Chapter Nine
"LILYAN, the high priestess is looking for you." One of the handmaid said at the sight of Lilyan.
"Where is the High Priestess?" She asked.
"At the sacred heart." Meaning the sacred room where her throne was situated. Lilyan sighed, it meant business.
Lilyan made her way there, the path leading her to the sacred heart. The High Priestess sat on her throne, her white clothes draped over her like they were made for her. She looked elegant.
"High Priestess." Lilyan said with a single bow.
"You went to the mountains?" The High Priestess asked.
Lilyan smiled, "Yes. I have been feeling a little bit unsettled lately."
"The royal council will undergo a change as well as the royal power." The High Priestess said, her eyes were narrowed down towards the confused Lilyan.
Lilyan looked at the High Priestess, "What?"
"The crown prince has fallen ill last night and a summon came from the palace." The High Priestess looked carefully at Lilyan, "You are to enter the palace."
"A visit?" Lilyan asked.
"Not exactly a visit, you will have to stay there as long as you can. I've taught you everything I know during the past six months and you have a special spiritual power, so your connection to the Gods is much deeper than you think." The High Priestess had high expectations from Lilyan.
After all, she was the only priestess who was taken in without undergoing an initiation ceremony. And she had a rare special spiritual power.
"When am I entering the palace?"She asked.
"The carriage is ready, I've packed a few necessary belongings which you will use there. You'll be received by the Queen first before you're invited to the crown prince's chambers." The High Priestess stood up and ascended the steps. "Queen Kaelin is someone not to be trusted, so you should stay away from her but you're a servant under her, please her as much as you can. You shouldn't go overboard, you should play smarter than her." Everything was planned in a hurry
"I heard, High Priestess." Lilyan sighed.
"You should be careful and do not trust anyone, not even yourself. Remember, it's much easier to enter the palace but it's very difficult to leave it, you're smarter than you look so use your brain and your spiritual power to survive." The High Priestess continued, "Fate cannot be avoided, sometimes we just have to face the situation. I hope you'll make it, and I hope you'll come back here as you are."
Lilyan breathed deeply, "I will come back."
"Good." Lilyan was accompanied out of the room by the High Priestess and few priestess.
Rose came up in a haste as she cried, "Oh dear Lilyan! I've heard you are you enter the palace. I feel so sad for you yet excited, after all you'll be able to see the crown prince."
"You said the crown prince is a playboy." Lilyan chuckled.
"You two were gossiping about the crown prince?" The High Priestess looked at them in disapproval.
Rose shook her head, "I wasn't the one who started it."
They stopped near the carriage. "You should go."
Lilyan bowed low, "I will take my leave, please take care of yourself. I'll see you when I come back."
"May the Gods be with you." The High Priestess sent her blessings.
Lilyan stepped into the carriage, her silk robes rustling softly as she settled onto the plush cushions. The door closed behind her with a gentle click, and the carriage began to move, its wheels rumbling over the stone pavement.
As they pulled away from the temple, Lilyan gazed out the window, her eyes leaving the serene gardens and statues behind. She smiled once again, waving a low goodbye with her hand.
The High Priestess bowed, making Lilyan question her decision. However, she smiled and sat down while the carriage continued to move. The carriage picked up it's speed, its horses' hooves clattering in a steady rhythm as they carried Lilyan towards the open road ahead.
With a quiet sigh, she leaned back and closed her eyes, her heart pounding with anticipation. The temple's peace and tranquility faded into the distance, replaced by the sound of the carriage wheels and the sound of the horses.
✧✧✧✧
It was already dark when they arrived in the palace, the imperial guards were lining up near the wall, keeping guard.
"My Lady, Her Majesty has been waiting for you." The Queen's advisor came to welcome Lilyan in.
She stepped out of the carriage, her silk gown flowing so beautiful on her. "Thank you, please lead the way."
The advisor smiled in a thin line and led Lilyan towards the Queen's resting area. The room consisted of a couch and a table, all fancy with different kind of flowers around.
"Your servant greets Her Majesty." Lilyan bowed.
Queen Kaelin sat on the couch with a glass of red liquid inside, she took a sip and looked at the woman in white.
