---
"My lady, are you alright? You've looked terribly exhausted since the ceremony ended."
Amelia's voice was laced with concern as she clutched the edge of the velvet chair near my bed. I looked at her with difficulty, trying to hide the weakness that had begun to gnaw at me since that day.
"I don't know, Amelia..." I whispered, turning my face toward the window where faint rays of sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains. "But I feel like my strength is being drained mercilessly. Ever since I revealed that power in front of everyone, I haven't felt my energy return to how it was."
I couldn't continue speaking. My voice was as fragile as butterfly wings battling the wind. Rieloa's words often echoed in my mind: "Don't rush. Learn to control your power." But he never told me how, or when. His words were always like riddles, leaving me confused and hopeless.
Amelia interrupted gently, bending slightly. "My lady, I'll go to the kitchen and bring you some hot, nourishing soup. You must eat something to regain your strength."
At that moment, Margaret, my strict governess from the temple, entered with confident steps, her steady voice adding an air of seriousness to the room:
"Amelia, do not leave the lady alone under any circumstance. Do you understand?"
Amelia quickly bowed, replying, "Of course, madam. I won't leave her side."
I watched Margaret silently, noting the shift in her tone and gaze toward me. Since I displayed my power, I sensed that her respect for me had grown. Her harsh tone no longer crept into her words; instead, it was replaced by a concern and fear for me. It was oddly comforting—like I was finally tasting the recognition I had always lacked.
I closed my eyes for a moment, recalling that pivotal moment in the library—when strange memories had surfaced, like windows into a past that wasn't mine. In that moment, I felt the High Priest's eyes pierce through me with his sacred sense, the one said to be linked to the Chosen Candidate. That ability passed down through generations—from one priest to another—like a curse or eternal legacy of this ancient empire.
My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
Elara entered with measured steps, holding a red wax-sealed envelope. She looked as elegant as ever, but her eyes held an unusual tension.
"My lady, I apologize for the interruption, but this letter just arrived." She extended her hand with the envelope and added, "It was delivered by a knight from the Imperial Palace himself."
My breath caught. "From the Imperial Palace?" I whispered to myself, a strange sensation washing over me—a mix of anticipation and fear. Could it be from Charles?
I stepped forward quietly and took the envelope. My hands trembled slightly as Amelia handed me a small knife. I carefully cut the wax and opened the letter.
I read the words in silence, my eyes swiftly moving over the elegant imperial handwriting. It was a formal invitation to attend the annual palace banquet as a guest of honor in two weeks' time.
I stared at the letter quietly, then murmured in a barely audible voice:
"Guest of honor...?"
I looked up at Amelia and Elara, my face unable to hide my surprise.
"This... is completely unexpected."
I fell silent for a moment, then read the letter again, trying to understand its meaning. Attending the palace banquet as a guest of honor wasn't a simple matter—it came with many expectations... and risks.
Night had already fallen, a heavy stillness cloaking the room, broken only by the rustle of the letter in my hands. I hadn't yet overcome my shock at the imperial invitation when the door suddenly swung open without a knock.
The High Priest Rieloa entered with steady steps, his long black robe trailing behind him, and his glowing violet eyes carrying a mix of firmness and calm. His presence alone was enough to silence the world.
"Everyone out. Now." he said, his voice low but leaving no room for argument.
Amelia and Elara hesitated for a moment but bowed quickly and exited. Even Margaret, who rarely obeyed anyone, left without protest.
Only Rieloa and I remained in the room. I looked at him in confusion as he approached my bed slowly, as if time slowed with each step. He sat beside me without a word and gently took the letter from my hand.
"Let me see..." he said softly, opening the paper again. His violet eyes scanned the lines carefully, but I felt as if he was watching me more than the letter.
After a few moments of silence, he placed the letter aside, then reached out and touched my hair gently. There was a strange warmth in his touch, as if it cut through my fear and replaced it with peace.
"Seraphina..." he whispered, his eyes locking with mine.
"Rieloa, I feel so weak..." I began, but before I could finish, he raised his hand gently to silence me.
"That's why I'm here," he said calmly but with seriousness. He ran his fingers through my hair, then slowly pulled me to rest on his lap, like a child seeking refuge.
