Kaiden's blue eyes slowly flutter open, a sense of rejuvenation washing over him as he emerges from slumber. He extends his limbs in a languorous stretch, his gaze wandering around the room. Soft morning light filters through the window, casting a gentle glow on his surroundings.

Kaiden, filled with some self-satisfaction, silently revels in having awakened before Wulfric and Loden could rouse him. However, his brief moment of triumph is interrupted as he glances around, realizing that the garment from the tailor is still not yet in his possession.

Kaiden redirects his focus, pushing aside his brief disappointment about the missing garment. He utilizes the water in the new bowl to freshen up, relishing the refreshing sensation of cleanliness on his arms, face, and body. Feeling invigorated, he continues mentally preparing himself for the day ahead.

Kaiden swings the door open just a crack, only to be momentarily taken aback by the sight of a guard stationed outside. The guard addresses him with a formal bow and poses a question, "Priestess, is everything okay?"

Kaiden nods his head in affirmation, acknowledging that he is indeed alright. He then gathers his thoughts to respond to the guard's question. "Yes, I'm fine," he replies. "I was actually just going to step outside to see if there's anything to eat." Kaiden pauses briefly before asking, "Where are Wulfric or Loden?"

The guard stands upright, his expression stoic as he responds. "The Captain has been called away for a moment," he explains, "but he will return shortly." The guard's tone remains formal as he continues, "The Celestial Warrior Loden has not yet returned." The guard then asserts, "You are instructed to remain in your room until further guards can accompany you." He ends his statement, “I will arrange for a servant to bring you food from the kitchen.”

Kaiden gazes at the guard with a mix of surprise and irritation, shaking his head in protest. "I want to go outside," he repeats, his desire to move around clear in his voice. He then poses a question, "Why can't I venture to the kitchen myself or with you?"

The guard stood firm in his stance as he explained, "The Captain's orders have been made clear. The Priestess, without the accompaniment of one or more Celestial Warriors, is to remain in their quarters until his arrival back. You must stay here."

Kaiden, growing increasingly frustrated, tugged at the short sleeves of his shirt, expressing his irritation with the ongoing situation. The guard, noticing his frustration, slightly bowed his head toward the room and requested, "Priestess, please remain inside for your safety. I will arrange to have food brought to you shortly."

With his mind racing, Kaiden slammed the door shut, feeling like he had been confined to his room without cause. Frustration welled up inside him, and he made his way towards the table in the room, placing his palms down on it as he contemplated. His thoughts wandered to Loden and Wulfric. Where were they? And what was Wulfic doing in the meantime? His frustration with being confined to the room only heightened his curiosity about their activities.

Kaiden glanced around the vacant room, his eyes settling on the scrolls laid out on the table. Having finally gotten what he wanted, he took a deep breath, feeling reassured as he picked up the parchment-colored scroll. Once again, he began to carefully read through the text, his confidence growing as he realized he now had more time to fully absorb the information within the scroll again.

Kaiden had managed to get through the text and movements twice, speaking the words out loud. Before suddenly, a firm knock sounded at the door and the guard's voice echoed from outside, calling out to Kaiden, interrupted his progress.

The guard announced from outside the door, "Priestess, you have a visitor."

Kaiden responded in a curt tone, "Who is it?"

The guard opened the door enough to peek inside, revealing servants carrying a tray of food and a garment box. He inquired politely, "Your meal and garment have arrived. Would you prefer that I let the servants in to assist you?"

Kaiden nodded in agreement but hurriedly added a request. "Yes, that would be fine. Please leave them in," he said politely. The guard, understanding his instruction, nodded and allowed the servants to enter Kaiden's quarters.

The Guard, after opening the door wider, allowed the two female servants to enter the room, each carrying their own item. Once the servants were inside, the guard quickly bowed and promptly closed the door behind himself.

As the two servants entered the room, Kaiden turned his gaze towards them. He immediately noticed that the first servant, with her brown chestnut hair tied up in two buns on her head, had the appearance of a woman rather than a girl. He also observed that she held the food-laden tray with an air of practiced skill.

Both female servants wore the same attire, the uniform of a palace servant. The older female's clothes showed some signs of wear and fading from age. Her eyes were the same color as her hair, a deep brown that resembled chestnut.

The younger female, who was around Kaiden's age or perhaps slightly older, had an impressive mane of glossy jet-black hair cascading down her back, with some strands hanging in the front. Her face was further accentuated by a pair of captivating light green eyes.

The younger female servant held a simple, unadorned box in her hands, likely containing the garment he would wear for the day's ritual. Kaiden quickly snapped out of his thoughts and greeted them, "Good morning."

