Secrets with Crown Prince 30

My adoptive father didn’t seem to care much about the events at the party.

More so, Prince Verdi wasn’t on his mind at all.

Rioel also heard about what happened at the party and came to me with just one comment.

“I hate Prince Verdi.”

That was it. Really. Nothing more, nothing less, he said his piece and left.

“We probably won’t be able to meet for a while.”

After that, Cha Do-hyuk dropped by.

“There’s someone I need to take care of.”

He said there is “someone” to take care of, not “something,” I’m sure.

I looked up and laughed when I saw Cha Do-hyuk’s blank expression. He looked so serious.

He must’ve had a slip of the tongue.

                                                          *****

The Holy Land of Lanarque is located at the eastern edge of the Alpine Empire, an area one must pass through to head to the Nayden Kingdom.

“This is my first time going to Lanarque.”

Maria, who was fixing my dress inside the carriage, said with an excited face.

“Mine too.”

Looking out the carriage window, I also had an excited expression like Maria.

“By the way, His Highness… No, Cha Do-hyuk, um I mean. Did you send a letter to His Highness Reynold?”

“Yes. I sent a letter to the palace this morning.”

I nodded with a satisfied expression at Maria’s answer.

It’s better to let him know where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing rather than having him break into Lanarque and cause a scene.

It’s not just any place. It’s the Holy Land. He won’t do anything crazy even if he comes, right?

“Welcome, Lady Ena. I already informed Archbishop Allen.”

As I entered the Vatican, a young clergyman came out to greet me, making the access card seem unnecessary.

“Archbishop Allen is waiting for you in the prayer room.”

With his long, light green hair gracefully flowing down, the pretty-faced clergyman smiled at me.

Ah, he’s like a lily. Why is he so beautiful?

He moved in a quick and organized manner that seemed well-practiced for my arrival. I followed the clergyman and entered the Vatican.

The prayer room is not open to everyone at any time.

Only the twelve selected archbishops have access to the prayer room. Among them, the archbishops who can offer prayers to the gods can be counted on one hand.

The one among those five was Archbishop Allen.

The man is said to have received divine grace.

“This path leads to Lanarque Square. Behind the statue of Lady Lanarque is the administrative building. The area your Ladyship is going to from now on is not open to the public.”

Briefly introducing himself as Ron, the clergyman explained the path leading to Archbishop Allen.

“Oh, I recommend not going that way. It’s where the Guard Corps’ training grounds are. Intruding into the Guard Corps’ area without permission is illegal, and you could be punished.”

Ron went on to provide unnecessary explanations to me.

“Archbishop Allen rarely leaves the Vatican. Even if invited to the Empress of Alpine’s salon, he doesn’t attend every time. You were lucky to meet him there.”

Contrary to his quiet image, Ron was a pretty talkative person.

For some reason, he seemed like someone who would skillfully wield a dagger with a smiling face.

“Wow.”

At Maria’s admiration, I turned my head in the direction she was looking.

The building was in the center, surrounded by a circular shape, with a vast pond.

The building was so tall that the only sunlight surrounding it poured onto the pond, giving it a sense of sanctity; it seemed as if angels were about to descend from the sky.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“This is our Vatican’s pride.”

Ron replied proudly.

After admiring the pond for a moment, I followed Ron to the entrance of the building where Archbishop Allen was waiting.

The structure of the building was even more complex than the Imperial Palace of the Alpine Empire, and I stuck close behind Ron.

“Here is the prayer room.”

Staring at the massive door, I was momentarily speechless. The two-story tall, thick wooden door opened slowly under Ron’s instruction.

The marble floor and the ceiling made of stained glass were both dazzling.

The brilliant sunlight streamed through the colorful windows, creating a gorgeous space.

In the center of the prayer room stood a gigantic statue.

A standing woman with arms outstretched, looking down with a benevolent smile as if watching over the people.

In front of the statue sat Archbishop Allen, whom I had met in the Empress’s salon.

“Archbishop, Lady Eena has arrived.”

Although Ron had undoubtedly spoken loudly before opening the door, he repeated it as he faced the praying Allen.

Finally, Allen lifted his head and turned to look at me.

“May Lanarque’s blessings reside within you. You’re here, Lady Lubiche. Ah, come this way.”

Maria couldn’t enter, so she waited outside, and Ron, after exchanging greetings, swiftly left the prayer room.

In this spacious prayer room, it was only Archbishop Allen and me. Perhaps because of that, the prayer room felt even more empty.

“Would you like to sit here? Ah, you should kneel.”

I followed Archbishop Allen’s words and kneeled on the thick cushion prepared in front of the statue of Lanarque. 

Then, Archbishop Allen kneeled right beside me on the cushion next to mine. In front of the cushions, there was a long marble table-like structure.

On top of it were numerous candleholders, a goblet of wine, and a pendant with Lanarque’s emblem made of four flower petals intertwined. The most eye-catching among them was a splendidly patterned, gilded basin.

The round bowl contained clear water, presumably holy water.

Next to it, there was a small dagger. The moment I noticed it, a cold sweat ran down my back. 

Why is there a dagger here?

“Do you happen to know how to pray?”

He must have asked because I was a foreigner. I nodded my head.

“Not perfectly, but I do.”

Religion class is a required liberal arts course.

