On the second day of retreat, Lucian took the opportunity to explore the archives room during his breaks. As much as he needed to be praying on his knees inside the fountain, Skyler was kind enough to let him go out for a walk and avoid pain in his legs. Or would be giving a break to Lucian, using him as an excuse to take his precious naps and not have to go every three hours to check on his ritual.
In a way that was interesting, because Lucian could see the other works of art and relics that were inside the temple. Therefore, he would wander between the bookshelves observing the titles of works that seemed old by the worn covers, but could not read that language.
An idea came to his mind.
Should he look for any book that spoke of his coming into the world?
Maybe the temple had something, considering how many secret files were hidden in that chamber.
"Your Highness, I brought you a drink to warm you up."
Turning to the little priest who always brought him meals, Lucian smiled and accepted the glass that was extended to him. The smell of natural juice filled his mouth with water, which made him take a refreshing sip. All right, he would postpone for a few minutes your little plan for the sake of that delicious juice.
"Thank you, you're spoiling me too much, priest."
"I am glad that Your Highness is comfortable. Are you resting from prayers?"
"Yes, my legs hurt from kneeling at that fountain. I'm just looking around" Lucian walked a few steps and pointed to some books. If the chance came, embrace it! "But you seem to have very old books and other languages around here. What are they about?"
"Ah, these are the finds of the first peoples who worshipped the Goddess Kronosis. But they are difficult to read texts because it is an extremely old language, only Priest Skyler can. And some of them are well worn or missing pages."
Surprised, Lucian tilted his head slightly.
"Skyler? Can he read this ancient language?"
"Of course, his ability to interpret and remember each line even reading it only once is one of several reasons for him being the next High Priest."
Lucian spat the juice when choking, having a coughing fit. The little priest went to the prince and gave him a few pats on the back, looking at him worried.
"Are you all right, Your Highness?"
"I am, cough, cough... I'm fine" Lucian raised his hand signaling his state, and he took a deep breath still surprised "I had no idea that the priest responsible for me is a candidate for High Priest."
"Not the candidate, he will be, in fact, the next High Priest." Said the boy with a certain pride "Someone like him takes hundreds of years to appear."
"Someone... like him?" Lucian looked at the corner where he saw the priest in question sleeping surrounded by books as if he did not try to hide "Are you sure?"
"Haha, yes, Your Highness. Priest Skyler is excellent at reading ancient languages, but what stands out is his affinity for receiving and interpreting the oracle of the Goddess."
Lucian's expression showed his surprise at hearing something so impressive, even though none of it appears in the original. It was mysterious why a character with such ability had never been mentioned.
That is, the end of
A talented person like that... would also be sought by the sons of Rehael for their support. He would not go unnoticed, but it would be difficult to have him by his side. Skyler probably wouldn't serve as a puppet, like the eighth prince.
A shiver passed on Lucian's spine.
"Has there ever been an oracle in recent times?"
"Hm... there was a revelation during a ritual. But Priest Skyler and the High Priest never talked about it. We can only think that they are striving to interpret the words of our Goddess..."
The way the little priest looked at the lazy figure of Skyler sleeping on the floor made Lucian feel sorry. If the intention was that a figure of paramount importance should be dedicated to his work... It seems that the priests of that temple had something to be frustrated with.
As soon as the little priest went out to fulfill his duties, Lucian found himself alone in that place. Walking between the bookshelves, Lucian looked for specific books. The other day, Argus brought him a book about this goddess and something about reincarnation.
It was not in his nature to think much about things related to the soul, however... it was a fact that he was inside the book. Lucian needed to consider all possibilities.
Spending a good part of the time reading books and being frustrated for not getting any answers, Lucian looked back at the bookshelves away from the chapel. That place was huge and already made him tired of wandering, yet his curiosity won from laziness. Lucian kept checking the titles until an old book caught his attention.
"Hm? Haa is high, I can't see..."
Standing on the tips of his feet, Lucian could see that the title was in another language, which made him release a frustrated sigh.
