Chapter 19: A Lingering Unease

The morning light poured gently through the chamber windows, casting soft golden hues over the polished wooden floors. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faintest hint of temple incense, a soothing yet distant reminder of her surroundings.

Rosellene sat upright, her body still weary, but it was not exhaustion, that made her pause.

An odd weight pressed against her chest, a deep and unshakable unease.

She had dreamed of something.

Yet, try as she might, the memory remained just out of reach. Like a blurred image behind frosted glass, she knew it was there but couldn't quite make out its form.

Only the voices remained.

Low. Whispering, lingering at the edges of her mind.

And with them, a growing sense of unease, a heaviness in her chest, as if something had unsettled her soul.

She didn't know why.

She only knew that it left her feeling restless.

She hooked her head lightly, pushing the thought away, it was just a dream.

Nothing more.

A soft clink of porcelain pulled her from her thoughts.

Millie had approached quietly, setting a tray down beside the bed. The familiar scent of herbal tea mixed with a light breakfast wafted through the air.

"My lady?" Millie's voice was careful and concerned. "You seemed lost in thought. Are you feeling unwell?"

Rosellene only now realized how long she had been staring into nothing.

She turned towards Millie and forced a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine, just… a little tired."

Millie did not look convinced. "You seem troubled."

Rosellene waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing serious."

"My lady, you've been sick for days," Millie pressed gently. "If something feels off, you should say so."

Rosellene hesitated before exhaling softly. "I just had a strange dream. But I can't seem to remember it."

Millie frowned slightly. "A nightmare?"

"I don't know," Rosellene admitted, rubbing her temple. "It left me feeling uneasy, but I can't recall why."

Millie glanced at her. "Would you like me to prepare something calming? Perhaps some incense or tea from the temple?"

Rosellene shook her head lightly. "No, it's fine. I'm sure it was just exhaustion."

After a while, the chamber doors creaked open, cutting through the quiet.

Elizabeth entered, her golden-brown hair was slightly tousled, her eyes heavy with lingering sleep. She let out a soft sigh, rubbing her eyes blearily as she crossed the room.

Rosellene raised an eyebrow. "You look like you should still be in bed."

Elizabeth waved a hand lazily. "I considered it."

"Then you should go back."

Elizabeth collapsed into the chair beside her, slumping unceremoniously. "What's the point? There's no one here I need to look proper for."

Rosellene tilted her head knowingly. "Still, you look miserable. A few more hours of sleep would do you good."

Elizabeth scoffed lightly. "Tempting, but no. I came to make sure you take your medicine."

Rosellene let out a soft laugh. "Is that so?"

Elizabeth nodded solemnly. "I have taken this responsibility upon myself."

Rosellene hooked her head and resigned. "Then I suppose I have no choice but to obey."

As Rosellene picked up the medicine, Millie re-entered the room, hesitating slightly before speaking.

"My lady," she said carefully. "There is something you requested earlier, but I don't have it on hand."

Rosellene looked up, setting the cup down momentarily. "What was it?"

"The prayer beads from the temple," Millie explained. "You had mentioned wanting them last time, but I forgot to collect them."

Rosellene nodded slowly. She had asked for them as a simple gesture, to offer prayers for her recovery and as a small comfort to hold at night.

"They should be available at the temple's main hall," Millie continued.

Elizabeth, now fully awake, stood with a lazy stretch. "Then I'll take care of it."

Millie blinked in surprise. "My lady, that won't be necessary—"

Elizabeth waved her off. "It's on my way, anyway. I don't mind."

Rosellene arched a brow. "Are you sure?"

Elizabeth smirked. "Are you doubting me?"

Rosellene chuckled. "Not at all. I'm merely concerned you'll stop halfway and take a nap somewhere."

Elizabeth placed a hand over her heart in mock offense. "How dare you. I am a woman of responsibility and action."

"Of course."

Elizabeth huffed but turned toward the door with a lazy wave. "I'll be back soon. Try not to miss me too much."

Rosellene watched her leave, shaking her head in amusement.

