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Chapter 28
The Grand Temple was the most imposing structure in the capital of the Mazengarve Empire, second only to the imperial palace.
While the palace exuded the elegance of five centuries of imperial history, the Grand Temple, built merely twenty years ago, was a modern masterpiece of grandeur and opulence.
‘No matter how many times I see it, it always feels so worldly.’
Xenon, leisurely guiding his horse as he escorted the carriage, thought to himself as he took in the temple’s luxurious exterior.
It did not quite suit the sanctity implied by its name, but perhaps that was precisely why it was so fitting for the present-day Grand Temple.
At last, the carriage came to a stop before the ostentatious entrance of the temple. As the coachman opened the door, Kazerre stepped out first, followed closely by Aveline, who was being escorted.
The knights accompanying them dismounted and lined up behind them. Since carrying arms was prohibited inside the temple, they had come in light attire.
“Oh my, it seems the Duke of Evuteren has arrived.”
“To cross paths with the lovers of fate—surely, the gods are blessing me today.”
The gazes of passing devotees naturally gravitated toward the stunning couple. Some even looked on with eyes sparkling with emotion.
Aveline, in particular, was dressed more modestly than usual—wearing an ivory dress devoid of frills or lace, complemented by white silk gloves. She appeared so pure and radiant that she seemed almost angelic, as if answering a divine calling.
Yet, the most dazzling presence of all was the man escorting her.
Who else, if not him, could bear the title of the Guardian of Light?
The Snowfield Knight’s white uniform, draped with a deep blue cape, seemed as if it had been crafted solely to enhance his aura of sanctity and reverence.
“The High Priest is expecting you.”
Leaving behind the devotees who looked upon them as if witnessing a miracle, they followed the priest into the grand temple.
“Welcome, both of you.”
The High Priest Georges, a man of stout build and a benevolent demeanor, greeted Kazerre and Aveline warmly. He was the most authoritative among the five High Priests.
“It has been a while, Your Eminence.”
Kazerre greeted him with due formality, prompting Georges to return a kindly smile.
“I was surprised to hear that you would be coming together. I assumed Aveline would arrive ahead as usual.”
On the day of the oracle, Aveline always entered the temple a day in advance to undergo the purification ritual, as she needed to harness divine power.
The temple taught that in order to use divine energy in its purest and most complete form, one had to cleanse both body and mind beforehand.
‘If the purification ritual is truly so effective, shouldn’t the High Priests undergo it first?’
Though she often scoffed at the idea, Aveline never missed the ritual. A rather contradictory stance, but for someone as unpredictable as her, it was hardly surprising.
Unlike Aveline, Kazerre, who lacked divine power, had no need for purification. He would usually arrive at dawn on the day of the oracle.
Yet, today, they had come together in advance.
For the High Priest, who had been anxious that either of them might not show up, this was an immense relief.
“The Duke was kind enough to accompany me,” Aveline said with a bright smile, linking her arm with Kazerre’s in a gesture of affection.
Kazerre glanced down briefly at Aveline, who leaned into him, before turning his gaze away again.
It was obvious that he had been dragged here against his will by Aveline’s persistence. But the details of their relationship were of no concern to Georges, who responded with a hearty laugh.
“You two still seem as close as ever. I suppose the rumors were baseless after all.”
Two years had passed since Kazerre returned from the north. With the revival of the oracle ceremony featuring the lovers of fate, the number of devotees visiting the temple to witness them had surged once more.
Despite any complications, the people of the empire adored the lovers chosen by the gods. The High Priests, in turn, loved the generous donations those devotees provided.
Thus, the rumors of discord between the two had caused great concern. The High Priest could not have been more relieved to see them standing together now, seemingly unshaken by such gossip.
“I know you’re busy, but you should take the time to visit the temple together like this occasionally. Aren’t you a couple especially blessed by the gods?”
It sounded like a benevolent recommendation from the high priest, but in truth, it was the scheme of a hyena trying to elevate his own authority by using the two of them.
“Your Eminence, the gods always bless us. Even if we do not visit the temple.”
“Well, of course, but…”
When Aveline elegantly pointed it out, a flicker of displeasure momentarily crossed the high priest’s eyes.
However, he was a seasoned old fox who had managed to hold onto his position with only a meager amount of divine power for years. He quickly plastered on a genial smile.
“In any case, what I mean is that the temple is always with you. Now, you must be tired from your journey, so you should rest.”
At most, it had been a short trip within the capital. There was no way they were exhausted, but the high priest hastily wrapped up the conversation.