"Interested in old books, Your Highness?"
Skyler's low, hoarse voice scared Lucian, who hit his head on the bookshelf.
"Ouch!"
"Careful, you can end up getting hurt" Skyler would laugh fun to cross his arms and look back at the book that Lucian tried to spy on "Hm... Are you interested in ancient rituals, Your Highness?"
"Ancient rituals? Is that what the book talks about?"
"Yes, much of the content explains step by step to recreate certain rituals that the first people blessed by the Goddess did."
Lucian was slightly surprised to hear Skyler speak as if it were no big deal. However... he would take advantage of that. Wearing the usual good boy mask, Lucian looked back at the book as if he were a curious child.
"Hmm... At the Imperial Palace there are some books about the goddess, telling her story before the Empire came into being, I believe."
"Considering how faithful the Emperor and Consort are, I am not surprised that they have books about it. But you don't look like someone who believes in these things."
Ah, he was caught. Lucian burst out with a nervous and low laugh. He had to be careful what he said. Although Skyler seems like a friendly person, you never know when he might be offended by your words. And now Lucian needed the temple to get married.
"I wouldn't say I don't believe it, it's just... strange. I feel weird when I'm near the statue of the goddess."
"Strange? What do you mean?"
"A discomfort, it's hard to explain. It's like... her statue is alive and watching me."
"Bwahahahahaha!" Laughed Skyler with his hands on his belly "That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard!"
"I-I... it's not that big of a deal."
Wiping a tear in the corner of his eye, Skyler took a while to calm down. Lucian frowned and controlled the will to pout for being the target of such a derisive laugh. It was not a joke, he was being honest... in parts.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but you are the only one who has the courage to say something like that while inside the temple. Besides, we think that She is always looking out for us."
"I thought you would say something like that, yet it is a feeling... uncomfortable."
Lucian could not get any other information from Skyler, who seemed more interested in laughing at him and his feeling of being haunted by the goddess. At least it was a relief that the priest was not offended by his words, and even relieved Lucian's tension.
After drinking the juice and resting, Lucian returned to the chapel where he spent the rest of the afternoon praying. Just as on the night of the first day, Skyler entered the chapel and took a cleansing bath in Lucian, pouring crystal clear water over his head and soaking him. Skyler's voice as he made his own prayers was soft and cozy, bringing some peace to Lucian when he was bothered by the huge statue of the goddess.
At the end of the prayer, Skyler lightly stroked Lucian's shoulder.
"We're done here, your dinner will soon be brought. Change and rest, Your Highness."
"Skyler... could you allow me one thing?"
The priest raised his eyebrow.
"You cannot visit the Grand Duke. The High Priest has already found out that he came to visit you last night and increased security to prevent him from leaving."
Ah... right. Somewhere in that huge temple, there was a Grimwood cursing all generations of priests and kicking walls trying to get out of his "prison". What a fun vision that would be. Oh, Lucian wanted to see how frustrated Magnus would be. Good luck to the guards, they will need it.
"It wasn't about that. Actually, I'd like to see that sphere again."
"Oh... no problem, I guess" Skyler crossed his arms "But why do you want to see it again?"
"Just to make sure I'm not crazy."
"Hah, you are, you're marrying the Grand Duke."
"You're right haha" Lucian laughed graciously, having the priest accompany him.
Lucian changed his clothes and accompanied Skyler out of the chapel. Standing before the sphere caught in the statue, the prince felt even more strange. An discomfort in his chest, not a physical pain, but a distressing sensation. The prince looked at the sphere from one side to the other, unable to understand what in fact bothered him.
Was the sphere itself?
Was it what she stood for?
Was the whole figure of the goddess bothering him?
When Lucian uttered a low sigh for not being able to find a definitive answer, Skyler noticed his discomfort.
"Is there a problem?"
"You're really uncomfortable, aren't you?" Noticing the prince's curious look, Skyler just headed for the door "and I still feel something coming from you. Perhaps we should investigate this before your marriage, Your Highness."