The Deal That Punished The Tyrant

03| Sanctia Temple

...HAPPY READING...

In ancient times, witches had broken human beliefs in gods. Using the magic they possess, the witches claim to be a new race that is faster to help humans than gods because to ask for the help of gods, people must go to temples to pray or give something as a form of their seriousness. Therefore, witch hunts are carried out and the remaining ones hide from the hands of the sacred temple people and the kingdom. Now, the witches are said to have been wiped out.

Fifty years ago, however, the movement of witches using black magic began to show. Several groups of humans formed sects and performed strange rituals by making witches their masters. Then 26 years ago, Rahid's late mother was exposed to a curse that made the body slowly rot and black. Then, when she was young, Rahid got a curse too, it happened when she was kidnapped and woke up in a strange place.

Unlike his mother, Rahid's body will only blacken and stiff as a stone. At present, part of his body except the face and neck has been blackened and a little difficult to move even so Rahid is still able to destroy the era of his father's power.

"Your Majesty, Lady Gaia has arrived."

The butler replied from outside the workroom door.

"Let him in."

Rahid then left the chair and sat down on the sofa, letting Gaia in and filling the sofa across there. Black tea was served with some pastries and scones in a multi-storey container, Gaia looked coldly at Rahid.

"Looking at the anger hanging over your face, it looks like you've already received my decree, yes." Rahid sipped the tea casually.

Gaia exhaled and then nodded her head but it made Rahid slightly frown. The calm response that Rahid did not think of from Gaia.

"Why are you so calm?" Rahid curious.

"I don't think your decision is bad. If I'm a private lady-in-waiting, it's easy for me to do periodic healing on you."

"Hm, yeah that makes a lot of sense. So when are you going to work for me?"

Gaia smiled sweetly. "Because I don't want to extend our deal time, tomorrow I'll start work."

Rahid smiled. "Good decision."

"Then, before you start work tomorrow, Basen will teach you some very important things including my schedule." Rahid then told the 56-year-old butler to come in.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss. I am Basen, the butler of the Palace. All the affairs of the palace household are my duty, in the future I hope Miss can follow the guidance from me."

"It's nice to meet you too."

"Why sit longer then? Now follow Basen and learn all your duties as my lady." Rahid turned his head while showing a gaze for Gaia to immediately go follow Basen.

From the beginning, Rahid was indeed toying with her, but that haughty look that seemed to demean her made Gaia really have to suppress her pride. Although yesterday could have acted a little brashly, Gaia was sure that it was a little bit of Rahid's generosity for being interested in his actions, but right now, when the foot had stepped into the palace, it was quite a bit of mercy, so Gaia must be patient in dealing with all the actions Rahid will direct to her, of course there are limits.

...***...

Gaia stared at the nanar Sanctia, a small temple in the city of Halta, a thousand-year-old building that still looked solid and clean. People in Halta rarely visit Sanctia because of its fairly old appearance most people visit the magnificent looking temple, but since childhood Gaia has always been fascinated with Sanctia so this temple became a place of escape when experiencing difficult times.

"Have not seen you in a long time, Gaia."

The greeting of the long white haired man resuscitated Gaia's daydream. The young man who was smiling brightly with both hands behind his back was the guardian of this temple. Just like him, the young man had the blessing of being able to communicate with the gods.

"It's nice to meet you, Sain."

"It seems you're having a hard time."

Gaia smiled heavily as she confirmed Sain's words. Slowly the two entered the temple, the pillars as well as decorative statues of the deity were seen adorning the corners of the temple. Some of the rare flowers that were lovingly cared for scattered the fragrance to make Gaia comfortable.

"You must have known what happened, right?" Gaia glanced at Sain. Now, the two sat on a chair facing a pond decorated with a goddess refuting the basin with water flowing in it.

Sain nods his head. The news that Rahid may have had a special reason for abrogating the execution of the family of Marquess Israel.

"I'm actually aware of the fact that the man has a curse. So, in order to avoid execution, I made a deal."

"Are you okay?" Sain stared anxiously and at that moment Gaia shook her head weakly.

"I'm actually scared. A tyrant capable of killing his own family without regret could have killed me even under contract. For a moment I was calm, but what if the deal I made with him ended? Will he keep his promise or kill me?" Gaia's hands cupped on her lap trembled slightly and sweated.

"But .. if it just kills me, I don't think I'm so scared. But what about my family? They can even outlive me."

Sain was powerless to see the bitter expression Gaia was showing. The pale-skinned man immediately grabbed onto Gaia's body and held her lovingly. "What do you say about living longer? I'm sure you can live longer."

Gaia gave no movement, but Sain could feel her clothes wet with tears. Fifteen years ago, when Sanctia was almost forgotten, Gaia showed up and gave help with renovations without covering the initial complexion of the temple, in addition, it helps Sain to manage Sanctia to get some faithful people to pray there. Because of that meeting anyway, Sain knew that Gaia had extraordinary holy power however, it was not a good thing. Humans are not the perfect container to hold such a large holy power, if left unchecked then the energy of human life will be a reservoir for the holy power that is not able to be accommodated then, therefore, Sain advises Gaia to help the temple and those who need to be healed from the curse or influence of black magic. The power of Gaia is not intended to heal wounds.

Then, Sain decided to ask the gods about the way out so that Gaia still had a long life, but at this time Gaia could even be said to be dying. There is no salvation for Gaia, and most humans who are blessed with extraordinary holy power will die young, no one lives until the age of 23 years whereas at present, the, Gaia has stepped up to the age of 23.

"How can I help you, Gaia?" lirih Sain's.

"Please, give me a new necklace because it's about to break." Gaia takes off the deck and shows a hexagonal stony necklace.

Sain gave a small laugh looking at the base of Gaia's reddish nose followed by a request with a hearty child-like expression. The stone was already blessed by a god and soaked in holy water for a long time, its use to alleviate the pain Gaia received due to the effects of the holy power that kept swelling up.

"certain."

"I want more, Sain. In the future we'll rarely meet because I'm assigned as the man's personal maid."

Sain's face wrinkled hard, his neck veins were somewhat raised. "Why did you become her ladyboy?"

"That makes it easier for me to channel holy power periodically."

"Living in the palace is not easy. When are you going to go there?"

"Tomorrow."

Sain clenched his hands, closed his eyes while trying to ease his emotions towards Rahid. Slowly, both of Sain's hands lifted and cupped Gaia's face and landed a light kiss on her forehead, before long all the faint dim light enveloped Gaia's body.

"It's thanks to me." Sain smiled.

...CONNECT ......