The two female servants, simultaneously displaying a graceful and respectful gesture, bowed their heads toward Kaiden. Their words, spoken in unison, echoed through the air, greeting him with the morning wish, "Good morning, Priestess."

The elder female servant spoke up first, lifting her head as she did so. Her voice carried a sense of devotion and authority as she addressed Kaiden. "We have been assigned the responsibility of attending to your needs today, my Priestess. My name is Yetta," she affirmed.

The younger female lifted her head, stepping forward with such eagerness that she nearly dropped the box she was holding. A shy smile played on her lips as she spoke, her voice filled with a mixture of humility and excitement. "My name is Cerelia," she echoed, a hint of nervousness evident in her words, "it is an honor to be at your service, your grace."

Kaiden smiled kindly at the two servants, Yetta and Cerelia. He expressed his pleasure at meeting them and offered a simple request, "It's nice to meet you both, Yetta and Cerelia. Please, call me Kaiden instead of Priestess." His expression was warm and inviting.

Yetta, with a nod of acknowledgment, stepped forward, carrying the tray of food in her hands. She proceeded to the table and gently placed it down, announcing, "Your breakfast." The simple statement conveyed both the purpose and offering of the meal, its aroma wafting slightly through the air.

Cerelia followed suit, nodding in agreement before carefully placing the box onto the bed. She then went to stand against the wall, her hands folded gracefully in front of her. In unison, Yetta came to a stop beside Cerelia, mirroring her pose. Both servants stood quietly, awaiting further instructions or needs that Kaiden may have.

Kaiden, noticing the stiffness and formality of the servants' demeanor, invited them to sit with a gentle gesture. He wanted them to feel more at ease and comfortable while they waited. His offer was a simple yet genuine one, "Would you like to sit? Please, relax." The words were spoken with kindness, recognizing their duty while also acknowledging their humanity.

Cerelia's light green eyes sparkled for a moment as a smile played on her lips. She instinctively stepped forward, but Yetta's outstretched hand gesture stopped her in her tracks. Yetta shook her head, her brown chestnut hair buns swaying gently with the movement. In that moment, an unspoken understanding passed between the two servants, silently conveying Yetta's protective role over Cerelia.

Yetta caught herself, hesitating for a moment before speaking. She gracefully adjusted her address to Kaiden's name, "I apologize, Kaiden, we are not supposed to sit while you eat. The palace's standards prohibit servants from eating alongside guests or officials." Yetta's words echoed with a sense of duty and protocol, underscoring the rigid structure of palace etiquette and hierarchy.

Cerelia nods sadly, remembering the etiquette that dictated her behavior. Kaiden can sense the weight of their duty and the restriction imposed by the palace rules. He feels a pang of sympathy for the pair, recognizing the emotional toll of adhering to strict standards and protocols on a daily basis.

Kaiden reflects on his own past, recalling the expectations and pressures he endured from his mother. Her relentless drive for academic excellence, pushing him to excel in every subject. There was also his father, who diligently steered him towards becoming the captain of the school soccer team. Further, there was his younger sister, who looked up to him, placing the responsibility of a parent-like role upon his shoulders due to their parents' long absences.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Kaiden's head was hanging low, lost in the memories of his past, when Yetta's soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He startled slightly as he lifted his gaze to meet her eyes, only now realizing that his head had been lowered almost to his chest. "Kaiden," Yetta repeated in a gentle tone, her words serving as a subtle intervention that pulled him back to the present moment.

Kaiden shook his head, snapping out of his introspective moment. "Sorry, what did you say? I was lost for a moment," he responded, slightly embarrassed by his momentary distraction. The images from the past were still fresh in his mind, yet he didn't want to dwell on them at the moment. He looked at Yetta with a hint of embarrassment, awaiting her response.

Yetta's words echoed with a hint of concern as she said, "We were asking if you were alright, Priestess. You went quiet after I said we couldn’t sit with you. I thought I had offended you." The sadness in her tone towards the end was evident, reflecting her worry that she might have inadvertently caused offense with her previous remark.

Kaiden shook his head, his expression reassuring. "No, of course not. You didn't offend me at all. I just got a bit home-sick, thinking of my family back home," he admitted. His voice carried a touch of melancholy, but he tried to brush it off, adding, "I'm alright, though."

Cerelia and Yetta, their heads inclined in a sympathetic gesture, responded with a nod. Yetta's voice held a trace of empathy as she said, "We understand. It must be difficult to be away from your loved ones. If you need anything, Kaiden, please let us know." The understanding in her tone served as a subtle reminder of their availability to assist him.

