Chapter 114 - The Feast II

Their carriage stopped in front of the staircases, leading into the temple. Emelia slightly pushes the curtain to the side, looking at the temple structure. White tall poles that were about 15ft high stretched across the other poles. 

In front of the carriage door stood tens of holy knights. Holy knights are under the temple. They have nothing to do with the royal family. People say they are the chosen ones by the gods. But there are several reasons for them to be a holy knight. 

"Announcing His Imperial Majesty and Princess Emelia presence," announced a deacon, and the holy knights wield their swords out, pointing up to the sky. 

Elliot walked out of the carriage and followed Emelia, who held onto Elliot's hand upon going down. They looked at each other before walking in between the holy knights. Emelia kept her head up and grips her hand tightly on his hand. Elliot takes a short look at her, and his lips curled. 

When they arrived by the grand door made out of marble, they were greeted by an old man. Whose clothes looked grand, unlike the other priest who had plain clothing but still looked presentable. 

"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty and Princess Emelia. Thank you for making time and effort to come to the temple of heaven," The old man bows his head, locking his eyes on Emelia and smirked at her. 

Elliot kept his calm and took a step forward. One hand stoping Emelia from saying a word knowing that the old man gave her a creepy look. His lips curled, but his eyes weren't smiling. 

"I should be the one thanking the head priest for inviting my lover and me to this temple."

"I must say the Princess is blessed with beautiful features. This old man advises the Princess to wear white as it represents purity."

Emelia gently pushes Elliot's hands down and smiled at the head priest, "At first, I planned on wearing black. I didn't care what the requirements of the temple were. I didn't mind getting criticized by the followers of the temple."

The Head Priest clenched his fist under his sleeves and kept his smile on. They say Emelia is a savage, but she isn't. She is more of a hunter waiting for her prey to step into her trap. What he said to her earlier was nothing but pure honesty. 

"I thank the Princess for following the temple requirements. Please follow me. I shall lead you to your private rooms."

They both settled down in their private room, and before the head priest left, he informed them that the feast would begin in two hours. 

Their private room isn't as big as the ones in the palace. But big enough to fit in two people. Simple decorations and furniture fit the mood of a person living in the temple. Nothing dark-colored, only light. There are more windows than there are supposed to be. But this helps them reduce the usage of candles. 

"Don't lower your guard," Elliot softly said to Emelia, who nods her head. 

"Don't worry. I'm not going to, especially when that old man gazes at me. It reminds of our dead enemy."

"Pure, they say? After all, we are humans who have desires," Elliot let out a laugh and turns his back to look at Emelia, who was gazing out of the window. He walks towards her and closes the curtains. "Don't stay near the window too long. Who knows they sent assassins."

"Even if they do. We have more eyes watching them," Emelia looks up at him and sat on the wooden chair near the window.

"What about Tanya?" asked Emelia. 

"Tanya is in the temple. She sent many complaints to about the old geezer staring at her when she's just a small child."

"Then we must send her out as soon as possible. I don't want her to stay in this place any longer. It's too dangerous for her," Emelia said while Elliot tilted his head and hissed. 

"You're concerned about someone else's life but not your own?" scolded Elliot. "Even if I try to scold you. You wouldn't listen to me at all."

Emelia stood up and wrapped her arms behind his back, giving him a tight hug as he continues to sulk. 

"When are you going to stop scolding me?" asked Emelia, sticking her head to the side, looking at Elliot.

"Never," Elliot mutters, rubbing his ear.

The long wait time finally came, and they were escorted out of their private room. Elliot took her hand, and inter winded their fingers. Before taking another step, Elliot kissed the back of her hand and whispered into her ear. 

"Let's get back home safely."

Emelia nods her head with a bit of a smile that washed into a straight face when they started to walk. 

They entered the huge feast room that is used every two years. In the middle laid a long white carpet, and on each side stretched a long table made out of sandalwood, which is known to be an expensive material. 

They sat near the chair of the head priest, which was in the middle and front of the white carpet. The chair the head priest would sit on didn't look plain at all. The chair, rather it was a throne as if he was hailing himself as a god. 

When all settled down the trumpets played a joyful tone, and everyone, including Emelia and Elliot, stood up, greeting the esteemed head priest. 

They didn't bow their heads, unlike the other priests and guests did. They didn't find it appropriate for them to lower their heads on a scheming person. The head priest walked on the white carpet that not even Emelia or Elliot walked on. 

The head priest had a smile on his face, taking arrogant steps as he arrived near his throne. His expression was written, satisfied with the golden laces around his marbled throne. 

When the head priest sat in his seat, that was the only time when the others took theirs. He raised his golden goblet, which was filled with good old wine, and said.

"Let the feast begin."