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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support ‌‌our team and enjoy the latest releases, ‌‌‌please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 32
* * *
By noon, ‌‌the rain began to pour down in torrents.
The soldiers, bustling about with their preparations, hastily ‌‌‌draped tar-coated canvas over the supply wagons and herded the horses back into the Stable.
From within the carriage, Ayla lifted her gaze to the darkened sky.
Between the ‌‌heavy black clouds releasing thick raindrops, flashes of light occasionally pierced through, followed by a rumbling sound that echoed across the landscape. To ‌‌‌‌all appearances, the rain showed no signs of stopping anytime soon.
"It appears we shall need to remain at the Monastery for ‌‌‌‌another day."
It seemed the decision had been made to postpone their departure, for the Guard Knight, who had been secluded in the knights' quarters for some time, approached the carriage and slipped a waterproofed robe through the gap in the door.
Ayla accepted it with a soft sigh. The delays accumulating along their journey troubled her. Was this not already a journey fraught ‌‌with uncertainties?
She donned the rain cloak while her eyes repeatedly darted toward the ‌‌window.
"Where is the Crown Prince at present?"
"His Highness has gone to the ‌‌Abbot's Residence."
Ayla, pulling the hood over her head, turned to regard ‌‌him with a frown.
"He intends ‌‌to remain there again today?"
"It would appear so." ‌‌
The knight's ‌‌‌words trailed off ambiguously as his gaze fell to the ground.
Ayla observed the gathered Monks ‌‌with evident displeasure.
When the Abbot, standing beneath the Cloister roof, issued his instructions, the Monks dispersed in perfect unison. She observed ‌‌their movements with keen attention.
The Abbot appeared remarkably different when dealing with Gareth—cold and austere. This, perhaps, was his true nature.
Ayla's eyes narrowed. Royal pilgrimages were traditionally ceremonies designed to secure the support of local citizens and influential figures. Given the purpose of this journey, Gareth's cultivation of relationships with regional powers was hardly unwise. Yet his ‌origins gave her pause.
'To have overcome the weakness of being non-human and ascended to the position of Abbot suggests either formidable political acumen or... a powerful backer.'
Though their conversation had been brief, Ayla quickly ‌‌‌discerned that the Abbot was no ordinary ‌‌‌‌figure. While his demeanor appeared outwardly respectful, the cold calculation lurking behind his gaze as he observed Gareth was unmistakable. She wondered if The Empress had placed him here.
Had not the Taren Family maintained close cooperation with non-human races since the Age of Warring States? It could hardly be mere coincidence ‌‌that a Quarter Elf had risen to such a high priestly position managing a vast Monastery like Mordarwin.
Perhaps the Religious Order was already beginning to build a faction supporting the Second ‌‌Prince within its ranks....
"Your Highness?" ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌
Ayla, lost in thought, suddenly lifted her head. Her Guard Knight stood ‌‌drenched in the downpour, his eyes filled with concern.
Ayla offered an awkward smile and rose to her feet.
"I've kept you standing in the rain far too long. Come, let us return to ‌‌‌‌the Lodging."
The knight took her hand and helped her descend from ‌the carriage.
Ayla stepped carefully across the muddy ground.
Heavy raindrops struck her crown and shoulders with stinging force. The downpour seemed to intensify with each passing ‌‌‌moment.
Ayla pulled her hood taut and hurried across the broad courtyard, now veiled in white sheets of rain, before slipping into the Cloister that encircled the Garden. ‌‌Then, as if by chance, she approached the Priests.
"Your Highness the Princess."
The Non-human Priest, who had been conversing ‌‌‌‌with the Vice Abbot, noticed her and quickly bowed.
Ayla, her smile settling into its habitual rigidity, spoke with measured warmth.
"It seems we have imposed upon your hospitality for yet another day."
"It is our honor to serve such distinguished guests."
