The Priestess' Affair [Books 1 &2]

𝐗𝐈. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐨𝐟𝐟

I gritted my teeth for the rest of the class while Nuncia had turned back into her mortal self. I felt this unscratchable itch to respond to Arke, but she disappeared with her friends even before I could say anything to her when the class ended. 

I showed up to the next class, hoping to find her, but she wasn't there. Soon, I realised that it was because Vittoria would take this class for the rookies. If I hadn't sinned so gracefully last night, my past self would have dreaded coming to this class but not me. Not anymore. 

Now I could face her with the truth. What I saw in the grave last night was atrocious... it was... I don't have any words to describe it.

All I can say for now is that whatever was there, it was enough to tear Vittoria's reputation— which was the most important thing for a High Priestess after her obligation to the shrine. I felt like the devil's stepmother when Vittoria showed up to the class, unaware of my newfound knowledge. 

For a brief moment, our eyes deadlocked as everyone bowed to her except me. She cocked an eyebrow at me as everyone straightened up; meanwhile, I remained standing.

I will never bow to her. 

"Sit down," she commanded, and so we did. All this time, her eyes lingered on me with the crushing weight of the boulder. From the look on her face, I could tell that she wasn't thrilled to see me, but at the same time, I saw a hint of relief in her eyes. It wasn't precisely relief but something close to that.

Did she think that I was going to kill myself over her insult? 

Ha! Not before I make her swallow her words.

"Today, we're going to revise since the final assessment's only a month away," She declared with a malicious flicker in her eyes. I knew where she was going with that.

"But we still hadn't completed half of the Marine Alchemy—" When one of the priestesses protested, Vittoria waved her dismissively at the girl and said, "Those are trivial. We've covered the critical part of the curriculum. It's time to revise. Let us start, shall we?" She asked with phoney polish. I stayed as quiet and motionless as a boulderstone while my fellow rookies agreed hesitantly. 

"Good," she snapped, "Let's start with some Necrome spells. Theresa, what are the elements required for its execution?" She demanded. 

"I don't know," I answered truthfully. She knew well that this was taught in my absence, yet she asked me these questions. She was doing this purely for amusement as it was her pastime hobby to pick on me. 

I will allow her to enjoy it for the last time. 

"That's a straightforward question, Theresa," she insisted.

"I don't know,"

"Let's try again,"

"I don't want to," I snapped.

"It's not the Royal Palace, and I'm not your Governess, Theresa," She reminded. 

"At least, Governesses know how to teach," I dared to respond. A few priestesses gasped at my savagery. Most girls here would rather die than look Vittoria in her eyes, but that wasn't my nature. It would be an insult to the God who gifted me this temper if I chose to behave well. 

"Well, a Governess teaches children, and if that's the approach you prefer, I could get one for you," Vittoria stated sarcastically, making the whole class roar with laughter. I wouldn't say I appreciated that God might have gifted some other girls the same temper, but acceptance is the first step towards humility. I glowered as a subtle smirk tugged the corner of her lips up.

I wonder if she'd smirk the same way if I told her what I did last night.

"This lesson was taught in my absence," I gritted. 

"That's not my problem," she snarled before moving on to the next priestess. This went on for a while. Vittoria didn't leave me alone. She quizzed me later in class, making fun of me at times I could not answer, but I kept calm. 

I counted the seconds until Vittoria's class was over. I sat there, still and silent, even after the priestesses had left the class. Vittoria didn't leave the class yet as she looked at some writings submitted by the priestesses.

It was only her and me in that room then. She seemed busy with the writings, but both of us were aware of each other's presence, just like the prey and the predator in the wild. 

"Get out," she spoke calmly after a while, without looking up from the writings. Her words etched a smile on my lips.

Finally.

"I thought you'd be happy to see me," I grinned after walking up to her table.

"What gave you that impression?" She contested, still not looking up from the scrolls.

"Your reputation would tarnish by controversy had my body washed up on the shore. I know you were looking for me last night,"

She remained silent and continued doing her work. I didn't miss how her body tensed at my words. 

"Where were you last night?" She asked cautiously.

"You want to know?" I snickered. She ultimately looked up at my face and gave me a prolonged, formidable stare as she piled the scrolls and stood up. She didn't reach my height, but that didn't count. Wherever she lacked, she made it up with her fierce eyes and savagery. 

"Wherever it was, you can crawl back there," she commented coldly. My smirk turned into a smile as I leaned against the table and stared her down, using the advantage of my height.

"You want to know," I bit my lower lip, unable to contain my laughter. My retort gave away the hints. She narrowed her eyes like a feline and studied me for a long moment, ultimately recognising my unusual demeanour. 

"Where were you last night?" She asked grimly this time, in that demanding manner— the same way she inquired of my brother's response after my every return from the mainland.

"On the dead mountain," I breathed. She arched an eyebrow at me and gave me a stern look.

"You seem to have balls to do that," She remarked.

"Want to know what else I have got the balls for?" I provoked, the smile on my lips evaporated to reveal a snarl on my features. The two of us stood in silence with our eyes locked into a stalemate.

The room turned so quiet I could hear the tides crashing on the rocks, I could listen to the seagulls, I could hear the sun singeing in the sky, I could hear my own heart drumming against my sternum. The silence grew heavier with each breath, and with that, Vittoria's eyes widened... gradually until they were rounder than the sun.

Intense fury filled her features as realisation hit her the way waves bashed the rocks. By the speed of thunder, she rounded the table until she was standing in front of me, burning hotter than the lava. 

"You dug her up, didn't you?" She growled.

"Don't have your panties in a twist, Vittoria. I know I'm not the first one to do so,"

_

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