CH:17
Amelia also saw the fire growing in size. Through the bedroom window where Aaron had dragged her, it looked like something boiling up from deep underground—flames that seemed ready to burn everything down as they consumed themselves.
“……”
The scene outside the window was utter chaos. So many people were running around trying to extinguish the fire, but it refused to die down.
“High Priestess!”
There was only one underground prison in the temple. That meant the building engulfed in flames was the same one where Ivan was being held.
As soon as that realization hit her, her legs started to move. Amelia shook off the attendants who tried to hold her back and ran. They couldn’t forcibly stop the High Priestess, so all they could do was trail helplessly behind her.
“Bring more water!”
“Dump the whole bucket!”
When she finally reached the front of the temple, the fire swayed in the wind like a magnificent flower blooming before her eyes. Red as blood, feeding on itself, it grew bigger and more intense.
“We can’t control the fire!”
The priests and guards frantically poured water over the flames. Servants and holy knights who had been roused from their sleep also joined in, desperately trying to suppress the fire.
“High Priestess.”
Amelia stood powerless, staring at the burning building. Then someone called her name. Her gaze moved mechanically.
The moonlight was faint, but the blaze illuminated everything starkly. Under that light, the face of the intruder appeared—slanted in shadow, but clearly Aaron.
“……”
Aaron didn’t say a word. As always, he wore a faint smile.
Just like when Ivan had been dragged away.
“…Aaron.”
“This is not a place for someone like you. Please, return to your chambers.”
Aaron spoke gently, trying to persuade her—as if he respected her kind heart but couldn’t allow her to remain in such a dangerous situation. That gentle and courteous voice brought back memories from just a few hours ago.
Yes, just like that moment.
Amelia gritted her teeth. In her memory, Ivan had been dragged out of the prayer room by force. Amelia had tried to follow him, still in disarray, but Aaron had naturally blocked her path. In fact, he had only ever looked at Amelia.
“Are you all right?”
Aaron’s face, which had been expressionless just a moment ago, now showed concern. His voice was laced with pain. The speed of his emotional shift was terrifying.
“I was foolish. Please, forgive me.”
His gaze landed on Amelia’s exposed arm. As if to hide the scar she hadn’t bothered to conceal, he reached out and gently pulled up her loose sleeve.
“A mere apprentice priest dared approach you with wicked intent and tried to defile your noble body.”
What?
Amelia was speechless at the absurd accusation Aaron had placed on Ivan. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Aaron met her gaze directly and calmly pronounced his verdict.
“He will be executed according to the law.”
The punishment had already been decided.
“He did nothing wrong!”
Amelia screamed, her voice sharp and desperate. Aaron smiled and took a step closer. The proximity was suffocating, close enough to feel his breath. Instinctively, Amelia tried to step back.
“I know.”
Aaron whispered softly, gripping her arms tightly. The space was so silent that even the smallest voice between them could be clearly heard.
“But he’ll die anyway.”
He spoke sweetly, like a lover whispering a secret.
“Is he in there?”
Amelia finally escaped her memory and asked the question.
Aaron turned and looked over his shoulder, feigning difficulty. Flames licked the edges of his hair.
“High Priest! Please step back!”
“Thank you.”
Aaron replied politely, then took two steps closer to Amelia. She didn’t retreat but glared at him.
“Yes, he’s in there.”
Aaron devoured her hatred with delight.
“…Ah.”
Her legs gave out, and Amelia staggered. Aaron caught her like a startled man, helping her up from the ground. He used the excuse of necessary contact to press closer.
“How tragic.”
As their bodies were helplessly close, Aaron lowered his head to her ear and whispered as sweetly as if he were reciting a love poem.
“He’s probably already dead.”
With not a shred of remorse, he told her that Ivan had to die because Amelia loved him.
“Reduced to ashes.”
A clear tear ran down Amelia’s cheek. Aaron watched her dimmed eyes with a face full of feigned sympathy.
“It’s unfortunate he went so suddenly in an unexpected accident.”
He smiled again, revealing his plan to make Ivan die the most wretched death imaginable. But Amelia realized something—Aaron hadn’t killed Ivan intentionally.
Her mind went blank. Then who had killed Ivan, likely burnt alive in that building?
“Would you still want to follow me?”
She remembered Ivan’s voice, asking her if she would follow him even if it meant giving up all her glory.
“Yes.”
She had begged him to take her with him. Her vision, backlit by Aaron, wavered.
“The building’s collapsing!”
“Everyone, evacuate!”
The building, weakened by the flames, began to creak and fall apart with a thunderous noise, bright as day despite the hour.
“Then come with me. I’ll find a way to get you out.”
Thud.
It was the sound of everything falling apart. Even what had once been hope.
Everything was hazy. Amelia blinked slowly. She remembered the collapsing building and Aaron smiling in front of it, but the rest was like scattered puzzle pieces that wouldn’t fit.
“Are you awake?”
While Amelia lay there blankly, a familiar voice snapped her back to consciousness. She barely turned her head. It was Louis.
“You must’ve been so shocked, you fainted.”
His tone was scolding, but there was a trace of worry in it. The look he gave her was the same.
“Here, have some water.”
Louis helped her sit up against the cushions and held out a cup of water. Amelia accepted it, but didn’t drink.
“High Priestess.”
“……”
“Why did you do it?”
He asked why she had done such a thing, as if chiding her for being foolish.
“I thought maybe you were nervous or upset about the upcoming Night of Adulthood and needed time alone. That I could understand.”
Amelia, who normally would have replied, remained silent. Louis continued, unable to hold back his rebuke.
“But to be secretly meeting a man like that? Have you forgotten your duty and responsibility?”
Louis was also a member of the Skipper family. He had a duty to maintain their honor. He had likely been scolded for not keeping a closer eye on her, so it was only natural he disapproved of her behavior.
“You’ve got no one to blame but yourself. You killed him.”
But seeing her sit there silently, shoulders small and hunched, Louis held back further scolding and let out a sigh.
“…Has the fire been put out?”
At last, Amelia broke the silence. Her voice was hoarse from disuse.
“Yes. The building burned down completely, but the flames are out now.”
“Any survivors?”
Louis paused at her question. He could guess what she was hoping for. But there was no point in offering false hope.
“No. No one survived.”
He answered coldly.
“After all, once your affair was exposed, he would’ve been executed anyway. Dying in the fire was better.”
He added this as if it were some kind of comfort. Better to have perished in an accident than to die under torture.
“……”
Amelia said nothing. Only tears began to fall into the cup she held. Ripples formed on the surface, but she didn’t move.
Louis watched silently, then turned away.
He did feel pity for Amelia—for losing the only special person in her life. But that wasn’t his concern. Her life had been shaped for a purpose, and it wasn’t his to question it. With an impassive face, he opened the door to her chamber and stepped outside.
As the door was about to close, the only thing left behind was the sound of Amelia sobbing uncontrollably in despair.
