Chapter 86 - The Priestess

"It has been a while. How are you doing, Gilda?" Mrs. Gilda lowered her teacup and gave Mila a smile as her response. When was the last time they saw each other? Things in the empire were slowly changing, and they slowly drifted away from each other.

Mila tucked her light brown hair behind her ear, and as she smiled, her wrinkles were visible. Before they knew it, they both grew into old ladies. 

"I'm doing great. How about you?" asked Mrs. Gilda. Seeing the eyebags under Mila's eyes, she said, "I shouldn't have asked how inconsiderate of me. I assume things aren't going well for you?" Mila sighed heavily as she places her hand on her cheek. 

"As you see, there are too many people suffering right now. Shortage of food and crops aren't growing well. The Emperor isn't doing anything else, and so the people had been asking help from the church," said Mila sighing for the second time. It's given because all Henry focuses on are the nobles, not the commoners who need help the most. 

"I'm sure there is a reason why you came looking for me," said Mila, fiddling her fingers as her gaze was set on Mrs. Gilda.

"We need your help," Mrs. Gilda straightforwardly answered. Her eyes begging in all seriousness at Mila felt she had no choice but to listen to her friend. 

"We? Are you pertaining about Princess Emelia?" Mila asked Mrs. Gilda, who pursed her lips and nods her head. 

"Gilda, you do know the church doesn't want to be involved with politics. Not only that, but you do know how much the church dislikes the royals," Mila said, but Mrs. Gilda didn't give up. She clenched onto her dress and said.

"But Her Highness. No, Emelia doesn't have the blood of the Cilia family. She is not related to them, and you know this," persuaded Mrs. Gilda, but Mila shook her head, still not persuaded to do so. If Mila sides with Emelia, the church and especially the people would go rage against them. From the beginning, the church is neutral. They won't side to anyone else asides from themselves. 

"Gilda…I know what the Princess wants to do. Using my powers as the priestess, I can kick His Majesty out of his seat, but it isn't easy. Once they know the church is siding with the Princess, things can go wrong."

"I beg you, Mila. I can promise you that this place. No, this empire will become a better place if we give Emelia the seat. She can do so much to save the people living in this empire," frowned Mrs. Gilda as she bit her lower lip. "Please…" Mrs. Gilda begged once more, hoping Mila would change her mind. 

Seeing her friend beg for help. All Mila could feel was sympathy towards Mrs. Gilda. She wants to help, but then this will go against the church. Even if she has the highest position in the church, it didn't mean she could do whatever she wanted to. 

Mila sighed for the third time now. She felt troubled. But she needed to give Mrs. Gilda an answer. "Under one condition. The church will only help when the time comes. With that saying, the church will not help on how you plan to expose His Majesty. And only help once he has been exposed. That is the least I can do for you."

Mrs. Gilda shook her head. This was enough for them. Exposing Henry was their job, and all they need was someone who could kick Henry out of his position. Mrs. Gilda held Mila's hand and smiled. 

"No, this is enough. Thank you, Mila."

"I should be the one thanking you. Take this as a way to repay you eight years ago. "

Back in the palace, Emelia was seen sitting by the balcony as she admires the flowers in the gardens. Though the red roses aren't as red as before, they still looked beautiful. From the outside, they look fierce, but on the inside, they are fragile flowers. That is why the thorns are there to protect them from harm.

Two days before the party in the Duke's mansion and things were going well for them. However, since the rumors have been circulating, Henry wasn't doing fine at all. The noblemen who heard this were in range, sending complaints which he needed to respond to. 

With Henry's busy schedule, he didn't have the time to visit Emelia, and either way, if he did, he wouldn't see her since she would stay in Elliot's room from day to night.

"It's dangerous there you might fall," said Elliot, leaning on the glass door of the balcony. 

"Even if I fall, the bushes down there will save me," Emelia said as she placed her feet back on the ground. 

"It's a good thing that the Priestess decided to aid us," Elliot changes the topic. 

"If she didn't, then we wouldn't be able to go forward with our plans," agreed Emelia. 

"What's left for us to do is to continue spreading the rumors around. I should thank Ayfara for this," chuckled Elliot. 

"Ayfara?" muttered Emelia to herself as the name sounded familiar. 

"One of my loyal servants who decided to work as my shadow instead of Tanya," answered Elliot as he continued, "I didn't understand why she decided to switch places with Tanya, but I feel like this was her way to punish herself."

"And do you think she deserves to be punished?" asked Emelia.

"No, she doesn't. I think she regrets not being able to control herself. You might meet her soon," said Elliot while Emelia didn't look excited at all. "You called her Aya once. A nickname she hates so much," Elliot laughed as he remembered the first time he called Ayfara with that name. 

"Did she try killing you?" asked Emelia as she slightly grinned. 

"I would be dead by now," Elliot went along with her joke. 

Elliot watches Emelia as she continues to stare at the gardens. Seeing her right in front of him still feels like a dream. Until now, his heart wouldn't stop wavering when Emelia is out of his sight. He didn't want to admit it, but he's become greedier for her.