7 Chapter 7: The Woman named Cecilia

It was refreshing to wake up to morning like she was experiencing. The sun was so warm, it made her fuzzy whenever she was touched by it through her window. The sky was as clear and as free as she had always thought. She could hear the children playing early in the morning, she didn't know what it was but the first thing that came to her mind was 'knights and princesses'. It was a popular game among children but throughout the years it had different iterations of the same game. Still, she felt herself smile at the thought of such innocence radiating near her despite being two floors above. It reminded her the good ol' times she played with her brother.

Slowly, she lifted herself up from her silky bed. It wasn't as common as she might've initially believe but no one would complain about the comfortable feeling it gave her. It made cold nights like last night tolerable.

She felt her head sinking, her bed hair was worse than a cattle running wild. She needed to look presentable if she was planning on going out today. Her night dress was not helping her either as it was filled with wrinkles that could put an old man to shame.

She went over to her desk where she usually works. It doubled as a dressing table with a mirror that only showed the upper half of her body. She fixed the blonde obstructions in her eyes and finally saw herself.

Cecilia was not pleased at what she saw. She looked like she was mugged at Taifa during night time in an alleyway. The only thing that separated her from that image was that there were no scars nor bruises that accompanied her almost porcelain skin.

This was an easy fix. She wasn't as skilled as the other girls in the village when it comes to looks, especially Lana but she did know a thing or two about make-up and hairstyles. Courtesy of her old life. It almost felt like hours of combing and brushing but when she did finished her attempt, the results were satisfactory. Her blonde wavy locks flowed at ger back while her fringe was just above her eyebrows and colbalt eyes. A little bit of lipstick and blush on was enough to make anyone swoon for her or so what Lana told her.

She went to her cabinet to find a suitable dress for the day of errands. She wasn't much for material value nor was she to flaunt her beauty but picking an attire that fits the idea of a lady was instilled in her by her own mother. Most of the dresses she had were that of simple variants, purple dress, yellow dress, white dress and a few more. She thought that maybe she would like to look a little extra today since the Spring Festival was coming up this week. She would like to keep the mood up despite the untimely loss of their king.

The Spring Festival was a day where everyone celebrates the goddess's blessing for the fertile land and the joyous nature that she bestowed them. It was similar to one's birthday in a sense, a celebration of a birth of something wonderful. How each life is beautiful in their own way but so tragic at the same time. Now the Spring Festival was almost at the brink of cancellation due to the Valencian nobility lacking the funds to support such festivities.

Today, she was determined to bring everyone smiles in the village. She no right to do any less than what they had done for her. They were so kind and understanding of her plight way back when she had nowhere to go. Despite their limited resources, they managed to still help her and to keep their happiness and one time joy to be ruined by a lack of funds was unacceptable in her eyes.

"Cecilia! Rett and I are waiting for you! Come down so that we could eat breakfast together!"

An old man's voice came from downstairs of the inn. She smiled at the call and dressed herself up with a white dress and brown boots that she always wore. She grabbed an empty basket that she used for gathering flowers at the abandoned church on the far side of the village and went downstairs.

The wooden stairs creaked loudly as she rushed down with enthusiasm and glee. She saw some of the townsfolk were now hanging at their usual spots like old and grumpy Dart Fin eating some omelettes at the corner or like merrymaking specialist Winda Hill, she was such a fun woman to be around, always baking her and Rett some of her famous Rubarb pie and telling her stories of famous women who made it big in legends.

"There you are young lady, come sit with us already, the soup is getting cold." Cecilia saw her surrogate father, Tarin Biggs alongside his young sickly son, Rett, as both of them smiled at her from the nearest table to the counter.

She smiled back at the father-son duo. They were the first ones who came to her rescue and gave her a home. When she came to the village they were the ones who treated her wounds and loved her like she was their own and so she was much more emotionally attached to them than anybody else.

"Good morning Tarin!" She went over them and before she sat down, she placed her lips on Rett's temple and ruffled his brown hair a bit. "And good morning to you too Rett."

She sat beside her surrogate brother while both of them were across Tarin. She usually sat beside Rett since he wasn't the healthiest bot around, she took up the responsibility of feeding him during their time together. She told that his condition was severe. Mana Overdose was the name of the disease, it was the overload of magical energy in one's body, it was usually in effect on children due to their less than durable body. They always suffer from malnourishment because their body tries to accomedate the over influx of mana and high fever.

