A soft mist descended before dawn, creeping through the stone corridors like a sigh of regret that refused to subside. Maria stepped hesitantly on the chapel floor, the rosary in her hand shaking with the beat of her heart. Every flicker of light seemed to strip away the memory of last night's kiss—tears, sighs, confessions of passion that should not have come from the priest's lips. In front of the altar, she knelt, but the words of prayer were stuck in her throat: how could she ask for forgiveness for the sins she secretly longed for?
Not even ten breaths later, the side door creaked. Alicia stepped in, still wearing her white silk blouse, but her face—although without traces of crying—was pale from bearing the same burden. Their eyes met, and a bitter realization dawned: two hearts dragged into sin by the same man.
Maria lowered her head first, her cheeks flushed with shame. Alicia stepped closer, hesitant to place herself on the bench beside her. Silence pressed against her chest; only the scent of rose incense floated in the air. Without armor and sword, the Knight Princess felt more fragile than Maria who was only armed with the holy book. They sat side by side, hands in their laps, but neither dared to look at each other. Like two sides of a mirror, they reflected the same guilt.
Alicia finally whispered—a voice barely broken, "Me… too." She couldn't form another sentence. Maria turned, tears glistening in her eyes. An open confession without details, but enough to bring their guilt together.
"Sin is… sweet," Maria whispered, biting her lip. "And the more I pray for it to go away, the more it stays."
Alicia closed her eyes, remembering the heat of Ren's lips on hers, his hand on her thigh, her heartbeat that had lost its rhythm. She nodded slowly. Between them, the air shook with guilt that began to intertwine, like two red threads tying together in a silent knot.
Soft steps entered the chapel. Ren stood in the doorway, restraining himself from breaking the silence. His brown eyes studied the two women he loved—or at least wanted—drowned in silence. He felt the stage set, the roles waiting. With a measured breath, he stepped forward, bowing politely.
Maria turned first, her face flushed with fear. Alicia stopped breathing, hands gripping her skirt. Ren placed a basket of honey buns and a jug of light wine on the altar bench, a simple excuse to justify his presence. He stood a little further away, making room.
"I happened to be passing by—" his voice was soft, "and felt the chapel needed breakfast." A faint smile played across his lips, soft enough to be a listener, warm enough to be a protector. Maria sobbed softly, as if the sound were pulling at her wife's knots. Alicia rose, looking at Ren. A flash of guilt danced in her blue eyes.
"Ren, we—" Alicia took a breath, "we need some alone time." she intended to save Maria from temptation. But Maria, not wanting to appear to refuse, hurried to her feet as well, lips trembling, "No—she might be able to… lead the prayer of expiation."
Ren caught the hesitation perfectly. He walked slowly toward them. "If you wish to speak, I am merely a listener," he said, hands behind his back. "Sin is heavy when carried alone. Shared, the burden is halved."
The voice—crisp as autumn leaves—crawled through the knight's shield and the priest's robe. Alicia swallowed, remembering how Ren had held himself together last night after the slap. The realization brought a mixture of pity and admiration. Maria looked at him, remembering how he had patted her back while holding back tears of guilt.
Alicia looked down at the bread basket. Ren shifted, breaking one loaf and spreading honey on it. He handed it to Putri, then the second to Maria. The touch of their fingers made their hearts wake. "Sweet," he said, "isn't always a sin if it's used to restore strength."
Alicia took a small bite. Honey dripped onto her lips, but before she could wipe it away, Ren held out a handkerchief. The touch of the cloth on her lips made Putri's face heat up; Maria watched, envy and guilt mingling. Ren crouched down a little, meeting Maria's eyes, then brushed the crumbs off the priestess's fingers, making sure to touch them longer than necessary. Maria shivered, the memory of the kiss in the prayer room blooming again.
When the bread was finished, Ren sat on the floor between them, like a student in a classroom. He lowered his head, waiting for who would speak first. Alicia sighed. "I… slapped him," the Princess said slowly, looking at Maria. "But not out of hatred. I was afraid of myself."
