"This is the building where all the talents in the Holy Land learn magic and knightly arts. School of Dawn is the na, for this is where our minds overco the darkness and learn to appreciate and bask in the warmth of the lord." Sylvester showed Isabella around.
However, he was not allowed to take her inside the various buildings, but the buildings themselves were so well built that they were a piece of art.
Princess Isabella had grown calr as she held Sylvester's waist and looked at the structures around in awe. "This is so pretty. Although the Green City's royal castle is itself a complex of castles with much space and places in between, the Holy Land defeats it. So much delicate work on each building."
Sylvester agreed to this and pointed above. "Oh, you see that window on that floor? I was thrown down from there on my first year by a corrupt ntor."
"Wait, what? You were thrown?"
"Hah, indeed. He was angry after I confronted him because he was unfairly trying to fail while taking the side of King Riveria's son. In the end, the ntor was revealed to be a spy working under King Riveria's family. He was given death punishnt for sulling the land of god."
She looked interestedly at the eighth floor of the building. "How did you survive the fall?"
"Wind magic is one of my strong elents. But I still fell hard and knocked myself out for a while. Anyway, those were the good old days, I must say. Life is much more complex and full of hardships now." Sylvester trotted the horse forward.
Isabella looked at Sylvester's face for a second. "I'd say the sa. I was so happy and free when young. As I grew up, I realised how sheltered I was. By the way, didn't King Riveria's son run away from the Holy Land? It was the talk among all nobles back then."
'It happened just a year ago, though.'
"He did run away. But wherever he is, I hope he rests in peace and warmth, under the light of Solis."
She humd and made a happy face. "I was to be wedded to him to ease the relations between Gracia and Riveria after mother waged war on them and was forced to stop. My elder brother felt combining the two families would have been the best."
"From your expression, I presu you didn't want that?" Sylvester questioned.
There was silence and a small sigh from the Princess before she replied. "I heard words about him… that he's an, bratty and cruel. I never t him, but since everyone said the sa, I reckon they were right. Was he like that, Sylvester?"
Sylvester didn't exaggerate much. "I don't know. I only knew him briefly. He did indeed use his family na to pass exams. He did bribe other God's Favoured candidates so they'd leave the class. He mortally wounded other kids so they'd be disqualified from the class. But, I'd say, he was pursuing his goals only—as an as he was—he knew what he wanted."
She humd. "I'm glad he ran away. Now I get to stay single for a little longer."
Sylvester chuckled as he arrived in front of the Pope's Palace. "You probably know what this place is. But with you, I can not even start to climb its stairs."
She gawked at the giant palace made of white marble and an abundance of gold platings here and there. Under the sunlight, the palace appeared to shine like a torch. "It is so beautiful. How is it from the inside?"
"Even more beautiful. Just imagine all the Popes have lived here and contributed to its beauty." Sylvester road the horse around the castle so she could see it from the sides.
Bam!
"There you are!"
Suddenly, a small pebble hit Sylvester on the back of his head. He quickly turned the horse around and saw Felix and Gabriel on their horses.
"..."
"..."
But, only their jaws fell as they noticed Princess Isabella sitting in front of him, so close. Of course, envy was any man's normal reaction at that point, especially the horndog.
Felix ca beside Sylvester and glared at him with narrowed eyes. "Hmm… what are you two doing here?"
"I am showing Isabella the Holy Land. She has never been out of her royal castle."
"Isabella?! Calling her highness by her first na?" Felix exclaid as if the heavens were falling. "How can you be so disrespec–"
"I let him!" Isabella clarified. "You can call Isabella as well, as long as I can call you by your first na."
'Good girl, making friends already and coming out of the cocoon.' Sylvester appreciated her confidence.
Felix quickly agreed. "Of course, Isabella. You can call Felix as much as you want. And that praying guy behind is Gabriel."
"Why is he praying?" She asked.
"He probably felt aroused by your beauty, but he's too religious and is praying to ask for the Lord's forgiveness." Felix was straightforward as always, which was why Sylvester knew the man would stay a virgin for a long ti.
Isabella blushed and looked at Felix and Sylvester amusedly. "Then why are you not praying as well, Felix? And what about you, Sylvester?"
Felix answered for both. "Oh, Max? Don't expect anything from him. Even a naked beauty from the heavens won't make him feel anything—he's basically a stone—he's dead inside."