The Priest responded with deference, making no move to straighten his bowed ‌posture. ‌‌
"Should you require anything whatsoever, please do not hesitate to inform us. We shall prepare whatever the Monastery can provide with all haste."
"Your thoughtfulness is most appreciated."
Ayla paused mid-breath before continuing with deliberate care.
"Then, might I ask one small favor?"
"Please, speak freely. I ‌‌am at your service."
"Tomorrow, I would like to conduct Talia's blessing ceremony separately. Would you bestow your blessing upon her before we depart?"
The Abbot's eyes widened slightly at this unexpected request.
Ayla observed his reaction carefully. It was only a fleeting moment, but I saw a flicker of caution flash across his pale violet eyes before vanishing.
The Priest spoke with cautious deliberation.
"You ‌‌‌wish to perform ‌‌a blessing ceremony for the Second Princess?"
"Who else would it be for?"
Ayla added softly, a faint smile playing at her lips.
"We're staying ‌‌another day anyway. Wouldn't it be fitting to conduct the ceremony for her as well?"
"I had not realized Your Highness held ‌‌‌the Second Princess in such regard."
At the unexpected voice, Ayla ‌‌turned her ‌‌‌head.
Barcas, who ‌‌‌had walked silently through the rain-soaked Garden, pushed back his dripping hood and fixed her with a cold gaze.
Ayla's welcoming smile faded as she took in his appearance. His rain-dampened face bore an expression far colder than usual, and seeing that icy countenance, my nerves sharpened to a keen edge.
I understood well that his sensitivity regarding Talia stemmed from accumulated negative emotions over long years. Even this ‌‌‌‌emotionless man could not help but bristle at the extent of my half-sister's misconduct.
Having endured her behavior at his side for a full seven years, his exasperation was hardly ‌‌‍unreasonable.
Intellectually, ‌‌I comprehended all of this. Yet the way this coldest of men displayed such sharp reactions solely concerning that girl was sometimes unbearable to witness.
Ayla forgot her intention to probe the Abbot and responded emotionally instead.
"I'm ‌‌‌‌not concerned about her—I'm concerned about you. His Majesty entrusted her directly to your care. If he learns the ‌ceremony was conducted without Talia, you may face unwarranted reproach."
"Surely you cannot drag someone unwilling before the ‌‌‌‌‌Altar against their wishes."
At his sardonic ‌‌‌tone, Ayla's expression hardened.
She was accustomed to his occasional coldness that made her heart freeze. But she could not tolerate his rudeness toward her on account of Talia Roem Guerta.
Ayla lifted her chin defiantly.
"First, we must confirm Talia's ‌‌‌wishes. She is capricious—by tomorrow, she may well change her mind again."
"Tomorrow, we depart at first light. I have no intention of altering our schedule ‌‌according to the Second Princess's whims."
Barcas cut through her words decisively.
Ayla, who had never experienced her ‌‌opinions being dismissed so summarily, flushed with indignation. She wanted nothing more than to rebuke his insolence immediately, yet she had no wish to undermine his authority before all present.
Ayla carefully concealed her displeasure.
"If that is your intention, then there is nothing more to be said."
Upon her acquiescence, Barcas turned his ‌‌‌gaze toward ‌‌‌the Abbot.
The Priest, who had ‌‌‌‌been watching their confrontation with interest, quickly lowered his eyes. Barcas regarded him with a cold stare and ‌‌issued a ‌‌‌‌quiet warning.
"I trust this evening will be kept as quiet as possible. If we are to depart at dawn, surely the Crown Prince requires proper rest, does he not?"
It was a clear instruction against hosting any banquets or formal dinners that ‌‌‌evening. The Abbot nodded with a rigid expression.
As if there was nothing more to discuss, Barcas turned and extended a hand toward ‌‌Ayla.
"Shall we depart? I will escort you to your lodging."
Ayla swallowed a sigh and took his hand.

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Brought to you by ‌‌‌‌Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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