TGS - Chapter 90
Chapter 90: So-called Fragility
Lotus arrived at the area where the Akhet temple complex was located.
Although ladies-in-waiting and guards of common birth were also permitted to enter the temples, they usually came accompanying their masters or on their masters' orders. Few would wander around here alone.
From this perspective, it would have seemed more reasonable to go in her spiritual form.
But Lotus didn't care about what was reasonable.
She hoped that the force that had been secretly observing her during this time would make a move soon. The opportunity was right here. Whether they would take the bait… was up to them.
Lotus walked toward the central area along a road lined with beast statues. Beneath her feet were sandy-yellow paving stones. The gentle afternoon light scattered down, causing the ground to reflect a shimmering effect like sand in the sun.
After walking for a while at a steady pace, she arrived before the River God's temple.
The last time Lotus had been here was on Creation Day. She and the Princess had watched the entire sacrificial ceremony from the outside, not even entering the temple gates.
Alyuin had come a few times since then, but not with her. Lotus didn't know if it was to speak with the priests or just to look around.
Carved stone pillars supported the entrance. Lotus paused only briefly at the doorway before continuing inside.
As the figure in the white robe disappeared behind the gate, a gaze from not far away was quietly withdrawn.
The owner of that gaze was hidden among the passersby. After a moment of thought, he quickly walked away as if nothing had happened.
He left in such a hurry that he failed to notice—
the indifferent glance Lotus cast behind her with a slight turn of her head.
Within Solancia, there were countless temples, large and small.
Not only in cities and towns, but even some more prosperous villages would build ritual chambers to house clay or wooden statues of the gods.
But no matter how many temples there were throughout the country, only Akhet was considered the center of worship for all the gods. Led by the High Priest of the God of the Sky, the high priests of all the major gods resided here.
…With the sole exception of the priest of the Sun God, Naimaer, who held the title of God-Concubine.
Correspondingly, the center of the Sun God's worship was also in Surinia, not the royal city.
Lotus crossed the main path, the sound of gurgling water echoing in her ears. The sound came from a nearby man-made stream that flowed into a tranquil lake to the right of the ritual chamber.
The lake's surface was calm, with a patch of Snowtu flowers growing on the water. Their broad, heart-shaped leaves were a pale, tender green, and tiny flower buds could be faintly seen hidden among them.
In less than a month, the Snowtu flowers would be in bloom, and the scenery here would be even more beautiful.
Lotus didn't go to the library, nor did she plan to go to the ritual chamber to stare blankly at her own statue. She simply sat down casually by the lake.
A school of fish immediately gathered, wagging their tail fins and poking their heads out of the water. Their enthusiasm might have been because of the River Goddess, or it might have been because they were used to being fed. Lotus thought for a moment and decided it was more likely the latter.
She leisurely took out a book, placed it on her lap, and began to read, as if she truly intended to spend the entire afternoon by the lake.
The sun moved slowly across the sky. It hadn't gone far before the sound of two young girls chatting arose nearby.
"I haven't seen the Lord High Priest these past two days. I heard he's sick again."
"He should be fine, right?"
"I'm not sure. I saw the court physician coming and going from the temple yesterday. I wonder if it has to do with the High Priest's illness? If it does, it doesn't seem like a minor ailment."
"This… May the merciful Goddess Lotus protect him."
The voices grew closer. Lotus looked up and saw two young women dressed in the robes of junior priestesses.
They, in turn, noticed Lotus's presence and were startled.
After all, they were discussing the High Priest's health. Even if they weren't being disrespectful, it wasn't good for others to overhear.
The slightly taller girl composed herself first. Seeing the lady-in-waiting's uniform Lotus was wearing, her expression relaxed a little. "Excuse me, who are you?"
Lotus nodded. "I am a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness Alyuin."
The young priestesses had long heard of Alyuin's return to Akhet and also knew that the Princess was favored by the Goddess of the Yilu River.
They exchanged glances and advised, "I see. But if you have no other business, it's best not to linger in the temple."
Lotus blinked and said gently, "I am on a mission."
"What mission?"
Lotus pointed to the lake. "Feeding the fish."
The priestess: "…Fish?"
They looked at the lake and were surprised to see the fish, which usually swam about lazily, gathered actively by the shore.
Although ladies-in-waiting and guards were generally not encouraged to stay in the temple, as long as they stated they had business to attend to, the priests usually wouldn't interfere.
So one of the girls fidgeted for a moment, then curiously approached to watch. "I've never seen these fish so friendly. What are you feeding them?"
Lotus paused, then untied a small pouch from her waist. Inside were crumbs from a special pastry made by Suojia.
A moment later, the young priestesses were squatting by the shore, feeding the fish.
Some of the fish acted as if facing a great enemy, circling reluctantly a couple of times before swimming far away. The rest, however, became even more joyful, competing with their companions for the cookie crumbs.
Lotus sat to the side, closed her book, and asked casually, "I heard you say just now that the Lord High Priest seems to be ill?"
