Tangled By Fate

Looking at the silver-haired wigs, she stood in a daze when someone bumped into her.

The person hurriedly apologized, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry-"

"It's okay…" Veronica saw that person and her voice got stuck in her throat.

She wasn't expecting to meet the person she collided with anytime soon. 

Her mouth was wide open but words couldn't come out.

The person also had the same reaction. His pupils shook as though he was astounded upon seeing a ghost.

They stared at each other. Silent fell upon them. Even the bustling town couldn't hide their awkwardness..

One of them had to say something. In the end, Veronica opened her mouth first.

"May the Goddess bless the light upon you, Head Priest." She bowed and greeted.

"Veronica… you are really her, aren't you?" The Head Priest's voice quivered.

Veronica felt pity for him. The man in front of her aged quite a bit. He looked more haggard than before.

'His condition seemed to worsen. Is it my fault? Did I cause him more trouble?'

Feeling guilty, she couldn't look his way.

"...Yes… it's me, Head Priest. You look sick. Are you alright?"

The Head Priest's face brightened up instantly. His eyes gleamed in joy.

He clasped her hands and said in a beaming tone, "I knew it! At first, I thought I was hallucinating but then I remembered that I bumped into you. Most certainly you are real.

"You have been here all along, haven't you? You didn't leave the city. I knew you wouldn't. I had faith in you. I prayed every day for your return.

"We have looked everywhere for you. The King was searching for you. Maybe not showing up was the best thing to do when Lord Alexander wasn't on our side."

"Head Priest, let's go somewhere private," Veronica quickly interrupted him. She didn't want to draw attention to them.

"Yes, yes, sure." The Head Priest must have noticed her discomfort. He agreed.

They went to a high-class restaurant. They booked a private room.

There was no one in the royal and aristocrats who didn't know the Head Priest. 

The Head Priest would hardly have a fancy meal in a fancy restaurant.

As a result, they got a special privilege. They could eat any food for free.

After they ordered their meal, the Head Priest paid attention to her.

"Everything is in order. Lord Alexander is gone. His family was punished. No one will dare to harm you anymore. Come back."

His tone was gentle and affectionate that Veronica had a hard time turning him down.

She hesitated to speak, "Umm… Head Priest, I'm not planning on going back."

"What?" The old man's expression changed.

Veronica continued, "I already heard a new blessed child has been found. She must have great power, unlike me. I would like to leave the rest of the responsibilities at her hands."

"Don't think too much about the other blessed child. It was you who were taught by Saint Ava and no one else. The healers hardly get to have lessons from her but you got it. Why waste it?

"If you announce your presence and prove to them that you are the blessed child, then you will be loved by all. Didn't you want to be loved by everyone?

"This is your opportunity to take your rightful place and serve the people of Goddess Juvena. This is your duty. No one else can do it instead of you."

Veronica inquired, "...But what about the other blessed child? Isn't she the one who declared that she was the real one? If I let others know my existence, it will be bothersome."

The Head Priest brushed his hand. "Your worry is meaningless. She is just a proxy. She is the new healer we found in the temple. She grew up with her. Even her features match yours. We just disguised her as you since many healers knew you."

Veronica was stunned by their plan. "Why did you go that far?"

"We did it so that darkness in people's hearts wouldn't spread. We had to give them hope. People can only continue when they have hope in their hearts. As long as they have hope, they can conquer anything."

He urged her, "Come back, child. You belong with us. How long can you hide yourself in this place? If you need protection, we will provide it for you."

Veronica shook her head. "It's not protection I seek. It's me who wants to protect people. But, I can't do it when I'm the blessed child. I have to stay in the royal palace or the Rosemary temple and can only help people for a short time.

"This is not what I want. I want to live with these people and understand and love them. Whenever they are in danger, I want to help them first.

"If I live in the castle, I can never do as I please. I will be stuck in a place just like Saint Ava. Head Priest, this is what I call a waste."

She paused before continuing, "It's not that I'm running away from my responsibility. My job is to guide people to the right path. I have to make them follow in my footsteps and go through hardships together."

"..."

The Head Priest couldn't talk for a long time. 

Their meals were served. The waiter left after saying, "Please call me if you need anything."

Even after the waiter left, they didn't touch the meal.

The Head Priest took his time before saying, "Child, I understand where you are coming from. But you see, your presence is the biggest hope that people can get. 

"You are the blessed child, sent by Goddess Juvena, light in the darkness, hope in the hopeless situation. You have to be protected no matter what. 

"Do you know, we have a secret army just to protect you from evil eyes? You will be safe with us. With our protection, you can do whatever you want. That's why I'm telling you to come back. What do you want to choose?"