"Watch me take the first few bites by myself Cecilia." Rett grinned weakly at her. She loved the boy with all her might and to see him so enthusiastic about the smallest things made her happy.

"Sure thing little guy. Besides, you're getting healthier because of those bracelets." It hurts to lie to him, his situation wasn't getting any better even with the expensive magical items that she and Tarin bought from traveling peddlers. Those items absorbs the excess of magical energy from the body, an effective method albeit a very heavy one on the pouch. The magical items can only store so much mana before it breaks, only enough for him to live for at least six more months.

Cecilia and Tarin smiled at the young man but it was not one of joy but with pity. Tarin told Cecilia that Rett was born with such deficiency. His wife was a magical researcher who fell in love with a soldier like him. Their union created many tribulations but in the end, they managed to settle down in Fahn Lest Village where they currently resides. Rett's mother died during childbirth and was left with her research in her younger days.

Thinking back on it, Cecilia felt guilty for learning something so personal about Tarin and Rett. She felt that it wasn't her place to even just have the knowledge to it. Nonetheless, she was grateful for his trust in her. One she plans on repaying back.

"Do you have any plans today? We could go out to the capital to unwind?" Tarin asked her.

Cecilia wiped Rett's mouth as he spilled some of his soup, "I was planning on making a play or a musical for the village. It'll hopefully get their hopes up for the Spring Festival."

Tarin chuckled at her answer. "Always looking out for everyone. What did we do to deserve you."

The blonde merely blushed, she was just trying to repay what they had done to her. "Can you blame me though? Everyone in Fahn Lest is my family."

"True and that's why you shouldn't worry about the festival, we're doing fine. Your support is more than enough to get us through these trying times."

Right...Lombard attacked her country and invaded Valencia. She wasn't much for the game of nobility but she knew the implications of what happened. Not only that but recently, the harvest hasn't been good at all. So the morale of the village was at an all time low. All the more reason to think up a way to lighten everyone up.

"I'm assuming you would like to pick up some flowers for decorating the inn?"

Cecilia nodded at him, "After that we'll go to the capital, maybe Rett would like some fresh honey roast pork for lunch?" She smiled at the young man who looked rather excited to eat one of his favourite foods. He might not have much of an appetite in his state but he would never pass up on an opportunity like this.

"Then I'll be right back, the Spring Festival doesn't start until the end of the week. I'd have plenty of time to work things out." She stood up with their empty plates to do their dishes. A common routine among all of them.

"You don't have to but since you're so adamant, then who are we to stop you, right Rett?" Tarin nudged his child and Rett grinned from ear to ear.

"Yeah! I'm so excited! Can I play a role too Cecilia?"

She smiled at the boy, "If you finish the assignment that I gave you then I'll consider it."

She went to the kitchen sink and she could still hear Rett's excitement. This might be what her brother felt with her during their time together. She couldn't help but laugh at the memory, while she was covered in mud from trying to catch a frog, he was already there singing her favourite song to soothe her if she didn't caught one. It was one of the few good memories she had prior to living in Fahn Lest.

After she was done with the dishes, she went out to go to do some errands she set out to do. Most of the time, she would always help out at the inn, taking orders, cleaning and maintaining order throughout the rowdy bunch. Often times, travelers would stay at the inn, some were nice and respectful while others would look like they could snap a tree if they sat on it. Tarin was now too old to keep up with the youths these days, his words not her's, and it was now up to her to keep things in check.

It wasn't that late in the morning so she only saw familiar faces, all of whom greeted her with smiles and cheers as usual. She noticed three unfamiliar figures at the corner of the inn. All three of them were cloaked eating some omelettes while the other one was drinking their trademark coffee.

She decided to leave them be since they don't look like people who would cause trouble. She went out to a sunny day, the streets were filled with the townsfolk. Everyone seems to go on with their lives peacefully despite the horrible news but she just brushed it off as everyone having 'the spirit of the spring goddess among them'. She could see the houses that was built since the village was first established. The wooden infrastructures were mostly two-story houses, while the inn was a three-story establishment.

Cecilia suddenly felt a tap on her right shoulder. She turned to her right expecting to see someone but was met with a finger to the cheek.

"Good morning Cecil! Do you have a date for the festival? I heard from a little birdy that you were planning on making a play?"

