[√]Lady of the White Rose

20: The Temple

VESPER

The Temple is separate from the state. It holds tremendous amount of power that can rival the royal family as it is supported and loved by the people.

The person with the highest authority in the Temple is the Saintess. Though it's already been a century since the last saintess appeared.

Next in line will be the Saint who holds divine power blessed by the Goddess to heal any minor and major injuries as well as any diseases. The Bishop and the High Priest consecutively.

The Temple help those who are in need, their doors are open to the people who have nowhere to go. Especially orphans.

And in front of me right now is one of the most love person from the Temple. The High Priest. Smiling innocently in front of me.

Hindi ko alam kung sa anong dahilan at bakit niya naisipang bisitahin ako. Though he doesn't have any prior reservation, I still can't just simply not face him. He is his excellency the High Priest. Is it said that the Goddess punish those who doesn't welcome her people once they come to your house.

"I apologize for my sudden visit, Lady Vesper. But it is the Goddess that leads me here. The Goddess is deeply saddened by your misfortunes -"

"My misfortunes? Saddened? Oh, no, tell her don't be. She doesn't need to care like how she always been." The High Priest was silent and we end up staring at each other for quite some time.

"The tea will get cold, Your Excellency." Anyaya ko rito na inomin na ang tsaa niya. He only flash a gentle smile and utter a small thanks before drinking the tea.

Kinuha ko rin ang tsaa sa harap ko at humigop habang nakatuon ang atensyon sa kanya. Gaya noong pagkikita namin aa sementeryo ay tila nagliliwanag ulit ito. At ang isa pang napansin ko sa kanya ang maamo at bata niyang mukha. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto dahil masyado akong nagluluksa noong nagkita kami. Isn't he look too young to be the High Priest?

"How old are you?" I blurted out. I was even more surprised than him when I realize what I said. "Kung hindi mo mamasamain, Your Excellency." I added.

Ngumiti ito at eleganteng ibinaba ang tasa ng tsaa. "Ayos lang My Lady, palagi rin naman akong natatanong sa edad ko dahil daw mukha akong masyadong bata para sa posisyon ko. I'm 25 this year."

Just a year older than Kuya Kaido.

"It's true that you're too young... So, what is it that you visit me unannounced?" Ibinaba ko ang tsaa sa mesa at sumandal sa upuan ko. "You see, I'm a very busy person."

"Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking kapangahasan ngunit gaya ng aking sinabi ay dinala lamang ako rito ng ating pinakamamahal na Malaya. She hopes that you won't succumb to sadness and sorrow."

"Is that all?" He looks surprised with the sudden coldness in voice.

"My Lady...?" He blinks in confusion.

"I ask you if that is all? Dahil kung wala ka ng iba pang sasabihin Your Excellency, pwede ba umalis ka na? I don't need the care of your Goddess or whoever deity it is. I don't need them. Dahil kung totoong nag-aalala siya sa kalagayan ko ngayon ay hinding-hindi niya hahayaang mangyari sa akin 'to. Hindi niya kukunin ang lahat sa akin ng isang iglapan lang!"

Ah, I'm losing my cool. Why am I overreacting like this? Why am I being sensitive and being overly sensitive towards the High Priest? I should have just accepted his words and let it pass... But today, for unknown reason I couldn't stop myself.

I bite my lower lips and lower my head as I tried so hard to stop myself from speaking any more than I should. "The Goddess is so cruel. Taking everything from me all at once without warning... She's so cruel!"

Itinakip ko ang palad ko sa mukha ko nang may isang butil ng luha ang dumaloy. Damn. Bakit ba ang iyakin ko ngayong araw?

And I'm such a pitiful one, blaming the Goddess for my misfortunes because I don't have anyone to blame.

"Child..."

Ha? Napamulat ako ng mga mata dahil mahinang tinig na narinig. Tila tumigil sa pagdaloy ang mga luha sa mga mata ko at pinakiramdaman ang paligid. Nakakapagtaka dahil tila nawala ang lahat ng ingay sa paligid. Though the drawing room where we are is quiet, right now it is bizarrely quiet for some reason. Calm and peaceful kind of quiet.

Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang tingin at muntik ng tumalon sa kinauupuan ko nang makita na nakaestatwa ang High Priest sa harap ko. Hindi gumagalaw.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid, kinakabahan.

"Child," it's the soft voice again.

"Who's there?!"

"Don't be scared, my child."

"Don't be scared?" I scoff. "After doing these? Really? You told me not to be scared right after stopping time? Who are you? The devil?"

There's a short silent until a soft chuckle was heard. Panay ang tingin ko sa paligid upang hanapin kung saan nanggagaling ang boses ngunit hindi ko ito mahanap. Lumalakas na rin ang kabog ng puso ko.

The time was stop... What will happen to me if it's really the devil? Will I die -

"My child, raise your eyes. I'm up here. I am not the devil, my name is Malaya, the Goddess of Time and Justice."

Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay sinunod ko ang sinabi nito at tumingala. Napapikit ako nang tanging nakakasilaw na liwanag ang bumungad sa akin. Nahigit ko ang hininga nang may mapagtanto.

Malaya...? Sinabi niya bang Malaya? The Goddess of Time and Justice, Malaya?

"Ah," napahawak ako sa noo ko nang tila pakiramdam ko ay umikot ang mundo ko. "Hihimatayin ata ako... Baka pagod lang ako. Ilang araw na rin akong kulang sa tulog at pahinga dahil sa mga kaganapan. It will be a miracle if I'm still sane."

Right. I'm just tired. Malaya who? The hell is that?

Humugot ako ng isang malalim na hininga bago inayos ang sarili ko at tumingala. "Ah," ang liwanag. Kinukuha na ako ng liwanag.

"Child... What are you doing?" Tila nag-aalalang tanong nito nang bigla kong sampalin ang sarili in hopes that I will woke up. That this is just nothing but a dream.

"I'm just checking something if it's real or not."

"So, is it real or not?"

"If it hurts this much. It must be real."