Chapter 561: The Golden Cage
Primrose slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself in a place she had never seen before. She was no longer in the warehouse. Instead, she was surrounded by a room so grand and luxurious that it almost didn’t feel real.
She was lying on a soft bed covered with a blanket that seemed to be made from the fur of a white animal. It was unbelievably soft. As her eyes wandered around the room, she saw white and gold walls decorated with countless sparkling crystal ornaments.
Since she couldn’t move her entire head or even try to move freely, she realized that she had been sent into the past once again and could only watch everything unfold as a silent witness.
But... which life was this? Was it the one where she had suffered the most?
That didn’t make sense. If this was that lifetime, shouldn’t she have been living in misery? Why had she woken up in such a beautiful and comfortable room instead?
Before she could think any further, someone knocked on the door. "Your Holiness, we’re coming in."
A moment later, five temple maidens entered the Saintess’s chamber. They wore simple white dresses with matching white head coverings, and each of them carried a silver tray in their hands.
The first maiden stepped forward and placed a tray filled with freshly baked bread, warm soup, sliced fruit, and a pot of tea on the table beside the bed. Another carefully set down a basin of warm water and a clean white towel. The remaining three silently stood nearby, waiting for further instructions.
"Your Holiness, it is time for your morning meal," one of them said respectfully. "After that, the Cardinal will be waiting for you in the Hall of Light."
Your Holiness?
Primrose looked around the room once more, trying to make sense of what was happening.
A slight tremble ran through her eyes as she realized she was still in the same lifetime, the one where she had watched Lazarus die right in front of her. That meant she had also returned to the control of her biological father, the Cardinal.
If the Cardinal had ruled every part of her life, then she could already tell that this life wasn’t as beautiful as it looked.
"I understand," Primrose replied, even though the words left her mouth without her control.
After she finished her breakfast, the temple maidens helped her wash up and dress in the Saintess’s ceremonial robes. It was a pure white gown that fit her body perfectly without being too tight.
Several soft layers of fabric flowed gracefully from her waist to the floor, giving the dress an elegant and holy appearance. A wide gold sash was wrapped neatly around her waist, adding a touch of royalty to the otherwise simple design.
When Primrose turned to the mirror, she finally realized that she had golden hair.
But... wasn’t her hair black the last time she was in this memory?
Oh, wait. There were indeed traces of black hair at her roots.
"Your Holiness, we should probably dye your hair again tonight," one of the temple maidens said. "If we let it grow any longer, it will taint you."
Primrose twitched inwardly because she couldn’t understand what black hair had to do with being impure.
No wonder her hair looked a little damaged. It had probably been bleached again and again over the years.
"I understand," she replied once more.
Primrose felt a little irritated. It seemed this woman had no other answer besides ’I understand’.
But when she looked at her reflection again, she understood why. The woman in the mirror looked as though all the life had already left her. Her face was calm, empty, and completely emotionless.
It was strangely unsettling to see her own face wearing such an empty expression. Maybe because in her own timeline, Primrose had always been very expressive, especially these days.
"Please lower your head, Your Holiness," one of the temple maidens said softly.
Primrose did as she was told, and the temple maiden carefully draped a long white veil over her head.
The thin white fabric rested gently over her golden hair and flowed behind her shoulders, making her look even more like a sacred figure.
"Your Holiness," one of the temple maidens said with a respectful bow. "Everything is ready."
The temple maidens opened the door, allowing Primrose to leave for the Hall of Light.
As soon as she took her first step, she realized she wasn’t wearing any shoes. But then she remembered hearing that saints and saintesses in the past always walked barefoot so they could bless every place they stepped on.
Unfortunately, the marble floor was freezing cold, and Primrose could feel the chill sinking deep into her bones. Even so, this body didn’t react at all. It was clear that she had long since grown used to walking barefoot on any kind of ground.
When she arrived at the Hall of Light, she immediately recognized the man standing inside.
He was the same man who had once torn her away from Zarius—Lazarus’s former name—and forced her to watch him die.
Unfortunately, she still couldn’t see his face because he was wearing a white mask with intricate golden patterns that formed elegant curved lines. Even so, Primrose could still recognize his posture and his voice.
"Greetings, Father," Primrose said in a flat voice as she gave him a small bow. "I heard you wished to see me."
The moment the word Father left her mouth, Primrose felt sick. More than anything, she wanted to wrap her hands around this abominable man’s neck and choke him to death.
Besides that, hadn’t the Cardinal once told her not to call him Father? Perhaps he had changed his mind now that Rose had grown into what he considered a "pure" woman.
"Yes, please have a seat, my daughter," the Cardinal said in a gentle voice. But that gentle voice was enough to make Primrose feel even more sick.
Once they were seated on the couches across from each other, the Cardinal continued. "There have been several attacks from the anti-God faction, and the situation is becoming more serious. This morning, we even received the severed head of one of our priests."
He paused for a moment before speaking again. "That is why, my dear daughter, His Majesty the King has decided to send several Royal Knights to guard the Holy Temple for the time being."