Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 115 - 101: Church Day
_______
"Today marks the occasion when the Royal family pays their respects to Paige, Your Highness. I must say, you look absolutely stunning in that elegant pink dress," Yui complimented, her voice filled with genuine admiration. Seated within the plush, green carriage, she eagerly glanced around, taking in the luxurious surroundings before the carriage embarked on its journey.
’This dress!’ Aurianna’s thoughts brooded with an unenthusiastic sigh, her face darkening as she stared at her dress, her frown deepening upon hearing Yui’s compliment. ’I really hate this pink color. Any color would have been better,’ she grumbled inwardly, her expression reflecting her disgust as she clenched the fabric of the dress tightly. Prominently displayed in the center was a pink cross embellished with two hearts, a symbol that only served to deepen her inner turmoil.
’It just reminds me of her,’ Aurianna thought, a crease forming on her brow, as the image of Paige’s unsettling, taunting smile haunted her mind.
Aurianna’s face twisted with rage, her teeth gritted and her fingers tightly clenched. ’I swear, I’ll make sure you pay dearly for what you did to me, with your life!’ she proclaimed fiercely.
Yui’s thoughts raced anxiously as she observed Aurianna’s intense aura. ’I wonder why the princess has such a murderous aura. Why is she always like this on church days?’ Yui pondered nervously, her gaze fixed on Aurianna’s cold eyes, which sent shivers down her spine.
As Aurianna’s carriage set off, it traversed the winding path for some time until it finally reached the meeting point with the carriages carrying the rest of the royal family. Each carriage was adorned in the vibrant hue of emerald, mirroring Aurianna’s own regal transport. However, the leading emerald carriage surpassed them all in its opulence and extravagance, exuding an air of grandeur that left onlookers in awe.
The emerald carriage leading the royal procession stood as a magnificent spectacle. Its gilded accents sparkled under the gentle sunlight, while intricate carvings adorned its exterior. The horses pulling the carriage were majestic creatures, their muscular frames exuding power and grace as they trotted forward with synchronized elegance.
With the carriages proceeding, a group of knights, decked out in dazzling armor made of gold and platinum, skillfully rode their majestic horses alongside them. The sun’s rays danced upon the polished surfaces of their armor, creating a mesmerizing display of the knights escorting the Royal Family.
The High Land streets were lined with spectators who eagerly awaited the arrival of the royal entourage. Aurianna’s observant gaze swept across the crowd, taking note of the subtle shift in their demeanor as her father, King Girsal, passed by in his grand carriage. The vibrant energy that once filled the air was replaced by a solemn hush, and faces turned towards the king with a mixture of respect and reverence.
Aurianna, always attentive, made eye contact with some of the onlookers along the way. Some gazed upon her with a sense of awe, captivated by her beauty and regal presence. They were spellbound by her beauty and elegance, struggling to comprehend the reality of a princess glancing at their humble surroundings. However, admist them were those who hailed from the High Land, the native residents reacted differently. Their expressions contorted with a mix of fear and trepidation upon catching sight of Aurianna. Sensing their unease, she couldn’t help but wear a cold, satisfied grin, savoring the fear her very presence evoked.
As the carriage continued its journey, Aurianna’s eyes caught sight of a massive pink structure emerging before her. Through the window, she gazed upon it with a chilling smile playing on her lips. The sight of the building seemed to ignite a mix of emotions within her, a potent blend of disdain and coldness.
Approaching the entrance of the church, Aurianna couldn’t help but be captivated by the grandeur that awaited her. Guarding the entrance stood imposing marble statues, meticulously carved to depict graceful images of Paige, forever immortalized in stone. Each statue seemed to exude a sense of serenity and purity as their arms were opened wide as though they were being welcomed.
The exterior of the church was a sight to behold in its own right. Its pink-hued walls stood proudly against the backdrop of the blue sky, creating a striking contrast that drew the eyes of all who beheld it. Delicate carvings of blooming roses and intricate vines adorned the walls, intertwining the concepts of beauty and nature.
High above, the majestic bell towers pierced the sky, their presence commanding attention. Within their graceful spires, melodious bells resided, ready to ring out in a symphony of chimes. Their reverberating sounds echoed through the air, reaching the hearts of the faithful and serving as a call to prayer, a reminder of the sacred space that awaited within.
The carriages carrying the esteemed members of the Royal Family came to a halt outside the imposing gates of the church. Parked alongside were the carriages of other noble families, patiently waiting for their turn to disembark.
As the Vanluad family gracefully stepped out of their carriages, they were met by a procession of knights, who accompanied them into the sacred space. With every measured step, as they moved closer to the entrance.
At the threshold of the church’s grand entrance, the Vanluad family was warmly received by six workers of the church, three men and three women. Donned in flowing robes adorned with a pink cross, complete with hearts at the edges, they stood before the royal family, their faces beaming with genuine smiles. As if rehearsed, they spoke in unison, their voices harmonizing, "Welcome to the church, Your Highnesses. Allow us to escort you to your seats."
