“Your move.”

Peering at the black and white board placed between us, I can only stare intently at the carved and painted black figures that belong to my side.

“Please go easy on me, Your Highness. You’re supposed to be teaching me Chess.”

“I am teaching you.”

With a quick glare, I reply with an exasperated sigh, “You seem to be taking pleasure in teaching me how to lose, rather than teaching me how to play.”

The crown prince of the Ouranos Empire grins with a joyful laugh as I muddle through frustrating possibilities of where to move my black pieces. His Highness’ white pieces greatly outnumber mine. A lot of mine were taken off the board early in the game. All that remains are the black king, who’s remained in the same place since the beginning; the queen, who I’ve been moving around the most; one of the black knights; a black bishop, and two pawns. The black bishop who was on my right was destroyed by one of the prince’s white knights—the most unpredictable pieces, in my opinion. At the very least, before the black bishop’s death, I’d managed to take out both of His Highness’ white bishops.

I even took out Iliazo’s white queen, though I’m starting to think he let me. After all, he quickly crowned one of his pawns to take her place, and she’s been taking out my pieces one by one. The black bishop I have left, who was on my left side, is currently being trapped by the new queen. Both of my rooks were taken out by His Highness’ pawns, and both of his are completely safe. In fact, I’m a bit nervous since one of his rooks has been trailing my queen for a while now.

With hesitation, I move my queen once again. It was either her, or the black bishop. I brace myself for the prince to take out my last bishop, but instead he uses the white rook to take out one of my pawns leaving only one left.

“But why?”

Iliazo shrugs.

“You said to go easy on you.” I did. But now that he’s giving mercy this late in the game with a throwaway move, it just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Which is odd, since I usually like bitter things. Perhaps because I’m well aware that it’s disguised with something sweet, and he obviously knows I’m trapped. His Highness smiles. “What? Did you not like that?”

“I want to play, Your Highness.” Moving my bishop a tile away, I look over the board. One more move, and my last bishop can meet the white queen. “Not to be played around with.”

The golden blonde man glances at the board for a second before bursting into laughter.

“If you say so.”

In my blindness, he blocks my last bishop with his king, incapacitating it completely and taking it off the board. I peer at the monochrome board with a mix of shock and confusion.

“I—” My head is a blur and it feels as if it hasn’t completely processed yet. “—I didn’t…”

“The king has limited movement,” Iliazo says, plucking away the black bishop. There’s a humorous glint in the prince’s green eyes as he grins. “But only fools would underestimate him.”

“But,” I reason. “The game isn’t over, yet.”

“Yes,” he says, setting the bishop down. “You are right about that.”

I mull over the chess board intently. Both of my bishops are dead. All my pawns but one are gone, too. My queen is no longer being chased, but that could change at any moment with how many of the white pieces there are. The rooks by her side have been defeated for a while now. She’s really close to the king, too, so the situation could turn bad at any moment. And then the knight is…

“So,” His Highness suddenly speaks. “What’s your plan?”

“Bold of you to assume I’ve developed ‘plans’ for chess, Your Highness.”

“No, not that,” he chuckles. “Your plan involving your ‘Unknown’.”

“Ah…” My voice trails off as I haphazardly move my queen. The crown prince’s eyes glance up to mine as he leans over with his hand hovering over the board.

“You mentioned it was unsuccessful, did you not?”

I slump backwards into the chair, casting my gaze up to the room’s tall ceiling as I recall last night’s events. Sunlight pours in from the incredibly tall window, and yet I don’t feel warm in the slightest.

“It’d be a lot easier if it was…”

I suck in a breath, and with a slow exhale, focus on spreading out my divinity. Through the dark night, I can feel it wrap around and flow past the walls and windows, flooding into the grand hall. It spreads thinly, passing through every person. Like whispers, I can feel the low vibrations of the music and laughter within the ballroom. It’s indecipherable, muddling together, and the fragments of conversations overlap one another into white noise. I can’t allow myself to drown, or else I’ll get lost in it. Let go, and let everything flow. Let the cool water ripple.

Exhaling softly, I pull in the excess of my divinity back within me. Opening my eyes, I can only lean against the balcony railing. It’s all still. There are people, but there is no divine response back. It’s eerie and unnerving, a forever expanse of ocean without any waves. And yet, and yet…

I open my eyes back to the luxurious palace ceiling.