She looked behind her to see her best friend, Lana. When they first met, they weren't exactly on the best of terms. She always made fun of her with such an obnoxious but harmless personality, but the more time she spent her time Lana, the more she her redeeming qualities. At the end of the day she found out that they were one and the same when it comes to making real friends.

Cecilia laughed at her redhead's antics, "Good morning too Lana. Tarin said that I shouldn't worry about it but It wouldn't feel right if I just do nothing."

Lana grabbed the basket from Cecilia's arm, a gesture that she noticed but didn't object to. "Well I can understand where the old man is coming from, whether or not the Spring Festival continues wouldn't matter. Even the Village Council wanted the festival to continue, at least that was what my father said."

They began to walk towards the church as they passed by multiple shopping stands. "Wouldn't that hurt the village's own funds?"

"Cecil, this isn't exactly a good year for us. I couldn't even make a dent in the stock of clothes I sell. The least we could do is let loose once in a while." Lana grinned at her best friend. "Besides, we can't exactly let you do all the planning miss future Seer."

Cecilia sighed, "You'll be a Seer too y'know." She muttered under her breath but she nonetheless smiled, she was grateful from the support she was getting from her friend. Their little talk made her unaware that they already reached the plaza. It wasn't anything special aside from the fountain statue of the goddess standing proudly at the center.

She wondered to herself everyday if coming to Fahn Lest was orchestrated by the goddess. That it was destiny for her to live here and be loved by a lot of people. Yet every time her thoughts drifted towards the topic, she would feel a slight churn in her stomach. She couldn't really stand the thought that someone was controlling her destiny.

Call it her new found Valencian pride.

"Hello? Goddess, you look like you'll vomit any second there. Are you alright." Lana asked her with eyes laced with worry.

Cecilia mentally shook her head and gave out a weak smile. "I'm fine, just lost in thought is all." In truth she was suddenly not feeling well when she gaze upon the goddess. Ironic since she loved going to church but to pray or pick up some flowers but to ask her why did those things happened to her.

"Let's get on picking up some flowers, then we can talk to the elders about your—" Lana was cut offed by bumping into some unknown stranger and fell to the ground with her bottom landing hard.

"Owwieee!"

"...Sorry about that."

The man knelt down, picked up her basket and helped her get back up alongside Cecilia who rushed towards her friend as soon as she fell down.

"Are you alright?!" Cecilia asked her friend.

"Yeah." Lana still winced at her butt. "And you! Watch where you're—" She stopped at her tracks just she was about to reprimand the man only to blush and stutter. Cecilia was confused at her actions and took a glance at the man.

Her eyes widened slightly as she remembered the man's face. His dark hair and cold eyes and black armour that covered his body.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" Cecilia asked, they garnered a bit of attention from a few people nearby on how long they were standing.

The man looked confused or at least, she thought he was. He wasn't very expressive so it was hard for her to determine whether what he was thinking.

"...I don't think so." He backed up and turned to Lana. "I'm sorry. I should've looked at where I was going."

Cecilia raised her eyebrow. Despite the apology, he didn't seemed genuine and instead, sounded bored and dismissive. Lana on the other hand...

"O-oh n-no! I-I'm fine!" She stuttered even more.

Cecilia resisted the urge to slap herself in the head for how Lana always acted around boys. Despite being a romantic at heart, she doesn't have much experience with love, not anything good anyway. She was a terrible flirt and Cecilia knew that even though she too had never flirted before. Lana always falls in love with boys far faster than how Tarin make wood carvings on rush orders and she always had to ground her to her feet just to not let her do something she might regret.

"Then I'll be going now."

"Wait!"

Cecilia was surprised at Lana's forwardness, wondering what her friend was planning.

"Y-you got my dress d-dirty, the least you could do is help us with our errands, m-mister mysterious." Lana tried to put a flirty smirk to no avail. She was too nervous that everybody could see it.

"...If that will help."

Apparently this man couldn't see it.

Cecilia stepped up between them, she needed to stop this at once. Lana could fall in love with someone else, just not a stranger. A stranger that looks like he could kill them and wouldn't care about it in the slightest.

"I'm sorry sir but—"

"Don't call me sir. Allendis is fine."

Both girls blinked in stupor. They were surprised to learned his name was quite elegant. It almost matched his graceful features. To Lana however, it only fueled her desire for him as Cecilia could hear a love struck squeal coming from her.

