"Felicia... Wake up, Felicia..." A certain voice made Felicia open her eyes and realised that she was comfortably laying her head on the Duke's legs. He and Alexander were the ones who woke her up.
Upon meeting the Duke's cold eyes, she frowned and suddenly sat straight. She was questioning how she ended up sleeping on the Duke's lap. What she remembered clearly was that she was in the other seat.
"I apologize for my impertinence, your Grace—"
"Don't worry. Let's just go, the mass is starting." He suddenly cut her off rudely and went out of the carriage. It ended up carving a frown on Rachelle's face. If he hated it, he should've said so.
But what Rachelle didn't notice is that as the Duke went out of the carriage, his ears turned red as he sighed, trying to brush off the feeling of fluff and lightness in his heart.
"How did I end there?" She muttered to herself as she accepted Alexander's hand, assisting her from stepping out of the carriage. Alexander smiled as if he was teasing her suddenly.
"What?" She asked, frowning over his teasing smile. "Well, I was about to lend you my shoulder but father decided to let you sleep on his lap for more comfort. I was about to get you instead but he just glared at me. So yeah, he didn't like it when I tried to pull you over." Alexander commented silently, following the Duke inside the big church.
It even made her face crumpled like a sheet of paper. What's with the Duke? She was fine with him acting like she didn't exist but now he's making a weird movement towards her.
"Is he crazy?" She suddenly blurted out which made Alexander choke, suppressing his laughter that may cause mayhem inside this heavenly place. He was letting out a giggle, still stopping himself.
'Why are people so crazy today?' Rachelle just stopped paying attention to him and just silently walked with him, arriving at their destined seats during the preaching. The Duke was waiting patiently for them, he did not even take his seat as he waited for Felicia to sit first.
Is this an improvement? Why does he keep being nice to her today? As far as she could remember, it's still not her birthday today. There's no reason for him to act like this.
"Thank you, Your Grace." She muttered as she went inside first, followed by Alexander and the Duke. As one of the most influential people in the country, they are seated in front, whereas the royal family are on the stage, right next to the statue of the Goddess.
The Hall was quite busy with people gossiping with each other, mainly focusing their attention towards Rachelle and her family, sitting in front. It must be because they went inside without Tyren or the Saintess. It's just the three of them.
Plus the fact that Rachelle tagged in a crime makes their gossip even more interesting in their eyes. But the main character was just silent, looking at the statue above them while wondering why the Goddess sent her an unfortunate premonition that could potentially pull her into a depressed state.
But that's just a potential, something that won't happen if she tries to stop it before anyone or that woman from her dreams dies. Whoever she is, Rachelle won't let her die.
"Please all ride for the Royal Family." An attendant suddenly yelled, followed by everyone standing up, and bowing their heads upon the arrival of the royal family. And here she thought that they wouldn't attend today's mass.
As Rachelle bowed her head, she felt like she was being watched by someone, which made every hair on her skin stand up at how eerie the state felt for her.
"Everyone, lift your heads." The Emperor commanded as they reached their seats, each looking so regal and elegant. Surprisingly, everyone was present at this point which stunned some nobles upon the arrival of the royal family.
Supposedly, every Sabbath, the only ones who are present every mass are either the second or the first prince or the two of them. But right now, it seems that this celebration is big enough to summon the entire royal family.
Which already put Rachelle in turmoil. Would this really affect her survival rate knowing that the entire royal family is present? What if they will try to back Helena since she's all-powerful now?
Considering that everyone is treating her like a Saintess even though she doesn't exude the idea of being a Saintess, she has the church behind her back, the Duke, and the common folks.
But with the appearance of the Paladin, would the entire Royal Family support her? If so, then this would mean that the only backup that Rachelle had behind her back was none other than her maid and Noctua, or Yulie Rajeh.
This will put her in a large gap of disadvantage if she were to fight with Helena. She may be the Saintess and she may have the original sword. She could barge in and tell them that she's the Saintess.
But knowing the Pope's foul nature and his disdain towards her, he will simply do everything in his power to eradicate her, he will kill her if she were to brag about it. It will end up in a bad state for her.
"Felicia... Sit down." Alexander muttered, tugging her hand making her realize that she was the only one standing. It seems that overthinking has caught her up. She sighed as she slowly sat up, trying to disregard the feeling of embarrassing herself in the crowds.
Some may have thought that she was dumb, she was only caught up with her thoughts of getting killed. "Are you sure, you are fine?" Alexander muttered as he could feel that she was acting restless all of a sudden.
"Yes... I'm fine, no worries. I was just... Wondering." She answered him, nodding her head while trying to calm her shaking hands.
"Are you sure? Because I can still ask Father to call for the chauffeur." He suggested. She was looking pale and uncomfortable. If not for him pulling her down to sit down, she would've remained there like an embarrassment.
"No, I can handle myself. Don't fret yourself over it." She firmly replied, believing that she could still keep it up. She wouldn't miss the chance to know who this new enemy is that she will have to take care of.
She cannot keep this man from growing out of his influence as their paladin.
Just then, the soft and melodic sound of the instruments started to erupt inside the church, signalling everyone to stand up once again since the Pope and the Saintess were entering inside to start their preaching.
Everyone then stood up, looking forward to the arrival of the Pope and the Saintess, guessing if the Paladin would walk with them in front.
Truth to their guesses, the Pope and Helena entered inside, along with an unfamiliar man with brown hair and black eyes. He was wearing the full Armor of the cavalry, a sword tied down on his waist as he continued to beam with pride.
As Rachelle managed to look at the sword, it was the exact replica of the sword that she had right now. The pope managed to make a replica out of the Goddess Kartara's sword, in order to fool these nobles and the common folk about the existence of the paladin.
If she could just remove the ring and wish for it to turn into a sword, she could prove to everyone that she is the Saintess. But that would put her entire life in jeopardy and then it'll not be safe for her.
So she just tightened her fists, trying to maintain a calm look while her eyes followed the Pope and Helena in front of the altar.
Her eyes suddenly then look upon the jewel that was tied to Helena's chest. It was standing out from the rest of her garments. She was wearing a combination of white and gold, resembling how pure her character is.
She was under the impression of being a kind woman who would not even dare to hurt a fly. She was smiling, spreading love through her smile which made everyone love her.
Oh how cute the Saintess is. Everyone is muttering at how beautiful she was, how blissful it was for Helena to become their Saintess. That Helena is way better than Felicia. But she didn't mind at all.
Let them talk crap, as long as the time comes when she will be able to bring this damn church to the ground, she'll have the last laugh.
But something feels uncanny about the black jewel attached to Helena. It's as if it was filled with an eerie feeling, something that she couldn't describe as she stared further into her necklace.
There's something about it that feels like it's drawing people in, like some sort of a charm but that would be impossible since charms are considered a taboo in this empire, especially the church which greatly believes in Kartara.
"May the Goddess Kartara be with you..." The Pope said, smiling at them while his eyes looked over the population present inside the church. Then his eyes landed on Rachelle.
For a few seconds, he just stared at her with a smile on his lips that made Felicia tremble at his sight, looking away from his clutches. It felt like the devil was watching over her.
What a creepy priest.