"High Priest, our surroundings are safe. There are no soldiers in sight," a priest informed Virgil.

"Do not let your guard down. I shall say a prayer to keep us covered in his almighty protection. I must hear his word now, so I am not to be disturbed," Virgil said, lowering himself to his knees.

The priest left the small room of the house where they were hiding from Cassian’s soldiers.

Virgil stared at the wooden cross he had placed upon the wall. As of late, his plans were being spoiled one by one, and it was caused by none other than Cassian. It angered Virgil, but he tried not to give in to that anger as it would only lead to his ruin.

Though Virgil desired solitude, another man entered the room.

"Faith has been killed. The princess was the one who caught on to her," said Harold, another priest and guard loyal to Virgil. "We promised her that we would get her out."

"She also promised us that she would be careful, did she not? This is not an easy battle. She died doing work for our Lord and Saviour. We must all be careful," Virgil replied, his gaze fixed on the cross.

"She was a devoted follower-"

"Sometimes he calls for his children early. I am a mere mortal man who cannot stand in the way of his plans. It was up to Faith to be cautious around Lilith. I said that the princess is wise, and she is not to be underestimated," Virgil said, rising to his feet as he could not continue with his prayer.

"Have you started to doubt me, Harold?" Virgil asked, turning slowly to face him.

"No. I worry that we may lose more of our people. The castle is not safe with His Grace going on a hunt. None of us can explain why he is so adamant about finding you and your followers," Harold admitted.

"The one who holds the power to remove Cassian from the throne is the church. The church holds the support of the people and the nobles. That is why he is afraid. You must keep the others strong at this time. It will not be long before we return to the church," Virgil promised with great certainty.

"We are not afraid of returning home, Your Holiness. We shall follow you wherever you go to spread his word across the kingdom. All evil must be wiped out, and it now lies in the castle. The king and queen must die for the sake of the people," Harold said.

"Not the queen. Lilith always had the chance to be saved. She has taken Cassian’s side because she has no support. There is a good calling for Lilith, who once lived an awful life at the hands of her family. If she accepts it, she might yet be blessed," Virgil said, unwilling to let go of her.

"And if she denies?" Harold asked.

"Then she shall burn. That will be the only way to ensure the evil I must cast out of her does not pass to another. I hope not to have to burn someone whose soul has been lost because of her family. We must always help those He chooses," Virgil said, his eyes glinting with a cold resolve.

Harold nodded, though he did not understand Virgil’s fixation on Lilith. She did not appear to be a woman who could be changed, but if anyone could perform the miracle to guide her, it would be Virgil.

"Have you caught the priest who performed the wedding and the coronation as yet?" Virgil asked, eager to see the traitor.

"I have not received any word about him. He might be kept in the castle to tend to the church there."

Virgil looked at the flowers in a vase, their petals curling and browning. He loved the sight of dying flowers. "Perhaps they are keeping him there to replace me as High Priest. They will need someone loyal only to them to take my place."

"Nonsense!" Harold exclaimed. "You are the only one who hears the blessing and his word. If they were to replace you, who would protect us? I am saved because of you. I could still be on a dark path if not for you," he said, staring at his trembling hands. "I would give my life to protect you."

Virgil plucked one of the dying petals, its brittle texture crumbling between his fingers, before lifting the vase to the window. "I am not the one you must give your life to. There is a cause we both fight for. Should I fall, another would take my place."

Virgil set the vase down and looked out the window. "The only way for the church to be protected is for us to take over the castle. With that power, we could save everyone. It is his wish."

Harold’s chest swelled with pride at the thought of experiencing the new kingdom at Virgil’s side.

Virgil looked over his shoulder at Harold. "Why did you come to me when I asked not to be disturbed? You have interrupted my prayers. Were you coming to scold me about Faith’s death?"

"No, Your Holiness," Harold said, lowering his gaze as Virgil stepped closer. "The nobles are restless, and the others wish to know what to do with the orphans you were helping."

"We shall leave tomorrow to speak to the noblemen, and as for the children, I shall send them to where they will be safe. Just as I have done with the others before them," Virgil answered. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Harold wished to know where all the orphans were going, but seeing as they never returned, he assumed they had found loving homes. "Forgive me for disturbing you. I shall go back to keep watch for soldiers."

"Kill anyone who gets near. For the sake of this kingdom, we cannot have more losses on our side. We must kill the evil," Virgil ordered, his eyes carrying a hidden darkness that made Harold shiver.