Chapter 5 - The temple of The Goddess

  ? ? ?

  I woke up in a stellar mood today. Hehe, I finally have a potential ally. I stretched and called for Rana to prepare my breakfast and bath.

  Today is Sunday, and I feel like going to church. I wonder what the churches look like here? I haven't stepped foot in one since I got transmigrated into this world. I’m not exactly the religious type, but I feel like praying now—mostly because I need all the divine intervention I can get for my plans.

  Rana entered the room with the usual grand cart, overflowing with enough food to feed a small village. "Good morning, My Lady," she greeted with a smile.

  "Hello, Rana!"

  I invited her to join me, but she refused as usual, citing how "inappropriate" it was for a servant to dine with her master.

  "Rana, where’s the church around here? I want to attend Mass today." I looked at her, but I wasn't expecting the look of pure confusion on her face.

  Wait... was Celeste not a church-goer?

  "Church, My Lady?"

  "Huh? Yeah?" Does she seriously not know what a church is? I paused, racking my brain for the local lingo. "Uhh... ah! The temple?"

  "Oh! Of course, My Lady," she said, her face clearing up.

  "Right. I want to go today."

  "I will relay this to His Grace, My Lady." I beamed at her. Rana really is the most reliable girl in this palace.

  Moments later, Nyx entered to inform me that my bath was ready. I followed her to the bathroom while Rana headed off to the Grand Duke’s study.

  ★

  Would that monster even agree? What if he doesn't want Celeste becoming religious?

  Honestly, thank god Rana agreed to be our "human messenger" to that man. I still can’t help but tremble whenever I'm in his presence.

  Speaking of trembling... I noticed the maid currently scrubbing me was shaking like a leaf. I looked at her closely. She didn't look familiar. Is she new? She looks different from the usual crew.

  She froze when she realized I was staring. "M-my Lady, f-forgive me!" she stammered, looking absolutely terrified.

  Huh? What's wrong with you, sis?

  The other servants noticed her panic and stepped in. "My Lady, please forgive Avis’s rudeness. She is a newly hired servant."

  Ah, that explains it. The veteran servants already know I’m not actually a "monster lady," but this girl probably grew up hearing the terrifying rumors about Lady Celeste.

  "It’s okay. I’m actually worried about her; she’s shaking," I said gently. The girl, Avis, bowed her head low. "What’s your name?"

  "M-my name is Avis, My Lady."

  "You look young. How old are you?"

  "I am fifteen years old, My Lady."

  Oh, I’m—I mean, Celeste is four years older than her. "Don't be so afraid of me, Avis. I’m not going to bite you," I chuckled.

  "O-oh, forgive me for being scared, My Lady."

  "Yes, yes, stop apologizing now."

  "Yes. I am sorry, My Lady!" she squeaked. I facepalmed. Good grief.

  ★

  I’m currently in a carriage headed to the temple. Surprisingly, the monster allowed it—apparently, a temple visit is "good for Celeste’s public image."

  The catch? I have to be home early to prepare for tomorrow’s ball. Ugh, another annoying social gathering.

  I thought back to Avis. It’s interesting—all the servants in the Vespera Duchy respect me, but they aren't terrified of me anymore. I only see that level of "trembling-in-your-boots" fear from people outside the Duchy. People who aren't under the Grand Duke's thumb.

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  Forty minutes later, we arrived. Whoa. It wasn't a small tower or a quiet chapel like I expected. It was massive—definitely bigger than your average cathedral on Earth.

  "My Lady, do you wish to see the priest?" Rana asked as I stepped down.

  "No, I just want to pray inside." She nodded and followed behind me.

  A temple staff member guided us to a private prayer room. Nyx insisted on staying outside. I guess she’s an atheist.

  Inside, I took my time. I prayed for guidance, for safety, and—most importantly—for my rebellion to be a massive success.

  As we walked out, I whispered to Rana, "Who is the God of this world?"

  I realized it a bit late. There were no crosses here. Instead, there was a massive, majestic statue of a woman. Rana gave me a look that was 50% confusion and 50% concern. Fair enough. Who asks that in a temple?

  "The Empire of Elandris believes in the Goddess Iris, My Lady. Other empires have different deities, but she is our protector," she explained.

  "Oohh." So Elandris follows the Ariana Grande philosophy: God is a woman.

