The possessed Saintess

~5~

The opulent banquet was a mere memory now, having taken place a week ago. Since that day, Alya's life had taken an unexpected turn. Gifts and letters from Jaro arrived with surprising frequency, and each one carried a charm of its own.

*This guy really is something else.*

Alya thought with a bemused sigh as she sat in her room, contemplating the ever-growing pile of tokens of affection. She couldn't help but be intrigued by Jaro's persistent gestures.

With a resigned shake of her head, Alya rose from her seat and left her room. She had a daily duty to fulfill-one she wasn't particularly fond of but was bound to by her role as a Saintess. The morning prayers awaited her, a reminder of the expectations placed upon her shoulders.

As she stepped outside her room, the commotion from across the hallway caught her attention. Elise's room seemed to be in utter chaos at this early hour. The child's shrill cries and demands for new toys echoed through the halls.

"It's 8 am; what on earth has gotten into that child?"

Alya muttered under her breath, her annoyance evident in the furrow of her brow.

*This brat gives me headaches.*

she thought, her frustration building. So far, Alya had managed to avoid Elise's tantrums and accusations, but she knew that it was only a matter of time before she became the target of the young girl's ire.

Alya clenched her teeth, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge. In the week since forming the pact with Gwisin, she had maintained the facade of her previous life. But as each day passed, the urgency to plot her revenge grew stronger.

*If I don't think of something soon,*

Alya realized with a sinking feeling,

*everything will go back to how it was before-the same cycle of mistreatment and humiliation.*

As Alya stepped through the opulent hallways of her family's estate, she was lost in her thoughts, her mind preoccupied with the events of the past week. The opulence around her went unnoticed as she navigated the familiar but extravagant corridors.

Unbeknownst to her, she was on a collision course with another person walking in the opposite direction. The young man in front of her, Jungdea, turned out to be headed to the same morning prayers. Their encounter was sudden and unexpected, causing Alya to bump into him.

"Oh, excuse me, Jungdea,"

Alya said, realizing her momentary lapse in attention. She quickly apologized, slightly bowing in respect.

Jungdea regarded her with a furrowed brow, his expression filled with concern.

"This has happened quite a lot since the banquet, don't you think so?"

he remarked, his voice laced with worry.

"Is everything alright? Are you feeling unwell?"

Alya hesitated for a moment, her gaze meeting Jungdea's concerned eyes. She appreciated his genuine care, but she couldn't reveal the truth of her circumstances, especially not to someone she considered a friend. With a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, she replied,

"I'm just a bit distracted lately, Jungdea. Nothing to worry about. Thank you for your concern."

Unspoken questions lingered in the air as they continued on their way to the morning prayers, both carrying the weight of secrets and uncertainties.

"What about Roby? Will she be attending as well?"

Alya inquired, steering the conversation away from her own concerns.

Jungdea contemplated for a moment, his expression thoughtful as he softly shook his head.

"I don't know, to be honest. But you know her,"

he said with a fond smile,

"she's probably still asleep, dreaming about cute puppies or something."

Alya couldn't help but chuckle at the mental image, and Jungdea joined in the laughter. It was a brief moment of lightness, but her mood turned serious shortly after.

*I have to do something,*

Alya thought, her determination resurfacing.

*I can't lose them again, not twice.*

As they continued their journey to the morning prayers, they passed through the enchanting garden of the castle. It was a breathtaking sight, with rare plants and colorful flowers in abundance. Little streams meandered along the pathways, and butterflies flitted from flower to flower, followed by the gentle hum of bees.

The melodious chirping of birds filled the air. Alya paused for a moment, taking in the serene beauty of the garden. Nature had always held a special place in her heart, providing solace and tranquility in the midst of her turbulent life. The fragrant blooms and the vibrant colors served as a temporary reprieve from the weight of her responsibilities and the secrets she now carried.

With a deep breath, Alya moved forward, her determination renewed. She couldn't afford to lose herself in the beauty of the garden for too long, not when there were plans to be made and a pact with a demon to navigate.

~

After her morning prayers, Alya made her way back to her chambers, having been left without Jungdea's company as he mentioned having other matters to attend to.

As she walked through the lavish halls, Alya unexpectedly encountered her younger sister, Elise. The child was now content, surrounded by her toys and fully engrossed in her play.

Alya couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the sight. She had always found Elise's behavior exasperating. While their parents fawned over the younger girl, Alya felt a deep resentment.

"Alya! Sis, come play with me."

Elise chimed, her voice dripping with sweet innocence as she looked up at her older sister.

Alya hesitated for a moment, her conflicted emotions evident in her expression. While she was well aware that her parents expected her to dote on Elise, the truth was that the sisters' relationship was far from loving. Elise's sweet demeanor was often a facade that masked a more calculating nature.

Still, not wanting to cause a scene or draw their parents' ire, Alya managed a strained smile.

"Of course, Elise."

she replied, attempting to sound cheerful as she reluctantly joined her sister's play. In her heart, however, the tension and rivalry between them remained palpable, hidden behind a thin veneer of sibling civility.

As Elise handed Alya one of the puppets they were playing with, their eyes met for a brief moment. Alya couldn't help but notice the startling difference in her half-sister's appearance-her normally blue eyes had transformed into big, round, crimson orbs.

Alya's eyes widened in astonishment, and she instinctively slid a few inches away from Elise. Her mind raced with confusion and concern.

*Why are her eyes red? Is she...*

Alya's thoughts trailed off as she considered the unthinkable possibility. Could it be that Elise had also made a pact with a demon, just like she had with Gwisin? The very idea seemed absurd and implausible, but the evidence before her eyes was undeniable.

Yet, even as Alya grappled with the notion, doubts began to creep in. It couldn't be true, could it? The consequences of such a pact were dire, and Alya couldn't fathom her own sister willingly entering into such an arrangement.

Despite her reservations, Alya couldn't shake the unease that had settled over her. Elise's crimson eyes sent a cold shiver down Alya's spine, and she couldn't help but feel a sudden, overwhelming rage emanating from Gwisin, the demon she had formed a pact with.

The demon's presence in her mind seemed to react strongly to the sight of Elise's red eyes, and it was clear that Gwisin knew something was amiss.