Father hoped I would acquire all the necessary skills, so I diligently followed the education he instructed.

“That’s fortunate. We will first recite the prayer and then proceed with the ceremony. I’ll stand by your side and assist you, so you can just follow my lead.”

I nodded obediently at Allen’s words. 

Following Archbishop Allen’s guidance, I recited the prayer first, then poured wine into the empty cup. After drinking the wine as instructed by Allen, I held Lanarque’s pendant. I asked the question I truly desired to seek answers to.

“I want to know how to return home. If you can’t provide specific instructions, please just answer whether it’s possible for me to return or not.”

Archbishop Allen had an attitude that indicated he had already anticipated my question.

When I looked at him, he recited the prayer on my behalf once more.

“Now, we need the precious blood of Lady Ena.”

“B-blood?”

“Yes. It’s easy if you think of it as Lanarque identifying the soul with human blood.”

Some biometric system? I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“While the way answers are given after the prayer varies for each person, usually, you either directly hear the voice of Lanarque directly or through a dream that night.”

I nodded in response to Archbishop Allen’s explanation and extended my hand.

Archbishop Allen lightly cut my palm with the dagger with an apologetic expression.

“Ouch.”

It hurt like hell. Archbishop Allen looked at me, genuinely sorry.

Yet, he firmly guided my bloodied hand toward the holy basin.

I blankly watched as the crimson blood dripped onto the clear water. 

The deep red spread beautifully.

But I felt a bit lightheaded. Perhaps I was getting anemia from the blood loss.

I tried to open my drooping eyes wider. A hallucination? I saw something strange in the holy basin, filled with a gruesome mixture of blood and water. It began to emit a faint white light.

“Archbishop, my eyes feel strange. Maybe I bled too much. I’m seeing things.”

I turned my dizzy head to look at Archbishop Allen. However, he was gazing at the holy basin with a shocked expression.

“I-I’ve never seen anything like this before…”

I couldn’t hear Archbishop Allen’s words very well. I struggled to regain my fading consciousness and raised my uninjured hand to grab his shoulder.

He looked at me with a surprised expression.

“Young lady?”

“I… I feel so dizzy, I think I’m going to throw up.”

And then there was a blast of light. The world flickered, then went black.

                                                             *****

When I came to my senses, a bright white ceiling greeted me first.

“E-Ena! Are you awake?”

I turned my head at the booming voice and saw my adoptive father sitting next to my bed, holding my hand.

“You’re awake, finally……”

“How long have I been like this?”

“It’s been two days.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if my Do-hyuk was alright. That was my first thought.

“And His Highness Reynold?”

“His Highness has been banned from the Holy Land.”

“…What?”

What in the world had happened? Why was I in this state?

Knock, knock.

“Has Lady Ena awakened?”

Amidst the confusion, someone knocked on the door and asked.

It sounded like Ron’s voice.

“Yes, she just woke up.”

Father answered in my place.

“I will fetch Archbishop Allen right away.”

I could hear hurried footsteps rushing outside the door. Were the acolytes allowed to run around like that?

Above all, with his innocent image, it didn’t quite suit Ron.

“What on earth is happening?”

As Father hesitated momentarily, urgent footsteps could be heard from outside.

Knock, knock.

“Lady Lubiche. It’s Allen.”

He really got here this fast?

My adoptive father was flustered and opened the door. Allen was gasping for air as if he’d been running in a hurry.

“Lady Ena, are you alright?”

“Except for feeling a bit dizzy, I’m alright. What happened?”

Approaching me hurriedly, Allen examined my complexion.

“Would you extend your hands for a moment?”

He held my hands, so I clasped mine over his.

As we stood still, I could feel tiny vibrations emanating from his palms. Then, a pure white spark flashed.

“Whoa! What’s this?”

I pulled my hand back in surprise. Fortunately, it didn’t burn or sting.

My adoptive father looked at my hand thoughtfully, then glared at Bishop Allen.

Under my adoptive father’s murderous gaze, Archbishop Allen explained with an embarrassed look.

“It’s divine power.”

What?

“I’ve never seen this much divine power in an unbaptized layman. Lady Ena, do you have any intention of becoming a nun?”

What is he talking about? Is he telling me to become a nun?

Bewildered, I stared at Archbishop Allen, but my father – even more bewildered than I was – pulled me into his arms, screaming.

“We can’t send Ena to the Holy Land when we just got her ourselves! We can’t send her like this! It’s impossible!”

In response to Father’s frantic shouting, Archbishop Allen, who seemed equally flustered, tried to persuade Father and me.

“In that case, we’ll have to find a way for you to stay in the Holy Land for a while and deplete your divine power. It’s a dangerous force for an untrained outsider to possess.”

“Do I have a choice?”

In response to my question, Archbishop Allen looked at me apologetically and shook his head.

“No, you don’t.”

From this day forward, I would be trapped in Lnarque indefinitely.

I had heard that magic and divine power couldn’t coexist, but my body contained both forces. The issue was not coexistence but a struggle for dominance between the two powers.

So, I had to train daily with Archbishop Allen to stabilize these powers. At first, I felt a strong aversion to it. Still, after a day or two, I realized that life had become surprisingly comfortable.

Eating, sleeping, praying—no Cha Do-hyuk appearing at every turn. It was better than I expected, actually.