Kaiden nodded, accepting Yetta and Cerelia's offer of assistance. He then uncovered the food on the tray, revealing a plate adorned with a variety of delectable items. The enticing aroma wafted up from the plate, an irresistible invitation. Without hesitation, Kaiden picked up the eating utensils and began to relish the food.

Kaiden found the food in this foreign world to be both delightful and visually stunning. The fruits and vegetables here had textures and colors unlike anything he had experienced before. He relished every bite, savoring the new flavors. With each item on the plate, he took his time, carefully sampling each one, adding to his culinary adventure.

Kaiden finished the majority of the food on the tray, satiating his hunger without overeating. He picked up a flaky pastry and placed it to the side, intending to savor it later. The sweetness and fragrance of the pastry acted as a pleasant contrast to the savoriness of the food he had already consumed.

Kaiden stood up to stretch after finishing his meal. While doing so, he glanced over at Yetta and Cerelia, a small smirk playing on his lips as he noticed Cerelia's expression. Her wide and glimmering eyes reminded him of a child eagerly eyeing something they desired but could not have.

Kaiden followed the direction of Cerelia's light green eyes, realizing that she was fixated on the leftover pastries that Kaiden had not eaten and not set aside. He chuckled internally, amused by the situation. It was clear that she desired a taste of the pastries, but the etiquette of her position prevented her from indulging.

Kaiden picked up the plate with the pastries from the tray. Immediately, Cerelia's eyes darted away, attempting to disguise her desire for the treats. Kaiden approached Yetta and Cerelia, holding the plate of pastries in front of him.

Kaiden held out the plate, the pastries sitting on it. "Please, have one," he offered, his tone insistent. He looked at Yetta and Cerelia, noticing the surprise on their faces, which quickly turned to hesitation. They were not expecting such kindness from him.

Yetta shook her head politely, a gracious smile on her face. "No, we couldn’t,” she insisted. “These are your pastries, your grace,” she reiterated, her voice carrying a sense of respect and duty. Cerelia looked at the pastries with longing, clearly wanting to accept the offer. Yetta's reply indicated a firm adherence to etiquette and protocol once again.

Kaiden smiled, explaining, "I'm finished, so these will go to waste if someone doesn't eat them, right?" He held the plate out, not budging an inch. His tone was kind as he encouraged them, "Please, indulge me, your Priestess, just this once." His smile and gentle head tilt were inviting, gently urging them to take the pastries.

Cerelia glanced from the plate to Yetta, her eyes filled with eager anticipation. Yetta looked from the pastries to Kaiden, then back to Cerelia, her brown chestnut eyes blinking thoughtfully. Then, Yetta nodded, giving her silent approval, signaling that it was alright for them to take a pastry.

Cerelia jumped with excitement, and without hesitation, snatched a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. Her cheeks ballooned with the food as a rosy hue spread across them, a clear indication of her joyful expression. She savored the pastry with unabashed delight, the pleasure evident on her face.

Yetta, with a touch more composure, delicately picked up a pastry with two fingers. She held it in her hands, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she observed Cerelia's enthusiastic consumption. Kaiden couldn't help but sympathize with Yetta, his own lips curving into a gentle smile as he witnessed the joyous scene before him. He felt a sense of fulfillment in having made someone's day a bit brighter.

As Cerelia finished her pastry, Yetta held out her own pastry between her fingers, offering it to the younger female. Cerelia looked at the second pastry with keen interest, but for a moment, she seemed unsure whether to take it. However, when Yetta nodded her head, signaling it was alright, Cerelia quickly grasped the pastry with a grateful smile.

Cerelia took smaller, more measured bites of the second pastry, savoring every morsel. Yetta then turned to Kaiden, a hint of concern in her voice, "I hope it was alright for me to offer mine to Cerelia, your grace. Personally, I am not into sweets." Her words revealed her thoughtfulness and consideration, seeking Kaiden's approval for the small gesture of generosity.

Kaiden nodded in agreement, his smile widening slightly. "Of course, that's perfectly fine," he reassured, a small laugh escaping his lips before he composed himself once again. Kaiden then made his way to the table and carefully placed the plate, now empty save for a few crumbs, back onto the tray.

Yetta's voice called out, and Kaiden turned back around to face her. "Your grace," she began, "we must prepare for the ritual, which has been scheduled at high sun, right at the peak of the day by the Elders." Her words carried a sense of urgency, signaling that the time had come to commence the preparation for the upcoming ritual.

