Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Such a pitiful story. How unfortunate.”

That was all the High Priest had to say. He didn’t sound the least bit sympathetic. If anything, he looked entertained. His lips kept twitching in amusement as she spoke.

Sian felt a sinking unease. If the High Priest felt any pity for her, then her chances of receiving the temple’s help would go up. But simple amusement? That was a bad sign.

“So you came alone? Because the royal palace is crawling with spies, and you can’t trust anyone?”

“Exactly. Since I couldn’t tell who was who, it was safer to move by myself.”

“And how did you manage to escape?”

“I kept my mouth shut and lived obediently for months. Eventually, the duke allowed me to see my parents. Of course, under close watch, so I couldn’t tell them about the spies or his tricks. But that was my chance and I managed to meet Shaina. She was the easiest to win over in the duke’s estate, and I thought she might help.”

“That idiot.”

It was a harsh word choice, unbecoming of a High Priest.

Well… Shaina’s not really a fool. She’s just hopelessly oblivious, lost in her ideals, a reckless optimist without a shred of common sense.

“She was exactly what the duke said. Naïve, hated pointless violence, and too trusting for her own good. She was the duke’s darling, so her movements weren’t very restricted either. That made meeting her easy. More than anything, she wanted to be the duchess.”

“So she gladly helped you, I take it?”

“She was the perfect accomplice. She distracted the duke when needed, left escape routes open, even forgot to lock doors. People barely watched her anyway, since she lived under the duke’s quiet disdain. Thanks to her, it was easier than I expected to get out. Honestly, I’m grateful.”

Sian bore Shaina no malice. After all, Shaina was taking Dion, that wretched man, off her hands. Why would I resent her? Let her and Dion enjoy their “beautiful love story” and leave me and my family alone.

“How long has it been since you ran away?”

“I’m not sure… maybe two weeks?”

“You must’ve had a hard journey, coming all this way.”

It was such a formulaic tone. The High Priest’s long fingers pulled a sheet of paper from the edge of the desk. Then he grabbed a fountain pen lying about and began to write. The faint smile tugging at his lips felt ominous.

Sian’s anxiety spiked. What exactly is he writing? What conclusion is he reaching about me?

“What are you writing?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he flipped open a desk calendar, jotted down today’s date at the bottom of the sheet in graceful handwriting, and even added a signature line. Then he spun the document toward her.

“Read it.”

Pledge of Oath

I, ____________,

Having cast aside my original station and rank,

Stand as a lost lamb seeking God’s mercy.

For the salvation that you grant me,

I solemnly swear to endure and overcome

Whatever trials may come my way.

Dated: May 20, XXXX

Signed: ____________

Whatever trials may come my way.

“What’s this supposed to mean?”

Sian’s nerves tensed as she scanned the paper.

The High Priest slid the fountain pen across the desk toward her, wordlessly pressing her to sign. It felt like a silent threat.

She thought it was dangerous, but still, her fingers closed around the pen. She was here to seek the temple’s mercy, after all. Refusing outright would be foolish. Better to play along for now and gauge the situation.

“If I don’t sign, does that mean I shouldn’t expect any help from the temple?”

“Of course not. We’re not that cold.”

He denied it with a smile that never wavered.

“Then why…?”

“It’s just procedure. Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Do I absolutely have to sign it?”

“You don’t have to. But without it, it’ll be difficult for us to provide assistance. Think of it as minimal identity verification.”

“So… all the others who come here sign one too?”

“Yes. Everyone who seeks the temple’s aid writes an oath.”

That eased her mind a little. There was still something unpleasant about it, but if she wanted their help, there was no choice. To annul her engagement, she desperately needed the temple’s power.

Sian rolled up her wet sleeve.

The man’s eyes quietly lingered on the pale, slender, seemingly so fragile wrist she exposed as she bent over the page and signed her name.

Sian Heartperion

The moment she finished, his fingers slid the document back across the desk. She lifted her head, still holding the pen, and her eyes met his directly. His dark, unreadable gaze held her in place, parching her throat with its oppressive weight.

“This means I’ll get help, right?”

“If you endure, and persevere, and overcome.”

“…Overcome?”

“Your broken engagement. The path to it will be grueling.”

“…Yes. That’s true.”

She nodded, though something in her gut twisted uneasily.

I already knew breaking off the engagement wouldn’t be easy even with the temple’s support. Dion is the empire’s only duke, the emperor’s closest confidant. He’s planted spies throughout the royal palace to monitor my family’s every move. It’ll be hard. Incredibly hard.

But… is that really what he means by “trials” and “ordeal”?

As the suspicion stirred, the High Priest suddenly raised a familiar object.

Her mint colored passport and white identification card.

