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"Hahaha, so you see, it's a long story. Elysia will tell you all about it. Right, Elysia?"

"Huh? Don't point it toward me. I had nothing to do with it. W-Well, not nothing but it's the same principle. A-Anyway, what were we talking about? A-Ah yes, that invite. Sara, weren't you telling us about that social invite?"

Elysia felt flustered at the sudden shift of focus on her. Her brother's piercing eyes were looking at her with judgment.

The more intense Lucas looked, the more Elysia felt like hiding. Why was this situation so awkward all of a sudden? And why were all eyes on Elysia?

"Anyway, the person who attacked me is dead so it is done and over with. I don't want to think anymore about it."

Everyone sighed in union at her nature. But Elysia was unwilling to back down.

"Why does this sudden nature of yours come out at these weird times? Anyway, we can hurry this talk for now and revisit it later if you want to."

Elysia had no problem agreeing with that condition. Knowing her brother, he would forget all about it soon enough. This issue will never be picked up again.

'And that is for the better. I don't want any extra fanfare about my condition.'

Elysia was happy to forget all about this issue. She never wanted to think about what could have happened back then.

'It's over and done with. I do not need to think over what happened back there.'

Elysia knew that she had braved a dangerous situation that could have impacted more than herself at that time, but she was just glad she made it out alright.

"You all are such party-poopers but if you insist then I will come to what we just discussed. As you all know, the winter is approaching and the time for the Light ceremony is drawing closer. It marks the official starting of the winter season and the temple has sent me to invite Lord and Lady Dirac as the official sponsors of this event."

Anyone who would have heard this news would have scoffed at the intent behind it.

It might sound like an honor to most but the real meaning behind this invite was anything as such. In reality, this was all but an insult to the Dirac name.

The temple was asking them to show their face in public and announce that the annulment of this engagement had not impacted their ties to the empire.

It was a clever trick and it would impact the Dirac house negatively if they did not show up.

After all, it was quite a public event.

"Frankly speaking, no one would be surprised if you guys don't show up. The temple did snob you out of a golden opportunity by breaking your engagement out of the blue and in such a public manner-"

"We should go. Lucas, we need to go and sort this mess out. As much as I would rather not show my face out again, we cannot let any negative stigma get attached to the Dirac name."

Elysia would rather sit back and relax. But some too many people depended on the Dirac name and influence to get by.

The main Dirac business of their districts was reliant on their name and good reputation. Dirac's name was more than a family name, it was an entire region's identity.

And the one who understood this better than anyone else was Lucas.

"You are right. As much as I want to massacre the Head Priest for what he did you too, I don't want this to affect you or our people in the long run. Then, tell the Head Priest that we will be there tomorrow. He should have our rooms present."

Elysia felt relieved to see Lucas agree with her. For a second there, she had been so sure that he would refuse her.

But he did not do that thankfully and Elysia was able to take everything in stride.

"Well then, I got your message. I will go out and inform the Head Priest of your decision. And I will also wait for you to come to visit us in the temple. I am sure Eve would be happy to see you again too."

Now that was something Elysia was not sure about. Eve had not tried to contact Elysia these past few days so she had no idea how Eve felt about all this.

Knowing Eve, she must feel guilty for what happened to Elysia. But that was not something she needed to worry about.

"Just go half-ling. You will see us soon enough."

Sorias shooed the taller girl who finally went out of the estate. Elysia was sad to see Sara go but she also knew that the elder girl had work to do.

The robes Sara was wearing belonged to the temple's messenger so she likely had a lot of work to do.

"Now then, I see that we have a guest in our midst. What brings you here, Lady Emma White? I hope it is not something that would displease me."

Emma looked startled for a single second before she schooled her features and turned to face Lucas.

"Of course not. Lady Dirac was worried about leaving me alone so she offered me accommodations for tonight. I hope housing me for tonight will not be a burden for you."

Lucas's glance was empty of anything Elysia could use to know his mood. He was like a blank sheet of paper that was impossible to read.

"You! Get a guest room ready for Lady White as soon as possible and attend to her tonight. I will write a letter to your father about you being here so do not worry."

Lady White did not look worried, but rather satisfied. And then the day was finally coming to end.

______________________________

Lady White retreated to her home once the morning came and Elysia sat in her room, her maid helping her get ready.

The time for the temple visit was finally here. It would be Elysia's first visit to the place she had grown up in after she had come to the Dirac Estate.

So much had happened in such a short amount of time that Elysia had forgotten to even visit the temple this far.

"Elysia, are you ready? You don't have to come with me if you feel uncomfortable."

Lucas, being the good brother he was, gave Elysia an out she refused to take. She could not let herself be beaten away by such easy challenges.

The real challenge had yet to come and that was the whispers Elysia was sure to hear.

"No, I am alright. I told you that I wanted to do this together with you so I will do it. Besides, it's just a visit to the place I grew up in. I am sure everything would be alright in the end."

Elysia said that but her hand shook at the thought of going back to that cold, dark room she had once inhabited.

Even if she was a noble now, Elysia still had a room in the temple and a promise of being accepted if she ever came back.

That was her last tie to the temple bearing Eve's presence there.

"Fine, if you want to go, then I won't stop you. But don't push yourself unnecessarily. It would be better for you to take things at your own pace."

Lucas extended his hand out to Elysia. It was such a friendly gesture that it instantly made Elysia let her guard down.

Lucas knew how to help her relax and it was a wonder how it had happened in a month.

The temple looked the same as ever and it was such a relief to see. Elysia felt like a kid returning home after a long walk outside.

She could make out the sisters waiting for them at the temple door, waiting to lead the nobility in. This used to have been Elysia's job once upon a time.

But now the sisters standing at the door were unfamiliar and new. Elysia was not sure if they even heard about her but they must have because the first thing they did when they looked at Elysia was to glare at her.

"Elysia, you are here. I knew Sara said that you would come but I didn't expect you to show up. And-"

*Cough*

"It is nice to meet Lord Dirac as well. Welcome to the central temple of the empire."

Head Priest Yohan had come outside to accompany the Dirac heir as well. The man had an intimidating face but no one seemed to find him scary except Elysia.

She bowed her head as soon as the elder looked in her direction before fixing his gaze on her brother.

"Lord Dirac, Lady Elysia, it is nice to have you both present here to discuss things for tomorrow's ceremony. Please follow me inside so that I can talk things out with you. A guest is waiting for us inside as well."

Lucas nodded for the elder to show them the way. They easily fell in step behind the Head Priest but Elysia could see Eve turning around to look at her a few times.

Her long-time friend had something to say to her but Elysia could not figure out what it was for the life of her.

Eve gradually allowed herself to fall behind so that she could walk adjacent to Elysia's side but Elysia did not realize it until she felt Eve take her hand.

"Elysia, please stay behind once we are done discussing things for tomorrow. I want to talk with you about something important."

Elysia knew she would not talk with Eve right now. It would be like inviting a lot of problems  at once and it would get the rumor mill talking.

But on the other hand, Eve looked desperate to talk with her and Elysia had always been weak to her pleas.

As such, Elysia made the decision to ignore the common sense she had and agree with Eve's demand.

"Alright, we can talk later. I have a few things to say to you as well."

Elysia had a few things to say as well. It was for her own survival in the end.