35 - Leaked
The cool water helped. But not enough. Mariana stared at her reflection for several seconds longer, forcing her breathing to slow.
Inhale. Exhale.
You survived worse things in your previous life. You can survive one creepy Crown Prince. Hopefully.
She straightened her shoulders and adjusted the golden dress once more. The seamstresses had done their job perfectly; the fabric fell gracefully around her frame as if nothing catastrophic had just happened.
Unfortunately, inside her mind, chaos. Absolute chaos.
He said my name, my real name.
Her stomach twisted again. “Focus,” she whispered to herself. Panicking inside the restroom forever was not a viable strategy. Eventually she had to return.
Reluctantly, Mariana opened the door and stepped back into the hallway. The sounds from the shop had grown louder. More voices. More footsteps. More people.
That’s… new.
When she rounded the corner and returned to the main showroom, she froze.
The modiste was now crowded. Several additional noblewomen had arrived while she was gone. Their bright dresses filled the room with color and chatter.
Apparently word had spread. The Crown Prince being present in a public shop had turned the place into an instant spectacle. Mariana’s soul quietly left her body.
Great, now there’s an audience!
She slowly walked back toward the seating area where her mother sat. Grand Duchess Darelene immediately noticed her. Her gaze swept over Mariana carefully. Checking. Evaluating.
Mariana forced a small smile. “I’m fine, Mother.”
Darelene studied her for another second before nodding faintly.
But something else had already caught the Grand Duchess’s attention.
Near the entrance of the shop stood a small group dressed in white and silver robes.
Their cloaks bore the radiant emblem of the sun surrounded by lilies.
The crest of the Grand Basilica. Darelene’s eyes sharpened instantly.
Why are they here?
Her mind moved quickly.
The Grand Basilica did not casually send representatives into the city. Especially not Holy Knights. Five armored figures stood behind the priests, their white armor gleaming with sacred engravings. Holy Knights. Elite warriors directly sworn to the Chapel.
Darelene’s suspicion deepened. Her thoughts moved rapidly.
The Saintess candidate, Mariana. Only a handful of people knew. Herself. The Grand Duke. A few trusted clergy members. And the High Priest. Her fingers tightened slightly.
Someone leaked it. But who?
Before she could pursue the thought further, the lead priest stepped forward. A tall man with silver hair and calm golden eyes.nHe spoke clearly. “We are searching for the Grand Princess Mariana of Forebros.”
The entire shop fell silent. Several noblewomen exchanged confused glances.
Grand Duchess Darelene slowly rose to her feet. Her expression remained composed. But her voice was noticeably colder. “For what purpose?”
The priest bowed respectfully. “The Luminaris Chapel requires her presence.”
Darelene’s gaze hardened.
Requires? That word alone was enough to ignite the pride of a Grand Duchy.
“The Grand Princess is currently occupied,” Darelene replied calmly.
The priest opened his mouth to respond. Then the Holy Knights behind him shifted slightly. Their eyes moved past Darelene. Toward the back of the room. Toward the golden-haired young woman who had just returned from the hallway. Mariana.
The moment their gazes landed on her, something changed. The air grew heavy. The Holy Knights stiffened. One by one, they dropped to one knee.
Their armored knees struck the floor in perfect unison. Clank. Gasps erupted across the modiste. “Wha–What?!”
“Holy Knights?!”
“They’re kneeling!”
Even the seamstresses froze in shock. Because Holy Knights did not kneel easily. Not to nobles. Not even to princes. But right now, five sacred warriors knelt before Mariana. Their heads bowed deeply.
“Greetings,” the captain said solemnly. “Saintess.”
The word echoed through the shop. And then, total chaos.
“SAINTESS?!”
“Did he say Saintess?!”
“That’s the Grand Princess!”
“No way!”
Noblewomen clutched their fans in shock. One seamstress nearly fainted.nMariana stood frozen. Her brain had stopped working. Again.
…
Saintess?
Her eyes slowly widened.
Oh. Oh no. Oh no no no no.
Her gaze snapped toward her mother. Darelene’s face had gone perfectly still. Which was far more frightening than anger. Because that expression meant one thing. Something had gone very, very wrong. Her thoughts raced again.
Who leaked it?
Her eyes flicked briefly toward the Luminaris priests. Then toward the Holy Knights. Then, toward the Crown Prince. Zafiel still sat comfortably in the velvet chair. Watching everything.
His elbow rested casually on the armrest while he held another sweet between his fingers. And he was smiling. Not surprised. Not confused. Interested. Like someone watching a very entertaining play.
The corner of his lips curved slightly upward. “Saintess,” he murmured quietly to himself. His amethyst eyes gleamed. “How fascinating.”
Meanwhile, the Holy Knight captain lifted his head. His gaze met Mariana’s. “Grand Princess Mariana,” he said respectfully. “The Luminaris Chapel, by the order of the Grand Basilica in Luxor, requests your immediate presence.”
Mariana’s brain screamed.
Immediate presence?!
Her hands trembled again. Because this situation had escalated far beyond her control.
First the Crown Prince. Now the Church. And the entire city watching. Her peaceful dress shopping trip had officially become a disaster of imperial proportions.