Chapter 209: The Calm before the Storm
The Royal Palace.
The woman’s eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes. She stared at the chandelier that was hanging from the ceiling for a moment before pulling her blanket away and getting out of her bed. The first rays of sunshine shone through the window, illuminating her radiant, silky skin, and her slim, alluring figure. The woman was wearing nothing save for a star-shaped sapphire necklace.
She went to the windowsill and took a deep breath, looking up at the sky. She had no makeup on, but that did not make her less beautiful. A smile curled her lips and turned her eyes into slits, and joy coursed through her veins. Ever since she devoted herself to the goddess, the woman had thrown away many of her desires. Her days were filled with simple happiness.
A moment later, her servants came in and dressed her in an elegant white-gold dress. They sat her down before her dressing table and tied her hair into a pair of braids, letting them tumble down her shoulders. The woman took a moment to admire her looks, and she fell into a trance.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you in the dining hall.”
***
Adda went to the dining hall. A table long enough to accommodate an army stood there. A dozen silver platters lined the table, each filled with a delectable dish. Honey-glazed suckling pig, cod with blueberry, roasted steak, steamed mandarin fish, fresh fruits, vegetables, and more.
A middle-aged man sat around the table. He was none other than the king of Temeria—Foltest. The man was in his prime. He had light brown hair and sharp features. His eyes were gleaming brilliantly, and he was cleanly shaved. He was wearing a white shirt that was bursting at the seams from his muscles. His back was straight, and he seemed full of energy.
He dabbed the juice off his lips with a white napkin and tapped the chair on his left. The princess took the seat.
“I waited two months just to have breakfast with you. You’re really busy, aren’t you?” Foltest shrugged. He complained, “I’m just a poor lonely father who wants to talk with his daughter. Will you give me that chance?”
“His Majesty, king of Temeria, there are a mountain of things to do. The church is still new, but it’ll be better after some time. I’ll give all my time to you, then.” The princess held her father’s hand. She smiled at him and pecked his cheek.
The king’ smile faded a little. “So, did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes. I’ve been sleeping well for the last two months.” Adda sounded delighted. “The nightmares and insomnia are all gone now.”
“Praise the gods. This is great news!” Foltest smiled and gave her a piece of steak he cut. It was medium rare, and some blood was oozing out of the meat. “You have to try this. Freshly delivered from Maribor this morning. I asked the chef to make this for you.”
“Your majesty.” Adda chewed the steak, but her mouth seemed like it was not moving at all. She did not make even one rude move when she ate. “You should praise the Lady of the Lake. I was only healed thanks to her blessing. She delivered me from the evils of insomnia and bad temper.” Adda puckered her lips and pushed the remaining steak away in disgust. She turned her attention to the fruits, vegetables, and the plump mandarin fish.
“Is the steak not to your tastes? Did the chef slack off again today?” Foltest popped a piece of the steak into his mouth. It was plump, juicy, and the texture molded perfectly with the blood. He could feel his taste buds tingle from how great the steak was.
“The steak is great, and the chef is remarkable as usual.” Adda was feasting on the greens and fish. She said through bites, “But I just can’t stand the bloody taste. I’d like to change my menu.”
She dislikes the bloody taste? For a moment there, Foltest was shocked, and he was almost never shocked. “Adda, you told me you loved the taste of raw meat.” That was putting it mildly. Adda might have been freed from the striga’s curse a long time ago, but one bad habit remained. She craved blood. Adda loved bloody meat, and she would even drink fresh beast blood sometimes. Medium rare steak was one of her favorite dishes.
“That was the old me. I’ve changed my mind. Bloody meat is inelegant and cruel.” Adda put her cutlery down and stared into her father’s eyes. “I have put that habit behind me thanks to the lady’s teachings. Vegetables, apples, baked bread, and fish caught from Lake Vizima will be what I will have from now on. It’s one way to be a better woman.”
“My daughter…” A frown furrowed Foltest’s large forehead. He should be happy his daughter had put that craving behind her, but he was feeling more uneasy instead. “Is the Lady of the Lake as powerful and virtuous as the rumors say? It has only been two months, but you’ve changed. It’s like you’re a different person.”
Foltest looked at his daughter again, but closely this time. He realized that he had missed a lot of details about her. Adda the White, the princess of Temeria and the daughter of Foltest, used to be an arrogant, independent woman who preferred light armor over dresses. She brought her dagger wherever she went, and she looked more like an assassin than a princess. However, that day, Foltest noticed that his daughter was acting like a proper lady born to royalty.