"Your power, Seraphina, is not just a blessing—it's a burden if left unused. You must use it, or the weakness will consume you." His deep voice carried as his fingers softly played with my hair.
"But... how do I use it?" I asked hesitantly, my eyes locked with his violet ones, which held answers no words could express.
"Start by healing. Offer blessings to the common people. Your power is not just to preserve your life, but to serve others." He spoke with such depth, as though his gaze could pierce my thoughts and reach my deepest fears.
He took my hand gently and added, "I'll come tomorrow to take you myself. You must begin using your power immediately. The longer it remains dormant, the weaker and sicker you'll become."
His words weighed heavily on me, burdening me with a responsibility I wasn't prepared for. Yet his presence beside me gave me an odd comfort, as if I was safe as long as he was here.
"Sleep now," he said softly, leaning closer to whisper near my ear,
"You need rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
I slowly closed my eyes, listening to his voice, feeling the calm in his touch. Something deep inside me whispered that I'd be alright—as long as Rieloa stayed by my side.
Darkness embraced the room gently, the dim light from the hanging lamp danced along the ornate walls, while I tried to surrender to sleep to the sound of Rieloa's quiet breaths beside me. But thoughts raced in my mind, tangled like threads, and I couldn't stop myself from asking the question that suddenly rose to the surface of my memory.
I opened my eyes slowly and looked at him. He was still sitting beside me, his back straight, hands folded in his lap. It was as if he had been waiting for me to speak.
"Rieloa..." I whispered, my voice barely audible in the stillness.
"Yes?" he replied, without shifting his violet eyes away from me, as if his gaze had been waiting for my words.
"I want to ask... are priests the only ones who can use healing magic?"
His face showed that familiar expression—a blend of patience and wisdom—before he answered in a calm voice:
"Not exactly. There is one family outside the temple that holds a similar ability, though it is not the holy power."
I raised my head slightly from his lap, looking at him with cautious curiosity. "Which family?"
"The family of Archduke Floren," he answered, running his fingers through my hair once more as he...
"The Archduke Floren family," he answered as he ran his fingers through my hair again, gently coaxing me back into a resting position.
"Floren possess healing abilities, but theirs stem from their ancient roots as a family chosen by nature itself. Their powers aren't connected to the divine but to the raw vitality and primal spirit of the world. It's more like a power to regenerate life itself."
I felt a surge of amazement and asked, "So... are they like priests?"
"No," he said firmly, his gaze growing sharper.
"The temple holds sacred power, which is granted by the Great Deity. But Floren's power is entirely different. Each of the four great families possesses a unique ability that cannot be replicated by anyone else."
He paused for a moment, then added:
"The Temple family has the sacred power used for healing and blessings. The Florens wield the power of regeneration, tied to nature. As for the other families, one has control over time, another controls shadow, and the last possesses the power of the sword."
"That's incredible..." I whispered, trying to imagine the four families and their abilities.
He leaned closer, his gaze softening again as he whispered,
"But you, Seraphina, you're different. Your power isn't merely sacred. It's something else... something far greater than you can comprehend right now."
My heart trembled at his words, but I didn't have the courage to ask more. Instead, I closed my eyes once more, his voice and thoughts echoing in my mind as sleep slowly overtook me.
---
Dawn of the Morning
As the first rays of dawn crept through my window, Amelia gently woke me, her soft voice carrying a mixture of anticipation and caution.
"My lady, it's time to prepare you. The High Priest is waiting."
I rose from my bed with difficulty, my body still feeling weak, but Realua's words from last night echoed in my mind.
"You must use your power."
Amelia helped me into a long white gown embroidered with fine golden threads—symbolizing purity and divine power. She added a light silk cloak of pale gray, adorned with the temple's emblem, and pulled my hair up simply, letting a few strands fall beside my face.
"You are ready now, my lady," she said with a faint smile, though worry shimmered in her eyes.
When I stepped out of the room, Realua was already waiting in the hallway, standing in his usual dignified manner, his violet eyes observing me closely. He extended his hand and said in a calm voice,
"Let's begin, Seraphina. It's going to be a long day, and many are waiting for you."
