Winifred was a scholar. Someone who requested the queen to change his designated position, because he didn't trust his age. His being a direct advisor could cause more damage than good to the Kingdom.
The moment he was asked to be the judge of the case, he knew the situation wasn't as simple as it sounded.
Sitting in silence, he looked at the young woman draped in a white, elegant gown, with her face full of worries.
He pitied her.
Being chosen as a Saintess at such a young age, she carried more responsibilities and burdens than any of the people present here.
To make matters worse, she was engaged to the youngest Prince. Someone who was quite unpredictable and had a lot of people who wanted him dead.
Her life is already going to be hell the moment she marries him, and her current predicament isn't helping at all.
Winifred didn't know the prince personally. But as a former advisor, he's heard his tales.
He still remembers an incident that occurred ten years ago, when the youngest was only fifteen. The house of Rile, the margraves, made a formal visit for allegiance in the water trade. They needed funds to expand the number of their container ships. And the youngest, who had no political interest, was the best choice for them to coax.
However, their attitude wasn't pleasing to him. He hosted a banquet in the celebration of their allegiance, with the finest of cooks at his disposal, and fed the margraves the meat of their own knights.
After the meal, he butchered the family, framing the incident as an internal feud among the family, and placed his former butler as one of his subjects who now controls the majority of the trade routes of Lunar.
From what Winifred has observed. The youngest didn't care about the Saintess. But… if he somehow does, then he'd worry more about the people who're here to witness the case and judge her.
Suddenly, Winifred notices the people in the room standing before he understands why. He turns around and sees a young man walking down the staircase of the room, moving towards the central table of judges.
It seems that even his ears gave way to age, as he did not hear the announcement of the prince's entering.
His knees ache as he rises with the support of his cane.
His worries had come true.
The youngest has entered without a warning or invitation.
He had those same red eyes that would peer into the soul when looked at. The same aloof personality and that keen observation.
Unlike other princes who were always busy with their factions and power politics. The youngest had no such interest. He was known to do whatever he wanted.
And now the same prince whom Winifred had ever felt fear from was right in front of him.
.-.-.-.-.-.
"We're getting late for the hearing," I spoke to the priest, and gestured at the corner. "I don't think we can proceed with the judge standing…please arrange a seat."
"It's an honour to sit alongside you, my prince." I looked to my right. A middle-aged woman, black hair, a gothic red tattoo of a knife covering the right side of her face. She wore the clothes of a high noble, a black gown with a red fur cloak.
Isolde D'Arterri. Duchess of the house D'Arterri.
These guys were fucking vampires, not literally. I say that because they excel in blood magic.
"The pleasure's all mine, Duchess," I replied and looked at the file in front of her.
"May I?" I asked.
"By all means, my lord," she nodded and handed me the file.
"Hmm, let's see…" I mumbled.
So, the case was pretty… simple. But since the one who's accusing the Saintess is the Krells, it can't be taken lightly.
Krells are a significant military power. And they've had some strong connections to the Fulcrum, the largest magic tower among all the Kingdoms.
The Duke of Krells is a stern man who loves his family.
Apparently, the heir of Krells had been suffering from an uncommon condition, which disabled his meridians from processing either mana or aura. He forced himself to open his meridians under an extensive pressure of mana, and ended up suffering a lifelong paralysis, with extreme pain accompanying him every moment.
Now, after pulling some political strings, they managed to request the newly appointed Saintess, Violet, to bless the child to save him.
Blessings are not something you can request just because a single person is on the verge of death.
It's been a rule, and has been stated in the doctrines of the church, that Saintesses are supposed to use their blessings as a last resort.
Because of their blessings, Saintesses put an extensive toll on their body. The pain endured with just one single use of their power feels like their bodies are being shredded apart from the inside.
But…Violet accepted the request. She blessed the child. The results were good because the previously lifeless body gained vitality.
However, the heir of Krells was left…brain dead.
