44 - Pope
Far north of the imperial capital, beyond the bustling trade roads and noble estates, stood one of the most sacred properties of the Temple of Astrid.
The Luminaris Chapel.
Though far smaller than the Grand Basilica in the capital, the chapel was still magnificent.
Tall pillars of pale stone supported a domed ceiling painted with celestial murals of the Goddess Astrid descending from the heavens.
Stained glass windows depicted saints and miracles from centuries past, their colors glowing faintly under the moonlight.
At the center of the chapel stood the altar. Candles burned quietly upon it, filling the vast chamber with warm golden light. And pacing slowly before that altar was the highest religious authority in the Empire.
Pope Aristophane IX. The old man moved with surprising energy despite his age. His long white robes trailed behind him as he walked back and forth across the marble floor.
Across from him stood another figure in ceremonial robes. High Priest Lumen, the very priest who had overseen Mariana’s divine power test days earlier. The high priest looked… considerably more nervous.
Meanwhile, the Pope looked delighted. “Extraordinary!” The old man clasped his hands behind his back and resumed pacing. “Absolutely extraordinary!”
High Priest Lumen cleared his throat carefully. “Your Holiness… perhaps we should remain cautious.”
Pope Aristophane stopped walking. Then he turned toward the priest with bright eyes. “My dear Lumen.” His voice was warm and grandfatherly. “Do you know how many divine tests I have witnessed in my lifetime?”
“… many, Your Holiness.”
“Hundreds.” The Pope raised one finger.
“And not once have I ever heard of faith behave like that.” His expression softened into something almost nostalgic.
"A heart that gathers divine mana as if it were sunlight, you said…” He chuckled softly.
“The Goddess Astrid herself could not have made the sign clearer.”
High Priest Lumen bowed his head slightly. “There is little doubt that Grand Princess Mariana possesses divine potential.”
The Pope’s eyes sparkled. “Potential?” He waved his hand dismissively. “My dear boy, that was not potential. That was a declaration.”
Lumen hesitated. “Well… yes. But…” His expression tightened slightly. “The situation is politically… complicated.”
The Pope tilted his head. “Ah, yes.”
Lumen folded his hands within his sleeves. “The Grand Princess of Forebros is not merely a noble lady.” He spoke carefully. “She is the daughter of the Grand Duke. And now…” He paused. “… she has also been publicly declared the fiancée of the Crown Prince.”
The Pope blinked. “Oh yes.” He chuckled. “That boy.”
Lumen looked confused. “You seem… unsurprised, Your Holiness.”
Aristophane smiled warmly. “I have met the Crown Prince before.” The old man nodded knowingly. “He reminds me of someone.”
Lumen frowned slightly. “Who?”
The Pope’s smile widened. “Belial... who was once the previous Emperor's shadow.”
Meanwhile—
The High Priest did not seem reassured. He gestured slightly toward the altar.
“Your Holiness, the issue remains the same. The Temple wishes to bring Grand Princess Mariana under our protection.” His expression grew more serious. “But if we attempt to claim her directly…” He sighed. “We could ignite a conflict with Forebros.”
The Pope nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“And if the Crown Prince truly intends to marry her…” Lumen continued. “… then we risk conflict with the imperial family as well.”
The chamber fell quiet. For a moment, the Pope simply stood there in thought. Then he sighed. “Well, that would certainly be inconvenient.”
Lumen looked relieved that the Pope seemed to grasp the situation. “Yes, Your Holiness.”
“Quite inconvenient.” The Pope rubbed his beard thoughtfully. “War between the Temple and the Empire would be… unpleasant.”
“Very unpleasant.”
He nodded. “Yes.” Then he suddenly brightened again. “But that does not change the fact that I wish to meet my great-granddaughter.”
Lumen froze. “… Your Holiness?”
The Pope looked confused. “What? You seem surprised.”
High Priest Lumen blinked rapidly. “Great… granddaughter?”
The Pope chuckled warmly. “Oh dear, has no one told you?”
Lumen slowly shook his head.
Aristophane clasped his hands behind his back again. “Well then. That explains your confusion.”
He smiled fondly. “Grand Duchess Darelene.”
“Yes?”
“She is my granddaughter.”
High Priest Lumen stared. “… what?”
The Pope nodded happily. “Yes. My daughter married into the Kylin family many years ago. And her daughter…” His eyes softened. “… became Darelene.” The old man sighed fondly. “She was a troublesome little girl.”
Lumen looked like he had just discovered a terrifying secret. “Then… Grand Princess Mariana…”
“Yes.” Aristophane smiled proudly. “My great-granddaughter.”
The High Priest felt a headache forming. “That explains…” He paused. “… why the Grand Duchess was once ordained as a High Priestess.”
The Pope nodded. “Exactly. It was quite a scandal at the time.” He chuckled. “But she insisted on learning the sacred rites.”
Lumen rubbed his temple slightly. “So the Temple’s interest in Grand Princess Mariana…”
The Pope raised a finger. “Is both spiritual and familial.” He smiled gently. “I merely wish to meet her.” His gaze drifted toward the stained glass window of the Goddess Astrid. “And perhaps confirm what my heart already suspects.”
Lumen swallowed. “And that is?”
The Pope’s eyes gleamed with quiet faith. “That the Goddess has chosen her.” The old man clasped his hands together. “But unfortunately…” He sighed dramatically. “Her father might declare war if we attempt to take her. And her mother would likely lecture me for interfering.”
Lumen nodded nervously. “Yes, quite.”
The Pope suddenly smiled again. “Well then. We must proceed carefully.” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “After all…” He leaned slightly toward the High Priest. “I would very much like to meet my great-granddaughter.”
Far away in the Vernon estate of Forebros, Mariana slept peacefully beneath warm blankets. Completely unaware that three of the most powerful forces in the Empire were now quietly discussing her future. The Imperial Crown. The Temple of Astrid. And her own terrifying family.