Episode 26| Banquet of Masks and Whispers
The palace gardens shimmered beneath lantern light.
Gold.
Ivory.
Crystal.
Everything about the Empire tonight was designed to impress.
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But before the grandeur—
Before the whispers of nobles and the gaze of foreign dignitaries—
There was a quieter moment.
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"...You did what?"
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Riley stood across from Raymond in a private chamber, her green eyes narrowed in disbelief.
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Raymond leaned casually against the window, entirely unbothered.
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"...I had a polite conversation with the High Priest."
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"...Polite?" Riley repeated flatly.
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"...Extremely."
He smiled.
"...I simply explained how beneficial it would be for my future wife's... brother to have some freedom."
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Riley crossed her arms.
"...And he agreed just like that?"
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Raymond chuckled.
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"...Not exactly."
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A pause.
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"...I may have reminded him that the Crown funds a rather... significant portion of the temple."
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Riley blinked.
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"...Raymond."
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"...Yes?"
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"...Did you blackmail the High Priest?"
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He tilted his head slightly.
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"...That's such an ugly word."
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"...You blackmailed him."
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"...I prefer 'strategic persuasion.'"
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Riley stared at him.
Then—
Sighed.
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"...You're insane."
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"...And yet," he stepped closer, voice lowering slightly, "...you benefit from it."
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A pause.
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"...You can now move freely."
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His gaze softened, just slightly.
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"...No more sneaking around."
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Riley's expression shifted.
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Because he was right.
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Freedom—
In the temple—
Was power.
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"...Thank you," she said quietly.
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Raymond smirked.
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"...Don't sound so sincere, it's unsettling."
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She rolled her eyes.
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"...What's the catch?"
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"...You attend the royal banquet tonight."
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Silence.
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"...Of course there's a catch."
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"...Not a catch," Raymond corrected.
"...A necessity."
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He gestured toward the window.
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"...Foreign envoys are arriving."
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"...From neighboring kingdoms."
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"...We're finalizing a treaty."
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Riley raised a brow.
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"...What kind of treaty?"
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Raymond's tone shifted—more serious now.
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"...A stabilization pact."
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"...Trade routes, military neutrality, shared resources."
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"...Peace, essentially."
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A pause.
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"...And you," he added, "...will be standing beside me as the future Crown Princess."
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Riley exhaled slowly.
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"...No pressure."
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"...None at all," he said lightly.
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Then, softer—
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"...Just be yourself."
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She looked at him.
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"...That's what I'm afraid of."
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That Night
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The Royal Banquet Hall was alive.
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Music floated through the air.
Crystal glasses clinked.
Voices layered over one another in elegant chaos.
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Nobles from across the Empire gathered.
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And beyond them—
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Foreign envoys.
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Draped in silks of different lands.
Marked by accents.
By customs.
By quiet scrutiny.
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At the grand entrance—
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Riley Scott appeared.
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And the room—
Shifted.
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Gasps.
Whispers.
Silence.
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Golden hair cascading like sunlight.
Green eyes bright and steady.
A presence—
Radiant.
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"...She's..."
"...That's the Crown Prince's fiancée?"
"...Incredible..."
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Riley walked forward.
Composed.
Graceful.
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At her side—
Raymond.
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Confident.
Proud.
Watching every reaction.
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"...Smile," he murmured.
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"...I am smiling."
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"...You look like you're about to scam someone."
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"...I might."
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He chuckled softly.
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They approached the first group of envoys.
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A man stepped forward.
Tall.
Sharp-eyed.
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"...Your Highness."
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"...Ambassador."
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Raymond gestured.
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"...Allow me to introduce Riley Scott."
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The man bowed slightly.
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"...A pleasure."
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Riley inclined her head.
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"...The honor is mine."
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Her voice was calm.
Measured.
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"...I've heard much about the alliance being formed."
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The ambassador raised a brow.
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"...Have you now?"
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"...Only that it seeks balance," she replied.
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A pause.
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"...But balance requires more than agreements."