  "Nyx," I said, turning to my stoic guard. "Do you believe in God?"

  "No, My Lady," she replied instantly. Damn, she’s bold saying that on temple grounds.

  Before I could ask why, Rana gasped. "Nyx! What are you saying?! Do you want to be punished? Many Veritas have been executed for offending the temple!"

  Nyx just shrugged. "I will not believe in a deity unless someone provides empirical evidence."

  My jaw dropped. That was the longest sentence she’s ever said to me. So, she’s a 'science over scripture' kind of girl.

  "What do you mean by that, Nyx?" Rana countered, getting heated. "It is natural to believe in Goddess Iris. Everything we have is a blessing from her!"

  "But is there any evidentiary support to prove that matter?"

  "Of course! Everything around you is proof!"

  We actually stopped walking because these two were getting intense. "That is not true, Rana," Nyx said, her voice perfectly flat. "The fact that things exist does not prove the identity of their creator. There is no tangible proof of the existence of your so-called Gods."

  Rana looked like she was about to explode. "We cannot prove their existence with tools, but we can feel them!"

  I should have kept my mouth shut. Now I’ve started a holy war.

  "That is just you deceiving yourself so your world makes sense," Nyx added.

  "No! I feel the Goddess. Faith doesn't need physical proof; it needs a strong heart. And that is enough!" Rana replied passionately.

  I smiled. Get it, girl. She’s got the spirit.

  "You are convinced they created everything despite having zero evidence," Nyx argued. "Even when logic provides a different answer, you insist on your tradition. That is pure ignorance."

  She’s got a point too, I thought, nodding along.

  "Furthermore," Nyx continued, "What if the God is actually a man?"

  "What?!" Rana’s eyes nearly popped out of her sockets.

  "How can you be so sure of a gender? Is that not merely a human projection? What if the divine has no gender at all?"

  "We know because... because the records say so!"

  My attention drifted when I saw a familiar figure in the distance. I glanced back at the two—they were still going at it. Nyx was surprisingly talkative when it came to debating theology.

  I quietly slipped away to follow the person I’d spotted. Wait, did I lose him? I saw him turn toward the back earlier, so he must be in the temple gardens. It was beautiful back here, but I didn't see him. Where did that handsome guy go?

  "Why do I always find you sneaking off?"

  A voice spoke right behind my ear. My soul nearly left my body.

  "Ay bila—!" I slapped a hand over my mouth before I could finish the curse word in the "holy" garden.

  I turned around to face the bastard who almost gave me a heart attack and—Holy. Mother. Of. Elandris.

  It was him.

  The handsome guy I was trying to follow (and failing to be subtle about). He was standing way too close. Like, I-can-count-his-eyelashes close.

  "We meet again, My Lady," he said. His voice was smooth, calm, and frankly, a little sinful.

  My breath hitched. My gaze dropped to his lips—100% snack material—and the bastard definitely noticed because he smirked like he’d just read my entire browser history.

  I blinked and stepped back. Control yourself, Cindy.

  "A-ah! Mr. Kier! You're here!" I laughed like a hyena having a nervous breakdown. "Haha... are you following me?"

  He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Is it really I who was following My Lady?"

  Excuse me?! That smirk should be illegal.

  "O-of course it's not me. Why would I follow you?" I said defensively, despite being VERY AWARE that I had been doing exactly that.

  He stepped closer. Not enough to touch, but enough to make my knees consider early retirement. "Oh? I thought you’d finally realized you wanted my portrait sent to your manor."

  Well, yeah, obviously. "Tch. Ulol (Dork)," I muttered.

  He paused. Wait, not elegant, Cindy!

  When he processed my "disgraceful" remark, he reached out his hand, his eyes locked onto mine. "So, may I finally know My Lady’s name?"

  I stared at him for a beat before placing my hand in his. "Cindy," I blurted out. Wait, why did I say my real name? Too late now.

  His smile widened. "It is a pleasure finally knowing your name, Lady Cindy."

  Why did my heart feel like it was holding its own Sunday service? For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. His hand was warm—warm enough to fry the electrical wiring in my brain.

  I gently pulled my hand back before I did something stupid, like intertwine our fingers. Kier didn't seem offended. He stepped back, giving me the space I wouldn't admit I needed.

