The priestess responds, "God will surely listen to you child, one who prays so intently not for jewels or riches but for the safety of someone else, you are have a noble soul. Do not worry. No evil shall befall him"
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After many days of practice, the church ceremony's date arrived.
Ysolde woke up early that day as the troupe were supposed to have a final rehearsal. Later on, she was dressed in an ivory gown with a veil. Her ginger hair tied into a neat low bun. With her gentle gaze and quiet aura, she seemed no less than a saintess.
She patiently waited for Ellowen while revising her lyrics. Then from a distance she saw Ellowen. who had clearly put efforts in her outfit.
"Weren't you the girl who told me 'people who give efforts dressing up are weird'? What happened to your statement now?" questioned Ysolde with a nudge. She was aware Ellowen and Reignhart had grown closer; one can say closer than friends over the past few days.
Ellowen was embarrassed and complained Ysolde taking things in a wrong way and that she was not dressing up for anyone. As she was talking a pair of hands covers her eyes from behind,
"Guess who??", the voice questioned.
Ellowen pinched his arms as she stands up, "When are you going to stop playing games?"
Reignhart pauses as he was going to answer, Ellowen was dressed in a beautiful yellow dress. Her brown hair was woven into a loose braid with a flower accessory. Even from a distance he could smell vanilla essence on her.
He blushed heavily as he stuttered, "Y-You look so cute- I mean fab-bulous..."
Ellowen starts blushing too. She mumbles, "Well, you certainly look like a Lord now"
Sensing the air between the two, Ysolde quickly gets up and asks them to excuse her as she needs to fix something in her dress.
Ellowen quickly holds her hand and replies, "Let me help you!", to this Ysolde whispers in her ears, "Who knows when he is going to look this good right Ellie? You wouldn't want any other woman to snatch him away from you right?"
Ellowen blushes heavily as she whispers back, "You are one wicked woman Yeus"
Ysolde laughs and then leaves the two alone.
She seats herself at a quiet place. She never thought he would be absent on such a big day of her life. His thoughts flowed through her mind like a river. She no longer feels detached.
She folded her hands, closed her eyes and prayed.
"Lord, if he truly is alive, then please protect him.
May he be safe, wherever he is, and may my heart feel your presence until we meet again.
Grant him peace and protection, and let me hold their memory gently in my heart.
Though distance keeps us apart, let love guide and guard them always."
As she was praying, she feels the touch of a hand over her head. She opens her eyes to find it was one of the priestesses of the church.
She asks, "What are you praying for child?"
Ysolde answers that she had been separated from her beloved and she is praying to God for his safety and well-being.
The priestess responds, "God will surely listen to you child, one who prays so intently not for jewels or riches but for the safety of someone else, you are have a noble soul. Do not worry. No evil shall befall him"
Ysolde smiles and bows to the priestess.
One of the troupe members calls out Ysolde. Their performance time has come.
Inside the church, the troupe takes their positions. Ysolde looks at the crowd. It was larger than her usual audience. She felt nervous but not scared.
She witnessed the Duke and Duchess looking at her. They slightly nod at her.
Then comes the performance time.
The troupe's beautiful music played through the church, filling every corner with soft, enchanting notes that seemed to dance in the air like fairies. Then came Ysolde's voice rising above the instruments—pure, trembling, and utterly heavenly. Each note carried a warmth and sorrow all at once, wrapping everyone in a state of awe and quiet reverence. Even the candles seemed to sway gently in time with her song, as if the very air had bowed to the music.
Everyone sat in stunned silence, their breaths held. Eyes glistened with unshed tears, hearts shaken by the purity of her voice. Some felt warmth in their chest, a strange mix of comfort and awe, while others were rooted to their places, overwhelmed by the ethereal beauty that seemed to rise from both her song and the music of the troupe. For a moment, time itself seemed to pause, and every soul in the church was bound together in shared wonder.
As the performance ended, the crowd clapped slowly and softly to not disturb the peace of the holy space. Even if there were no loud cheers, one could simply look at the crowd and understand how beautiful the performance was.
The rest of the event went smoothly with all the townsfolk receiving good clothes, rations and a hearty meal.
Ysolde and Ellowen meet Sir Arvion later,
"Ysolde, you really won the hearts of everyone today. I heard many talking about you and praising you. You really do have what it takes, to become 'The Prima Sonate'. Never give up child"
Ellowen hugs Ysolde tight. She was really proud of her friend.
Sir Arvion then suggests them having a dinner together as it was his holiday. He ensured that he would cover all the bills and that they didn't have to hold back at eating.
As they were leaving Reignhart was watching them from afar.
Then his accomplice, the man with the mask approaches him and tells him of the conversation between Ysolde and the priestess.
"Why was she speaking as if the separation is physical? And praying God for his well-being?", thinks Reignhart.
He then orders the masked man to find any clue which points that her lover is still alive.
The order seemed foolish, after all how can a literal dead man be alive? But Reignhart was not taking any chances. He didn't want any variable to ruin his plan.
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