Isabella nodded vigorously, agreeing with him as Sylvester's reaction was unlike any other male she had t.
It's not hard for a woman to know when the other person is looking at her differently, so she could tell. "What about you then?"
Felix proudly pressed his palm on his chest. "Oh ? Well, one reason is that I do not shy away from appreciating beauty when I see it. You see, before I was a clergyman, I was the second son of Count Sandall."
She knew that much. "What's the second reason?"
"Hmph!" Felix puffed out. "I'm shaless!"
"Pfft!" Isabella laughed uncontrollably, so hard that she caught Sylvester tight to balance herself from falling from the horse, making Felix more jealous. "Hahaha…"
Sylvester blankly looked at his friend. 'I changed my mind. He might just get laid by making won laugh. It will definitely work with his pretty face and strong body. But… can he seduce this naive princess?'
"Thank you for making laugh, Felix. I feel much refreshed now." Isabella finally started to calm down.
Felix proudly nodded. "It's my pleasure. Why don't you join on my horse? I can make you laugh much more—unlike certain stoneheart."
'I changed my mind again. He's a dumbass and will die a virgin.' Sylvester shook his head in disappointnt.
The hand holding Sylvester's robes near his waste tightened as Isabella shook her head. "I'm quite comfortable, Felix. Frost is a larger horse, after all. Sylvester, shall we continue the tour?"
"Of course." Sylvester moved the horse.
He could feel that Isabella got anxious as soon as Felix asked her to hop to him. However, that also made him happy because that ant she was relaxed and trusting enough towards him that she felt comfortable even when being so close.
'Things are going very well.'
As he left, Felix was left embarrassed and confused.
Pat!
Gabriel ca beside Felix and patted his shoulder. "My brother, I shall pray to the lord that he grants you another brain—for the one you had is likely in the drain."
"What? What did I do wrong?"
"May the lord enlighten your brain." Gabriel prayed and moved behind Sylvester.
After that, Sylvester took Isabella to various other buildings and monunts. He showed her the Golden Peninsula from the distance since none was allowed to be near it. Then he took her to the Guild Peninsula, where the real fun was as the place was full of various family-friendly taverns, shops, and guilds.
As Sylvester left the horse in the stables and walked with Isabella, all eyes would fall upon them. But, he'd try and make it appear that he and his friends were just her bodyguards instead of friends.
There, he loaned her a few hundred gold graces so she could buy whatever she liked. From so clothes, and souvenirs to food. She tried everything and enjoyed it the whole ti, as apparent by the big smile on her face.
Sylvester let her be and didn't disturb her as this was her first ti seeing a market or getting to buy sothing.
But, past noon, Sylvester had other things to do, so he got her back on the horse and proceeded back to the Pope's Peninsula, and back ho. Thankfully, this ti, he called Anya Moller, the young Bright Mother in training to give company to Isabella in his ho.
"There is so food in the cabinets that mum left behind. Take whatever you like, and enjoy your ti. Mum will likely return before ." He instructed the two girls.
"Where are you going?" Isabella asked, her face growing anxious once again being with a stranger.
'Hmm, I left such a good impression? Excellent!'
"To ditate in a classified location. See you later." Sylvester shut the door and left the building again.
He arrived at the port and caught a boat to head to Soul Peninsula to ditate beside the Soul Tree and et Grandpa Monk to see if he was alive or kicked the bucket.
He had received special permission beforehand from the Pope, so he was allowed into the heavily guarded island. After giving his prints as records, he was let go to roam around under the dense cover of the giant tree.
But before going to Grandpa Monk, he decided to finish ditating and see if there was any update on the visions.
After jumping a few branches, he chose a location and sat down. "Chonky, go around and see if you can find any inscribing by the first Pope."
"Aye, aye, Maxy!" Miraj saluted and ran away.
After that, alone, Sylvester sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes. He slowly let his mind go empty and let the air flow through him and the Solarium from the tree enter his body.
By the ti an hour passed, his brows started to crease together. But he didn't stop ditating and stayed in the sa position.
Another hour passed, and his face started sweating from forcing himself to focus so much.
"Gah! Nothing!" A few minutes later, his eyes opened abruptly, and he breathed heavily. "No more visions? Did she die? Did she not escape?"
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