CH 80.2

In the blink of an eye, I was led away by the priests.

“We will guide you to your designated room. You can do ablution in that room, change your clothes, and come out.”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“The path to the gods can’t be accompanied by anyone. It’s the rule. After changing your clothes, just open the door and follow the outer path. The path is very safe, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“You can follow this path later…”

At that moment, there was a commotion beyond the corridor.

“So, it’s certain that the third prophecy can be received?”

“The first one is someone special, and the second is of royal descent… The third prophecy alone for this year is tremendous.”

“How much did our household donate to the temple to receive a prophecy? How amazing must this child be to overshadow my sister Melissa? Ah, she just has to receive the first one.”

“Well… It’s difficult to say that, Lady Rose. Besides, belief in the first prophecy is nothing more than superstition.”

I came face to face with those people. Huh? This person…?

‘Her name is Rose… I think?’

She was the one who collided with me in the dressing room, right?

‘If she did collide with me, that is.’

Moreover, she was the one who said that if she becomes the Duchess, she would sell useless me, the adopted daughter, to the circus.

“Who is that?”

The blonde girl who was holding Rose’s hand pointed at me.

She looked around my age.

Rose’s gaze met mine.

“That, that child is…”

“Oh, she’s a distinguished guest. Princess, excuse us.”

“Is that child supposed to be the first?”

Rose’s eyebrows shook uncontrollably.

Was her name Melissa? The girl holding Rose’s hand looked exactly like Rose.

“Hello, ma’am. Yes, I’m supposed to be the first to receive the prophecy. Is there a problem?”

I giggled as if I didn’t have a care in the world.

‘I feel a bit uneasy.’

Actually, I wouldn’t mind not receiving any prophecies. But…

‘Why is Marianne acting like a fortune-telling vending machine? Why is everything in chaos as if I’m left behind?’

I felt a strong sense of discomfort when confronted with the truth.

“W-who are you calling ma’am? Anyway, I understand. Since I understand, please guide me to the ablution area!”

“Lady Rose. I’ve already mentioned… that you can’t accompany anyone when receiving a prophecy.”

The priests were flustered as they followed Rose and Melissa.

As I watched Rose disappear beyond the corridor, I felt an urge to stick out my tongue. I just can’t stand that person.

“Now please enter. The temple authorities will also address Lady Rose’s behavior separately.”

The priest who guided me sighed.

Then the priest opened the stone door.

It looked incredibly heavy, but when he pressed a finely carved groove like a button, it opened easily.

“It’s amazing.”

“Yes, it is. It’s designed to open when you press this spot. There’s a similar mechanism inside as well, so when you’re ready, you can press it. However, for the sake of order, these doors open sequentially.”

Ah, so that’s how it works?

I nodded. As the priest bid farewell and left, thud, the stone door closed.

‘So the temple is structured like this?’

First of all, the ceiling is high.

There are no windows, giving it a somewhat prison-like appearance. However, sunlight pours in from the ceiling, making the room very bright.

In the center of the room, there is a large bathtub filled with strange green water.

Next to it are tables and chairs where one can rest. After immersing only my body, I looked at the clothes given to me. It was just a plain, long white tunic without any distinctive features.

‘There are accessories too.’

I put on a bracelet with a peculiar pattern and stepped forward barefoot.

‘Do I really have to prepare so extravagantly to receive a prophecy?’

Preparing isn’t difficult, so I’ll just do as instructed for now.

‘Can I just go out?’

Following the instructions of the priest, I firmly pressed the groove in the door.

‘Huh?’

However, the door didn’t budge.

“What’s wrong?”

I pressed the groove several times, but there was no sign of it opening.

“Is anyone there?”

I knocked on the door, but there was no response.

‘I’m trapped!’

A wave of anxiety washed over me.