It was finally the day of the ritual. The temple priests and the head priest started to get ready while the priestesses were busy in getting Jisoo ready. Jisoo was made to wear a white gown with blue accessories. After the necessary preparations, the head priest came to escort Jisoo.
"You look beautiful, milady." Hoseok commented as he offered his hand to the lady.
Jisoo smiled shyly and accepted his offered hand. "Thank you."
As the two were walking side by side as they go to the place of the ritual, Jisoo couldn't help but admire the surrounding. It was the first time she went inside the inner temple and she loved the peaceful ambiance. The trees and flowers were in full bloom and she could see birds flying from here and there. Even the open hallway was decorated with flowering vines.
"When I heard about the young duke of House Jeonard giving you a visit, I couldn't believe it at first but then he personally offered to help with the security for today's ritual. I guess you two are quite close?" The head priest exclaimed.
Jisoo flinched by the sudden subject. "It's not like that. He just wanted to pay me back. That's all." Jisoo explained.
"I'm pretty sure that the duke is not that kind of person as to even offer to help the holy temple. As we all know, the duke is not that close with the temple." Hoseok chuckled in amusement. "But, I am quite thankful that he offered to help, especially now a days the appearance of monsters are still in question."
Jisoo pondered and couldn't help but get nervous once again. After all, she have to face the possibility that monsters were after her.
Meanwhile, almost all the nobles at the capital were finally gathered at the temple, waiting for the ritual to start. The Kimberhald household were all present and were seated at the upper balcony intended for the higher nobles and even the imperial family.
"I can't believe that our sister will be leading the ritual today. Who thought that someone as jarring as her will be able to have this chance." Jimin commented, thinking about teasing his twin sister after the ritual.
"Stop making fund of our sister, Jimin." Jin scolded.
Jimin chuckled but his smile vanished right after seeing the crown prince entering the other balcony prepared for the royals and not to mention, he was accompanied by Lady Irene of house velvet.
"But there's one thing I didn't like about our sister being chosen as the priestess..." Jimin started. "And it's the fact that she'll become one of the candidate for being the crown princess." He said, frowning.
On the other side of the balcony, where the imperial family was sitting, the crown prince noticed his friend the duke standing below near the entrance. Irene noticed it and waved her hand towards the young duke.
"Jungkook!" Irene called out and they saw him waving back towards them. "Why is he there? He should have seated on the balcony intended for the Jeonard household." Irene noted.
"Ha." Taehyung snickered. "Knowing him, I'm sure he don't like places where everyone sees him. But I wonder why he showed up after all? I thought he dislikes this kind of place."
"Ah. I forgot to tell you." The king turned towards his son and the lady. "I heard from the head priest that duke Jeonard offered to help with the security for the ritual." The king revealed, making them stunned.
And before they could even give a comment about the shocking news, trumpets were heard indicating that the head priest and the initiating priestess finally arrived. All eyes were now focused towards the entrance where Jisoo stood with her enchanting looks. Taehyung's eyes glued towards their direction and saw Jungkook walking towards the priestess.
"Hmm. I finally knew why Jungkook's doing these absurd things." Taehyung commented to where Irene heard, making her frown.
Walking in the middle of the isle, Jisoo felt anxious. She didn't know where the enemies might be hiding from. The head priest noticed the troubled look on Jisoo's face and tightened his grip on her hand, making the lady look at him.
"Everything's going to be alright." Hoseok assured.
Jisoo smiled in return. "Yes. It's going to be fine. I'm going to catch the person behind all the monster attack." Jisoo thought to herself.
The ritual finally begun. Jisoo was in the middle of praying in the middle of the altar and so far, the young duke didn't notice anything suspicious. Jungkook's eyes scanned the whole area, trying to detect any malicious aura. Jungkook's eyes then turned back towards Jisoo who finally finished praying. It was finally time for the offering and Jisoo have to drink the offered wine and eat the holy fruit indicating the prosperity of the empire. Priests came one by one, holding the tray of offerings.
"So far so good. No sign of any monster attack." Jisoo thought and took the offered wine and took a sip and that's when Jisoo's eyes widen.
Jisoo was already accustomed to the taste of the temple wine and this time it tastes different. Her eyes caught the priest's mouth turning into an evil smile. And that's where she realized that the wine was poisoned and thankfully she didn't drink everything and immediately stopped drinking.
"You!" Jisoo shouted as her free hand caught the priest's arm and her eyes immediately caught Jungkook's and without a word the young duke quickly apprehended the culprit.
Everyone was in chaos, wondering what was going on. But even before they could explain everything, Jisoo's eyes blurred and felt sick.
"Milady?" The head priest noticed how Jisoo looked very pale and realized everything as his eyes caught the wine chalice in her hand. "Milady!" He shouted as Jisoo finally fell but was caught by him. "Lady Kimberhald!"
***to be continued***
YOU ARE READING
The Villainess Wants to Avoid Death
Historical Fiction"I wish to go back." Jisoo whispered with her eyes unfocused and just stared at the violent sky above her and the last thing she saw was the blade coming for her neck. "Nooooo!!!" Jisoo screamed as she suddenly sat up from her bed, breathing heavily...