"Hmm…" I know this situation very well. Apparently, Luna is dead. What these guys worship doesn't exist.
The blessing, what they call is just a remnant of her power. The remnants react to faith. They don't possess the will like Luna would have.
Now, Krell's heir lost faith in the god. The blessings healed him, not his soul. If he had the will to live and faith in Luna, he would've been saved.
'Now, the church knows that blessings don't work on those who don't have faith in Luna. But they can't just say it because that would mean they admit the goddess they worship doesn't care about the children of the world and only her believers.' I thought.
I looked ahead at the Saintess. From the moment I entered, she had not uttered a single word. And she's been constantly staring at me.
Well, this is kinda creepy.
"Mr Advisor," I called the frail old man on my left, "Has there ever been records of such cases before?"
Winifred, the former advisor, pondered for a while.
He seemed intelligent. But I think because of his old age, his brain has been processing information a little slowly.
He kept thinking for some time, and I even doubted whether the guy hadn't heard me.
"Ah-" He gaped his mouth open, remembering. "I know of some similar situations, but I am not sure."
"That means they do exist… can I have the files of those cases please?" I looked at the priest who just sat on a newly arranged seat.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but I'm afraid we might be delaying the hearing," The priest, Ferrey, replied.
"Oh, I completely agree with you, but a few more minutes shouldn't matter considering most of the time was wasted in the arrangement of your seat…" I spoke.
I didn't like this guy. He had that…perverted vibe.
"And proceeding with the hearing without complete prior knowledge isn't really the best decision, don't you agree, Duchess?" I leaned my head to the right.
"I agree, we shall halt the current court, and we'll proceed next week-"
"I just need an hour. There's no need to delay this to next week." I cut her words off.
"Alright, everyone," I clapped, getting everyone's attention.
"We'll take a break for just an hour. And then proceed as 'Planned'!" I said out loud and patted the advisor's shoulders.
"Have someone fetch the records at our Saintess' humble doors," I leaned next to his ear and mumbled.
"I'll oblige, My Lord," Winifred replied as I looked at the podium again.
A few sisters, three to be precise, accompanied the Saintess out of the court.
To be honest, a courtroom within a church was awkward in itself. Maybe that's why it looked more like an auditorium.
I looked around, and everyone in the room was starting to leave. I guess my words held authority. Pretty evident, considering the position I hold, but it still feels a little foreign to me.
Looking towards the Duchess, who was still seated in her place, I asked. "Duchess, do you know where I can find the saintess?"
I pointed at the back door of the podium, "She just left with her companions through that door."
"Silver Cloister is the name of her Sanctum, My Lord. But I'm afraid, no one's permitted to enter her residence. Even the Knights that protect her can't cross the doors." She replied, tapping her finger on the table.
"I think we can make some…' temporary adjustments' to that arrangement," I suggested.
"Possibly. If you have the permission of the high priest. Or the Saintess herself sends out an invitation, both of which are somewhat difficult considering the hour break we have." Her answer was genuine. She did seem amused by my presence, and that's because these vampire-like mages are a curious bunch.
"I guess I'll choose the second option…" I mumbled and nodded, walking through the same door, Saintess had left.
"Ahh- Caelum," I spoke out the name of the Knight waiting in the back corridor of the auditorium.
He flinched, hearing my voice and then looked at me.
"Ser Caelum, it's so good to see you again, and it just so happens I might need you to guide me once again," I put my hand on his shoulder. He stared at my hand, feeling awkward.
"It'll be my honour to be your guide, My Lord," He replied.
'Yeah, it doesn't look like you're honoured…' I thought.
"Our saintess, she invited me to her Sanctum. Unfortunately, it was a rather informal invitation, so you may confirm my words with her. I need you to guide me to her residence." I spoke.
"…" Caelum remained quiet for some time and stared into my eyes.
'Was that too much? I'm betrothed to her, what's he staring at me for?' I thought.
"Please, follow my lead," he answered moments after, and nodded.