  "So," he said casually, "Lady Cindy likes wandering off alone?"

  "I’m not wandering," I said, lifting my chin. "I’m... exploring."

  Gago, it's the same thing.

  "Mm. Is that what you call following me around the temple?"

  I choked on my own spit. "EXCUSE ME?!" I wheezed. I am innocent. I am a flower.

  His smile was pure mischief now. "It’s nothing to be ashamed of, My Lady. I’m quite flattered, actually."

  Kier, please. My heart is weak.

  "Tsk! I wasn't following you," I insisted, but my ears were probably red enough to cook noodles.

  "Of course," he said smoothly. "My apologies. Though... I wouldn't mind if you did," he added in a lower voice.

  The garden suddenly felt ten degrees hotter.

  "I-I’m going back!" I stuttered, pointing vaguely behind me. "Rana and Nyx are waiting. And... and I’m a very busy lady, you know!"

  I turned to bolt, but he called out one last time. "Lady Cindy."

  I looked back. He wasn't smirking anymore. His expression had softened. "I hope we meet again. Even if you don't follow me next time."

  I blinked. Once. Twice. Gag—

  "A-ayos (Fine)," I whispered, my voice cracking like a cheap mic.

  Kier bowed slightly—a perfect gentlemanly gesture that melted perfectly with that stupidly attractive smile. Then he walked away, leaving me standing there with my soul still trying to climb back into my body.

  I placed a hand over my heart. "Why do I suddenly want to go to church every Sunday?"

  ★

  The ride back from the temple was quiet, save for the rhythmic clicking of horse hooves against the cobblestone. I leaned my head against the carriage window, my mind a messy internal tug-of-war.

  Cindy, focus! You need to map out the Duke’s weaknesses.

  But did you see the way Kier’s eyes crinkled when he smirked?

  "My Lady, we have arrived," Nyx’s voice snapped me back to reality.

  As I stepped out, the oppressive atmosphere of the Vespera Estate settled over me like a heavy wet blanket. The gardens here weren't like the temple’s—they were perfectly manicured, stiff, and lifeless. Everything in this place was controlled.

  "Celeste."

  The voice was like ice sliding down my spine. I turned to see the Grand Duke standing by the fountain, his hands clasped behind his back. He didn't look like a father; he looked like a CEO deciding whether or not to liquidate a failing branch.

  "Father," I said, curtsying perfectly. Practice makes perfect, and I’ve been practicing not dying.

  "Rana told me you visited the temple to pray for the success of the Duchy," he said, his eyes scanning me for any sign of a lie.

  Actually, I prayed for your downfall and a snack, but close enough. "Yes, Father. I felt that with the upcoming ball, a show of piety would strengthen our standing with the High Priest."

  He gave a slow, stiff nod. "Correct. Do not forget that tomorrow night is not for your enjoyment. You are a Vespera. You are the bait, the hook, and the blade. Do not embarrass me."

  He walked past me without another word. I waited until his footsteps faded before I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

  "Bait and blade, my foot," I whispered.

  "My Lady?" Rana asked, tilting her head.

  "Nothing, Rana. Just... thinking about how much I’m going to hate that corset tomorrow."

  I headed to my room, but my mind drifted back to the temple garden. In this suffocating house, Kier felt like a breath of fresh air—maybe a dangerous one, but fresh nonetheless. If I was going to be a "blade," I’d rather choose who I’m cutting.

  ? ? ?

  ? TEVIAN CODEX ?

  I. Temples & Faith

  Temple of Goddess Iris – The grand religious structure in Elandris dedicated to Goddess Iris, the deity believed to govern blessings, prosperity, and destiny.

  (Cindy's note: 9/10. I expected an angel choir, but the garden view is better.)

  Social Function – Temples are highly respected; nobles often visit them to maintain their public image.

  (Cindy's note: Or to scout for handsome men.)

  Blasphemy Laws – Speaking against the Goddess on temple grounds is a grievous offense, ranging from community service to execution.

  (Cindy's note: Nyx is bold. She acts like she has nine spare necks.)

  Veritas – Rationalists. People who prioritize science and logic over religious tradition. (Cindy's note: Like Nyx.)

  II. Goddess Iris

  (Cindy's note: Please, stop ruining my "God is a woman" fantasy.)