The temple's interior was just as busy.
People moved about briskly. Liona and I weaved through the crowd, looking for Gaylord and Felix.
As we moved, Liona leaned slightly closer, her voice low and serious. "By the way… don't tell Felix or Gaylord we ran into one of the princesses."
"You of all people should know how… intense Gaylord can get. If he hears that you unmasked yourself in front of one of the princess—and that she actually noticed…"
"I wasn't planning on telling him," I replied evenly.
"Good," she said, nodding once. "Now, let's keep looking for them."
We asked around for Gaylord and Felix and were directed to a more secluded part of the temple. As we stepped in, we saw them seated across from each other.
Felix looked up and recognised us. "Oh, it's you two."
Gaylord's eyes flicked toward the bag in my hands.
"You came back… rather early," he said, his tone neutral, but there was a trace of curiosity.
He glanced again at the bag. "I suppose you've gotten the clothes you needed."
I lifted an eyebrow, feeling a bit irritated by his question, but kept my voice even. "You can see it with me. You're not blind."
Gaylord let out a soft sigh, nodding once, clearly not in the mood to argue.
Felix waved toward a nearby bench. "Come, sit down," he said, gesturing for us to join them.
Liona and I moved and sat down with them.
Felix glanced at us, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I was just discussing the consummation and fertility brew with Gaylord before you two arrived," he said casually.
He turned his gaze to me. "Gaylord mentioned you've had experiences with fifteen people in your lifetime."
"Sixteen," I corrected.
Felix paused for a moment, tilting his head. "I see… then you must have… quite a bit of experience in this sort of thing."
He stared at me a bit longer than normal, and I frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh—apologies," he said quickly, waving a hand. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
He reached into a small satchel beside him and pulled out the vial Liona had given him earlier, holding it out to me. "Anyway, here's the brew. You'll be using it for your… conquests."
Liona leaned slightly forward, speaking with a low but firm voice. "It's very potent. Make sure you don't overdo it whenever you use it."
I turned to her, curious. "And… how exactly should I use it?"
She gave me a pointed look, "Isn't it obvious?"
Her finger moved to tap firmly on the vial.
"You add it to the food or drink of the person. Or have them drink it directly."
I nodded slowly, turning my attention back to the small vial in my hand. "Oh…"
Felix leaned back slightly, fingers steepled. "We've also managed to arrange an audience with the Beastkin Princess."
"An… audience?" I raised an eyebrow, suspicion creeping in.
"Indeed," Felix said smoothly. "We made the arrangement on your behalf. All that's left is for you to present yourself to her."
My eyes narrowed. "And… how exactly did you convince the princess?"
Gaylord's brow furrowed and he cut in. "Because we are priests. Highly respected individuals. Even the princesses cannot outright refuse us."
"I wasn't talking to you," I muttered, ignoring him.
Gaylord's face darkened slightly, clearly displeased.
Felix held up a hand, cutting off any quarrel before it could escalate.
"Both of you should refrain from arguing."
He turned to me. "Now, Ren. If all goes well, you should be on your way to meet the princess at the Capital tomorrow."
He paused, his gaze drifting as though lost in thought. "Hopefully, the royal carriage will arrive early."