Tangled By Fate

"Cathy? Why would she?" 

Veronica was surprised since her friend had no reason to send her a letter.

Arthur shrugged. "Maybe she knew that I'm here. Why don't you check it out?"

Using his magic, he let the envelope fly toward her. When it approached her, it gently fell on her chest.

After Arthur left, Veronica opened the envelope and read the letter.

Catherine wrote - 

Ver,

I think you will be busy with Arthur since he came back. However, please read this letter when he isn't around.

Ovior called me at noon and asked me about the first temple. He said Merlin used to study in Utahill in religion. So, he knew that Saints lived in the first temple for generations.

Ovior asked me if I knew the location. I said the temple disappeared from human eyes during the Great War. Only Saints can see that.

Well, I didn't lie but I also didn't tell them that you know that place. 

I remember you saying that you were still hesitant about telling him that you were training at the first temple.

I have no idea why they are after the temple. I've decided to hide it from them.

I need to find out what's going on. Ovior said he would brief me if I go back.

I packed my back and am heading out. See you in the tower.

Cathy

-----

After reading the letter, Veronica was in deep thought.

'Cathy doesn't know but I know why they are looking for the location of the first temple. The Rosemary Temple has the most ancient scrolls and they are preserved with the Saint's power.'

She stared at the ceiling and tried to recall if there was any scroll that mentioned the elves.

'I don't think there was such a thing called an elf being mentioned in the scrolls. Then again, it's not that I was able to read all the scrolls.' 

She suddenly had an idea,

'Why don't I take this chance to go to the Rosemary Temple? I can talk to Saint Ava about controlling my healing power as well as look for information about elves.'

However, she was unsettled. 'They told me to stay low. Should I really go there? But, I promised that I would bring justice for those innocent lives. Maybe I should just talk to Arthur and see what he has to say.'

While she was pondering, Arthur came back with her meal. 

He put down the meal on the table and walked in her direction. 

He inquired, "What are you thinking? What's written in the letter?"

Veronica tore the letter and put it in the envelope.

She replied, "It's nothing. I want to take a shower and wash my mouth before eating."

Arthur noted that her expression didn't look good. He didn't press further.

He said, "The food will get cold."

"It won't take much time."

"I have an idea."

"What?"

With his idea, Veronica washed her mouth first before sinking in the hot water bathtub.

She closed her eyes and asked, "What did you add in the water? It smells good."

"I added some herbs. It'll help to ease your pain. While you soak your body, you can have your meal here." Arthur passed her the tray of food.

Veronica looked around. "Eating while bathing? I never heard of it."

Arthur corrected her, "What you are doing is called body therapy. And the bathroom is spotless. You have nothing to worry about."

"Still, eating in the bathroom… I don't know what is there to see anymore."

She didn't argue anymore. She was craving food. The delicious smells weren't helping her stomach.

She took a spoonful of soup, blew it a few times and then drank carefully.

Soaking in the hot, herbal water while drinking hot soup, she never thought it would feel this good.

Arthur also joined her. While enjoying the warm water, he was drinking milk. 

He had a habit of drinking milk in the morning and drinking red wine at night.

As she lived with him, she started to develop this as her habit.

Arthur noticed her twirling the spoon in the soup bowl. She was in a daze.

He asked her, "Is something bothering you? You look like you are thinking of something after reading the letter."

Veronica paused what she was doing and turned to look at him.

She opened her mouth and said, "Arthur, I have something to tell you."

Arthur put down his milk glass. "I'm listening."

Veronica took a deep breath and said, "Do you remember that I was supposed to tell you something but I didn't? I want to talk about it."

Arthur's gaze sharpened. 'Why does she look like she is nervous to talk about it? But since she wants to talk to me about that, I should listen to what she has to say. She seems to have gathered lots of courage to talk about that subject.'

He replied, "I remember. Take your time and tell me."

Veronica's lips quivered. She took another deep breath and announced, "The first temple you are looking for, I know the location."

"..."

"I've been there for six months for my training."

"..."

"I've seen many ancient scrolls there and I learned the ancient language on my own to read those scrolls."

"..."

"I've read about many battles and conspiracies. But, I have never found anything about elves, dragons, or basilisks."

"..."

"I'm sorry that I hid it from you up until now. But I guess it's time that you knew about it…"

She wasn't finished talking before she was pulled in his tight embrace.

She was dumbfounded when he lovingly kissed her forehead and said, "You've done a great job by telling me this."

Veronica was flabbergasted. "What… Why aren't you surprised? Did you know this all along?"

"I had a hunch. You disappeared for six months after your healing power came to the light. So, I thought you were being trained in the palace."

"But then, I noticed that you weren't part of the healing group. You were still wearing the temple uniform. I found it weird.

"And afterward…