Sian’s hand shot to her robe pocket. Empty. Her eyes shook in panic.

He leaned closer, closing the space between them. His dark gaze bore straight into hers. The musky scent of his body surrounded her.

Her robe slipped open as he used the corner of her documents to brush the fabric aside. The silk parted easily, revealing the travel dress underneath, soaked and clinging to her skin, tracing the line of her chest, her waist, her hips.

Flustered, Sian instinctively raised her arms to cover herself. He ignored it, unbothered, and leaned in closer still. Her hands pressed defensively against his shoulder.

“Your hands are like ice.”

He murmured it offhandedly as he tucked the documents neatly back into her robe pocket. In all that, not once had his hand touched her skin. Her overreaction left her faintly embarrassed.

She lowered her arms awkwardly.

But then, he leaned closer. Close enough that his cheek nearly brushed hers. His breath warmed her skin. Her eyes flew wide.

“Don’t collapse in random hallways again. Your passport and ID are far too valuable.”

His voice, low and smooth, sent chills racing down her spine.

She recoiled violently, stumbling sideways until her chair teetered. If he hadn’t steadied it, she would’ve toppled over disgracefully.

Only when he withdrew his hand and straightened did she manage to speak again.

“My… passport and ID. When did you take them?”

“When you fainted in the hall.”

“…Why?”

“I just told you. Passports from principalities and IDs of high nobility are valuable.”

“Oh.”

“I kept them safe so they wouldn’t get stolen. Shouldn’t you be thanking me?”

“Th-thank you.”

“You don’t sound very thankful.”

She forced a smile.

“No, really… thank you.”

One brow arched, as if he found her ridiculous. Then his face smoothed back into impassivity.

“When you step outside, Priest Miela will show you to your room. We’ll continue the matter of your annulment next time.”

A polite dismissal.

Too drained to argue, Sian rose from her chair. Her wet clothes hung heavy, her throat ached, and she longed for rest. Stumbling slightly, she left the room.

As promised, a priest waited just outside.

Thud, thud

The rain roared against the temple halls, making her shoulders flinch. The door shut behind her with a click.

She glanced back. The stark white door loomed. I was just in there…

How had the soundproofing been so perfect that she hadn’t heard a drop of this downpour?

If someone died in there, no one would ever know.

The thought chilled her.

“This way to your quarters.”

The priest led her off, and her weary mind let the thought scatter.

* * *

Once the door closed, the faint trace of rain vanished.

In the silent office, he gazed at the chair where she’d sat. Slowly, he stepped closer and brushed the moisture from its backrest with a finger. A droplet clung to his fingertip.

“Her hands were colder than water.”

He flicked it away carelessly.

* * *

Sian was utterly exhausted.

It had been a solitary journey with no guards at her side. To evade Dion’s pursuit, she’d spent a week aboard a ship. Some days she’d walked over ten kilometers. She’d slept in dingy inns, eaten bad food that made her ill. Only her passport and the divine blessing embedded in her ID had ensured her safe arrival at the temple.

She changed into dry clothes and collapsed onto the bed. The fabric was coarse, the mattress hard, the room small, the hot water lacking.

And yet, compared to her lodgings on the road, this felt clean and heavenly. She almost cried with relief for the comfortable, mold free room.

Rain battered the window.

Her body ached, her eyes drooped like lead but sleep wouldn’t come easily.

Reaching the temple wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.

Haa. She sighed long and deep.

The face of that chillingly beautiful man rose in her mind. The High Priest. Even smoking a cigarette, he’d looked like a perfectly sculpted statue.

From head to toes, his voice, even his scent, he did not fit the image of a High Priest.

And yet she’d let his words sway her into signing an oath. Was that wise? She wasn’t sure. Words and phrases that unsettled me echoed in her mind.

“Whatever trials may come my way.”
“If you overcome.”
“It will be an ordeal.”

Was that really all about the annulment…?

Something about it was unsettled. The same instincts that once warned her of Dion’s deceit, were whispering danger again.

But where else was there to turn?

I have no choice but to trust them.

Feeling bitter and lonely, she let sleep finally drag her under.

* * *

Thump thump thump

Rain hammered harder, streams slashing against the window as if to break it.

Still, the weary princess slept soundly, silver hair spread across the pillow.

A shadow fell across her serene face. A long, smooth hand reached out, brushed her palm, slid along her fingers, and finally clasped her hand in its own.

“Still cold.”

In the darkness, the man poured divine power into her body. Not out of kindness, not out of mercy.

But because he hoped his newfound plaything wouldn’t break too soon.

“Stay healthy, Sian Heartperion.”

He looked down at the sleeping princess and smiled.