Chapter 4

The journey to the Great Temple feels like an eternity for Viviane. Her mind is racing with so many thoughts and they all jumble together in a huge storm of emotions. Her heart aches so much for Cordelia whose frail body seems to weighs nothing in her arms.

Viviane is having a hard time to believe that her daughter had been subjected to so much pain, abuse and neglect under the roof of her own family. When she gave birth to her, Viviane promised to raise Cordelia as a princess who only sees the beauty of the world. She loves all of her kids equally. But Viviane wants to protect the little girl more because of the challenges and difficulties she faced while carrying her third child in her womb.

And the accusations from her husband and the way to show the truth about Cordelia's identity and mana is adding to the heartache that Viviane is feeling right now. When she left the mansion to lead the Black Knights in the battlefield, she trusted her Fernando to take good care of their children and ensure their safety.

But after knowing the gist of what happened during those years all shattered Viviane's sense of security and trust. The female General doesn't know what to do if she discovers more about what happened during her disappearance. Seeing the weak and sickly child in her arms, Viviane cannot promise she will not kill a man or two once she starts uncovering the truth.

But for now, there is no time for Viviane to dwell for her family's broken bonds. There is only one thing that matters to her and it is to heal Cordelia's injuries as soon as possible. With this thought, the female General Commander hastens their journey and ignores the people who looks in her way.

The route to the Great Temple is long and winding that passes through vast plains and dense forests. The air is cold and crisp as Viviane rides her horse. Her eyes are fixed firmly on the road ahead while her arms are carefully wrapped and holding on her daughter. Cordelia's face looks so pale and her breathing is too shallow for Viviane's liking.

The female General Commander can feel the weight of her daughter's frailty and each jolt of the horse makes her flinch. It terrifies her that Cordelia's already weak body will break apart from the strain. Although Viviane felt sad and remorse for her fallen comrades, she never shed a tear in the battlefield. But it's now different when the one injured in her arms is her child.

When they finally arrived at the Great Temple, a sense of relief washes over Viviane. The white towering stone structure that is always bathe in sunlight is looming over them like a beacon of hope. This is the place where divine healing powers are not only revered but practiced with ancient rituals.

Priest Klefa, an old acquaintance of Viviane is known for his ability to wield healing powers. It's so powerful it can mend even the most grievous of wounds. If anyone can help Cordelia, it's him.

The marble staircase leading into the temple seems like an endless journey as Viviane steps on them while holding Cordelia close to her chest. The sound of her boots echoes through the silent courtyard. The temple looks serene and peaceful as if this place is untouched by the world's pain and suffering.

But it doesn't ease Viviane's heart at all. It feels heavy like her footsteps. She is never felt more desperate than she is now.

As she approaches the grand doors, they suddenly open without a sound and it reveals the temple's sacred inner sanctum. Priest Klefa is already waiting for her with his long white robes flowing gracefully behind him. His face is now wrinkled with age yet but it's undeniably marked with wisdom. The priest's face softens at the sight of Viviane and her daughter. He steps forward with his outstretched hand and speaks in a soft but measured tone.

"I've already seen in my vision that you'll be here with your daughter."

Viviane nods her head heavily in reply.

"Please, Klefa. She's been hurt. I need your help! I don't know what to do anymore. I'm willing to pay any amount or owe the Great Temple any favor. Just please..." Viviane pleaded desperately.

The priest studies Cordelia for a moment and soon his eyes narrows with concern. He can sense the deep injuries that lay beneath her frail body. It is not just physical injuries. There are emotional and psychological wounds that cannot be seen but are still present.

Although Priest Klefa is a man of divine power, there are still things that cannot be treated in an instant. He understands that even with the gods' blessing, broken souls cannot be healed in a matter of hours and superficial words. They needed a lot of time, care, and understanding to heal.

"Bring her here, Viviane." Priest Klefa said gently and motions her to a sofa placed in the center of the room. "Let me tend to her."