"Rise," she said softly, her voice soft like honey. "You were sent from the temple?"
"Yes Your Majesty." Lilyan's eyes were casted down.
"Very well, then you are to attend to the crown prince.
You'll occupy the bed chambers next to his so it'll be much easier to have access to him. The crown prince does not allow anyone inside his bed chambers so you'll have to convince him that you're there to heal his sickness." Queen Kaelin looked at Lilyan.
"Yes Your Majesty." Lilyan said.
Queen Kaelin looked at her advisor, "T ell someone to show her her chambers then lead her to the crown prince's chambers. I just wanted to take a look at her, I'm done." She stood up and begin to walk away.
Lilyan bowed until the Queen was out of the room. A lady who was wearing a maidservant's uniform walked in.
"My Lady, I'll show you to your chambers." Lilyan nodded at the maidservant then she followed her.
Once Lilyan was settled in her bed chambers, she meditated for a few minutes before she decided to go and check on the crown prince. The crown prince's bed chambers was next to hers as instructed by the Queen.
Lilyan stood outside the crown prince's bed chambers, her hands clasped together in a serene gesture. With a gentle knock, she announced her presence. A gruff voice bade her enter.
Lilyan entered the dimly lit bed chambers, her eyes adjusting to the soft glow of candles. The crown prince lay on his bed, surrounded by plush pillows and blankets, looking every bit the part of an ailing patient.
"Your Highness," she said, her voice gentle. "I am Priestess Lilyan. I've been summoned to heal your affliction."
The prince's eyes fluttered open, and he gazed up at her with a pitiful expression. "Ah, Priestess... thank the gods you've come. My condition is quite... dire."
Lilyan's gaze swept the room, taking in the scattered books, abandoned game pieces, and half-eaten snacks on the plate. Her eyes landed on a telltale hint of a smile playing on the prince's lips.
"Indeed, Your Highness," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your illness appears to be... quite ebilitating. I can see how merely lifting a finger would exhaust you." The prince's smile grew, and he chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "You're not fooled, are you, Priestess?"
Lilyan approached the bed, her eyes locked on his. "I am here to heal, Your Highness. But first, I must diagnose the true nature of your affliction."
Prince Edmund was handsome. His piercing blue eyes were standing out, his face was sculptured perfectly with a straight nose and slightly high nose bridge. He had a smooth jawline, perfect medium lips with dark brown hairs styled in a neatly trimmed cut.
With a flick of her wrist, Lilyan sent a small crystal hovering above his chest. The prince's eyes widened as the crystal began to glow, revealing his deceit.
"Ah, I see," Lilyan said with a slight nod., her voice filled with amusement. "It seems your 'illness' is nothing more than a severe case of laziness. And fooling around of course."
The prince's face turned bright red as he sat up, his eyes sparkling with shame. "Guilty as charged, Priestess. I suppose I needed some time off from royal duties."
Lilyan laughed, her eyes shining with warmth."Well, I suppose I can 'heal' you of your affliction. But next time, perhaps try a more creative excuse?"
The prince grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll keep that in mind, Priestess. Thank you for… understanding." Lilyan smiled and bowed, the prince's eyes locked onto hers and he smiled.
"I must say, Your Highness," Lilyan said, her voice suddenly playful. "You're the first patient I've had who's been 'healed' by a simple dose of honesty."
The prince chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I suppose I'm a rare case in many ways, Priestess."
"You must be tired of building the fake rumors of being a playboy." Lilyan took a step back, her head low curtsey.
"Fake? What do you mean fake?" The prince was more amused. It was the first he meets someone who's as interesting as the priestess before him.
"I'm very good at reading a face Your Highness, you've deliberately made the news of you being a playboy sound more convincing didn't you? That was a facade you've long built to show the royal council that you're not a threat."
Lilyan said. "I must say, you have worked hard."
The crown prince chuckled,"What do you know?"
"I was meditating before I came here to see you, I spoke to the Gods and I've asked them countless questions. You know how curious we are sometimes." Lilyan smiled. "I received one answer in my prayers, there's a threat in the royal council. A very dangerous threat."