Chapter 251: The temple, The Village and The Truth
[Lavinia’s POV—Journey to the Village—Morning]
The first rays of sunlight stretched across the palace courtyard, glinting off the armor of Sir Haldor and the knights who had been assigned to accompany me. I adjusted the strap of my satchel, feeling the weight of the maps inside, and let out a slow, measured breath. Today, we wouldn’t just visit the village—we would uncover the truth hidden beneath the surface.
PLOP!
A soft thud on my head made me yelp. Then another on Marshi, and a tiny one on Solena. We all froze, looking at the hats that had landed in perfect, inconvenient fashion.
Turning around, I saw Sera standing there, food basket in hand, a jaunty cap perched atop her head, and a wide, mischievous smile plastered across her face.
"I—ugh... c’mon, Sera..." I groaned, plucking the hat from my head. "I’m going for an investigation, not a picnic!"
She tilted her head, eyes sparkling. "Your Highness, it’s the same thing. You carry a basket, you explore... the thrill is identical!"
I sighed, knowing any argument with Sera was already lost before it began. "Fine... but tell me—where is Rey?"
Her expression shifted instantly. She gritted her teeth, arms crossing like a general about to declare war. "I haven’t seen that idiot in ages."
I blinked. "Ages? You mean... two whole days? And he still hasn’t returned?"
"Exactly!" Sera huffed dramatically. "Two days is
ages! Time moves differently when that guy’s involved, your highness!"I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. After my Benediction ceremony, Rey often slipped out of the palace for reasons unknown—and now, he’s been gone for two full days straight... I had no idea what schemes he might be plotting.
I rubbed my temples and muttered, "Alright... let’s just go. Enough distractions."
Sera cheered, plopping herself into the carriage and nudging the basket toward me. "Finally! Adventure awaits!"
I shook my head, climbing in after her. Sir Haldor and the knights followed silently, their calm presence a stark contrast to Sera’s chaotic energy. Marshi perched elegantly on the edge of the carriage, eyeing everything with judgmental curiosity, while Solena flapped in place, chirping softly.
As the carriage began to roll toward the village, I glanced out at the morning light glinting off the horizon. Somewhere ahead, hidden in plain sight among the houses, the dam, and the quiet mountains, secrets waited to be discovered.
And I intended to find every last one of them.
***
[On the Way to Village Verdelune—Later]
As the carriage rolled smoothly along the cobbled road, sunlight glinting off the polished wheels, my eyes caught sight of the Divine Temple standing tall in the distance. Its spires pierced the sky, proud and untouchable, as if daring anyone to come close to its secrets.
I leaned slightly forward, my fingers tightening around the edge of the carriage door. "Sera... did you send the letter to the Divine Temple about my arrival?"
Sera glanced up from feeding cookies to Marshi and Solena, her expression calm but alert. "Yes, Your Highness... I made sure it reached them... quietly. No one else knows, not even the sir haldor."
I nodded, my chest tightening as the temple slowly passed from view. My heart thundered—not from exertion, but from the storm of thoughts racing in my mind. The Divine Temple loomed, its secrets veiled in shadow and silence. Every stone and column seemed to whisper, calling to me.
Today... today I might finally discover what they’ve been hiding.
I swallowed hard, the maps and parchments in my satchel suddenly feeling heavier than they really were. Papa, Osric... what truths had they buried from me? And when I find them, how will I react? What will I do?
A low, anxious sigh escaped me. "I just... I hope nothing bad happens," I muttered under my breath, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the carriage approached Village Verdelune.
Sera blinked at me, a faint smile tugging at her lips, though her eyes reflected the tension she always seemed to feel when I was about to uncover something dangerous. Somewhere in that moment, my heart thudded like a drum—louder, faster, as if warning me that the path I’d chosen was not only uncertain but perilous.
I clenched my fist lightly, forcing myself to breathe steadily. Today... I had to face whatever waited for me, whether it was truth, betrayal, or the unknown shadows of the Divine Library.
***
[Village Verdelune—Later]
The carriage wheels clattered against the cobblestones as we neared Village Verdelune, the sun casting long shadows between the tightly clustered houses. Smoke curled from chimneys, mingling with the faint scent of baking bread and the earthy aroma of the fields.
Almost immediately, the villagers noticed us. One by one, they paused in their daily tasks—plucking vegetables, tending animals, or sweeping the streets. Whispers spread like wildfire, and their movements froze when the royal crest glinted in the morning sun atop the carriage.
Hushed gasps turned into a collective, reverent bow as the carriage slowed near the center of the village. Eyes wide and hearts racing, they lowered their heads, murmuring prayers under their breath.
I felt a small thrill, a mix of satisfaction and nerves, as I straightened in the carriage. "Alright... sera, Marshi, Solena... let’s step out."
The carriage door opened, and I lowered myself gracefully to the cobbled street. The villagers’ eyes followed my every movement, awe and curiosity etched on their faces.
Some even whispered to each other, "It’s Crown Princess Lavinia... she’s really here..."
I scanned the village, taking in the familiar layout, when a boy suddenly dashed past us—probably running to inform the village head of my arrival. My gaze drifted toward the distance, where the dam stood firm against the morning light.
"Hm... so it wasn’t that far after all, huh?" I murmured.
Sir Haldor nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes, Your Highness. The dam is close—easily reachable from the village."
Now it made sense why the letters had become so desperate and why the villagers had begged for intervention. My mind flicked to the faces around me, curious, cautious, watching my every move.
"Sir Haldor," I said, straightening my posture, "I want the person who has been sending us those letters."
He inclined his head. "Yes, Your Highness. I will bring them to you."
"Be gentle... don’t scare them," I added, the corner of my lips twitching with a hint of amusement.
"Of course, Your Highness," he replied and turned to disappear into the crowd.
Meanwhile, a large, round figure emerged from the throng, waddling toward us with surprising speed. Marshi and Sera exchanged wide-eyed glances, and I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, "He... he sure runs with corruption."
"You’re right, your highness," Sera said, staring dumbfoundedly at his belly.
As the man approached, huffing and puffing like a kettle about to whistle, he finally stopped and bowed deeply, his enormous belly wobbling with the motion.
"Greetings! Greetings, Your Highness—the Crown Princess!" he gasped.
I arched an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing him. "Stand up... before you roll away like a football."
He grinned awkwardly, slipping his pants up and brushing imaginary dust off his elaborate golden belt. "We are truly honored by your presence, Your Highness. Had we known earlier, we would have arranged... a grander welcome."
I let my eyes roam over him—gold bracelets, glimmering chains, a belt heavy with metal. Every shining ornament whispered the truth: corruption dressed in wealth and confidence.
Suppressing a smirk, I leaned slightly forward. "I never realized I needed to send invitations just to walk around my own territory."
The man’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, and his fingers twitched over the golden belt, teeth gritting ever so slightly.
Ah... I see you, belly man. The villagers, struggling to survive... and you, basking in gold and diamonds. How very interesting.
I straightened, letting the cool morning air brush against my face, and with a small, playful smile, I said, "Well... let’s see what secrets Verdelune has been hiding from me, shall we?"