We arrived at the main city square, where crowds had gathered in large numbers. Their faces were filled with hope, some raising their children high to see me, as if praying for a miracle.
I walked beside Realua as guards and priests surrounded us. We approached a small platform prepared to receive the sick and needy.
"Begin, Seraphina," Realua said gently, gesturing to the first group of the ill.
Nervous at first, I took a deep breath and began touching their hands one by one, channeling my sacred power for healing. I felt a strange warmth flow through me each time I released my energy. People bowed in gratitude, tears of joy flooding their eyes.
While I was giving blessings, a tall man with sharp features and short silver hair approached. His grass-green eyes sparkled with intelligence and calm. He wore a black cloak marked with the Floren family crest.
"It seems the heavens have sent us a miracle today," he said in a deep yet calm voice.
Realua looked at him coldly, but I felt a curious stir in my heart.
"Seraphina, this is Archduke Lucrius Floren," Realua introduced him, though his tone held caution.
The Archduke bowed gracefully and said with a light smile,
"It is an honor to meet the holy candidate."
"The honor is mine, sir," I replied shyly, trying to keep my composure.
But before the conversation could continue, a loud scream erupted from the crowd. Panic and shouting followed, and the scene quickly descended into chaos.
---
The Riot and the Attack
Guards and priests rushed to protect the people, but the chaos was overwhelming. I felt Amelia clutching my arm tightly while Realua stood in front of me, raising his hand to form a shield of sacred energy to block a stone thrown at us.
"Stay close to me!" Realua commanded, but the stampeding crowd quickly separated us.
I found myself alone with Archduke Floren and Realua in a narrow alley, away from the crowd. Amelia and the priests had vanished in the chaos, and only the echo of the crowd's screams remained.
"Seraphina, are you alright?" Lucrius asked, standing beside me, his calm green eyes watching me closely.
"I… I'm fine. But what's happening?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Realua scanned the area cautiously and said in a low voice,
"This was intentional. Someone is targeting you."
Realua reached out to adjust my cloak, which had almost slipped from my shoulders, then nodded toward Lucrius.
"We'll need to protect her until we return to the temple."
Lucrius gave a cold smile and replied,
"Don't worry. She won't be harmed while I'm here."
As the three of us stood in that secluded place, it felt like the shadows around us were moving—as if something was silently watching.
The sound of the crowd's cries was fading, but we were not safe yet.
I could feel the tension in the air. It was terrifying…
"Stay behind me, Seraphina," Realua said firmly, drawing his sacred energy to form a glowing shield around us.
The light of his sacred power pushed back the surrounding darkness, but it wasn't enough to dispel the growing threat I felt drawing near…
Archduke Lucrius Floren drew a small dagger from his belt.
His movement was light and swift—
"As if he's used to fighting in the dark," I thought.
"It seems we are not alone here," he said in a cold voice, his green eyes gleaming under Realua's sacred light.
Before I could speak, a group of men emerged wearing dark clothing and terrifying masks hiding their faces. Their glassy eyes indicated they weren't entirely human. They carried simple weapons, but their swift and natural movements made it clear—they were dangerous.
"They've found us," Realua muttered, glancing quickly at Lucrius.
"Keep her safe. Don't let them get near her."
The first attacker charged toward us with frightening speed, but Realua raised his hand and released a blast of sacred light that struck the attacker directly, forcing him back with a scream.
"Stay behind me—I told you!" Realua shouted without turning, fending off another strike with skill.
Lucrius, on the other hand, fought with an entirely different style.
His movements resembled a swift dance, his dagger flashing with each precise strike at the enemies.
When one of the attackers came too close to me, Lucrius released a faint green energy from his hand. The ground beneath the attacker shifted, as if it were choking him, and he fell motionless.
"Are you alright?" Lucrius asked quickly, glancing between me and the attacker.
"I… I'm fine," I replied, my voice shaking, though my heart pounded in terror.
But the attackers didn't stop. They seemed to grow in number with each passing moment.
Realua and Lucrius were strong—but the pressure was immense.
"Realua!" Lucrius shouted, pointing toward another attacker trying to sneak behind the High Priest.
Realua turned quickly and released a beam of sacred light that cut through the darkness and struck the attacker down.