How could it be that I could sense the slightest bit of warmth in that stillness? Traces of sunlight, that familiar trickle of divinity that completes me? And without a response back? It wasn't like that day at the market, where there was a clear echo in response. That night, it was faint. As if it was present all around me, divinity without a castor—yet I know the castor well. After all, how can it be possible to feel the sun’s warmth without the sun’s light?

“Shivani… where are you?”

“What was that, Your Holiness?”

With a jolt, I quickly straightened my back and turned my eyes back to the chess board.

“Nothing, just mumbling to…” My eyes quickly scan the board again, and then to the fallen black pieces on the prince’s side of the miniature table. “Wha… when did you take my queen?!”

His Highness leans over with a laugh, reaching out to tap his white queen with a gloved hand.

“If you hadn’t let your guard down, you could have saved her. My queen is the easiest to control after all. Well,” the prince chuckles, retracting his hand. “Even without the white queen, nearly any of my pieces could have taken your black queen out.”

Grumbling to myself, I slouch over while glaring at the chess board. It’s true. One of the white rooks could have attacked my queen. Two of his white knights also could have conquered if needed, but in the end, the white queen was the one who took the black queen’s life. All I have left is a pawn, a knight, and the king.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure. I think I’m done for.”

“Not in chess,” Iliazo smiles. “Since you couldn’t meet your ‘Unknown’, what are you going to do, now?”

Gazing at the board, I finally decide to move my last black knight. It was something. Not a lot, but something. There wasn’t a response from Shivani’s divinity, but the fact I could still feel Shivani at all means something surely, right? Then I can’t stop.

“I have to keep doing it,” I resolve, placing my knight resolutely and retracting my hand. “Attending balls and meeting nobles.”

I pull my fingers into a light fist. It’s going to be hard. But the little response I did get means Shivani was definitely within those premises where only nobles and servants gathered. It’s the difficult path, one I hoped I wouldn’t have to take, but…

If it’s for Shivani, I’d walk barefoot in the thorny garden of high society if I have to.

After all, I reminisce, the silhouette of battered armor flickering in my memory. Shivani was the kind of person who would do the same.

My black knight is nearly surrounded, narrowly escaping the special white pawns’ reach. But if I make one or two moves, and His Highness moves anything but his king…

It’s risky, only because my king is just as vulnerable. Glancing up at the prince, I’m sure he’s aware of that. He’s better at chess after all, and I only started nearly an hour ago. His Highness’ eyes, like peridots, are glazing over the monochrome board with his fingers curled against his chin in thought.

“If you plan to continue to jump into the turbulence of high society,” he says, almost mumbling under his breath. Iliazo’s eyes flicker up to meet mine for a split second before spreading his lips into a smile. He reaches a hand out, but instead of gravitating to a specific piece, he uses the side of his hand to swipe the pieces to the side. “We should get you properly prepared for the future.”

“What? The game hasn’t even ended yet,” I sputter.

“We can always play another time. Slower. Besides, it’s better to start your noble etiquette early,” Iliazo reasons, resetting the board. He looks up at me. “It was going to be your loss in the end, anyway.”

Standing up while pushing the chair back, I straighten myself with huff. “You don’t know that.”

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A vague smile.

“It was about time you left, either way. The carriage from the Temple will arrive to pick you up soon.”

“Right…” I drift off as we begin to step into the hall. Not so excited for that. I’m expecting to be locked in ‘my bedroom’ under the guise of recuperating after a stressful evening. That’s what Father would have done, if I had spent a day ‘outside’ without permission. Granted, I would have had to have been bold enough to do so in the first place. I can already clearly imagine the cold, irritated gaze of that gray haired paladin. I don’t mind being disliked, but it’s still uncomfortable being forced to be around people who do.

Pinching a bit of my skirt fabric, his sneer becomes more visible when I imagine riding back in this. I don’t think the temple will really take too kindly to me returning in flashy clothing. Not that it’s flashy in the slightest. Compared to the dress I wore last night it’s much more simple. Definitely more comfortable and less shiny, lighter too. Covers more, but it’s of similar comfort to the battle dress I’d worn on my journey. But it still has color with the lightest of print, which is already a contrast to the temple’s flat monochrome.

Yeah. I’m definitely going to have to change when I return.

“You seem to have a lot to think about.”

