Chapter 10

The prayer room was enveloped in silence. The holy maiden who used to offer her prayers there every day was no longer present. The stone walls were as cold as death.

"Um, when will Lady Platinum return?"

Tom, a junior priest in the temple, timidly addressed Ed, a senior priest.

Ed let out an obvious sigh and raised his eyebrows sharply, his voice growing harsh.

"Do I know! I want to know that too!"

"Ah!"

Regretting having spoken to the easily angered Ed, Tom mustered his courage to continue his question.

"Is Lady Platinum just going for a rest? Will she return when she feels better?"

"...That's what it should be."

Ed's voice suddenly lost its energy, as if he lacked confidence. Tom's shoulders slumped in disappointment.

It had been a week since the holy maiden Platinum, who had fallen ill, moved from the temple to the royal castle.

When Platinum suddenly collapsed during her prayers, the temple's priests and ladies-in-waiting were in an uproar.

Soon, doctors were called, and messengers from the royal castle arrived, including Princess Medi, Platinum's younger sister. Tom turned pale, thinking this was a serious matter.

Sadly, his prediction came true, and Platinum was transferred to the royal castle for rest. Tom still regretted not being able to say goodbye to Platinum as she was hurriedly carried away. He never thought she would be gone for so long.

"The high priest said it would be a few days at most."

"That guy is useless..."

"Shut up!"

"Ah!"

Tom, who was scolded, shrank back with teary eyes.

"Anyway, as long as Lady Platinum is not here, we can't make that medicine. We need to gather the priests and ladies-in-waiting to make the medicine as we used to. Otherwise, there will be a big commotion."

"But, will the medicine we make be okay?"

"...How should I know!"

Ed's words, spat out in frustration, made Tom wrinkle his nose.

"Can the acting holy maiden make the medicine?"

The acting holy maiden. This refers to Princess Medi, who was appointed to serve as the holy maiden during Platinum's convalescence.

Although not as powerful as Platinum, Medi apparently possessed sacred power, and the country recognized her as qualified to be a holy maiden.

Since the queen and the high priest were both out of the country, an official appointment could not be made, so she was only an "acting" holy maiden.

"Idiot! Princess Medi said not to call her 'acting'! If she hears you, you won't get off easily!"

"Ah!"

Tom quickly covered his mouth and looked around, relieved that no one was there. He let out a sigh of relief.

Princess Medi, who had taken on the role of acting holy maiden, came to the temple every morning but never entered the prayer room. She only went to Tsing's room, the son of the high priest, and spent time with him affectionately.

Other priests had pleaded with her to pray for at least a moment in the morning, but Medi firmly stated, "I'm just acting, so I don't have to work."

However, when called "acting holy maiden," she would fly into a rage, throwing things and screaming, making a lot of noise.

Tsing, instead of reprimanding her, would just extend his nose, saying, "Medi is so cute."

"At this rate, things will get out of hand."

"I know. The high priest is no longer of any help. It seems the senior priest sent a message to the high priest earlier."

"Really?!"

Tom's expression brightened at the good news.

The strict high priest was known for his adherence to the rules. He would surely reprimand Medi for her behavior.

"Anyway, until Lady Platinum returns, we have to do our best."

"You're right..."

Thinking of Platinum, Tom's chest ached.

Platinum, who had been confined in the temple since childhood, had continued her prayers.

She was a revered figure who supported the country with her sacred power.

However, what pained Tom was not her absence.

"Why didn't anyone take care of her?"

When he heard that Platinum had collapsed, Tom's first thought was, "I knew it."

Regardless of the season, Platinum would pray in the prayer room from morning till night in a thin ceremonial robe. Her meals were minimal, and no one showed her any concern.

No, they were strictly forbidden to show her any concern.

"If only I had disobeyed the royal order and brought her meals."

Unable to hold back, Tom's eyes and voice trembled with tears. Ed also let out a long sigh.

"What could we have done?"

Though his words were cold, his voice, like Tom's, was tinged with regret.

"Anyway, the only thing we can do now is to make sure Lady Platinum doesn't worry when she returns. We have to do our best. Stop crying!"

"Okay!"

Tom nodded, determined.