Chapter 57 Against the Holy Church
Back to the present
The high, vaulted ceilings of the Basilica seemed to shrink around Amaria, the heavy scent of incense turning thick and suffocating in her throat. Her gaze darted frantically from Esmeralda's vibrant, unmarred face to the imposing figures of Rael and Aziel guarding her flanks.
Step by step, the rest of the puzzle pieces fell into place with agonizing precision.
The Duke stopped his rigid acting. The Duchess wiped away her dry tears, lifting her veil with a cold, piercing glare. Marcus crossed his arms, a dark, mocking smirk playing on his lips.
It had all been a trap. A carefully choreographed play, and she had danced right into the center of the stage.
"Guards," Rael's voice boomed through the sacred halls, devoid of any of the warmth he usually reserved for the high society circles. "Apprehend her."
"Wait-Your Highness! There must be a mistake!
" Amaria cried out, her voice pitching into that familiar, sweet tremor.
She dropped to her knees, looking up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, trying to force the divine blessing of charm to warp his mind.
"I came to mourn my dearest friend! Why are you treating me like a criminal? Esmeralda, tell them!"
But the charm didn't take. Rael's eyes remained as cold as flint, and the imperial knights moved forward, their iron gauntlets clamping firmly around her wrists.
"Take her to the high security holding cells beneath the sector," Aziel ordered smoothly, his voice carrying the calm finality of a judge delivering a sentence. "Do not let anyone from the public or the lower priesthood near her until the proper authorities are gathered."
"Let me go! I am the Goddess's blessed child! You cannot touch me!" Amaria shrieked, her immaculate facade utterly fracturing as she was dragged down the marble aisle, her black mourning veil tearing away and fluttering uselessly to the floor.
Esmeralda watched her go, her expression calm, but her hand gripping the fabric of her black dress tightly.
"What is the meaning of this!? How dare you people try to arrest the blessed child!" high priest Daniel approached the scene.
"High priest Daniel, we have proof of that girl's sorcery. This will be taken to court." Rael said.
"She is not the blessed child everyone thought her to be, your Holiness." Aziel said.
"What nonsense are you talking about!? The Pope will hear of this- this- absurd event!!" High priest Daniel shouted, his voice echoing across the church.
"Your Holiness, the blessed one is an evil being whose blood is tainted with poison." Selena said in a firm voice from the shadows of the altar.
"Why are you siding with them, Saintess?! Are you betraying the church for this... this blasphemous woman!?"
"No! Your Holiness-"
Selena tried to answer him but Esmeralda stopped her.
"Your holiness," Esmeralda said, lowering her head to the priest in front of her. "The Saintess has nothing to do with this."
"My lady-"
Esmeralda looked Selena in the eye that made her stop from talking.
"She was just trying to help a friend. That is all."
"Holy knights! Take the Saintess to her chambers!! And don't let her out until the Pope allows it!!" High priest Daniel said as knights surrounded Selena.
"Wait! My lady-"Selena frantically called out.
Esmeralda reached for Selena's hand and embraced her. She then whispered in Selena's ear.
"You have to stay in the church. The court hearing will happen in a few days and you need to stay with the Priests so they don't suspect you. I trust you, my dear friend." Esmeralda pushed Selena back.
Dumbfounded for a while, Selena then looked determined and nodded towards Esmeralda. The holy knights escorted her to the inner sanctum of the church.
"The Goddess will not forgive your insolence, my lady." High priest Daniel said as he looked at Esmeralda.
"And you, your Highness, the royal family will suffer because of your deeds today." High priest Daniel said, his head held high with his hands clasped together.
"We will see you in court, your Holiness." Rael said, placing his hand on Esmeralda's shoulders as they turned to exit the church.
Aziel, Duke and Duchess Schuan, and the staff who played along with Esmeralda's fake death followed.
Esmeralda looked behind at High priest Daniel in the eye before lowering her head a bit.
The grand church doors closed behind them with a heavy, echoing thud, cutting off High Priest Daniel's furious glares.
The bright afternoon sun beat down upon the steps of the Basilica, a sharp contrast to the suffocating gloom they had just left behind.