Chapter 32

----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Diva Chapter: 32 Chapter Title: A Stormy Delay -----------------------------------------------------------------

As noon struck, rain began pouring down in sheets.

The soldiers, who had been hurriedly packing their gear, scrambled to cover the wagons with tarpaulin and shoved the horses back into the stables.

From inside the carriage, Aila watched the scene unfold before lifting her head to stare at the blackened sky.

Lightning flashed intermittently through the thick black clouds unleashing fat raindrops, followed by the rumbling growl of thunder echoing across the land. It was clear at a glance that the downpour wouldn't let up anytime soon.

"It looks like we'll have to stay at the monastery one more day."

Having apparently decided to postpone their departure, a Guard Knight who had been holed up in the knights' quarters for a good while approached the carriage and slipped a waterproof robe through the door crack.

Aila took it with a small sigh. She wasn't thrilled about the itinerary dragging on bit by bit. This journey already had more than enough uncertainties.

As she slipped on the raincoat, she kept glancing out the window.

"Where is Crown Prince Highness?"

"His Highness went to the Abbot's residence."

Aila, who had been pulling her hood down over her head, frowned and turned to him.

"He's staying there again tonight?"

"It seems so."

The knight trailed off ambiguously and lowered his gaze.

Aila shot a displeased look at the monks gathered in one spot.

The Abbot, standing under the cloister roof, issued some orders, and the monks dispersed in perfect unison. She watched them closely.

Unlike how he behaved around Gares, the Abbot appeared cold and stern. That was probably his true face as a priest.

Aila narrowed her eyes. Traditionally, a royal pilgrimage was a ritual to garner support from local citizens and influential figures. Considering the purpose of this journey, it wasn't a bad thing for Gares to build rapport with regional leaders. The issue was his background.

'To overcome the weakness of being a non-human and rise to Abbot, he must possess formidable political savvy... or solid backing.'

Though they'd only exchanged brief words, Aila could tell right away that the Abbot was no ordinary man. On the surface, he was polite, but she'd caught a glimpse of cold calculation in the priest's eyes as he sized up Gares. It made her wonder if he was someone planted by the Empress.

hadn't the Taren family collaborated closely with non-humans since the era of the Ten Kingdoms? It couldn't be mere coincidence that a quarter-elf had ascended to such a high position managing a massive monastery like Mordawin.

Perhaps he was even beginning to build a faction within the Church supporting the 2nd Prince...

"Your Highness?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Aila jerked her head up. Her Guard Knight was gazing at her with worried eyes, braving the pouring rain.

Aila gave an awkward smile and rose to her feet.

"I've kept you standing in the rain too long. Come on, let's head to the lodgings."

The knight took her hand and helped her down from the carriage.

Aila stepped carefully onto the muddy path.

Heavy raindrops pelted her crown and shoulders painfully. The downpour had intensified even more.

Gripping her hood tightly, Aila hurried across the broad courtyard shrouded in a white veil of rain and entered the cloister surrounding the garden. She approached the priests as if by chance.

"Princess Highness."

A non-human priest who had been speaking with the vice-abbot spotted her and quickly bowed at the waist.

Aila curved her lips into her habitual smile and spoke mildly.

"Fate has it we'll have to impose on you for one more day."

"It's an honor to host such esteemed guests."

The priest replied deferentially without straightening his bent back.

"Please let us know if there's anything you need. We'll prepare whatever the monastery can provide right away."

"I'm grateful for your thoughtfulness."

After a brief pause, Aila continued cautiously.

"Then, may I ask one favor?"

"Anything at all."

"Tomorrow, I'd like to hold a separate ritual for Talia. Would you bless her before we depart?"

The Abbot's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected request.

Aila watched his reaction intently. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of wariness passed over his pale purple irises.

The priest asked in a careful tone.

"You wish to perform the blessing ceremony for the 2nd Princess Highness?"

"Who else?"

Aila added softly, a faint smile on her lips.

"We're staying an extra day anyway. Wouldn't it be good to have her go through the ritual while we're at it?"

"I had no idea Your Highness thought so highly of the 2nd Princess Highness."

Aila turned her head at the sudden voice.

Barkas, who had silently crossed the rainy garden, flipped back his dripping hood and regarded her with dry eyes.

The smile of delight on Aila's lips faded. His rain-slicked face looked chillier than usual, and the sight of his hardened, icy expression set her nerves on edge.

She knew well that his sharp reaction to Talia's matters stemmed from years of accumulated resentment. Even this stoic man couldn't help but be fed up—her half-sister's antics had been that outrageous.

Having endured her rampages right at his side for a full seven years, it was no wonder he was at his limit.

Intellectually, Aila understood all this. Yet it grated on her unbearably at times that this utterly indifferent man showed such pointed reactions only when it came to that girl.

Forgetting her intent to probe the Abbot, Aila responded emotionally.

"I'm not worried about her—I'm worried about you. His Majesty entrusted her to you personally. If he finds out we held the ritual without her, you might catch unnecessary blame."

"That doesn't mean we can drag someone who doesn't want it to the altar."

Aila stiffened at his sardonic tone.

She was used to his occasional bursts of chilling detachment. But she couldn't tolerate him being rude to her because of Talia Roem Guirta.

Aila lifted her chin stiffly.

"We should at least check Talia's intentions first. She's so fickle—she might change her mind by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, we leave at dawn. I have no intention of altering the schedule to suit the 2nd Princess Highness's whims."

Barkas cut her off flatly.

Having never had her opinion dismissed so curtly before, Aila flushed with anger. She wanted to rebuke his rudeness on the spot, but she didn't wish to undermine his authority in front of everyone.

Aila forcibly masked her displeasure.

"If that's your stance, then there's nothing to be done."

As she conceded, Barkas turned his gaze to the Abbot.

The priest, who had watched their standoff with interest, quickly lowered his eyes. Barkas fixed him with a cool stare and issued a low warning.

"I'd appreciate it if tonight passed as quietly as possible. For us to depart at dawn, Crown Prince Highness needs his rest, doesn't he?"

It was a pointed message not to hold any banquets or dinners that evening. The Abbot nodded with a rigid expression.

As if that settled everything, Barkas turned and extended a hand to Aila.

"Shall we go? I'll escort you back to your lodgings."

Aila swallowed a sigh and took his hand.