But in a single moment of confusion, one of them managed to
--
But in a moment of confusion, one of them managed to get close to me. I felt a strong hand grab my wrist, making me scream.
"Don't touch her!" Rieloa shouted angrily and rushed toward us. At that same moment, Lucreus moved—like a swift shadow, his dagger pierced the attacker's chest before he could do anything else.
After moments of intense fighting, Rieloa and Lucreus managed to push the attackers back—or at least incapacitate them enough to keep them away.
But the danger hadn't passed. Something else was watching us silently, waiting for the critical moment…!
"We have to move!" Rieloa said firmly, scanning the area with his sharp eyes.
Lucreus, still breathless, nodded.
"This isn't a normal attack. It was clearly targeted. We have to get her out of here."
Rieloa looked at me and knelt slightly to be at my level. Then he spoke in a calm but serious voice:
"Seraphina, you need to trust us. We'll protect you at all costs. But for now, you must stay close and not show any weakness. These people won't hesitate to exploit any opportunity."
I nodded silently, my heart still pounding with tension. I had no choice but to rely on them now…
The faint light of dawn crept through the alleys, and silence settled over the place after a long and exhausting struggle. I was breathing heavily, still holding on to Rieloa's and Lucreus's hands as they led me away from the scene of the chaos. I felt fatigue and exhaustion weighing heavily on me, but I kept my balance as best I could.
"Seraphina, stop for a moment," Lucreus said gently, looking around to make sure we were alone. His face looked tired, but his green eyes hadn't lost their alertness.
"Is… is it over?" I whispered with a trembling voice, placing a hand over my chest to calm my racing heart.
"Not quite, but we're safe now," Lucreus replied, bending slightly to check a minor wound on his arm.
Before we could talk any further, we heard familiar voices approaching quickly. It was the guards and the priests, rushing toward us—Amelia among them, screaming my name.
The Arrival of the Guards and Priests
"My lady!" Amelia cried as she rushed toward me. Her eyes were full of tears, and her expression showed worry and fear. "You're safe! I was so worried!"
Amelia ran up and embraced me tightly, finally bringing me a sense of comfort and peace.
Rieloa's face was slightly pale, but his violet eyes were filled with concern and anger. He silently scolded the guards with his gaze for their negligence.
"Seraphina," he said in a calm but firm voice, bending and kissing my hand. "Were you hurt in any way?"
I slowly shook my head. "I'm fine… thanks to you and Lucreus."
Rieloa glanced briefly at Lucreus, who nodded to him respectfully, then said, "You did your part. Thank you for protecting her."
Farewell to Archduke Floren
Lucreus looked at me for a moment, then said softly, "Seraphina, you were brave today. But you must be more cautious. The world outside the temple is not kind."
I smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Lucreus. Without you, I don't know what would've happened."
He held my hand gently for a moment, then said, "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call on me. The House of Floren is in your debt."
Rieloa stepped in gently and said, "Now, we must return to the temple. We've been through enough for today."
Lucreus nodded, then turned and walked away silently, leaving behind a strange sense of farewell that carried more weight than simple words.
Return to the Temple
As we made our way back to the temple, Amelia walked beside me, holding my hand tightly as if afraid I might slip away again. The guards and priests surrounded us, and I could see the tension in their faces.
Rieloa walked beside me in silence, casting frequent glances my way, as if reassuring himself that I was okay.
"Rieloa…" I whispered suddenly, causing him to look at me.
"Yes, Seraphina?"
"What happened today… is it a sign of something bigger? Was this just the beginning?"
He hesitated for a moment, then answered in a low voice, "I don't know. But we must be prepared for what may come. Your power isn't just a gift—it's a burden. And enemies will try to use that against you."
Worry crept into my heart, but the calm and reassuring look in his eyes gave me some comfort.
Arrival at the Temple
When we arrived at the temple, the other priests welcomed us with concern and care. They took me to my chamber right away to check on me, while Rieloa stood at the door for a moment, looking at me silently before walking away.
I was very tired, but I felt something shift inside me. What happened today wasn't just a passing riot. It was the beginning of a dangerous path—and I had to be ready to face it.