As Aurianna stepped into the church, her eyes were immediately drawn to the enchanting play of light filtering through towering stained glass windows. The vibrant colors of pink, gold, and lilac painted a kaleidoscope on the marble floors, infusing the space with a surreal and serene atmosphere. It was as if the sunlight itself danced and twirled upon the polished surfaces, creating an ethereal glow that embraced the sanctuary.
Looking up, Aurianna marveled at the vaulted ceilings adorned with skillfully painted frescoes. The images depicted Paige in joyous moments, surrounded by her celestial companions. The scenes exuded a sense of peace and happiness, casting a soothing aura upon all who gathered beneath. Elegant chandeliers, crafted with shimmering crystals and delicate pink glass, suspended gracefully from above, illuminating the building with a soft and enchanting radiance.
As Aurianna advanced further into the church, her gaze settled upon the centerpiece, a breathtaking altar dedicated to the Goddess of Beauty. Meticulously carved from the purest white marble, the altar stood as a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The goddess herself emerged in all her ethereal glory, her divine beauty captured in the delicate detailed clothing and statue shape. Glistening pink gemstone roses cascaded around her, symbolizing the heartfelt tributes offered by her devoted followers. Ornate pillars adorned with intricate floral motifs framed the altar, lending an air of elegance and grace. Flanking the sides, cascading fountains released gentle streams of water, filled with fragrant rose petals, their soothing murmur adding to the overall ambiance of tranquility.
The pews, carved from exquisite mahogany and cushioned with plush pink velvet, offered a luxurious seating arrangement for the present congregation. Delicate silk cushions, in shades of soft pink, adorned each pew, beckoning worshipers to find comfort and solace within their embrace.
’So this was the renovations Head Priest Hotron told me about,’ Aurianna thought with a smile as she admired the place. The meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the church’s design. ’Tch they really do love their damn goddess.’ she mused, a hint of playful sarcasm tugging at her thoughts.
As the Vanluad family made their way down the aisle, guided by the church workers, the eyes of the massive congregation, consisting of over a thousand people, turned toward them. It was a collective recognition of their esteemed presence, an acknowledgment that royalty had entered the sacred space.
With graceful movements, the church workers led the Vanluad family to their designated seats at the very front row of the congregation. Positioned strategically, their seats offered a prime view for both deep contemplation and active engagement in the upcoming sacred ceremony. The workers, their commitment to duty evident in their final bow, respectfully stepped back, allowing the family to fully immerse themselves in the spiritual embrace of the church.
As the Vanluad family settled into their seats, the air became thick with anticipation. A hushed silence descended upon the congregation, broken only by the occasional soft whisper of prayer. Aurianna’s eyes roamed across the faces of the assembled worshipers, noting the diversity of ages and backgrounds, ’Churches sometimes remind me that faith had the power to unite people from all walks of life, gathering them under the shared respect for something greater than themselves.’ Aurianna thought with a grin.
A sense of familiarity washed over Aurianna as her gaze fell upon a blue-haired boy amidst the congregation. Her smile took on an eerie quality, a mixture of emotions bubbling beneath the surface.
The church fell into an immediate hush as a tall, robust man made his way towards the altar, positioning himself before the pulpit, facing the gathered worshipers. He, too, donned the same pink robes as the other church members, his face hidden beneath a large hood.
"Everyone let us kneel and offer our prayers to our beloved goddess Paige!" His voice resonated through the church, reverberating off the walls, commanding the attention of the entire congregation. Without hesitation, the sound of shuffling feet and clasping hands filled the air as everyone obediently knelt down, their heads bowed in reverence.
Aurianna bit her lip, her hands clasped tightly together. Each time she entered this church to engage in her regular prayer sessions to Paige, her past life memories surged forth, overwhelming her emotions. It wasn’t fear that gripped her heart, but an intense mixture of hatred and anger. The mere thought of Paige ignited a burning desire within her, an urge to reach out and choke Paige’s neck with her bare hands.
Everytime she would come to church she would throw curses at Paige and chuckle. Thus another day of her cycle begun.
In hushed tones, she leaned in, her lips curling into an evil smile whispering under her breath. "Oh, Paige, may all your luscious hair magically disappear. May your hair fall like autumn leaves, leaving you with a shiny, barren scalp! And let’s not forget those wrinkles, my dear. May they multiply like rabbits and cover your face like a roadmap!"
With slight laughter, she continued with her irreverent requests. "Oh, and may you go completely bald! Imagine the look on your face when you discover your luscious locks floating away like tumbleweeds in the wind!" Her voice dropped lower as she continued her audacious requests, "I bet you’ll rock the shiny bald look with unmatched grace!"
"Oh, and I pray for the most dramatic exit for you, Paige! May you vanish into thin air and leave us all in awe of your disappearing act! Poof! Gone!" A wicked chuckle escaped her lips.
Unapologetically, Aurianna pushed the boundaries further, her words dripping with sly amusement, "I pray you have the most embarrassing moments ever! May your social life dwindle, leaving you as a lonely, miserable soul. With a personality like yours as enchanting a poop, it’s no wonder suitors run for the hills when you approach! Basically a lonely bitch. By the way, I bet even at my age, I could charm more hearts than you ever could!"