"He's totally into me." She whispered to Cecilia beside her.

"Not now Lana. You'll make things harder." Cecilia hissed at her.

"Now about those errands, should we get going. I'm not familiar with this place."

Cecilia tried to object but she was beaten by Lana who lost some of her nervousness and was excited to spend more time with Allendis. "We were just heading to the nearby church to pick up some flowers."

"Lana!"

"Oh hush now! We could certainly need the help. As they say, never overlook a horse's gift in the mouth." Lana nudged her arm while repeatedly winking at her.

More like never look at the horse's face for fear it might knock a tooth out of her but she bit her lip and conceded.

With a sigh of defeat, she finally relented. "Fine but we should do this as fast as possible. We don't like to inconvenience Allendis."

"Yes, you guys wouldn't like that." Allendis deadpanned.

Cecilia couldn't tell whether he was joking or was being rude but she let it slide. There was no point in guessing now. It would only be a fruitless endeavour.

All three of them walked past the plaza with Lana almost gushing at the man beside her. It was almost embarrassing but they were garnering a bit of attention as they strode off the market place. Most of them were curious at what the resident sweetheart was doing and greeted her good morning while others were far more interested at the mysterious looking man.

She wondered what he was doing here. Judging from his sword and his cloak, he was a traveling mercenary but she decided to let her curiosity die down. It wasn't her place to pry out personal information.

"So what's a mercenary like you doing here in Fahn Lest?" Lana asked.

Apparently her friend thought herself otherwise.

Allendis remained silent for a while. This got Lana to retract ger question and Cecilia glared at him. He could have just entertain her, there was no need to be—

"Just a stop by. I'm on a business trip."

Lana perked up at his answer and was glad that she wasn't completely ignored. "Oh! Well, I guess that's supposed to be expected from someone as strong and handsome as yourself."

Cecilia resisted the itch to roll her eyes at the shameless flirting. Couldn't she had thought of a better line than that? She could never know how she could go from stuttering buffoon to a seemingly expert flirt.

"...Thank you?"

And how dense could this man get? She was baffled at the mercenary for his surprisingly almost naïve nature. Luckily for him, Lana didn't mind as she was just happy that maybe she could finally find her match.

It didn't take long before they reached the church. Unlike any infrastructures in the village, the church was made out of clean stone walls and was surprisingly large in a relatively small village. The church has an orphanage at the back and a garden, that was where Cecilia and Lana get the flowers from. They went inside the church hall with a few rows of benches on either side and a statue of the goddess at the end of the aisle. At the far end just beside the the statue, was two doors on each side. On the left was the bishop's room and on the right was the priest's quarters where all the priests and priestesses gather.

Cecilia knocked on the bishop's quarters. "Father Dyle? It's me Cecilia, we're here to collect some flowers. Can we borrow the keys to the greenhouse?"

There was no reply.

Cecilia knocked again and but still, nothing came. That was weird. Normally the bishop would always reside in his office at these hours. She thought that maybe he went out so she planned to wait for him.

However, something felt off. It wasn't helping that Allendis suddenly had a surge of emotion coming from the glare he gave at the door. Could it be that he wasn't fond of the church?

"Hey what are you doing?" Lana asked Allendis as he walked over to the door quietly.

"Allendis, you might be in a hurry but we should wait—" Cecilia was cut off by a loud and powerful kick that the young mercenary gave to the door.

"Allendis?!" Cecilia was fuming at the mercenary and stomped towards him with Lana having a worried look at both of them. "What the hell were you trying to pull?!"

Allendis remained silent and went inside the room. It looked completely normal, just what he was expecting a bishop's room would look like. Shelves of books on the left, mostly containing biblical anecdotes and a table with a few chairs on the right but what really caught his attention was the desk of the bishop's room.

"...I knew it." Allendis said in a low voice.

"Hey! We are not done talk—?!" Cecilia followed him into the room but soon after her anger dissipated and was replaced with an emotion she hadn't experienced since coming here in Fahn Lest.

"AAAAAAAAH!"

She felt fear.

Cecilia couldn't process what she just saw. Everything around her felt so dark. There was a burning sensation that clung to her heart as it pull it down almost like dropping it to her stomach at high speeds.

She could only see the grisly corpse of Father Dyle.