Viviane carefully laid Cordelia down but her fingers linger on her daughter's cold skin for a moment. But she soon steps back slowly and watch as Priest Klefa kneels beside the sofa and close his eyes to pray. The priest's hand begins to glow with a golden light as he murmurs ancient incantations. The air grows thick with the presence of divine power and it fills the room with an overwhelming sense of calm.

For a moment, Viviane stands still and entranced by the sight before her. She already saw a number of priests perform miracles on her soldiers. But witnessing how Priest Klefa treats her daughter feels different. She closed her eyes tightly and prays to the gods for mercy.

'Please... Please save my daughter... Please heal her.'

The glow around Priest Klefa's hands intensifies and a soft warmth spread through the room and it's wrapping around Cordelia's weak and fragile body like a protective cocoon. For a moment, Viviane dares to think that things are finally all right. As the light fades, Priest Klefa opens his eyes and it's full of relief and sorrow.

"The wounds are healed, Viviane. For now, what Cordelia needs is plenty of rest and make her body healthy again." the priest softly said.

Those words are enough to ease the burden in Viviane's heart. Her daughter is now safe. She can't help but hold the priest's hands and thanked him for healing Cordelia. Priest Klefa looks at his friend and gives her trembling hands a gentle squeeze.

"I know a few herbs that can make her body healthy again. I will give you the list later."

"Thank you... Thank you for your help. I really owe you this one, Klefa. I will surely repay you a lot for helping me."

"There's no need for that. You are like a family to me, Viviane. Family naturally help one another."

Priest Klefa instruct some of his apprentices to prepare a room for Cordelia so she can have more rest. Viviane doesn't trust anyone to get close with her daughter and carries the little girl by herself. No one gets offended with the female General's action and instead guides her to the room so she can placed her daughter on the bed. After making sure that everything is well-arranged, Priest Klefa calls Viviane saying he has something important to discuss with her.

"Klefa, what would you like to talk about?"

"I will not hide the truth from you, Viviane. I already healed Cordelia's body but some things cannot be mended by divine power alone."

Viviane's heart clenches painfully in her chest when she hear those word.

"What do you mean? Explain it to me more!"

"Her body may appear healed now. But the trauma, neglect, abuse, and isolation she endured runs much deeper than what we can see. The gods can mend flesh but the soul must heal in its own time, Viviane."

Viviane's body tremble in anger. She wants to scream, to request more from Klefa, to ask the gods to mend her daughter's broken soul. But she is aware that taking those actions will not make things better.

She knows the priest is right. She already guessed by now the amount of Cordelia's sufferings. The things she endured probably made huge scars in her heart that can never be erased. They were engraved in her soul and mind rather than on her skin.

"Is there nothing we can do?" Viviane weakly asked.

Klefa placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Don't lose hope yet, Viviane. There is much that can be done although it will take a lot of time. Cordelia needs plenly of love and care. And above all, she needs to know that she is finally safe. Only then will her soul start to heal.

Viviane nods her head and wipe the unshed tears in her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I'll do whatever it takes. I will make sure she knows she is loved, Klefa."

"It's not just her body that needs healing, Viviane. It's you as well. You will also carry the weight of her pain and the heavy weight of the betrayal that you two suffered."

Viviane nods her head again. Klefa never asked her any questions so far but he is a smart man. He can already guessed the situation by just looking at it. Still, he respect their privacy and doesn't pry on things Viviane cannot discuss for now.

Thank you for all your help, Klefa." Viviane quietly said but it's filled with gratitude.

"Like I said, you are like a family to me. And you did everything to keep our kingdom safe. Helping you is the least I can do for you."

Soon, Priest Klefa leaves saying he still have things to do. Viviane enters the room where Cordelia is resting. Although her scars and bruises are gone, she's still fragile and smaller than her peers. Patting her daughter's head, Viviane promised to protect Cordelia with every ounce of strength she have.

Her daughter is alive and now safe. For the time being, that is the most important thing.