“Do you think that’s bad?” Adda asked.
“Of course not. At least you’re more likable than how you used to be.” It was a great change, of course. At least she could find a better husband this way. However, the change happened too fast. It was as if she were brainwashed, and that worried Foltest. “The Lady of the Lake doesn’t sound like a goddess to me. She’s more like a demon who brainwashes her believers.” I will not allow the princess to be controlled by a so-called god.
“Father.” Adda persuaded softly, “I know you will never believe me no matter how much I try to prove the goddess’ power. Why don’t I arrange a meeting? You can witness her power for yourself. I’m the high priestess, and I can request an audience with the goddess.”
Foltest shook his head. Approaching a legendary creature without a strategy was foolish, and it was not what he wanted either. “I have an appointment with Old Baron La Valette. Lammas has come to an end, and it’s the perfect season for bear hunting. I shall travel to the baron’s estate and hunt with him. Let’s talk about this later.” Foltest held his daughter’s left hand and gave her an expectant look. “Come with me, Daughter.”
“I’ll do it next time. Thanks for the food. Enjoy your breakfast, Father.” Adda wiped her mouth off and stood up. She looked outside the west window and smiled. “It’s almost time for the morning congregation. I have to be at the temple area now. The believers need me.”
Foltest stared down in slight disappointment. “I’ll ask Rudolf to escort you.” He gazed at Adda. “Before you leave, my daughter, allow me to give you some advice. You’re Temeria’s princess first and a priestess second. Do not spend too much time on religion.”
***
After Adda was gone, an evil-looking, male sorcerer with a nose ring and stud appeared out of thin air. The sorcerer bowed to the king. “Your Majesty, everything is going as planned. Give us your word, and we will launch the attack.”
“Azar Javed, are you sure that her blood can grant me eternal youth and boundless vitality?”
“I guarantee it, Your Majesty. The Lady of the Lake is not that different from dragons. The blood of all legendary creatures are magical elixirs. All it takes is some tinkering around, and we can create potions with different but equally potent effects. Coincidentally, I know how to create those potions. All I need is her blood, and I can make a potion that will grant you a longer life and better health.”
Foltest nodded. “What about the other matter, then?”
“The medicine is entering its last phase. Three days later and it’s done.” The sorcerer bowed lower and huddled closer to the king. “It’ll make sure the madam and her child are safe. She will deliver the prince safely.”
“The prince… My heir!” Foltest stopped frowning, and a look of delight crept onto his face. “What are you waiting for then? Take the medicine to me the moment it’s ready. I wish to surprise her.” My beautiful Louisa, I can’t wait to show you this.
“Yes, Your Majesty. There is only one god in Vizima, and that is you.” Azar hung his head lower, and a subtle smile curled his lips.
“I don’t care about any gods. Just make sure Adda is safe.” Foltest paced around the table. There was reluctance on his face, but only for a moment. “Do not break her heart if possible.”
***
A big crowd had already gathered around the plaza when the witchers came, Hundreds of believers congregated under the statue of Vivienne. Some were kneeling, some were staring, while some were muttering praises under their breath.
The witchers stood out among the crowd with their swords strapped behind their backs. Some of the order’s knights came to stop them before they could even get near the statue. Fortunately, they used to work with the witchers back at the battle on Black Tern Island, and a strong friendship was forged then. They did not point their blades at the witchers. Instead, they welcomed them with a smile.
They knew Adda was their friend, so they let the witchers approach the statue. Two ladies in white robes stood beneath the statue. They left the center empty. The spot was reserved for Adda the high priestess. There, she would face the goddess’ believers, and there she would bask in the goddess’ blessing. However, she was not here yet.
Roy came to the back of the statue. The tail blocked him from everyone’s sights, and he cast Observe on it. The young witcher noticed that it was filled with golden light. The faith of the believers crashed like the ocean’s waves.
‘Statue of the Lady of the Lake
Holy Manifestation. Vessel of Faith
???’
“What is faith anyway? Why do gods desire it so much?” Roy took out the bloodstone and put it closer to the statue as Vivienne asked. The moment he did, he saw a stream of golden light swimming into the stone. He felt the stone getting heavier in his hand, and it started struggling, as if the stone were alive. This lasted for two minutes before it came to a stop. At the same time, the bloodstone started to gleam golden. The statue, however, was bereft of faith, as if it were sucked dry. It was just a regular statue at the moment.
***
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