"What? Amelia, what are you saying?"
I stared at my governess in shock, my face painted with confusion, while Amelia tilted her head lightly, trying to maintain her composure.
"Madam, Countess Adeline has sent a message stating that she is coming to the Marquis' palace. We need to prepare quickly, as we will be returning to the temple. Since your health has greatly improved, it seems the departure is inevitable, and perhaps the High Priest will accompany her."
I gazed into her eyes, feeling a surge of confusion, but it was soon overtaken by fear. "Realwa? Could I finally see him? I haven't been able to see him all week..." I paused for a moment, swallowing hard. "But... is this okay? Amelia, I'm scared."
She smiled faintly, hiding her worry. "Madam, you can rest now. We have two hours before noon."
Fatigue washed over me, and I thought for a moment before nodding at her. "Alright, Amelia, I'll try to sleep a little. I'm so tired."
Though she knew that time was barely enough for preparations, she did not oppose me. She bowed lightly and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I lay on the bed, but relaxation seemed like a distant dream. My body felt weighed down by invisible chains. "I don't want to be a chess piece moved by everyone's will... I used to be the hunter, but now I've become the prey. It seems I'm beginning to understand how they feel."
In the office of Marquis Valen Draconia:
He sat behind his desk, his serious face hiding a storm of emotions. The papers piled before him were a testament to his responsibilities, but he couldn't focus. His mind was stuck on someone he shared the same palace with, but between them, there was an insurmountable distance.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft sound, and he raised his head to find one of his guards assigned to watch her. The man bowed respectfully before speaking.
"My lord, there are updates. It seems that the High Priest is preparing to take his final step. Today, the candidate will enter the Golden Temple."
Valen stayed silent for a moment before smiling bitterly. "As I expected. The High Priest can't wait to lay his hands on her." He waved his hand to dismiss the guard. "You may leave now."
After the guard left, Valen turned to a painting resting on his desk. His face carried a mix of pain and resolve as he ran his hand over the painting, staring at the detailed portrait of a girl with golden hair and closed eyes, as if asleep. "Sera, my dear... Will I have to do this in the end?"
---
In the east wing of the palace:
I stood by the window, gazing at the vast garden below in the faint morning light. The cold air played with my hair, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I felt as if I were stuck between sleep and wakefulness. "I don't want to sleep, but I also don't feel awake... What is this feeling? It's as if I'm living in a never-ending dream."
The sound of wheels on gravel outside caught my attention. I looked down and saw a lavish carriage adorned with a shining golden emblem. My eyes widened in astonishment. "The High Priest... Realwa. Has he arrived already? And also... Countess Adeline?"
I rushed to the door, but before I could touch it, it opened. Amelia stood there, her breaths quick. "Madam, we need to begin preparations. The High Priest and Countess Adeline have arrived."
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my courage. "Alright, Amelia. Get me ready. It seems I have no choice but to face him."
---
In the east wing of the palace:
Amelia stood by the tall mirror, carefully preparing the cosmetics, while I sat on a high chair in front of her. My thick golden hair reflected under the morning light, its strands resembling rays of sunlight cascading down.
"Madam, we must start styling your hair now. We have limited time."
I nodded lightly, but I could barely bring myself to look at my reflection in the mirror. I felt alienated from the girl with emerald eyes staring back at me.
Amelia began combing my hair carefully, gathering the strands into an elegant braid and securing it with pearl-studded pins, then adding a small crown adorned with crystal stones. I wore an exquisite dress made of white silk embroidered with golden threads. The waist was tight to highlight my features, and the skirt was wide, falling in soft layers.
"Madam, I think this dress will be the most suitable for the occasion."
She smiled gently, but didn't reply immediately. Amelia added a sapphire necklace around my neck and matching small earrings. Everything looked like a piece of art.
While we were in the middle of the preparations, the door suddenly opened, and the High Priest Realwa entered with confident steps. His long blonde hair was tied with a black velvet ribbon, and his sparkling violet eyes seemed to carry a special magic. He wore a black robe embroidered with golden threads, fitting perfectly with his enchanting presence.
Amelia took a step back and immediately bowed. As for me, I felt my heart racing, unable to hide my nervousness.
"Realwa..." I whispered his name softly, but he only smiled calmly as he approached me.
"No need to worry, Sera. I'm just here to make sure everything is fine."
He stopped in front of me and took a small box from his pocket. He opened it to reveal a pair of earrings adorned with emerald stones, the same color as my eyes. He carefully raised one of the earrings and took a measured step toward me.
"It's a simple gift. I think it will complement your appearance."
He bent slightly to place the earring in my ear. I felt his warm breath close to me and froze, unable to move. When he finished fixing the earring, he gently lifted my face with his hand, his eyes studying me as if evaluating the result.
"Stunning... Just as I expected."
I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment, quickly looking away. But he didn't move away. He held my hand gently and said in a low voice: "Remember, no matter what awaits you in the temple, you are not alone."
Before I could reply, he stepped back and signaled to Amelia. "Make sure your lady is looking her best. I'll wait for you both downstairs."
He left the room with the same calmness with which he entered, leaving behind an aura of magic that made me feel as though I were walking in a dream.
