The huge double doors gilded with gold and precious stones opened, revealing a group, composed of five people. Two of them were dressed in holy regalia and are older than the rest of the group. The royal attendant bowed to the one who was leading the group, an old man with a white hanging beard. He is the reverend of the Holy Church, bishop Joamh.
"The holy church had come with the saintess as the emperor's invitation," Bishop Joamh declared and motioned to the lady behind him.
The royal attendant, upon hearing him, immediately bowed as a sign of respect towards the smiling lady.
"Greetings to the virtuous holy saintess!" His voice trembled in excitement, showing his elation to finally meeting the rumored saint.
The lady let out a sigh filled with helplessness as she accepted his bow. After the attendant went back inside Her sparkling azure eyes then rolled towards the bishop.
"Alright, I told you time and time again to not call me that. It's weird and I don't like it. Just call me by my name. It's Sera," she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
The bishop's smile didn't wane, unperturbed by it as if he had already grown used to her musings.
"But how could we call the saintess by her holy name?"
"Oh, come on now…" Sera whined, seemingly done with him. "How many times are we going to talk about this… It's not holy! That's just my name."
She had already lost count on how many times she had told these people that she doesn't want them calling her as such because it makes her uncomfortable. What's more, she clearly said before that she would never show her face in public nor let her title as saint be known, yet here they are. For years, she had been living normally. Well, as normal as it gets without being bothered by the title given to her out of the blue. And now, she can't go out without being recognized as the saint and be smothered with attention.
The bishop ignored her whining and carried on happily. Meanwhile, Sera could only grit her teeth and curse internally. The other two, both men and her friends who are posing as her guards, snickered behind her, earning them a glare.
"Don't laugh, you bastards," Sera snapped.
The other bishop cleared his throat, signaling for Sera to behave, and was also sporting a helpless look on his face from her crass mouth. They are used to it but right now, they are in the presence of others. The saintess' image should be upheld.
"Her Eminence, Saintess Seraphina has arrived!" The royal attendant announced in a booming voice.
The people inside perked up from hearing this and looked at the entranceway with anticipation, except for one person who looked rather smug than the others. He glanced at them, feeling proud for himself as the saint is his friend.
"Ugh, here we go again…" Sera grumbled.
"Get used to it already," Azriel muttered behind her.
"I can't. I would never get used to this because it's weird," Sera responded and then pasted an amicable smile right as they entered the hall.
"Well, you have no choice," Azriel retorted, maintaining his demeanor as his cryptic eyes silently roamed around.
"Damn it…" Sera exhaled.
"Sshh, they will hear you," Kenneth warned.
Their group stopped right in front of the throne where the king sat jovially, looking down at them from where he sat. A beautiful woman sat beside him, as noble as the flowers, it was the queen. And standing beside them was a long-haired blonde with striking blue eyes, looking high and lofty.
As the holy church bishops bowed to the royal family, Sera was whispering to the other two.
"Is there really a need for me to go to the empire? Why can't I just settle here and do nothing?"
"I thought you like adventures and going to new places?" Azriel glanced at her.
"But they are making me meet the monarchs of Rosenthal!" Sera whispered as low as possible.
"It's still a new setting," Azriel rebuked.
"But—"
"I heard there is a saint over there too," Kenneth chimed in.
"What? But there should only be one saint, right?" Sera naturally was stunned but an idea instantly sprang to her head. "Then can I resign???"
"It's unofficial," Kenneth added.
"There is still a possibility," Sera's smile bloomed.
"No, there is not. You are officially appointed by the tower itself. You can't resign," Azriel then chose to douse her dreams with cold reality.
"Accept your fate already," Kenneth laughed rather amusingly.
"Never," Sera insisted.
It's now their turn to offer respect. Both Kenneth and her expressed their courtesy while Azriel acted perfunctorily like the pleasantries and the royal family doesn't matter at all.
"Greetings to His Highness, the King of this nation."
"Please raise your head, saintess," the king uttered politely.
Who else could make a king act civil aside from Sera? The revered saint of their kingdom. Sera doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Is this what suffering from success feels like?
"Our kingdom is truly blessed by God to have the saint be cultivated from here," his highness' voice echoed throughout the hall, earning an elated response to his other subjects present.
Sera continued to smile in silence.
"Now that the kingdom has decided to ally with the great Rosenthal Empire, this king has decided to send the saintess and my son as delegates for the alliance. What does the saintess think?"
"I really don't want to… I mean, yes. I am honored to represent our amazing kingdom, Wisteria. I would love to," Sera answered with a sickening smile on her beautiful face.
"Pfft– Ahem," Azriel couldn't help but snort.
The others who heard and saw her behavior didn't take it as unsatisfactory. In fact, they even believed that she is benevolent and awe-inspiring. Sera's innate magic showed its effect.
The long-haired blonde with blue eyes stepped forward.
"Don't worry, father. I will not let our kingdom down. We will make sure the alliance is formed. I, the crown prince, hereby make an oath," was his ardent words.
"He's always so passionate and over the top, isn't he?" Sera commented whilst snickering.
"Quiet, they will hear you," Kenneth reminded.
At this moment, a cloaked figure also appeared inside the royal hall, surprising almost everyone.
"The tower will also accompany the saintess."
The king who was startled to see the magician of the tower composed himself and started laughing happily.
"Good, good. Our kingdom is truly blessed! Hahahahaha. Go on, prepare for departure! Let the greatness of our kingdom be known!"
"I want to go home…"
"Hush…"
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