Chapter 28
The central district of Solmire was crowded with people. Though it was daily crowded, today felt different. People prostrated on the bare ground in prayer. Meanwhile, inside the intimidating temple, the commoners were seriously prostrated in the outer sanctum, while the elite of society knelt in the inner sanctum.
Sera knelt behind the Archbishop, who was busily mumbling something. Normally, she wouldn't have bothered much about anything and would have concentrated on her prayer, but something felt awfully wrong today — like she was doing it the wrong way, or perhaps a dreadful premonition.
The whispers of noblewomen were scattered around the inner halls, and she forced her eyes shut, trying to pray.
"The one who cleanses the world of darkness, the owner of the Eastern and Southern world, Lord, you drive the fiery chariot. Please save my family. I pray you grant them peace, they…"
Suddenly, she felt a glowing light fall on her eyes, thus imploring her and everyone in the room to open their eyes — except the Archbishop, whose murmurings became louder and his eyes rolled up.
The entire temple shook, and in that instant, the people raised their terrified gazes and stared at the sun, which seemed to shine brighter than usual.
"What's happening? Is this the apocalypse!?" people screamed. Meanwhile, people outside the temple and its district all froze in shock and stared at the skies. The incandescent light made the entire world turn bright, and people who looked too long felt their eyes sear in pain.
"Archbishop! Archbishop!!"
Screams rang out in the temple, and people began running towards the inner sanctum. Though the temple in the capital's district was not as enormous as the Archdiocese's, it was grand and opulent, befitting the seat of government.
The curtains were rudely pushed to the side, and swarms of people rolled into the sanctimonious hall, filling it immediately.
Their eyes were fixated on only one person — or probably two. Liu's eyes rolled back, revealing the whites, and the golden orb before him gleamed brightly, illuminating him in a golden shine.
"No! No! No!"
Liu screamed, and Sera moved back in shock, her back hitting the wall.
Suddenly, the entire hall went silent while people held their breath, anticipating what Liu would say next now that his eyes were open.
Sera gulped. She could feel goosebumps grow on her skin when she saw Liu's countenance. He looked petrified, and all colour had drained from his face.
She wanted to ask him to speak, but no matter how she tried, no words came out of her mouth.
Then one random man stuttered, "Arch–Archbishop, what did you see?"
The hall was engulfed in a loud silence once more, contrasting with the people who were rushing towards the temple and screaming for salvation.
Sera gulped once more; she could feel her throat getting dry. Her eyes widened slightly, and her lips trembled. Just then, Liu turned his sights to her, and then she felt her world collapse.
Everyone turned to see who the Archbishop was looking at, since it was not a simple glance but a long stare.
Many of the commoners had a confused look on their faces. From her clothes and skin, they knew she was from a wealthy home; however, they didn't know who she was. But the other nobles knew.
"The Caelharrows… their curse is bringing doom to the kingdom!" he said in one breath, his eyes widening and his jaw tightening like he didn't want to say it but had to.
Sera's lips trembled. "W–what curse?" she croaked; her voice came out weird and forced.
Liu looked away as though he didn't want to speak, but the people began protesting since the alleged "curse" affected the kingdom.
"The King and the former Queen… they–they are all cursed. Their bodies are harboring a deadly curse, my Princess."
Sera trembled, her face turning paler than ever. The people began to murmur and yell.
"The royal family is going to kill us all!"
"My son was not even admitted into the state school, and now they want to kill us?!"
Sera had tuned out by then, not knowing that in that span, the news had travelled through the entire district.
Liu stared at the people and smirked subtly.
Someone give me an award!
"Guards! Protect the Princess, she is innocent!" Liu yelled. The people were moving towards Sera slowly but angrily, and within minutes, the guards encircled them and carried Sera inside the halls.
Sera was lost in thought, her mind a mush.
The King and the former Queen… they have a deadly curse…
Sera's mind kept replaying the words. Her eyes brimmed with tears that flowed out without her knowing. She had always thought her mother died of natural sickness — those grey skins, her withering bones, her…
Now her father was next. They said he was cursed…
The world blurred before Sera, and she began hyperventilating.
The guards carried her to the back door and placed her in the carriage she came with.
Adna was not with her, and she was all alone. All this time, she thought her father was merely dealing with a mere sickness; who knew it was this dangerous?
Was–was this why Lord Minos didn't want me there? she thought back to the day when Minos refused her entry into her father's chambers. All this time, he was dying, and what was she doing? She was busily blaming him. He wanted the best for her…
Sera didn't know the time she got to the palace nor when she was taken out of the carriage.
She heard Garran scream at something, but she couldn't tell — her eyes were blurry.
"Garran, Father is dying. Take me to Father!!"
She screamed — or that is what she thought she did.
Garran settled her in her room while Adna hurriedly fed her some green tea. He watched Sera calm down and sleep, and he sighed.
He observed how their father's illness had crushed her; this was even when she didn't know the specific illness.
He sighed and raked his hand through his hair.
I told you, she's weak, a distraction to your glorious crown. I agree with Minos on this. She needs to be gone, hehe.
Garran shook his head and walked out of Sera's room. He had a dangerous expression on his face, like he was looking for someone to kill.
The minute he got to his room, he entered his bathroom and splashed water on his face. These days, he had been hearing some voices in his head — sometimes it was his voice, then others, it was the sweet voice of a woman — and that was making him mad.
"Shut up!!"
He screamed. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, and it looked back at him. His lemon-blonde hair was ruffled, and his pale blue eyes were a maelstrom of emotions.
"Prince Garran? Where are you? Are you okay?"
He heard the voice of Carrissa in his room. She was worried, and from her tone, he could tell that she had run here.
He quietly stepped out of his bathroom and saw Carrissa standing there. She stared at him and rushed to his side.
"Are you feeling pain? Are you okay?"
Garran held her hands and placed them down, looking away from her. "I'm fine, Lady Carrissa."
He noticed that his voice came out colder than expected, but it was okay. He wasn't willing to destroy yet another life. Carrissa froze and stepped back, nodding her head.
"I just wanted to check up on you," Carrissa said. Just then, a guard entered his room.
"My Prince, forgive my intrusion. There is an angry crowd at the gate of the palace. They are saying that they want to meet the King."
Just then, another guard entered and bowed. "Forgive my intrusion, my Prince, the Cardinal Dukes are here. They also want to speak to the King!"
Garran frowned. He quickly sped to the hallway, and within seconds, he appeared before the Cardinal Dukes.
They all wore serious expressions on their faces as they waited in the halls. When they saw Garran appear before them out of nowhere, they were startled for a bit, but Duchess Wilfred, being the eldest of them all, broke out of it soon.
"Your Highness, we want to speak to the King!"
If initially he was not taking the case seriously, then now he was, because the playful Duchess was serious, and for the first time, she addressed him by his title. Garran's gaze swept through their faces, and he sighed.
"You can speak to me. His Majesty is currently busy," Garran stated calmly.
Vancross scowled but didn't speak. Rather, Whitecroft asked, "Is he so busy that he cannot see that the kingdom is in chaos?"
Garran frowned and looked at him coldly. "State your business, Cardinal Dukes!"
They paused tentatively, but upon realizing that he was the Crown Prince, they nodded.
"We need the King to verify the rumours, or else it can cause internal strife!" Duchess Wilfred stated. Her wrinkles appeared even more when she was stressed. "Also, we believe it is high time His Majesty chose a successor."