The chamber returned to its quiet rhythm, yet again.

The Hall of Devotion was quiet, save for the faint crackling of incense and the distant rustling of temple attendants moving beyond the great archways.

At the very center of the vast hall, Elizabeth knelt in prayer.

A rare sight.

For someone as restless, sharp-tongued, and utterly incapable of sitting still for more than a moment, one might expect her to rush through her prayers, muttering half-heartedly before moving on.

And in a way, that's exactly what she did, but look almost devout, in a peculiar method.

She shifted every so often, pausing in between to negotiate with the gods as if bartering at a market, and even tapped her fingers idly against her knee when her patience waned.

Occasionally, she would sigh as though praying was a tedious duty rather than a spiritual practice.

It was a miracle in itself that no one was present to witness such an unorthodox style of devotion.

Or so she thought.

Just as she was about to rise, a faint flash of ivory caught the corner of her vision.

Elizabeth stilled, her eyes narrowing slightly.

It was the flowing hem of a priest's robe.

And yet, when she lifted her gaze, the figure had already passed through one of the open corridors, disappearing beyond the hall.

She frowned, and a flicker of curiosity sparked within her.

She still had an errand to run, but… well.

So, she followed.

---

The path led her to a secluded open-air rest area at the back of the temple.

Here, the temple's architecture blended seamlessly with nature. The stone terrace overlooked a breathtaking expanse of mountains, the landscape descending into rolling mist-covered valleys below.

A garden of white lilies lined the edges, pristine and exquisitely maintained, their delicate petals swaying gently with the breeze, giving the space a sense of peace untouched by the outside world.

Elizabeth paused, taking in the serene beauty of the space before shifting her attention to the lone figure standing by the terrace.

A man, clad in the flowing ivory robes of the temple, his posture poised and dignified.

Elizabeth hesitated for a brief moment before stepping forward.

"Excuse me," she called, her voice carrying through the quiet air.

The figure stilled.

Then, slowly, he turned to face her.

Elizabeth's breath hitched for a fraction of a second.

The young man standing before her was striking, but not in the way of knights or noblemen but there was something almost unreal about him, as though divinity itself wrapped around him like a second skin.

His presence was both tranquil and intimidating.

The air around him was heavy with an unspoken authority, one that was neither overbearing nor forced—it simply was.

Elizabeth pushed aside the brief moment of hesitation and straightened while clearing her throat. "I need a set of prayer beads."

The priest remained silent for a beat, studying her in a way that made her feel oddly observed.

Then, without a word, he turned toward a small wooden box resting atop a nearby stone table.

His movements were precise, and methodical, as he lifted a polished string of prayer beads and placed them in her outstretched hand.

"The temple does not refuse those who seek its blessings," he said simply.

Elizabeth rolled the beads between her fingers, studying their craftsmanship before glancing back at him. "That's a rather poetic way of saying."

"May I have your name?"

The priest met her gaze.

"Cassian."

Elizabeth hummed in thought. Cassian...

This name seemed oddly familiar to her as if she had heard it before but couldn't quite bring herself to remember.

Elizabeth didn't realize she had just met the most favored and mysterious successor of the High Priest.

Cassian gave no reaction.

Elizabeth smirked slightly. "Do you always talk like that?"

His golden eyes held hers, unblinking. "Is there a problem with how I speak, my lady?"

Elizabeth raised a brow. "You know who I am?"

"I make it a point to remember the names of those who frequent the temple."

Elizabeth hummed, slipping the beads into her pocket. "How diligent."

Cassian offered nothing in return, merely inclining his head slightly, a movement so subtle that it was difficult to tell whether it was a polite acknowledgment or simply the way he carried himself.

"Well then, I'll leave you to your peace," Elizabeth said, her tone carrying the faintest trace of amusement.

She turned and walked away, humming softly to herself.

Cassian watched her retreating figure for a lingering moment, though his face remained as unreadable as ever.

Then, exhaling lightly, he turned back toward the mountain view, his thoughts only briefly disrupted by the noblewoman who had unexpectedly crossed his path.