Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 116 - 102: Church day 2
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As Aurianna struggled to contain her laughter, the sheer audacity of her prayers sent waves of amusement through her. Oh, the look on Paige’s face if any of her outlandish wishes were to actually come true!
Once the church service concluded, Aurianna’s countenance transformed, radiating a sense of rejuvenation that captivated the attention of those around her. Admiring gazes fell upon her, drawn to the refreshed expression she wore like a badge of honor.
Amid the glances of admiration, a mischievous thought crossed her mind, accompanied by a sinister chuckle. "Thank the heavens. It’s good that gods and goddesses can’t read minds," she whispered to herself, her voice dripping with amusement.
Feeling the weight of service lift the worries from her shoulders, Aurianna savored the moment of tranquility. "Ah, I feel so refreshed," she confessed with a self-assured grin, her body instinctively stretching in response to the newfound vitality coursing through her veins. "There’s no denying the peace that settles in our hearts when we offer our prayers to the goddess," she said with a sarcastic tone.
’However, the only goddess I’ll respect is Azarath,’ Aurianna thought to herself, and her eyes narrowed with scrutiny as they fell upon the hooded priest stationed at the pulpit.
Her attention swiftly shifted as Head Priest Hotron took center stage, his vibrant enthusiasm filling the room. With an infectious smile, he addressed the congregation, announcing the moment of indulgence that lay ahead.
"Now, it’s time for the highly anticipated sharing of Flour Cake Chatte! A symbol that despite our social standings, we can all mingle together and enjoy this cake!" Priest Hotron’s voice resonated with excitement, causing Aurianna’s ears to perk up and her gaze to sharpen.
Priest Hotron gracefully made his way towards the pulpit, prompting the hooded priest to respectfully step aside, granting him the spotlight. Aurianna’s eyes followed their every movement, her anticipation growing with each passing moment.
Caught in a moment of delicious anticipation, Aurianna’s focus shifted to the entrance of the auditorium, her gaze fixated on the group of church workers entering with trays adorned with an abundance of pink cake. The aroma wafted through the air, causing her taste buds to tingle and a hint of drool to escape her lips.
She could hardly contain her excitement as the church workers positioned themselves strategically, ready to distribute the tempting confection to the eagerly awaiting congregation. The sight of the pink cake elicited a sparkle in Aurianna’s eyes, as her mind danced with visions of savoring each delectable bite.
( Church workers are called deacons. )
"The only reason I look forward to church day!" Aurianna exclaimed with a mischievous grin. As the sharing begun, a passing deacon kindly offered her a slice of cake, and she accepted it happily with a broad smile. However, Aurianna’s appetite was far from satisfied with just one measly slice. Her eyes locked onto the tray, and with lightning-fast reflexes, she made an attempt to snatch another piece. But alas, the vigilant deacon intercepted her, holding her hand and flashing a passive-aggressive smile.
"Princess, you’ve already had your fair share of cake, and I distinctly recall forbidding cake theft within the sacred walls of the goddess’s house. You can be as greedy and mean as you like, but gluttony is where I draw the line," the deacon chided, his words dripping with a hint of sassiness.
Aurianna’s glare intensified before she turned away with a huff of frustration.
"Can’t he just spare me one extra slice of cake?" Aurianna grumbled between bites of the delectable treat. Each mouthful seemed to lift her spirits, if only momentarily.
"Tch, mark my words, one day I shall conquer that entire cake tray for myself!" Aurianna muttered angrily, her eyes fixed on the now-risen congregation engaging in light-hearted conversations.
As King Girsal and his wives were approached by several nobles, Aurianna observed the commotion, while the rest of the Vanluad children also rose from their seats.
"Sometimes I wonder why father brings you to church, knowing that you’ll embarrass him?" Ralph sneered at Aurianna, striding over to her with a disdainful look on his face.
Aurianna’s eyes flashed with wicked delight as she retorted, "Seems like that bratty attitude of yours hasn’t changed. Maybe I should beat you up to remind you about your manners, just to remind you who’s in charge here and how you address me."
