened it.
Me and Artemis walked in and soon we saw Andreas kneeling beside a window , reading the book that he was holding yesterday. He was chanting something that I couldn't understand the meaning of , the tattoo of Lyre on his hand was shining in golden color. I recognized what he was doing - it was a prayer ceremony for God Apollo described in the book. Since there's no statue or altar here , he's kneeling beside a window from where he can see the sun and praying but that scene sent me into another thought journey -
(He's praying to God Apollo.)
(But the prayers _ they're _ )
I was lost in thoughts watching Andreas when Artemis pulled me away from their to not disturb him. Currently we were sitting in the hall and after waiting for 5 minutes he came out.
Andreas bowed a little and said - " Forgive me lady Artemis for making you wait."
" It's no problem, the fault was ours to have you stay the night and come unannounced." - Artemis replied.
The people from any of the churches in this world don't go out unless it's necessary. They believe that the POWER OF FAITH accumulated in the church would help them. While the outside world contaminates their faith. Its especially true for someone with a high standing in the church.
Andreas held the status of a High Priest which meant that there were few who could order him in the whole BELIEF SYSTEM and none who were present in Damascus. The Church of Apollo here was under Andreas control and he was their leader. Him being away for a whole night would be impossible if it were for anyone else. But even he didn't want to ruin the peace that was kept between his church and the Blake House.
I gave a bow to priest Andreas and said - " Thank you for saving my life. High Priest. "
Andreas looked at me and replied - " It was the God's will. I'm just a mere follower. " Saying that he placed his hand on my head and the same as before the Lyre mark started shining and a ring of golden light encircled my head. The light felt warm and comforting but not the same as before when it engulfed me and pulled me out of the darkness.
As the light started rotating around Rio's head, Artemis who was worried and looking towards Rio didn't notice that for a moment Andreas made a surprised expression but then it turned to normal again.
After some time Andreas removed his hand and said - " There's nothing to worry about lady Artemis. Young heir is perfectly fine. I see no effect of the curse or cursed mana left in his body."
Hearing this Artemis had a warm smile on her face, she felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She replied - " Thank you for your efforts , Priest Andreas. I would personally visit the church and say my prayers to God Apollo."
Blake's family never affiliated themselves with any church and kept themselves neutral with the belief system , Now the Duchess herself going to the church would be enough of a reward as it would improve their reputation among all their peers.
Though the whole world believes and respects God Apollo for defeating the Demon King Ditail and ending The Last War but many also blame him for breaking the balance and causing The Emergence .
And now in an era where people forgot all about the wrath of Demons and only fear the non-stop monsters and towers and dungeons - his reputation has been going downhill lately.
So now that Andreas had saved Rio and gained the favor of Blake family - the Church's reputation and belief in God Apollo would increase in the eyes of general public, which would then result in increasing the power of faith. That was a good news for him. Andreas thanked her and after some pleasantries we left the guest house , priest Andreas too was going to leave for his church soon.
When me and Artemis walked out , Priest Andreas stared at our back for some time and then looked towards the sun and muttered - " God's will is ultimate. The prophecy had begun. "
_
Unknown about what Andreas said or meant, Currently Me and Artemis were coming back towards our mansion , it was the same silent walk as this time both me and her were thinking about what to do next.
Artemis needed to find the traitor that helped Evil's Scion as she wasn't worried about the curse now and was free to punish them.
I too left the issue regarding the curse aside for now, but unlike Artemis I didn't forget it completely - No I was worried as hell about that, something that wasn't mentioned in the original book - that's a big red flag for me right there.
But for now I was thinking about how to get her to help me deal with Noah & the possible traitor trio .
After thinking hard and not finding any way through which I could get her to help me with killing a 10 year old - without me sounding like a seer or a killer. Both which would bring it's own troubles for me and wanted to avoid.
I decided to stop that route and chose to take a different one. ( what's the worse that can happen)
I took a deep breath and said in a serious tone -
" It was Beric Zastan who cursed me MOTHER. He's been working with Evil's Scion. "
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A/N - _ _ / 5* - how was it.
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