Fakes Don’t Want To Be Real

FAKES DON’T WANT TO BE REAL~ 107 ~ “You remember me.” Serioth greeted me cordially.She didn’t pretend now knowing, but unexpected enough the priest didn’t remain unknowing just to stay in his good image. “This is the hallway used by the priests. Guests can go that way.”“Oh, I’ve been here so many times, but I must have heard wrong.” He had been here a lot, making her glare at him darkly. He was obviously lying underneath his mouth! “If you don’t mind, I’ll show you the way.” He meant to find fault as to why the young priest shed tears. “As you wish.” Knowing that, Verndia only smirked and said nothing. * * * They hadn’t exchanged more than a few words when she realized she had misunderstood them and apologized. “My apologies, my dear. I didn’t realize the Duke had a history with you.” Speaking of previous encounters, she thought Verndia didn’t go down to the capital very often, but if he’s like that, is he… originally a northern Priest?Psychke, who had been following him, tilted her head to the side. “You weren’t from the Capital?”“Yes. I’m essentially attached to a parish in the north.” Serioth said he’d only been down to the capital briefly to fill in for the High Priest while he was away, and that his assignment to test Lillian’s paternity was purely coincidental. ‘If he’s good enough to fill in for the High Priest, then he should be one.’ The average age of a senior priest is 50. However, the priest in front of me looked to be in his late 30s.To be a High Priest at that age, he must be either very powerful or very capable.Seeing the look on Psychke’s face, Serioth spoke up. “Then the paternity test thing…… hmm. I don’t know what to say, my apologies.”“I don’t hold it against you, priest, you were just doing your job.”“Thank you for understanding.”“So, what was that oracle all about?” Verndia brought the subject back to the one that was about to slip away. “The honor that Princess Lillian lost her light.”“These are the words of an ignorant child, so you shouldn’t take them too seriously.”“Just because they’re children doesn’t mean they’re not priests.” The opinion of one priest is the opinion of the entire temple. That’s why priests must always watch their mouths. Verndia crossed his arms, a reminder of a maxim prevalent throughout the Empire.After a brief pause, Serioth bowed slightly. “I apologize, Your Excellency. It’s hard to say, since it’s not just a matter for Princess Glorielle.”“If it’s because of Lillian’s Discernment Ceremony, I know.” Serioth’s eyes widened in confusion at Psychke’s words.He stopped in his tracks, glanced at Verndia, who had joined him as an initiate, and then asked in a high, sharp voice. “Did you break your vow of secrecy?”“No, I was there. I saw the oracle come down.” Psychke answered instead of Verndia, who wiggled her eyebrows to show his discomfort.Seriot was at a loss for words. “How could… how could….”“I’m guessing the change in the oracle’s protagonist has something to do with the Discernment Ceremony, can you tell me?”“No, it’s not that simple, the fact that someone undocumented was present at the discernment ceremony-”“Perhaps it is the will of the gods.” Verndia cut him off then Serioth’s bewildered eyes fell on him. “All things are the will of the gods. Even if the outcome is unacceptable, it is a play of the gods. Don’t ask, don’t doubt. Isn’t that Vicente’s doctrine?” In other words, don’t ask questions. “And, from what I’ve heard, the results of the discernment ceremony are well known among the priests.” A shadow fell over Serioth’s face and as if to mock him, one corner of Verndia’s mouth lifted. “I don’t see why you’re making such a big deal out of inductees. I mean, didn’t the handmaidens of Lenox or Princess Lillian sign an oath of secrecy?”