Tangled By Fate

"…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?"

Veronica smiled at his words. "I understand that my safety is your utmost concern and I'm happy to know that. However, if I act like a scaredy-cat, the bad guys will have the upper hand. I cannot show my weakness.

"I have a duty to the people of Goddess Juvena. The Goddess sent me for that purpose. I'm sure She will protect me. If I, as Her blessed child, cannot show a little faith, how can other people have faith in Her?"

The Head Priest let out a deep breath. "You are right.. Faith is what we need if we want the Goddess's strength."

He paused before adding, "When we found out the remarkable job you did in the desert, we were so proud of you. We wished to welcome you grandly. Who knew you would choose this path? Are you sure you want to walk down a road that has no future?"

Veronica politely refuted, "It's not that it has no future. It's just we don't know what the future holds for me. And yes, I'm sure I want this road to walk."

Walking that road, full of uncertainty, most people would avoid it, but Veronica didn't. Going into the unknown future, she wasn't worried or scared because she had Arthur by her side.

Arthur was her biggest support. He always gave her courage.

If she walked on the unknown path, she wouldn't be alone. There would be people who would follow her even if she didn't ask.

That's why she had the courage to choose this path.

The Head Priest stared at her for a long time before saying, "Maybe that's the reason Saint Ava wanted to let you go. Do whatever you wish. This old man will hide that he met you today. The King knows you are dead. As long as you want, I'll keep this secret. At least Saint Ava should know that you are alive. She was devastated when she heard you died."

"She knows," Veronica confessed. "I met her in the temple before coming here. I came to the city to meet you but was surprised when I heard about the new blessed child."

"You met her? That's good." The Head Priest looked relieved. "Why did you want to meet me?"

Veronica brought up what she wanted to ask for several days, "Do you remember promising me the key to the secret chamber of the royal library? I wish you could give me that. I've become a good healer now, just as you wished."

The Head Priest pondered deeply. "Why do you need that all of a sudden?"

"I need some information. I'm working on something. I can't do it without enough knowledge. I searched so many libraries around the world but only the ancient library should have it. For some reason, it wasn't there."

The Head Priest interrupted her at this point, "May I ask… what are you looking for?"

Veronica paused. She recalled Arthur forbidding her telling anything about elves to the Head Priest. She wasn't sure if she should tell him.

She rubbed her palms together. She wanted to tell him but hesitated. Disobeying Arthur never gave her any good experience.

The Head Priest observed her reaction and told her, "It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I could help you if it's about something most people have no knowledge of."

Veronica's tense body relaxed as he didn't pursue the issue anymore. "I think I can handle it. If I can go to the library, I'll get the information I need."

"Most books are written in the ancient language. That language isn't alive anymore. No one knows it. It's forbidden to teach it openly. Can you read it?"

"You have nothing to worry about. I learned it in the temple. I cannot speak properly since I never heard it. But I can guarantee I can read."

The Head Priest looked surprised. "That's impressive. I can't believe Saint Ava taught you that well. She isn't a good teacher."

"She didn't. She also gave me a stone that would control my healing power. She prevented me from using my power properly. I learned everything myself."

The Head Priest stared at her in disbelief. "What are you saying? Even if she isn't a good teacher, she wouldn't do something like that!"

"That's what happened. The past six months, she has made me mop the floor, take care of the garden, prepare meals, pray with her, and use healing power."

"How could she do that?" The Head Priest didn't know how to react. "I sent you to her so that you could learn from her. I trusted her! I thought you would be better with her. She could guide you who knew nothing.

"When you used your power for the first time one year ago, she realized it first. She sensed your power. Me too. And that's when we knew someone other than Saint Ava, a powerful being came to the world.

"That gave me hope. I was happy. I thought I could leave my responsibilities to you."

As he started eating, she touched the spoon as well. "Honestly speaking, I still don't understand why you need me. Things are going great without my presence. If power-hungry people knew about my existence, they would seek me. Whatever my role is, Saint Ava can fulfill it. That's why I better be left alone. I want to do things my way without people hunting me."

The Head Priest suggested, "Don't you think if you are recognized as the blessed child you can do better? People will be obliged to work for you."

"It'll create more attention. I don't want it. I want to do things without being noticed by others too much. More than anything, I don't want the life I grew up in. I want to be free."

"Then I won't pursue you anymore. I thought you were misguided but it looks to me that you hate our way of life."

"Yes… I'm sorry." Veronica lowered her head.

"It's okay. I understand not everyone can handle our way of living. Especially those who have high ambition."

Veronica hesitantly reminded him, "About the key…"