I blink away my thoughts as I glance quickly to his highness, Iliazo, who walks very slightly ahead of me. His hair is in a loose, low ponytail it seems today. I already took note of it before, but the prince has very long hair.

“Nothing of importance,” I reply honestly.

There are people approaching from the opposite side of the hallway. Two. Trailing slightly behind, a young woman wearing a more plain dress with little decoration, similar to mine. The woman in front of her, however…

My eyes meet hers, swallowing a small gulp of air as they approach. Even while wearing a less extravagant gown, her beauty shines just as much as last night. Under the natural lighting, each strand of her dusken hair reflects a mystic sheen as she lowers her head in a vague bow.

“Blessings and glory upon Her Holiness and His Highness.”

Her eyelashes flutter open, sunlight pouring into her ethereal honey irises. Simply gazing into them makes my cheeks feel warm, and my chest, tingly.

“What a surprise. You don’t take walks within the palace often, Lady Liakada.”

Iliazo seems to talk to her directly in his usual airy tone. He has his usual smile, too. Flickering between them, it still doesn’t seem quite right though in an inexplicable way. Lady Rishita also feels a bit odd. There’s an almost cold apathy in her eyes, still and unresponsive. Her stare is strong and unwavering, not turning away from His Highness for a moment. Lady Rishita’s eyes close.

“Ladies don’t tend to take ‘leisure’ walks inside the palace, but I have been busy trying to find Your Highness. We were to meet this morning, after all.” For a fleeting moment, Lady Rishita’s gaze flickers over to me. It was so sudden that I couldn’t help but flinch in surprise. “But I see you were with Her Holiness instead.”

The crown prince shifts his posture slightly, scratching his cheek lightly with his finger.

“Ah… were we? It must have slipped my mind. I may have had one too many drinks last night.” A light embarrassed expression shows on Iliazo’s face. “You know I don’t hold my alcohol very well.”

Was His Highness drunk this morning? He did suddenly barge in earlier, urging for a few games of chess. It was so sudden that the maids who’d been assigned to me during my stay fervently rushed to get me ready for his arrival.

“I’m sorry, Lady Rishita. I had no idea I was holding His Highness up,” I apologize guiltily. I would have turned the offer down if I knew he had an appointment, and with his fiancé of all people. Lady Rishita’s gaze lingers on mine for a moment, before she looks away.

“Her Holiness has no need to worry about our problems. We were merely going to discuss matters involving our future. That can easily be prolonged a day or two.”

That sounds… awfully important, doesn’t it? Between a betrothed couple? I can feel heat rising to my cheeks, raising my fingers.

“It’s alright! I’m leaving for the temple right now, anyway! Lady Rishita and His Highness can—”

“Actually,” the prince suddenly interrupts. “Lady Liakada’s arrival is perfect.”

I look at His Highness with eyebrows raised in confusion. Arrival? Your Fiancé ‘arrived’ long ago, Your Highness!

“Lady Liakada, please teach the Saintess noble etiquette from now on.”

He says it so casually with his usual smile that I couldn’t seem to comprehend what he meant. Even Lady Rishita appears puzzled, and the expression of the young woman beside her falls into a narrow-eyed frown.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness?”

“The Saintess plans to enter high society officially, but I’m sure as you could tell from last night…” Iliazo glances over to me as I give him a stare. “Her Holiness needs experience, as well as a personal example.”

I blink, and it finally settles in. With my mouth gaping open I can only look at the prince incredulously.

“Your Highness, you want your fiancé to teach me etiquette?”

His expression falters for a fraction of a second. You could almost miss it.

“... I see no problem with that,” His Highness grins. “It’s normal for noblewomen to mentor their juniors. Lady Liakada has been educated in noble etiquette since we were young, even by my mother personally when she was alive. She is the most perfect candidate for the Empress seat, after all.”

Being born a thousand years ago aside, that isn’t my biggest gripe here. After all, most of my ‘higher’ education came from priestesses and deaconesses—though it was less teaching and more chastising. Older women teaching those younger than them isn’t unusual for me at all. Something about this is still strange, however, seeing as Lady Rishita’s companion remains aghast.

“That’s not really… what I’m worried about,” I drift off. “Wouldn’t someone like the Madame work better?”

You know, instead of your fiancé?