Maria lowered her head, fingers clasping her rosary. "I didn't slap him," she murmured, "and that made me more afraid." Alicia's face tightened, realizing they were both drinking the same sweet honey of sin, just at different times. Their guilt was now tied, adding to the dark attraction they couldn't shake.
Ren lifted his head, eyes full of sympathy. "You two are a knight and a priest—two lights of the kingdom. The brightest light tortures the eyes when alone. Allow a commoner like me… to be a shadow that balances."
The words cut deep, bringing a strange relief to both of their hearts. The shadow allowed the light to shine without burning.
Ren rose slowly, standing behind Maria. He gently touched the priest's shoulder—a touch that hit the exact point of comfort that made Maria sigh quietly. Trying to be fair, he lowered his hand to Alicia's shoulder, gently massaging the tense muscle. The knight stiffened, but didn't resist. Instead, she turned her head for a moment, lips parted, eyes closed as Ren's thumb pressed against the small knot at the base of her neck.
The two women sat close together on the bench, and Ren stood behind—his hands alternating in massage, wiping away the remaining tension, while lighting the fine embers. Every time his thumb pressed, a light sigh was heard from one, stinging the other's heart. Mutual jealousy mixed with relief, creating the complex mix of emotions Ren had hoped for.
Maria finally spoke, her breath heavy, "Why… are you nice to us?" Ren bent down behind her, whispering close to her ear, "Because no one deserves to bear their sins alone." The vibrations of his voice spread to Maria's skin; she closed her eyes, feeling her body heat up.
Alicia turned her head, her voice hoarse, "You also bear the consequences. Hiro already suspects you." Ren stopped the massage for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "The risk of the shadow. But I'll let it go, if it allows you to breathe freely."
The two women looked at each other—strands of guilt turned into deep sympathy. They began to understand: their sins did not stain each other, but were woven together through the man in the middle. A dark bond, but honest.
Ren stepped in front of them, kneeling, looking at each other. "You are old friends in silence. If guilt gnaws, hold each other's hands. I… am part of you, but you are the light."
Maria hesitated, but took Alicia's hand. The princess took it, fingers entwined. The touch of the two women was electrifying: not erotic, but deeply intimate, affirming the sisterhood of the victims of feeling. Ren covered their hands with his warm palm, whispering a protective prayer he had stolen from an ancient book. Dramatic, but the quiet night allowed the magical words to feel sacred.
The distant sound of a practice gong in another tower vibrated the stained glass, signaling the approach of dawn. They slowly released their grip. Maria stood, wanting to return to preparing for mass. Alicia patted Ren's back, giving a hoarse thank you. The two women walked away together, shoulders almost touching; the guilt was still there, but their steps were lighter.
Ren stared at their retreating backs, a faint smile dancing. Two hearts were now tied not only to him, but to each other—a bond stronger because it was built on secrets and guilt.
But heavy footsteps approached from the main door of the chapel. Ren turned, only having time to shake his shoulders as the door swung wide open. Hiro stood in the threshold, followed by Daiki, Akira, and Rei. Hiro's eyes blazed—the guard's report clutched in his hand.
Ren straightened his back, ready to play his part again, but Hiro had already drawn his wooden practice sword, pointing the tip straight at Ren's chest. His voice trembled with anger, "You—follow me. Today the truth will be revealed, before the king, the heroines, and the entire army."
Daiki stared at Ren with a mixture of sorrow and anger. Akira, cold, considering. Rei muttered a prayer.
Ren smiled faintly, realizing the big stage had finally arrived—exactly on schedule, even if he hadn't planned it this perfectly.
In the audience hall, the king awaits, the four heroines are summoned, the troops are assembled—and Ren must face a trial of heart and honor in front of everyone, with a burning secret that could tear apart the unity of the Heroes of Light.