165 THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL (1/2)
THE streets of Victoria City were filled with colorful decorations and ornaments. There were different flowers floating in the air, even the pavements had flowers and grasses growing from it. Giving the whole city a fairy tale like atmosphere. Countless stalls were lined up on the street, selling food, jewelry, art, and many other knickknacks. Most of the items being sold showed the image of the goddess Gaia one way or another. Which was not surprising since today was the festival that honored the goddess.
The Festival of Creation.
It would usually begin with the Pope signalling the start of the festival. Then there would be a parade of the ten talents cultivated by the Temple. They were orphans who grew up under the care of Temple. Every year, ten of them would be chosen to showcased their talents during the Festival of Creation. After the parade, a public performance would be held at the plaza.
The one who performed best would be rewarded by the Pope himself during the Blessing Ceremony. Where the Pope would pray to Gaia and thank her for all the blessings she gave this year and wished that she would continue to bless and protect them in the upcoming year as well. The ceremony also involved the Pope giving offerings. These offerings often involved expensive treasures donated to the Temple.
It would be held during the night and would be attended by not only the local populace but the visitors in the city as well. They would all pray alongside the Pope. Others could also give their offerings if they wanted. Most do because they believed that if they could also give an offering, then they would most likely be blessed by the goddess in the upcoming year.
Inside a three-storey mansion on the residential area, Aspen was standing near the window, looking at the people probably walking towards the direction of the plaza.
”Seeing them celebrating so happily, they probably don't have any idea about what happened last night at that auction,” he said looking back at the prince.
He was actually really mad when he learnt that the second prince was not invited to the auction. It was a clear provocation. As if the Temple was directly saying that the prince didn't have the qualification to attend. But when he heard about what happened, he's actually thankful that the prince wasn't there to participate in that mess.
Apparently, during the auction last night, Archbishop Stillwell suddenly turned crazy and attacked the Pope. Of course, he was immediately subdued by the knights. But then, he became even crazier and just used his Gift to attact everyone. Some of the guests were injured, so the Pope had to act himself. He managed to stop the Archbishop. He even apologized to the people there.
Now, no one had any idea what had happened to the Arcbishop. The Temple wasn't even releasing any news.
”Today is the festival, they wouldn't allow that kind of news to spread,” Winter said. He was just not sure if that's only for today or if the Temple would just keep it that way and treat it like didn't happen.
He was about to say more when his sPhone vibrated. He checked it and smiled unconciously when he saw who it was from. But once he read the content of the message, the smile on his face disappeared. It was slowly replaced by shock. And then his expression became extremely serious.
Aspen immediately noticed his change and asked, ”Is something wrong, Your Highness?”
”I received a message from Argent.”
The Duke of Hanover? Aspen thought of the silver-haired duke. ”Did the duke say something?”
The prince showed him the message which was a bit surprising. But that surprise couldn't hold a candle to the surprise he felt when he read the message. He couldn't help but furrow his brows. ”Does Your Highness think that it's credible?”
”It is,” Winter didn't hesitate to say. Argent was not the type to send a message like this just for fun. Which meant that he really would do what he said he would.