“Madame Varda won’t do. The nobles wouldn’t be comfortable if word got out the Saintess is getting taught etiquette by a commoner,” he gently explains. Iliazo chooses his words carefully, as if to deliver them lightly. Even so, I’m not so foolish to ignore its hidden meaning. I press my lips together. Buying lavish dresses from a commoner is alright, but being taught by one is looked down upon? This implication, as well as Lady Venus’ crude words that came so easily—I see the relationship between ‘upper’ class and ‘lower’ class hasn’t changed at all. We have no use or value, if only to make those in power look better.

My souring expression shines clear as the prince’s smile falls. He looks away and meets Lady Rishita’s eyes though I cannot see his face as it’s turned.

“There are more important factors, too. Many nobles will have twisted intentions, and may go about them by approaching you or bribing those who attend to you,” Prince Iliazo adds. His tone seems to change, ever so slightly. “At the very least, I can trust Lady Liakada. Which is why I beseech you—please begin mentoring Her Holiness, Lady Rishita Liakada.”

A barely audible scoff, stifled by the high ranking noblewoman. Flickering back to Lady Rishita, her expression seems serious and deep in contemplation. Otherwise, her face is unreadable and it’s unknown whether she takes His Highness’ words positively or not. The woman accompanying her glances between her and the prince warily as well. Lady Rishita does not move, nor make a sound for a while. Her eyebrows furrow in resignation, pressing her lips into a firm line.

After a moment, Lady Rishita’s berry-majenta lips part and she lowers her head.

“... If His Highness wishes for it, I will oblige.”

♢♦︎♢

The ride back to the temple was about as agonizing as I imagined. Despite my hope, the gray-haired paladin stood vigilantly by the temple’s carriage when I went out into the palace’s entrance. He gave a pointed stare with a scrunched up nose before averting his eyes. I expected that kind of reaction though, so while I was disappointed, I wasn’t surprised.

What did surprise me on the way back though, was that my carriage was being escorted by three paladins—which was more paladins than the two that escorted the pope.

I should start planning my escape, my thoughts ran while my stomach turned inside the carriage. No, I can’t worsen my chances of finding Shivani.

The carriage finally stops before the steps to the temple’s main grounds. A tall, looming staircase brushed pristine every day with decorative pillars haunts me. The multiple temple buildings are clear even from down here, waiting like a prison. I feel like a child again. Perhaps I didn't pay attention the first time, but now with a conscious mind, an ominous bell in my chest keeps tolling and the hairs on my skin stand on edge. The door pulls away from the carriage and a hand lightly stretches out. I brace myself for the judgemental stare of the gray-haired paladin. The palm is a bit smaller, though. Lifting my gaze, a woman with hazelnut brown eyes waits with a vague smile. She’s shorter in stature with a larger physique, her rounded face framed with small dark blonde curls that collect into a ponytail behind her neck.

“Your Holiness?”

“... ah, yes.” I smile politely, trying to compose myself yet the sick feeling in my stomach can’t seem to go away. Tentatively, I reach my fingers out. At the very least, there are female paladins now. Father seeked out divine power, but he would turn away girls with potential and train them to be priestesses instead. Come to think of it, wasn’t I similar? I was taught to predominantly use my divinity for healing, while Kaspar used his divinity offensively. For a great while, even as the daughter of god, my divinity was weak and could only manage that.

My heart palpitates as an electric shock dances upon my skin when our hands meet, and I quickly flick my hand from the paladin’s, falling back into the carriage. It was just a little shock, static. I know it was, but even that is enough to remind me of that feeling again. Why so easily? Because I’m here, in this place? I’m nauseous. He trained me to be a healer, yet was the exact reason why it has become so difficult.

A stick drags into the dry dirt, engraving careful words almost hidden by night.

[—... doesn’t it?]

With a shaky breath, I inhale while bringing my curled fingers to my lips. The female paladin looks back at me with a confused look, in which I can only force a smile in response.

“I know my way back. Just—just, let me rest for a little bit.”

“Are you sure, Your Holiness? I can wait here if you…”

“Leave Her Holiness be,” comes the gray-haired paladin’s voice, a bit farther off I think. “If it’s what she desires, we have no right to object. His Holiness is waiting for us, anyway.”