Cerelia finished her treat, wiping her mouth and then cleared her throat, addressing Kaiden. "We have received your garment from the Royal Tailor," she explained, "The Empress has assigned us the task of assisting you in preparing for today." Her words implied that they would be playing a significant role in ensuring Kaiden's readiness for the upcoming ritual.

Kaiden listened intently to Yetta and Cerelia's statements, his attention fully engaged. "What do we need to do?" he echoed, curious to understand the tasks at hand. His expression conveyed both attentiveness and willingness to cooperate in the preparation process, ready to take on whatever responsibilities were required.

Yetta turned to Cerelia, whispering quietly before the younger girl nodded in understanding and moved away. Yetta then drew Kaiden's focus back to her, as she spoke up, "As per our tradition, we need to ensure that you are completely prepared for the ceremony. We will help you dress and perform the necessary grooming to ensure you appear immaculate.”

Cerelia quickly popped up beside Yetta, carrying a bowl and a water pitcher from the stand against the nearby wall. Yetta then reached into her clothes and retrieved a cloth and a small bottle from the folds of her garments. Their coordinated effort was evident as they prepared to start the grooming process.

Kaiden observed the items in Yetta's and Cerelia's hands, his curiosity piqued, especially as he noticed a hint of excitement in Cerelia's eyes that threatened to cause her to drop the bowl and pitcher. Yetta then spoke up, explaining, "To properly start the day, we must cleanse your body." Her words indicated the upcoming need for the items held in their hands.

Kaiden watched with a puzzled expression as Cerelia set the pitcher and bowl on the table and filled it with water. Then, he witnessed Yetta approach and dip the cloth in the bowl, fully soaking it. His confusion began to grow, wondering what the attendants' next move would be.

Yetta lifted the cloth, now saturated with water, while Cerelia, suppressing a small giggle, confirmed, "We are the ones who get the honor of providing you with a bath, Your Grace." The two attendants moved closer to Kaiden, the cloth in Yetta's hand ready to be used.

Kaiden protested, shaking his head as he retreated. "No, ladies, I don't think that's necessary. I can wash myself," he insisted, his voice firm yet polite. He appeared a bit uncomfortable with the idea of the attendants bathing him, preferring to handle the task on his own.

Yetta motioned for Cerelia to halt, her face etched with a mixture of sadness and concern. She spoke gently, explaining, "It is a long-standing tradition for the Priestess to be cleansed before the ritual." Cerelia nodded in agreement, reinforcing Yetta's words. It was clear that they placed significant importance on adhering to this custom.

Kaiden nodded in acknowledgment, recognizing the significance of the tradition. Yet, he couldn't help but express his unease, speaking up with a hint of embarrassment. "I understand its importance, but couldn't I simply clean myself? This feels quite embarrassing," he explained, expressing his discomfort with the situation.

Cerelia attempted to suppress her giggle but couldn't help letting out a soft laugh, hiding her face behind her hand. Yetta gently reprimanded her, stating, "Your Grace, the tradition requires that the Priestess be cleansed either by the sacred pool or by the hands of the palace servants, especially for a ceremony as significant as this." Her words emphasized the importance and tradition surrounding this rite.

Kaiden continued to retreat, keeping a small distance between himself and the attendants, and expressed his preference for the sacred pool. He requested, "May I perhaps use the sacred pool to cleanse myself instead?" His gesture extended his hands in a placating manner, hoping to find an alternative to being washed by them.

Yetta and Cerelia's heads dropped, their expressions revealing a mix of shame and fear. Cerelia suddenly interjected, her voice tinged with alarm, "The sacred pool has been defiled." Yetta quickly reprimanded her with a subtle elbow nudge, hoping to curb any further commentary on the matter.

Yetta clarified the situation, explaining, "What Cerelia intended to convey is that the pool is currently unusable due to an accident, and there isn't enough time to fix the damage before you can safely use it for cleansing. Rest assured, it will be repaired in time for the summoning of Astryalyn in the near future." Yetta's words aimed to provide reassurance that the sacred pool would be restored for future use, just not in time for the current ritual.

Yetta and Cerelia picked up their heads and composure, returning to a more cheerful expression. Yetta spoke up once again, "Alright, let's begin. We have a lot of work to do to ensure you're properly prepared for the ritual." The attendants moved a bit closer, ready to begin the cleansing process.

Kaiden instinctively backed away, trying to maintain a reasonable distance, but before he could react, Yetta and Cerelia moved swiftly, closing the gap so fast that it was almost like a blink of an eye. The speed of their approach caught him off guard, and he found himself suddenly in their reach.