Chapter 1.1

Chapter 1.1

“I send my proxy; serve her.”

In Escliffe, there was a Priestess.

“The one with black hair and black eyes shall connect me to you and bring prosperity to Escliffe.”

Unlike the entirely blond Imperial Family, the Priestess was famous for her black hair and black eyes. Yet, her renown wasn’t merely due to her exotic appearance.

“Does she really never age?”

“Not at all. I saw her ten years ago, and then again just the other day—she looked exactly the same…”

The Priestess did not age. For 200 years, she had maintained the same appearance.

“Oh, ten years ago, you probably wouldn’t remember clearly.”

“Look at Rickson.”

“Ah, Rickson… You’re right.”

Even those who had vowed to observe her for nearly 30 years to confirm if she was truly unchanging eventually gave up. No matter how much time passed, the woman who proudly appeared every year at the temple’s rites looked precisely the same.

“Her skin is always plump like a baby’s. How can it be so soft and smooth?”

Normally, such a person would have been accused of witchcraft, but the Priestess was a special being. That single statement justified everything.

“Honestly, after 200 years, isn’t it time to just believe it?”

Among all factions, the Escliffe Imperial Family was the least amicable with the Priestess. The temple, always claiming divine revelation, easily put the Priestess forward to oppose the Imperial Family. Yet, even the Imperial Family could not question the Priestess’s existence.

The Imperial Family’s attitude only solidified the public’s conviction in the Priestess’s authenticity.

“Black eyes and black hair. She just seems like an outsider, doesn’t she?”

“Well, there’s that.”

In fact, public sentiment was shifting towards the idea that 200 years of doubt was excessive.

“…”

So, it had come to this.

A man, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation from behind, pulled his hood over his head. Beneath the hood, transparent emerald-green eyes glinted sharply.

“Rodan.”

The man rose from his seat and exited the boisterous tavern.

“Yes, my lord.”

A figure, hidden in the shadows, stepped out from the building’s shade, revealing his presence. He gazed at his master.

“You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“…”

“Don’t follow me.”

The displeased man turned, leaving Rodan behind with an elegant motion. Rodan’s gaze followed the man’s noble bearing, which even his shabby robe could not conceal.

His name was Ivan Wade Escliffe. He was the 15th Emperor of Escliffe.

–

“I said no!”

A sharp voice cut through the air. Like a small animal, she was excessively bristly when she disliked or was wary of something.

“I won’t wear it.”

It was always this difficult just to get her to change clothes. The maid sighed deeply. She couldn’t speak, making it even harder to soothe her.

“Priestess.”

Just then, Louis Skipper, a lady-in-waiting, appeared. Her voice was gentle and soft.

“It’s time for prayer. You must go.”

Of course, she said it in a coaxing voice, intending to persuade the woman before them. Time was running out.

“My name isn’t Priestess. I told you to call me by my name.”

“I distinctly refused last time. The High Priest would be furious if I did.”

Louis gently but firmly rejected the woman’s suggestion. Her family’s fate hinged on serving the Priestess. She had no desire to be severely punished simply for calling her by her name.

“Why is it a sin to ask you to call me by my name?”

But the esteemed lady seemed to have no consideration for such feelings. Just as the lady-in-waiting was about to order the maid to forcibly change her clothes,

“I’ve come to fetch you… Are you fighting with your maid again, Priestess?”

They hadn’t sensed anyone, but the door was open. The two women, who had been struggling, froze in surprise.

“You may leave.”

It was the High Priest, Aaron Skipper. He had clearly lived as a priest for many years, yet strangely, he carried the aura of a warrior. This was evident even in how he silenced his footsteps.

“Yes, High Priest.”

Louis and the maid ignored the desperate glances Amelia cast their way, hastily departing. They feared any repercussions might fall on them.

“You must have been pestering them to call you by your name again, I presume?”

Aaron asked with a smile. Shame and then anger successively flickered across Amelia’s face.

“My name isn’t Priestess. I merely asked you to call me by my name. How is that wrong?”

Aaron’s eyes curved softly as he confirmed the door was shut. It was certainly a smile, but it was also a warning. His smile always came with a threat.

“…”

Knowing this, Amelia’s body stiffened like a cornered mouse.

“From my perspective, you already know what’s wrong.”

The smile vanished instantly from Aaron’s face. The man’s cold expression clearly conveyed his meaning. It was a warning.

“I’m not the Priestess.”

Watching his face so calmly, it became hard to suppress her rising indignation. So, even if she couldn’t protest loudly, she had to utter the words Aaron most disliked and wary of.

“Why are you not the Priestess?”

“My name is Amelia—”

“Amelia Escliffe.”

Aaron abruptly cut her off.