The attending priests easily read his true intentions—he was eager to distance himself from Aveline as quickly as possible.
Despite outwardly revering her, the high priest was reluctant to get too close. Whenever he had to deal with her directly, he would subtly push the responsibility onto lower-ranking priests.
“During your stay at the temple, Priest Samuel will attend to your needs, Lady Aveline.”
Just like now.
At the high priest’s gesture, Samuel stepped forward with a reluctant expression.
“Samuel, she is an esteemed guest, so ensure she lacks nothing and is well cared for.”
“Yes, Your Eminence.”
If she was so precious, he should take care of her himself. Samuel scoffed internally.
Considering Aveline’s notoriously unpredictable temperament, he couldn’t exactly blame the high priest for avoiding her. However, it was still pathetic to see a man of his station so openly intimidated by a woman young enough to be his daughter.
“Oh my, we’ve met before, haven’t we, Priest?”
Just then, Aveline spoke as if she were pleased to recognize him. Samuel, caught off guard, instinctively bowed his head.
“Ah, yes. Lady Aveline. I visited the duke’s residence last time.”
“I thought it might be more comfortable to have someone familiar around, so I asked Samuel to take care of you again this time. He gladly agreed, of course.”
Acting as if he had done Samuel a favor, the high priest clapped him on the shoulder and smiled at Aveline.
Aveline let out a soft hum and scrutinized Samuel, her sharp gaze seemingly assessing whether the high priest was telling the truth. Having never agreed to this arrangement so willingly, Samuel felt a sudden chill and flinched involuntarily.
“Now then, Priest Lino will guide Duke Kazerre and the Order of the Snowfield Knights.”
“I am Lino, Your Grace. It is an honor to serve you.”
“I entrust myself to you, Priest.”
Kazerre’s polite response made Lino’s eyes shine with admiration.
Among the temple priests, it was well known that the Duke of Evuteren was an exceptional man, vastly different from his fiancée. He was always respectful and humble, no matter who he spoke to, even those of lower status. The contrast between him and his fiancée, who treated even those of higher rank with the same reckless arrogance, was like night and day.
Samuel, envious yet resentful, shot a glare at Lino, who was in an entirely different position than him.
Lino was the brother-in-law of the high priest’s nephew and had recently received blatant favoritism. Thanks to that, he had been given the prestigious role of escorting the duke.
“Well then, see you later, Kazerre.”
Aveline smiled sweetly as she bid farewell. Kazerre simply gave a slight nod.
Immediately, the high priest eagerly attached himself to Kazerre’s side, his eyes twinkling.
“It just so happens that your lodgings are in the same direction as where I’m headed. Let’s walk together.”
With a hearty laugh, the high priest departed with Kazerre and his knights.
Samuel, who had anticipated this outcome, watched the high priest’s retreating back with cold eyes.
It was rare for nobles to treat priests with much respect, so he understood why Kazerre’s courteous manners felt like honey on the high priest’s tongue. But did he really have to make his excitement so obvious?
Every time the high priest flaunted his importance before the duke, Samuel found himself growing more disillusioned with the temple itself.
‘No wonder the nobles look down on us more and more. ‘
With a heavy sigh, Samuel turned back to Aveline.
But the person who should have been beside him was gone. Startled, he quickly looked around and spotted her figure walking off in the distance.
He hurried after her.
“Lady Aveline, allow me to guide you.”
Aveline glanced at him indifferently, as if looking at a completely useless burden.
“I don’t need guidance. I could find the Purification Spring with my eyes closed.”
“But…”
“Or perhaps you enjoy following me around?”
Aveline narrowed her eyes at him as if he were some sort of shameless lecher. Samuel flinched and waved his hands in protest.
“No! That’s ridiculous—!”
“Then wouldn’t it be best for you to leave? A priest trailing after a woman looks rather unseemly, no matter how kindly one tries to view it.”
With a playful smile, Aveline turned away, leaving Samuel standing frozen in place, watching her recede into the distance.
After being spoken to like that, he couldn’t very well follow her any further.
Aveline Croeta was undeniably skilled at making people do what she wanted. She always struck at the most sensitive, most irritating point of her opponent.
“D*mn it.”
A curse, ill-fitting for a priest in his neatly buttoned robe, slipped from his lips.
Scratching his head in frustration, Samuel exited the temple hall.
Nothing good ever came from getting involved with Aveline Croeta.
‘It is not my place as a lowly servant to question the will of the gods…’
But of all people, why did they choose her?
Even knowing it was blasphemous, the thought sometimes led him into temptation.
