Chapel (2)

WINIFRED

It's quite easy to tell when someone is trash. Their eyes, their face, their mannerisms...no, I'm just kidding. I'm judging based on first impression alone, and that was his voice. I have never heard an adult man's voice be so high pitched and grating.

"Your highness and this must be...our beloved Saintess! She is as beautiful as I imagined she would be. The goddess Oriel has blessed us."

"Yes, I would imagine so," the prince replied dryly. Seemed like I wasn't the only one who didn't like this man. Not only did he give me bad vibes immediately, his history was one I was all too familiar with.

"I want to thank you, your highness, for taking care of our Saintess. We would've done it ourselves but we are pursuers of Oriel's will first."

Even if Oriel was the worst of the worst, I'm sure his will is not me being handed to the worst pedophile to have graced this earth. Winifred recalled his grating voice and his disgusting moans every single night for several years. I was too happy to have escaped such a monster. But, Matthew wasn't so lucky.

"So, why has the pope called us here? We have to attend chapel service and leave before the little ones get too hungry. They are growing children after all," Prince Ferdinand said, holding my hand.

"Yes, about that. We heard of your peculiar requests for educational materials for the Saintess and had several questions about them."

"I thought you were followers of Oriel's will."

"This couldn't possibly be Oriel's will."

"But it is the will of the Saintess "

"Your highness, she is but a child...!"

"You will find that she is a very opinionated child, your holiness. Those educational materials are essential for the Saintess's growth."

"What about the tutor you got her? Lord Sebastian couldn't possibly be a better tutor than any of our priests. We have..."

"Why not send me a second tutor from the church if you're that worried? I am personally satisfied with Lord Sebastian but if you complain so much, then send someone. Someone like... Bishop Matthew."

"Lady Winifred, we can't just send you a Bishop. It's practically unheard of!"

"Then I take it you're fine with just Lord Sebastian?"

"Surely we can send another person to..."

"Your highness, can we leave now? I'm very uncomfortable here. There is some kind of dark presence in this room..."

"It can't be! This is one of the holiest rooms in this cathedral!"

"...I hear the screams of thousands of children, crying for vengeance...it's like...this place is haunted. I can't stay here for too long."

"L-Lady Winifred, what are you saying? There is no way that could be true. Perhaps you're hearing wrong."

"I'm the Saintess, aren't I? Or are you saying as the pope, you made a mistake and deceived the royal family and the church?"

I wished I could see him sweating. The thing was, he did make a mistake. He knew Oriel didn't choose Winifred. This man has never followed the will of Oriel in his life. He ruined her life for his personal gain, hers, and many others.

"Hahaha, how could that be? I'm sure you're the right one! Hahaha! Since you said this place is haunted, I will..."

"Oh no, I didn't say this room is haunted. I hear the screams coming from you."

He didn't say no after that. We were able to leave and Prince Ferdinand was more than glad that we left. But, he didn't leave before saying something about an investigation from the holy emperor.

"So, Saintess, what was that all about? This is the second time you're requesting someone. I don't think you've ever heard of Bishop Matthew before. Someone from your past?"

"Perhaps. Aren't you going to investigate the pope? I'm sure you'd find a lot of interesting things about him and the royal treasury. Your airheaded brothers are involved too."

"You are just a fountain of Knowledge aren't you?"

"Then why aren't you giving me any coins?"

I stopped walking and heard the third footstep stop behind me as well.

"Bishop Matthew?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"I just have a few parting words for you."

"I do hope they're good."

He was anxious. Good.

"It is unwise to take advice from someone who doesn't apply it to their life. The person who keeps pushing you to make the decision that would permanently alter your life didn't even make the same decision. Choose wisely. I look forward to seeing you soon."

NATHAN

It took them a while to return. When she came to stand beside me, I knew she had something to tell me.

"You haven't burst into flames yet."

"It's never that convenient. I did find one of my artifacts in this cathedral. I think there is more hidden here. I'll send my familiar to fetch them."

"If things belonging to you are here, it would explain why there is so much corruption in a supposedly holy place."

"That is no fault of mine, is it?"

"I didn't say anything about that. Feeling guilty?"

I rolled my eyes, forgetting she could actually see me. But she did seem oddly pleased after throwing a silent tantrum this morning.

"Why aren't you grumbling anymore?"

"I got a present from the pope."

"A present?"

"Yes. I got a new tutor from the church."

"What do you mean a new Tutor?! You already have two!"

"They said I needed one from the church so I choose the one I wanted. The Pope wasn't happy about it but who cares what he has to think? I'm sure he'll wash his sorrow away by sleeping with a few children tonight."

Even though the act of sleeping with children was frowned upon, many still did it in the past. I considered it disgusting and she did too, from the looks of it.

"Looks like you have big plans."

"And you as well."

Sometimes I wondered if we came to a mutual agreement or if I was just being pulled in by her reins.