Chapter 25 - 24: Behind the Cathedral’s Walls
When the afternoon bells echoed across the capital, marking the end of classes, Lucas did not return to the noble dormitories. Instead, he pulled a muted gray cloak over his Academy uniform and made his way toward the high district, where the white stone spires of the High Cathedral pierced the sky.
Passing through the grand vaulted arches, Lucas navigated the quiet hallways until he reached a private, heavily guarded sanctuary deep within the Cathedral’s inner sanctum.
Waiting inside was Bishop Varos, sitting at a long table alongside several senior clergy members.
"Welcome, Lucas," Bishop Varos said, offering a warm, serene smile that failed to reach his sharp, calculating eyes. "Sit. We have much to discuss."
The conversation focused immediately on the shifting tides of the capital’s political landscape. The Church was locked in a quiet, high-stakes game of influence against the Crown. To expand its authority across the provinces and cement divine decree over secular law, the High Cathedral had thrown its formidable backing behind Second Prince Valen Novus.
However, the Emperor was fully aware of the Church’s ambitions. To limit their expanding reach and preserve the absolute sovereignty of the throne, the Emperor was firmly supporting Crown Prince Reginald the uncompromising military traditionalist as the official heir.
The entire capital was becoming a chessboard, with the Imperial Family at the very center.
"The Emperor’s stance is expected," Bishop Varos said smoothly, swirling the sacred wine in his chalice. "He fears the light of the Cathedral overshadowing the Crown. But Prince Valen’s brilliance and thirst for power make him the ideal vessel for our divine purpose."
Turning to a high-ranking priest seated beside him, Varos asked, "Ronald, what is the situation with the First Princess?"
High Priest Ronald bowed slightly. "Princess Evelyn remains dormant, showing not the slightest interest in the palace’s power struggles."
"Regardless of her passive stance, royal blood still flows in her veins," Varos murmured, his gaze shifting sharply back to Lucas. "Lucas, you must claim the Princess for yourself. The Church will back you entirely, so do not fail us. Uncover her desires, map her distastes, and win her over. If we secure both Prince Valen and Princess Evelyn, our standing in the succession battle will be undisputed."
A greedy smirk pulled at Lucas’s lips as dark ambitions flared in his mind.If I win the Princess, the throne itself isn’t out of reach... and Evelyn is quite the exquisite trophy to claim. Her royal blood, her beauty....even her body would belong to me. He practically salivated at the thought of bending such highborn perfection to his will.
"I will gather every piece of information required, Excellency," Lucas promised smoothly. "Consider it done."
With a nod of approval, Varos steered the meeting forward. "Leaving the grander affairs aside for a moment... have you noticed anything suspicious regarding Victor Vance recently?"
Lucas leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. "Nothing out of the ordinary regarding his usual arrogance. However... he has taken an unusual interest in a commoner girl named Elena Vesper."
Varos raised an eyebrow. "Elena Vesper? A minor family from the outer district... Interesting. Why would a man like Victor, even as a fallen noble, waste his time on someone so insignificant?"
"I am not certain yet," Lucas replied. "She is a standard student in our tier, but Victor has been seen interacting with her and her companion, Kael."
"Investigate her," Varos commanded, his tone instantly stern. "Uncover everything about Elena and her household. Victor already controls Lyra von Frostguard and that assassin girl why reach for a commoner now?"
A low murmur rippled through the clergy. Victor’s defiance remained a stain on their authority, but their view remained elevated and detached.
"Victor Vance may have humiliated our lower envoys once," Varos sneered, waving a dismissive hand. "But he is merely a minor nuisance on a far larger board. Men like Victor come and go, consumed by their own arrogance. He lacks the weight to derail our ultimate goal."
Varos leaned back, a cold, ruthless smile touching his lips. "Let him play his petty games for now. When the term examination arrives, we will quietly eliminate him in the unmonitored zones. Until then, do not let him distract you."
Fixing his gaze on Lucas, Varos delivered his final directives.
"Your orders are clear, Lucas. Keep a close watch on Victor and uncover his tie to that commoner girl. Thoroughly investigate her family. But above all, focus on the primary objective: deepen your bond with Prince Valen, secure his trust, and claim the First Princess. The grand design is what truly matters."
"Understood, Excellency," Lucas said, bowing respectfully.
High above the sanctuary, hidden within the hollowed stone arches of the vaulted ceiling, a faint shadow shifted without making a sound.
It was Aria.
Thanks to her past connection with the High Cathedral, Aria knew the secret passages, ancient maintenance conduits, and forgotten observation nooks built into the cathedral’s structure routes even Bishop Varos and his elite guards knew nothing about. Seated silently in the dark behind a relief, her breathing held, she had caught every single word.
A sharp, amused smirk cut across Aria’s pale face.
Greedy as always, playing their grand game of chess with people’s lives, she thought, her crimson eyes glinting with quiet humor. They have no idea Master Victor has already decided to flip their entire board.
She meticulously cataloged every detail: the Church’s alliance with Prince Valen, their scheme to claim Princess Evelyn through Lucas, the planned assassination during the term exam, and their blind underestimation of Victor’s true strength.
Sliding back into the pitch-black crawlspace, Aria moved like a ghost through the hidden passageway toward the exit.
This intelligence was invaluable. It laid bare the Cathedral’s entire playbook, giving Victor absolute leverage over both the Church and the imperial succession struggle.
Master Victor is going to be very pleased with this, Aria thought, a subtle, playful smile touching her lips as she emerged into the cool night air outside the cathedral. He is definitely going to have to reward me well for bringing him something this valuable.
Glancing up at the distant spires of the Academy, Aria melted into the darkness, eagerly anticipating her reward.