Aurianna’s words sent a chill down Ralph’s spine, a reminder of the past encounters he had with Aurianna, causing his heart to race and his face to drain of color. He clenched his trembling hands tightly, his gaze filled with both hurt and anger as he glared back at Aurianna. The mixture of terror and despair on his face only served to bring a twisted sense of satisfaction to Aurianna, fueling her delight even further.
"She’s right, big bro Ralph. No one wants to see you being beaten black and blue by her," Leora chimed in, her voice soft and her green eyes filled with nervousness as they briefly met Aurianna’s intense gaze before quickly turning away.
"Yeah, or getting dunked underwater over and over again," Yogi playfully added, giggling as if the whole situation were some kind of entertaining spectacle. Her dull blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she twirled a strand of her black hair with hints of red-brown highlights.
"It’s quite a sad and pathetic sight to watch," Nigie chimed in, her voice laced with disdain as she nodded in agreement.
"Absolutely, it’s like a one-sided bullying session," Yogi added, not realizing the effect her words had on Aurianna. But when Aurianna shot her a fierce glare, Yogi immediately fell silent, rushing over to Leora’s side with teary eyes.
"Hey, isn’t Aurianna the real bully in this situation?" a soft voice chimed in, catching Aurianna’s attention. She looked up to see a stunning young woman with long black hair and mesmerizing green eyes. It was as if a female version of King Girsal stood before her.
"Well, yeah, she is, but who’s gonna speak up? Nobody wants to end up on her bad side. Trust me, living in the palace would become a never-ending nightmare," Leora admitted to Venassa, her voice filled with fear and hesitation whenever she mentioned Aurianna.
"You do realize I can hear every word you brats are saying, right?" Aurianna shouted, frustration evident in her voice as she watched Leora and Yogi instinctively hide behind Venassa.
"Oh my gosh, she’s so scary!" Yogi shrieked.
"Aurianna you have to learn to be respectful. And you bullying our big brother Ralph is honestly unacceptable," Venassa scolded as she approached Aurianna and stood before her.
Aurianna frowned her lips in a scowl, "Unacceptable, respect? Well, sorry, big sis Venassa, but I do what I want. So, you better stay out of my business or else I’ll make you regret talking to me like this ever again," Aurianna retorted, her glare sending shivers down Venassa’s spine.
Before Vanessa had a chance to reply, an unexpected interruption suddenly halted their conversation. A vibrant young male voice chimed in, capturing everyone’s attention, "Greetings, Your Highnesses. It’s a pleasure to meet you all," exclaimed a teenage lad, taking a step forward and gracefully bowing in a show of utmost respect.
The sudden entrance of the boy infused the scene with a vibrant energy, instantly altering the formal ambiance into a more laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. With an amiable grin adorning his face, he cheerfully remarked, "I hope I’m not interrupting anything important. I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet you all!"
However, Aurianna remained unfazed by the lively presence. She furrowed her brow and scrutinized him from head to toe, taking note of the group of teenagers and children that stood behind him, all dressed in luxurious attires.
Undisturbed by Aurianna’s initial reaction, a weary voice emerged from the crowd. It was Hawke, a striking young lad who appeared to be around the same age as Aurianna, with an equal height and dashing looks. He has dull green eyes and dark reddish brown hair. He stepped forward and extended his greetings, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, young master Yorza."
"It’s not every day that us noble kids get the chance to mingle with the Royal Family, so we thought we’d seize the moment and have a little chat while we’re here. I mean, let’s face it, we all know these petty meetings can drag on forever before our parents wrap things up, and we finally head back home," said a familiar voice, causing Aurianna’s eyes to widen at the sight of a face she recognized. Standing before her was a teenage girl with long braided pink hair and captivating brown eyes. Her beautiful brown skin added to her charm.
"Russel," Aurianna muttered to herself, her expression turning into a glare directed at Russel and the other nobles accompanying her.