The young priestess wasn't on guard; after all, it wasn't a secret.
The High Priest of the River Goddess was named Saige. His health had always been poor, so illness was a common occurrence. But this time, it had alarmed the court physician, who had come and gone several times, suggesting it was particularly serious.
Lotus fiddled with her bracelet and didn't reply immediately.
She had no particular feelings for this High Priest she had never met. But, was it necessary to go and see him?
After finishing her report on her superior's recent condition, the young priestess eagerly asked about Alyuin, her eyes twinkling with the light of gossip.
If they could discuss the High Priest's illness, they could certainly discuss the Princess's deeds. They were treating Lotus as someone to share gossip and interesting stories with.
In any case, a lady-in-waiting assigned to feed fish couldn't possibly be the Princess's confidante.
Lotus: "…"
She deftly deflected the questions, not only preventing the two girls from noticing anything amiss but also managing to draw out quite a few anecdotes about the nobles of Akhet.
And they knew quite a lot, too.
Before long, the priestesses checked the time, jumped up in alarm, and bid Lotus farewell.
"We were so busy chatting and feeding the fish here that we almost forgot our duties. Luckily, it's not too late."
The priestess was extremely vexed. Just as she was about to pull her companion away, she saw a golden eagle fly over from a distance. It flapped its wings and landed in front of Lotus, presenting the paper tube tied to its leg for the goddess to see.
Lotus took the note. "Thank you for your hard work."
The golden eagle responded with a cheerful cry.
One of the priestesses suddenly remembered that the Princess was rumored to have two birds of prey.
Her voice trembled. "Is this bird…"
If it really was the Princess's pet being used to deliver messages, then the person before them couldn't possibly be an unimportant, ordinary lady-in-waiting.
—So what foolish thing had they just done? They had actually discussed gossip with the Princess's close confidante and even tried to get interesting stories about the Princess from her?
Lotus: "Is there anything else?"
The priestess shook her head quickly.
Lotus glanced at their expressions and said coolly, "Well then, goodbye."
The two young priestesses took to their heels and fled like startled wild rabbits.
Lotus withdrew her gaze and looked down at the note.
It was from Alyuin, asking where she was and if she would be back before dinner.
"I'll be back later today. Don't worry."
Lotus wrote, then placed the note back into the message tube and watched the golden eagle take flight.
It was now two hours until evening.
Lotus sprinkled the last of the cookie crumbs into the water. A new batch of fish scrambled for the food; the previous group had long since declared themselves out of the fight, ignoring the food completely.
The two girls' figures had completely vanished. Their speed was rabbit-like, which made Lotus think of Adia's messengers and avatars.
The Goddess of Love and Desire hadn't sent any messages recently.
Lotus didn't know if she had grown tired of pranks and gossip, or if she had fallen into a deep sleep like the other major gods before her.
The last time, the white rabbit messenger had flicked its long ears and asked with great interest, "By the way, do you want to know about your little princess's love life?"
Lotus blurted out, "No."
The white rabbit froze. Its paws loosened, and its ears flopped back against its head.
"Why not? She's the human you're raising. Since you're raising her, aren't you curious?"
Lotus pressed her lips together, not intending to explain further. She simply said, "That's Alyuin's own business."
She paused, then, feeling uneasy, asked cautiously, "It's not Romuer, is it?"
The white rabbit: "Who's that?"
"And she won't be deceived or hurt? She won't suffer? It's not a tragedy?"
"You ask so clearly, yet you say you don't want to know!"
The white rabbit smoothed its fur, then kicked its hind legs, and finally said in resignation, "No. As for the last two questions, who knows? I can't see that far."
Lotus: "…"
—The Goddess of Love, useless.
After that, Adia's messenger disappeared without a trace.
Lotus opened her book but didn't read a word.
The branches of the silk tree by the lake swayed gently in the wind with a rustling sound. Her gaze followed the swimming fish, and she was lost in thought for a long time.
The sky gradually darkened.
Only then did Lotus rise, as if waking from a long period of thought. She composed her outward appearance and walked gracefully out of the temple.
There weren't many people strolling about after nightfall, but from the moment Lotus walked out of the pillared gate, a pair of eyes began watching her from the shadows.
Mingling with the few pedestrians, they tailed her from a short distance, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Lotus seemed completely unaware, continuing along the usual route from the temple back to the Princess's residence.
Her gait was elegant and proper, the hem of her robe swaying very little, like a noble girl who had received strict etiquette training—though considering she was a lady-in-waiting, this wasn't surprising.
Seen from behind, her neck, arms, and the waist cinched by a sash all appeared fragile and slender. Her silhouette was soft, seemingly devoid of any aggression, completely different from the Princess's overt "don't mess with me" aura.
The stalker assessed the target's dangerousness, tightening his grip on his sheathed knife. In a pinch, the scabbard could be used as a club.
He remembered his mission.
To capture this lady-in-waiting alive.
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