103 Saint Forrester (1/2)
”LADY NYSTROM, tomorrow is your final day as the Beast Priestess.”
Tilly sipped her tea while listening to Howard.
Right now, she was having an afternoon tea with the High Priest. They were in the rose garden in front of his temple. There were priestesses and two Holy Knights standing a few feet away from them.
Kiho wanted to join as well but he had to leave because his ”curfew” was over. He wasn't allowed to stay the night after all.
”The Beast Priestess is supposed to be blessed by His Holiness Saint Forrester,” Howard continued, then he put the cup down on the table. ”But unfortunately, His Holiness has been in slumber for almost two decades now.”
She heard about that.
Apparently, the Saint was forced to enter a deep slumber to regain his divine powers that he lost for a reason unknown to people outside the temple.
That was why all these years, Howard became the highest authority in the church. Some people even say that the High Priest was loved by the people more than they loved the saint. But of course, the die-hard devotees refused to believe that.
So even if the Saint has been in slumber for a long time, his followers remained loyal.
”Your Eminence, what am I supposed to do tomorrow?” Tilly asked after she finished her tea. ”That's the reason why we're having tea right now. Am I wrong?”
He chuckled. ”You're as straightforward as usual, Lady Nystrom.”
She just smiled at that.
”You will light the holy candle and lead the prayer tomorrow,” the High Priest said later. ”The Beast Priestess is asked to pray to the Ancients Beasts for two days so her voice will be heard by the gods. Then, for the Beast Princess's final day in the temple, she will be asked to pray to the gods for Saint Forrester to awaken.”
”Oh,” she said in surprise. ”So, praying for the saint to awaken is the reason why a Beast Priestess is chosen every year?”
”Yes,” he answered. ”It's been a tradition for almost twenty years now. But the selection for the Beast Priestess had been changed when His Majesty, the current emperor, started the Hunt.”
”Before the Hunt began, how did you choose the Beast Priestess annually?”
”There's not much competition,” he said. ”Once the ladies realized that Her Royal Highness was one of the candidates, they would always concede even before the competition began.”
”So, Her Royal Highness was the chosen Beast Priestess until His Majesty changed the selection process?”
”You can say that, Your Grace.”
”No wonder the saint hasn't woken up yet.”
The High Priest almost choked on his tea. But in the end, he let out a soft laugh. ”Lady Nystrom, I'm really glad that you were the chosen Beast Priestess for this year. I hope you succeed in waking up the saint.”
Guilt crossed his eyes.
Bull's eye.
”That's why I can never trust you, Your Eminence,” she continued. ”That's the same with the saint. I don't need people who stand in the neutral side. After all, I believe that people who turn a blind eye and keep their silence don't help the oppressed. In fact, they are worse than the oppressors. I don't want to associate myself to people without balls.”
Once again, the High Priest choked on the vulgar word that she used.
She just sipped her tea.
I'm not in the mood to filter my words.
”You have to understand the church, Lady Nystrom,” Howard said carefully. ”When a war starts, we welcome everyone who seeks shelter– whatever side they belong to.”
”And I'm saying that I don't need people like that,” she said firmly. ”Sure, your objective is noble. But we won't personally gain anything from your role during a war. I know that I sound harsh. But you have to understand that the royal family is practically the god of this empire. If we don't go all out, we're going to be wiped out. That's why what we need are people who will fight with us until the end.”
Understanding crossed his eyes. ”I apologize,” he said. ”I know that I said that I worship your son. But you're right, Lady Nystrom. My position in the church wouldn't allow me to fight alongside you. I can't completely disobey His Majesty or Her Royal Highness. But I swear that I will protect you and your son in other ways I can.”
”That's alright,” Tilly said. Then, she sipped her tea before she continued. ”Even if the gods aren't in our favor, I've got nothing to worry about as long as I have Kiho and our son.”
Howard smiled at that. ”I will pray for your family's safety, Lady Nystrom.”
***
THE HIGH Priest is really sketchy.
That was on Tilly's mind while she was sitting in front of the mirror. The priestesses helped her take a bath in the temple's indoor pool. They also assisted her in changing into her nightgown. After that, they left her in the chamber to rest.
But she couldn't sleep with her hair still wet so here she was, using a face towel to dry her hair. If only blow dryers existed in the empire…
Should I try making one and sell it to the public?
”What's on your mind, Tilly?”
Tilly gasped aloud in surprise when she saw Kiho's reflection in the mirror. When she turned around, she found her husband standing behind her. ”What the hell, hon?” She stood up and gently hit him in the arm. ”You freaking surprised me.”