The female paladin lingers for a moment, before turning around and making her way up the stairs. I bring my knees closer, staring down at the thicker fabric’s folds. As the sound of their dense heels against the concrete fade away, I drown deeper into the resounding silence. Even then, there was a tiny part of me I didn’t want to acknowledge—that maybe in that moment, I did want someone to stay, no matter who it was. Who knew it could be so cold in the shadows?

“Shivani, just… just a bit longer, right…?”

♢♦︎♢

A creak, and the door closes firmly. The few wait in silence, just for assurance. After all, one can never be too careful. The temple may be their domain, but that does not make them safe. Anyone could be watching, listening. And so, an unnecessarily long silence becomes necessary.

“We’ve returned, Your Holiness.” Sir Ianglade is the first to speak, naturally. Always devout, be it to the divine or Selinas ka Surya. Despite his popularity, his eyes like shallow waves are cold. What can you expect, other than unyielding loyalty from the Pope’s left hand?

“How is the Saintess?”

“She has returned peacefully, Your Holiness.”

The female paladin of shorter stature and the taller paladin of tanned skin glance at each other with the vaguest of doubt. Though the pope is unable to see the expressions on his pupils' faces, he does see the fluctuation of their divinity. Especially the woman’s, whose divinity that is usually perfectly controlled with her resolve, wavers as the words leave Ianglade’s mouth.

“Is that all, Dame Eirdis? Sir Vivace?”

At being called upon directly by their master, the two paladins opposite of eachother share a look. Ianglade between them, doesn’t flinch nor make any kind of reaction.

“… Her Holiness seemed troubled,” Dame Eirdis, the female paladin speaks first.

“I don’t think it’s because of the Crown Prince, though,” Sir Vivace, the tanned blonde man chips in with a bouncy tone. “Her Holiness seemed to enjoy her stay at the palace.”

The implications of that say everything. Sir Ianglade’s fingers twitch against his side before curling into a fist. His cerulean eyes glaze over in a cold frost, and the Saintess’ temple garbs wrinkle in his other arm.

“What a disgrace.”

A mere mutter under his breath, but it’s heard clearly throughout the small room.

“Ian,” Selinas calls in a comforting tone. Ianglade’s eyes dart upwards to meet his master’s unfocused eyes. It’s not often the pope refers to him with his nickname. “I understand your sentiments about the Saintess. Be patient with her, she will come around eventually. She is precious after all, the Divine Surya’s only daughter.”

The pope’s unfocused eyes slowly meet the others.

“This goes for you two as well. Her Holiness’ awakening in this era is a divine blessing in itself, after all. But we must be vigilant, and can only prepare for when that day arrives.” A darker, murkiness lurks in Selinas' gaze. Sir Ianglade’s hold on the dress tightens as his eyes harden. Dame Eirdis and Sir Vivace’s backs straighten at the mention of that day.

“Your Holiness shouldn’t speak so gravely,” Sir Ianglade grumbles. “Your Holiness is still the pope, and those in the temple will surely follow your example more than… hers.”

Pope Selinas ka Surya chuckles lightly.

“That may be true for now. But Surya may have different plans for the future, which is why we must be gentle with her if we wish to guide her in the right direction. We can only hope she makes the correct choice in the end, one that aligns with ours.” With a tilt of the head, Selinas smiles. “Those are my orders as of now. Simple, yes? If my intentions are clear, you three are free to retreat for the night.”

Unanimously, the three paladins lower their heads respectfully in unison before bidding the pope goodnight. One by one, the three loyal paladins leave the small and quiet office. Diving into the depths of the shadowed hallways of the building, they walk in silence as the moonlight begins to flicker over them.

“You aren’t going to ask him?” Sir Vivace suddenly speaks.

“Ask him what?” Sir Ianglade responds monotonously.

“About… Her Holiness’ freedom,” Dame Eirdis clarifies. A dark and cold sheen glazes over Ianglade’s eyes.

“His Holiness has made it clear. For now at least, what Her Holiness wishes, goes.” Even still, Ianglade clutches the discarded temple garbs that were worn by the Saintess. His cerulean eyes stare holes into the finely woven cloth of simple monochrome, pure and noble. That’s how the people showed their devotion to the Divine Surya. That’s how the Saintess was supposed to be as well.

“She is precious after all, the Divine Surya’s only daughter.”

Ianglade clenches his jaw and grits his teeth, the wrinkled fabric in his arms burning away into bright embers before diminishing into scattered ashes in the breeze.

“She should act like it, then.”