With the second choice made, the servants immediately carried us away from the grand hall and into another space. Our entourage followed closely. As we were being transported, I turned to Iris.
"Iris, what's going on with the consorts? Aren't they hostile to each other?"
She looked at me, confusion clear in her eyes. A long sigh escaped her lips.
"I think I have some idea... but ugh, it's complicated. Let's talk about it after this ceremony."
"Complicated how?" I pressed, not really expecting a full answer. "Are they scheming something? They seemed pretty genuine to me. Or maybe they're just too good at acting?"
Iris shook her head. "Not like that... well, maybe. It's hard to say. I just... I feel like something's changed."
"I mean, we were just six months in this timeline previously, and obviously we dont remember anything from then, my latest memory of previous life would be about 5 years old, and that too is a blur, so we're not completely sure what exactly is happening either."Alice chimed in.
"I can assure you, though, their relationship is still not as good as it appears. We wouldn't be separated from them otherwise. But let's deal with one thing at a time, alright?" Elanor concluded.
I sighed. "Fine. But we're definitely talking about this later. No way am I letting you keep me in the dark."
"I wouldn't dream of it," she replied with a slight smile, though the tension in her voice was impossible to miss.
We were brought into a closed room that looked like a place where religious leaders gave their sermons—wooden tables arranged like a lecture hall with a podium raised high. Now that I think about it, this place resembles the churches in manhwas and mangas, but far more colorful, adorned with jewels, tassels, and realistic sculptures.
This wasn't pure white—it was pure wealth.
The room was already filled with people wearing Victorian-era-style clothing. Nobles, no doubt. Important figures. Of course, we were led straight to the front. Eye roll.
As we were seated, I whispered, "I really hate this. Always being paraded in front of everyone."
Iris smirked. "You think I enjoy it? Trust me, I'd rather be anywhere else."
"You know what I'd love right now?" I leaned closer, speaking quietly. "A nice, quiet spot in the library, with no one staring at me like I'm some kind of exhibit."
"Sounds like heaven," Iris agreed. "But instead, here we are."
Before I could respond, the Cardinal stepped forward, his smile never faltering.
"As decreed by the stars and foretold by the ancients, these children shall receive the divine blessing of Cassiopeia. May they embody the virtues of their lineage and guide our fates to avoid the foreseeable future."
I leaned toward Iris again. "You think he practices that line in front of a mirror?"
She stifled a laugh. "Probably. Though I would not bet on it. You know once they are in such high positions, they have enough experience to speak and make up long, gibberish speeches and still sound like learned, otherworldly people."
"And what's with the foreseeable future nonsense?" I reminded her again that I just didn't like this old smiley man.
"That old man is basically saying that whatever is happening now is causing chaos. They know it; they realize it. But they aren't going to do anything and expect five princesses just recently born to somehow solve everything," Dorothy added.
Yup, idealistic politicians. Expecting the next generation to solve it all.
"Well, this Cardinal is not so bad. I have seen worse," Elanor said quietly.
"His grandson is something, though. I tried flirting with him, but didn't succeed. Stupid pious stone wall," Alice giggled.
Our attention was brought back to the Cardinal, whose name happens to be Thales. His grandson is Lucian.
Hmmmm… that sounds familiar. I will think about it later.
The Cardinal began chanting in a language I didn't understand. The sensation intensified as ribbons of light spiraled around us, thin and translucent, weaving labyrinthine patterns in the air.
I tried not to sigh audibly, but Iris caught it.
"Feeling overwhelmed?" she asked, her voice low and concerned.
I shrugged. "I just... I don't know. You know all of this is so foreign to me."
Iris didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reached out and squeezed my hand, silently comforting me.
"I hate it," I muttered.
"Me too."
As the ribbons of light twined closer, I saw faint images of the constellation Cassiopeia glowing in the background, like ancient protectors watching over us.
"Does this feel like it did the last time?" I asked.
Iris nodded. "Yeah, but... there's something different this time. I can't explain it, but it feels more intense."
I was about to ask her what she meant, but before I could, the light grew brighter and brighter, reminding me of the night I heard Cassiopeia's voice. But this time, there was no voice—just the swirling ribbons of light.
Then suddenly, whoosh!
Omg, omg, omg!
I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. Maya! My Maya! My fluffy snowball, my love! She's here! Oh, my love is here!
"Iris! Did you see that?" I grabbed her arm, shaking her a bit.
"See what?" She looked confused, glancing around.
"Maya! My Maya! She's here! I saw her! She was right there!"
Iris frowned. "Maya? What are you talking about?"
"She was right there! In the light, I saw her!" My voice grew more frantic as I tried to explain.
Iris put a hand on my shoulder, her expression softening. "I... I don't think that's possible. It's probably just the magic playing tricks on your mind."
"No, I know what I saw!" I insisted, my heart pounding. "She was here. I felt her!"
Iris looked unsure but nodded slowly. "Okay. Maybe you did see something. For all we know, you've been missing this Maya person, so it could be your eyes playing tricks on you. But we're in the middle of the ceremony. Try to focus, alright? We'll talk about it after."
I nodded, but my mind was racing. Maya, my fluffy love. She was here. I wasn't imagining it. I couldn't have been.
After the old man finished chanting, fire lit up at the altar. Then three people wearing long purple cloaks came and surrounded the altar. They started chanting too.
They all sounded like creepy murmurs to me. I bet I will get nightmares tonight.
"Three holy elders," Dorothy muttered.
"Never thought we would see them like this," Alice looked at them longingly.
Hmmm? Seems there's some past life connection here.
No use mulling over it. I'll just ask them later.
I caught sight of my entourage. Garvin was looking around wondrously. He was the only non-human entity in this room, so he stood out quite a bit. No, a lot.
I think he will have some trouble fitting in—just like me. This thought made me feel a little closer to him.
It's so wrong to find pleasure in his situation. I've got a few screws loose; don't mind me. I just need Maya.
I know she will be here soon.
I've avoided talking about her for most parts because discussing her would have me bawling out. So my sisters think Maya is a person. I haven't clarified it yet, but they will know soon.