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The surrounding nobles leaned in slightly.
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"...It requires trust."
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Silence.
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"...And trust," Riley continued, "...is built through consistency."
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She met his gaze.
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"...Not just words."
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A beat.
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Then—
The ambassador smiled.
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"...Impressive."
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Raymond glanced at her.
Amused.
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She's already working the room.
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And she was.
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Group after group.
Conversation after conversation.
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Riley moved effortlessly.
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Listening.
Speaking.
Observing.
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And always—
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Calculating.
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Across the hall—
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The High Priest watched.
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Silent.
Still.
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His gaze locked onto her.
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There it is again.
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That feeling.
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Unsettling.
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Unnatural.
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And beneath his robes—
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A shadow stirred.
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"...You feel it too."
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The voice was not his own.
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Low.
Dark.
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Amesdious.
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"...Yes," the High Priest replied inwardly.
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"...Her."
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A pause.
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"...You've finally gathered enough power," the demon whispered.
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"...The first seal is weakening."
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The High Priest's eyes darkened.
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"...Explain."
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"...Three seals bind me."
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"...Break one..."
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"...And I can begin to touch your world."
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A slow, sinister tone.
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"...With the first..."
"...I can sense what you cannot."
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The High Priest's gaze sharpened.
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"...Then look."
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Silence.
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Then—
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"...Ah."
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Amesdious laughed softly.
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"...There she is."
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"...Radiant."
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"...Overflowing."
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A pause.
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"...Disgusting."
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The High Priest's breath stilled.
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"...What is she?"
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A whisper.
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"...She is the Saintess."
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The world seemed to pause.
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"...Impossible."
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"...Is it?"
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Amesdious's voice curled like smoke.
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"...That power..."
"...Hidden..."
"...Controlled..."
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"...She is exactly what we feared."
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The High Priest's gaze hardened.
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"...Then we confirm it."
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"...Yes..."
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"...And if she is..."
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"...We eliminate her."
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Riley laughed softly at something an envoy said.
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Unaware—
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That death had just decided to notice her.
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Moments later—
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"...Lady Riley."
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A voice.
Smooth.
Measured.
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Riley turned.
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The High Priest stood before her.
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Her smile didn't falter.
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"...Your Eminence."
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Raymond watched carefully from beside her.
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"...I've heard much about you," the High Priest said.
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"...Likewise."
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A pause.
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Then—
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"...I oversee the temple."
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"...In a way," he added with a faint smile, "...you could say I am your brother's superior."
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Riley blinked once.
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Then laughed lightly.
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"...I see."
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Raymond nearly choked on his drink.
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Superior? Bold.
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"...Tell me," the High Priest continued.
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"...Are you aware of your holy magic?"
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Silence.
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Riley didn't hesitate.
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"...No."
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Clean.
Immediate.
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"...I'm afraid I don't possess such abilities."
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The High Priest studied her.
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Carefully.
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"...Interesting."
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A pause.
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"...Because I sense something."
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Riley smiled.
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"...Perhaps you sense my charm."
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Raymond turned away slightly—
Laughing under his breath.
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The High Priest did not smile.
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"...If such power lies dormant..."
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"...It would be a waste not to awaken it."
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A pause.
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"...I could assist you."
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Silence.
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Riley looked at him.
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Then—
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Laughed.
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Soft.
Light.
Dismissive.
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"...Your Eminence..."
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She tilted her head slightly.
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"...I think you're mistaken."
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A pause.
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"...I'm just a merchant's daughter."
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Her smile remained.
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Perfect.
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Convincing.
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Lies layered in truth.
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The High Priest said nothing.
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But his eyes—
Darkened.
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Because now—
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He was certain.
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And somewhere deep within the shadows—
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Amesdious whispered again.
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"...Watch her closely..."
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"...Because if she awakens fully..."
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"...She will destroy everything."
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The music continued.
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The laughter returned.
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The banquet carried on.
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But beneath it all—
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A war had begun.
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Quiet.
Invisible.
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And Riley—
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Stood right at the center of it.