The hall slowly emptied. And one by one they left.
Rowan was the first to leave. Without a word, only a sharp glance thrown over his shoulder. Suspicion still lingered in his eyes.
Erva followed, composed as ever. "We will be watching, Your Holiness"
Elira paused at the door, turning back with a small smile. "I wish you luck, Your Holiness"
And then she left too. The doors closed. Silence returned.
Garima held her calm expression, her small smile unwavering.
Inside- I am lying.
Her fingers curled slightly against her robes.
I don't "see" the future. I wrote it. I planned it. Now I'm pretending like it's Divine Revelation.
Her stomach twisted.
Her gaze flickered for the briefest moment. Then she steadied herself. She couldn't afford hesitation now.
Not after everything she had said.
She inhaled slowly. And spoke again.
"My request doesn't end here" She said and turned slightly.
She looked at the priests and priestesses who had just stood as background decorations during this whole conversation. Their eyes showed reverence.
Garima gulped. She had to lessen her burden. She can just promote Cosmo.
"Priest Hill, Priest Agatha, Priestess Ava, Priest Ren, Priestess Dona…everyone, all of you who serve this shrine…."
They straightened instinctively.
"Thankyou for accepting me without a doubt. Thank you for your belief even after hundreds of years, You stand closest to the divine" she continued "closer than any other" she said. Her voice almost broke
Focus. Stay in Character. You have been doing well this whole time.
Her gaze lowered slightly, her tone softening.
"I am someone who is bound to leave, as I am a mortal like you, but the Goddess watches over all of us"
That part was not a lie. "She sees what we cannot"
And she is probably watching her mess up right now.
Her smile didn't falter. "We are not alone in this, and I am here to guide you…..and I will need your support as well, not as followers, but as believers when faith begins to shake"
Priest Hill bowed his head immediately
"As you command, You Holiness"
Others followed.
Garima's chest tightened. Command?No she didn't mean it like that? Why do they believe so fast? At least question her a little.
She didn't want to feel guilty anymore than this. But to survive here. She needed authority. And man power.
Which can be done only when she can prove herself as Holy.
Her fingers tightened faintly in her lap. Her face gave away nothing.
"I promise, you won't regret" she said.
But can she really keep her promise? A small uneasy thought slipped through.
A careful promise, quietly constructed.
I will save this world at any cost. Even if I have to lie my way through it. So there is no point worrying anymore.
With a quick bandaid on her conscience. She clapped her hands.
"Alright" she said, a bit too brightly "Now let's have some food"
Priest Hill immediately turned around " Prepare a feast at once" and the priests and priestesses scattered once more.
Garima winched. So they were serious about the Command?
She sighed and turned towards the silent occupant. Crown Prince Caelum in his seat.
"Sorry for the delay, Crown Prince," she said. "Let's discuss the strategy"
Prince Caelum leaned and smiled. Maybe he was getting used to her way of doing things.
Then the doors to the hall opened again. And delicious aromas filled the spaces.
Soon food filled the long table. Freshly baked bread, Roasted meat, Stews, Fruits glazed with honey. And divine looking desserts.
Garima's stomach growled. Loudly.
Prince Caelum let out a small breath that almost resembled a laugh.
"I presume, this is for me too?" He asked jokingly.
"Yes, yes, it's for everyone, food improves thinking. So a tactical meeting should always be done on a dining table"
Prince Caelum just smiled and joined. The priest and priestesses joined too.
And Garima and Prince Caelum began. Between small bites and pauses.
With a slice of bread in one hand. She counted with the others.
"We must act quickly and very carefully." She said counting her fingers "First- Dispatching the soldiers Ozgar it would take two days to reach, 2nd-Discret Observation and 3rd- Interception"
"The eastern route" Caelum said, eating a roasted piece of meat " There are three main paths"
"Two," she said.
Caelum frowned.
"There were three, Eliza took the 2nd path..she"
"The 3rd path" She corrected " The rot spread and it collapsed"
Prince Caelum stilled.
"This information hasn't been reported yet"
Garima took a sip of her stew
"I know, it happened this morning"
Then it was silence. Prince Caelum stopped eating. He leaned back on his chair.
"Continue"
"She will take the forest path, that is Path One. It's quieter and less guarded, You should order Sir Rejinald to stop there and wait." Garima said "Her party is already on their way home, and it's not possible to reach Ozgar now, the best choice is we wait, and intercept her"
"Which makes it more dangerous," Caelum muttered.
Garima nodded
"But we don't have any other choice, if Sir Rejinald Crosses Path One and goes further, he will die"
Caelum stood up, shocked
Garima looked at him. "Calm down, I know what you are thinking, Sir Rejinald is the best among your knights, but I am saying he will die ?"
Caelum nodded slowly and sat down. Too shocked to say anything.
"Mozgaroth is just passing,he wants to reach his liege as fast as possible, he doesn't want interference now. So he won't play with his prey, he will tear them apart" She said "Yes, Crown Prince he is stronger than this kingdom's armies combined, Sir Rejinald and his men will die like flies"
Crown Prince Caelum gulped. " Then what should they do when they see her"
"They run" Garima said immediately "No matter what, they run, even if they have to tie up a spoiled princess, so let Sir Rejinald capture her before she does anything foolish" she continued looking for something sweet.
She took a spoon full of yellow paste and swallowed it. That looked a bit like halwa. But it tasted like pudding. Not exactly but close.
A flicker of something warm passed through her. I miss home. My family
Then she swallowed again.
"Prince Caelum, It's my request to you, don't let them fight or else people will die because of a foolish and wilful princess, who will try to fight the Rot Lord"
Because I wrote her that way. And I am sorry
Caelum nodded slowly
"I understand, but she will sur…" Caelum couldn't finish his sentence.
"Yes, she will, even if you don't send anyone, she will pass the forest path, Mozgaroth will ignore her as a weak prey and let her go, but due anger her attendants will provoke him on her orders. And be killed. She would be left alone, alive with a trauma she could never recover from"
Garima's heart skipped.
What did she mean by Happy Ending? Were those meant for only Main Characters. She had boasted that her characters were funny and easy going. With Happy endings? And she left this supporting character to live her life in fear and depression. So these are plotholes. Maybe that's why Cosmo let her experience it herself, not as the Author but as someone who met that character's concerned brother.
I am sorry. She was sorry.
"So I want to change it" she said solemnly.
Then she paused. Then added softly
"I would rather change it then let this tragedy happen" she said "So this time, Prince Caelum trust me, and do as I say. I promise to defeat those devils and save this Kingdom, we have time to prepare"
Yes they had time to prepare. This was just a prologue. The main story starts six months after that.
Prince Caelum looked at her. As silence stretched. Heavy. And understanding.
The Priests and the Priestesses remained silent. Their bodies tense. This was not a conversation they could butt in.
Then Prince Caelum exhaled.
"Very well, I will do as you say. You have my word, Your Holiness.
Caelum's words settled in the hall.
And Garima lowered her gaze briefly.
"Thankyou, Your Highness" her voice softer
Not at the Saintess, But as someone who was given a chance to correct her mistakes.