---
In the palace corridors:
As I walked with Amelia toward the grand hall, where everyone was waiting, I felt quiet steps echoing down the long corridor adorned with crystal chandeliers and golden paintings. The sound of my heels on the marble floor gave the place an air of dignity, reminding me that I was always under everyone's watchful eyes.
As we approached the corner of the hallway, Countess Adeline appeared, walking confidently. She wore a dark red velvet dress, embroidered with silver threads intricately woven like a delicate spider's web. I quickly stood and gave a slight bow, as the protocol demanded, showing my respect.
"Good day, Your Excellency, Countess."
The Countess stopped in front of me, raising an eyebrow slightly as she stared at my face with an expression hard to decipher, a mixture of curiosity and reserve. "Sera, you must always remember that anyone who aspires to a high position must master every detail of behavior."
She cast a long look at my figure, then continued in a firm tone: "When walking, your back must be perfectly straight. Your eyes must be ahead, as if looking at a distant goal that no one else can see. Hesitation shows even in the smallest movements. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Excellency," I answered softly, trying to hide my nervousness.
But her gaze continued to pierce me before drifting toward a person standing beside her. It was a young girl, seemingly in her early twenties, dressed in the white robe of a trainee priestess, adorned with a golden ribbon on the shoulders. Her dark brown hair was tied in a low knot, but she glared at me with eyes full of hatred, as if I had stolen something from her that could never be regained.
"Oh, let me introduce you to Carmila, one of the most promising trainees in the temple." The Countess smiled as she gestured to the girl, but her smile couldn't hide the subtle sarcasm. "Carmila, this is Sera."
Carmila gave a very slight bow, hardly qualifying as a bow. "It's an honor to meet you, Madam," but her tone was laced with clear disdain, and she didn't hide her hateful gaze.
"Carmila works hard to achieve a prestigious position in the temple. She is an example of perfection and discipline. Perhaps you can learn something from her, Sera," the Countess said with a veiled tone, as if sending a subtle message.
I felt a stab in my chest from her words. I lifted my head to maintain my composure and replied calmly, "I will always do my best to meet everyone's expectations."
But before I could finish my sentence, Carmila took a small step forward, coming close enough to whisper in my ear with a barely audible voice: "Luck doesn't last forever, Madam."
I froze in place, but I clung to my outward calm. Amelia, who had been standing beside me the whole time, noticed the tension but didn't intervene.
"Well, Lady Seraphina, we must leave now. Time waits for no one." The Countess said, then turned and continued her way with Carmilla, who cast one last glance at me before disappearing at the end of the corridor.
I stood there for a moment, mixed emotions bubbling inside me. The words of the Countess and Carmilla were not just casual criticism, but a clear warning that the path to the temple would be filled with challenges.
In the Great Hall
I pushed the ornate doors open, and the Great Hall revealed itself in all its grandeur. The atmosphere was charged, as if the very air carried a weight, and I felt their gazes piercing through me before I even saw them.
The High Priest Realwa stood confidently at one of the hall's columns, wearing his black robe embroidered with golden threads, his violet eyes watching me carefully. Beside him stood Marquis Valen Draconia, with his calm aura and silver eyes that always held an enigmatic depth I couldn't penetrate. Next to them sat Crown Prince Charles, his charming smile hiding his true intentions. As for Duke Dimitrius Ravenscar, he stood a little further away, silently watching me with his usual cold demeanor, which made a sharp sting in my chest.
On the other side, Countess Adeline sat in her usual manner, eyeing me as if evaluating me, with the trainee priestess Carmilla by her side, whose hostile gaze towards me she made no effort to hide.
I stepped inside slowly, trying to maintain my balance and composure. But despite that, I couldn't control the anxiety creeping within me. I couldn't decipher their gazes or intentions, but I tried to appear confident.
Marquis Valen approached me with quiet steps. He took my hand slowly, bending slightly to kiss it gently.
"You look beautiful today, Sira." He said in a low voice, but his tone carried something deeper than just a compliment.
I felt embarrassed, but his silver eyes hid so much, like an endless deep sea. I tried to respond, but before I could, Crown Prince Charles stepped forward. He took my other hand and kissed it softly, making the heat rise to my cheeks.
"I look forward to our first dance soon, Seraphina."
"Dance? What are you talking about, Your Highness?" I whispered, my voice trembling, unable to understand what was happening around me.
I looked around, trying to hold on to something real, but I felt like I was in the middle of a whirlwind. Duke Dimitrius' gaze made me feel a hidden sting with each step, as though his cold red eyes were penetrating deep into me.
Suddenly, my eyes met his. I wasn't sure if it was intentional, but the moment felt like time had stopped.
"What? Did our eyes meet just now?" I thought silently, while my heart raced.
That moment was interrupted by the voice of High Priest Rialo, who approached with steady, confident steps. His calm voice carried an order that left no room for debate.
"Seraphina, it's time to go."
His deep gaze was enough to pull my attention away from everything else. I followed him silently, trying to focus on the temple and the next step, even though my heart was still unsettled from the moments that had preceded it.
---
✓ ... End of Chapter...✓