I will not die a Villainess's death

Head Priest Yohan cut a striking figure in front of Elysia. It reminded her again why she feared and also found him to be inspiring.

Even at such an awkward time of the day, Head Priest Yohan looked like he had all the answers Elysia could ever desire. It made her want to bow her head in front of the Head Priest and ask for forgiveness.

Even with just his eyes looking at Elysia calmly, she felt as if she was being measured and found to be lacking.

"You can leave us alone now. I am sure Elysia won't be foolish enough to attack me."

The priest who had accompanied the Head priest did not even question that command as he followed it.

Just like Elysia had been trained to not question the head priest, so had the other priests. The Head Priest had the highest authority over his subjects.

Elysia tried to control her shivering as she watched the other priests and sisters leave her alone. It was nerve-wracking to be alone with the head priest when she could not read his face.

"Elysia, you can relax now. I told you that I had no contention of harming you. That also extends to right now."

Elysia tried to relax but her body refused to follow her command.

Her mind knew that she was guilty but not of the things the world was pointing toward her for. And it was not fully her fault that she was feeling uncomfortable.

"I see that you had company in the night. Nice work in sending your 'admirers' back before they got caught."

Head Priest Yohan said it like he knew what had happened in the room before he entered. Somehow, he seemed to have guessed what Elysia had not wanted him to.

Her body shook as a result of being found out but Elysia did not open her mouth to speak. If she did not confirm anything then Head Priest Yohan could not fault her for admitting her wrong.

"Anyway, I don't care what you do in your free time since our objective to push Adam and Eve together is working out. They are finally engaged so you should start pushing yourself out of their relationship."

It killed something in Elysia to hear that. She felt hollow inside her heart as she heard the Head Priest say the exact words Elysia did not want to.

'And to think that it happened just when I realized my feelings for them both. Why is this happening to me.'

Elysia wanted to, no, she needed to be happy for the royal pair. All she had done was to push Adam and Eve together and that happened in the end.

'So why am I not happy with this? I am not so selfish as to wish my loved ones a bad future.'

Elysia should be the happiest person alive right now with the news of the upcoming wedding but her body and her heart hurt at the news.

She was not only afraid of what it meant for her but also for the confession she had been thinking of making to the royal pair.

She would not be able to open her mouth and utter those three words. Elysia would not be able to say 'I love you with the outcome of a breakup known to her.

Even if Adam and Eve were not the types of people to abandon her, Elysia would not be able to bear the thought of being the third wheel for them. Or to become a stain on their relationship.

"Anyway, you will need to stay in here for another day before we can let you go. We have enough evidence to prove that this attack had nothing to do with you and Eve is even willing to testify on your behalf."

Head Priest Yohan was speaking a few more words but Elysia felt them go in from one ear and go out from the other. It all sounded like white noise to her now.

"I hope you heard all that and you are ready to consider what I asked you to do. In the meantime, you should talk with your brother and reassure him that you are alright and want to stay here for another day under observation."

Elysia was numb when the Head Priest headed out and her brother walked in. Elysia did not even realize who it was until a few minutes of awkward silence made Elysia look up at him.

"Are you alright? It seems like you were spacing out so I did not disturb you."

Lucas's voice sounded like melted honey inside Elysia's ears. The burden that had been laid on her shoulder slipped off all of a sudden.

It was not quite like coming home but it did feel like burrowing herself in a parent's embrace to her. She never wanted to leave this secure feeling she was feeling.

'Huh? Everything looks blurry to me. Are these tears in my eyes?'

Elysia was feeling numb but her emotions were out of control right now. Tears were flowing down her face as she tried to contain her sobs.

'I don't want to stay here. This place scares me.'

Elysia had never felt scared of the temple before this day. But being brought back here and being isolated like this had been demanding Elysia's feelings.

Furthermore, Head Priest Yohan's words caused Elysia to become more unstable. Even she was not sure why she had broken down like this in the end.

​ "I want to go home. Lucas, can I go home now?"

Elysia was supposed to say that everything was alright and she was willing to stay in the temple for a few more days. Her instructions had been very clear and Elysia just had to follow her words.

But when faced with her bother, those lies could not come out of her mouth. She no longer wanted to stay in this shabby room where her emotions were being played with.

"Elysia, are you alright? That bastard. He promised me that nothing will happen to you but you ended up being in such a messy state on coming back. I won't forgive that lying Head Priest and-"

"No, don't. Please, let's just go home for now. Do not make it into anything more. I just want to leave this place."

Elysia's body was heavy with emotions and her head was heavy. Her magic was startling to boil heavily in her veins. She was over-sensitive in a way she had never been before.

"Shit, you are boiling up. We need to get you out of here and to a doctor."

Lucas's voice sounded panicked. He was too close to Elysia's ears as he spoke encouraging words. But Elysia was feeling fainter now.

Everything was getting hazier by the second.

"Elysia, keep hanging on. Don't your dare fall asleep? Elysia!"

Alas, she was no longer able to keep a hold of her mind and ended up falling unconscious. Her body sagged in Lucas's arms and he clutched her closer.

_____________________

Lucas felt his heart leap into his throat as he watched Elysia fall. It had been a near thing but he managed to prevent Elysia from hitting her head and cracking it open.

His sister was burning up badly and it was all the temple's fault.

Why Lucas had ever trusted Head Priest Yohan to keep his sister safe was a mystery to him. He should have never trusted him to begin with.

"Don't worry. I will take you back home right now."'

Elysia had asked to go back home so Lucas would make sure to fulfill her request. He picked up her body and knocked the door down with his kick.

Head Priest Yohan looked startled to see Elysia unconscious in his arms and he opened his mouth to comment.

"Save your words for later. I am not in the mood to listen to you right now. My sister needs medical attention so I will be taking her back now."

He watched in satisfaction as the Head Priest clenched his jaw after hearing Lucas speak. He had finally gone quiet but it was not the end.

"You cannot take the criminal with you like that. You need to let Elysia Dirac-eep"

The priest who had begun to complain fell silent as he faced Lucas's glare. He could not open his mouth anymore due to the fear he felt.

Lucas did not stop moving once he realized that he had no reason to. Head Priest could try and challenge him all he wanted to but Lucas did not need to listen to him.

"Well then, I will see you again, Head Priest Yohan. Hope you have a good day."

Head Priest Yohan clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he watched Lucas Dirac leave the room with Elysia.

"Are you sure it is a wise decision to take her out by force? Elysia would not have wanted this."

"Oh, but Elysia asked to go home. And how can I ignore a request my only sister made of me?"

With those words, Lucas finally parted from the room and the temple as well.