“That’s…..” Serioth’s scowl darkened even more. If the oath appears as ‘Yes’ in the discrimination formula, it will be known by itself,They didn’t receive a pledge from Silkisia because if it comes up as ‘None’, they automatically shush their own mouths.Serioth couldn’t say anything because he was contemplating this. “Please.” Psychke spoke up, hoping to cheer up the confused priest. “I’m one of the people who’s supposed to be in charge of the oracle, so I think I should know.” Serioth stared at Psychke in silence. She was already feeling sorry for herself over the paternity test, but to hear the word protagonist of the trust-. “… I see.” The precarious balance of the scales shifted and he pursed his lips. “But I want you to know that this is not the will of the gods, nor the will of the temple; it’s just one of those assumptions made by the ignorant.” After repeating himself a few times, he explained why the rumors were circulating. “The golden holy water turned black during the Discernment Ceremony, a phenomenon some see as ‘glory lost’.”“And the second oracle?”“The second oracle was, ‘The flower of silence will rot its roots.’” The world saw the protagonist of the first as Psychke herself, and the protagonist of the second as Lillian.But if Lillian is the protagonist of the first oracle, who is the protagonist of the second oracle? “…. That.” Serioht hesitated, even more so than when he’d said the first oracle. In the lengthening silence, Psychke read the answer herself. “That’s me.”“Can you explain why it’s the Princess?”“If Leas was framed, then those who knew the truth of what happened were silenced.”“I see.” Psychke nodded at the plausible explanation. “Either way, it still doesn’t change the fact that me and Lillian are the ones in charge of the Oracle.”“…. Yes.”“Did the imperial family say which oracle they would choose?”“That’s something… I can’t disclose.”“They already made a choice.” However, at Verndia’s chatter, Pyschke realized she missed something.A look of despair crossed Serioth’s face while Verndia lied casually. “The Emperor has said he will knight her, so it’s up to Princess Lillian to give it up.”“Pardon? His Majesty said so?” Verndia’s eyes narrowed at the deliberate bait. Why was he so surprised?Serioth coughed shakily as he regained his composure. “Ah, hmm, ahem. I see, I’ve been out of the loop, so congratulations.” Psychke’s lips twitched slightly as she realized what the Emperor had chosen in response. * * * It was a few days after they returned from the temple. The bandages on her ankle had been removed, and she wanted to get some fresh air, so Psychke suggested a walk in the greenhouse garden.The greenhouse garden had been created by the wizards for her, as she was blind.It was one of Psychke’s favorite places because it was not only warm, but also full of flowers that are hard to find in the north. “I must retrieve the emerald necklace from Lillian before we return to the capital.” Psychke parted her lips as she walked, savoring the scent of the flowers. “You said you were going to give it to me to avoid the first oracle, but from what Senior Priest Serioth said-”“You won’t have to give it.”“Yes, so I’m going to find the necklace and establish my place, not just rely on my promise to the Emperor.” The two made a rough plan of what they would do once they returned to the capital.They talked briefly about the raid on the scroll shop, and then shifted the subject to the anomalies Psychke was experiencing. “So, am I still attacking the Duke these days?” She asked, just in case, though she hadn’t been distracted since Verndia had informed her that she was hasn’t lost her mind. “Uh, no. You haven’t, so don’t worry about it.”“I’m sorry.”“For what.”“Just.” She got smaller, even got brainwashed, then lost her memory as well afterwards.To be subjected to things that some people go through once in a lifetime.Psychke’s face shaded, both grateful and sorry that she’d accepted it in silence.Reading his fiancée’s thoughts, Verndia stopped walking, he turned her to face me and tiled it gently. “If you’re so sorry, don’t go anywhere. Stay with me, don’t drive me crazy with you leaving.” His violet eyes that contained hers were so formidable, like stars in the night sky, and so full of a kindness she couldn’t find anywhere else. She crinkled her nose.Psychke nodded softly and placed a hand over his swollen heart.It was then that an unwelcome high-pitched voice echoed. “I-I didn’t mean that, I meant to say that the Count is a very fine man… ack!” Psychke and Verndia looked toward the source.They found Lillian squirming in Eric’s arms, crushing Psychke’s favorite flowering tree. “What the hell.” Verndia’s expression turned sour. (TN: When they’re about to kiss! – This Lillian, her sin is far from forgivable! Grr!)