Chapter 7

– A candidate for the Saints? – the priests asked, stammering.

This was due to the fact that the candidates were forbidden to be taken from the temple. This was done in order to prevent children with divine power from acting outside the temple.

– Saints are a valuable asset of our church. In principle, this is impossible, – having said this, the priests exchanged glances with each other. – However, it depends on the candidate.

The priest took the list of candidates for Saints from the third shelf of the bookcase and, to make it easier to read it, put the list on the desk.

– This is possible if we are talking about a lower-level candidate. Have you already chosen a child?

Among the candidates for Saints, there was a division into levels depending on their status. If the candidate was an orphan or a commoner, she was of a lower level, and it was not difficult to deviate from the rules and release her from the temple.

– Daina, – Duke Dehsin's voice softened a little as he said the name.

The priests studied the list of candidates compiled in order of importance and... After a few pages they discovered that Daina was an orphan, and her divine power was the lowest. She was even taken from the slums.

'Why would he…

If Duke Dehsin chooses her, then we won't have to worry about a possible scandal with him. After all, even if she leaves the temple, no one will take care to start looking for her…'

However, the priests continued to hesitate that the Duke could then make a claim to them:

– Are you sure you want to take her?

– This child has the weakest divine power. If you allow me, I would recommend you a more capable candidate…

Darwin's gaze darkened when the priests lowered Daina so much with their words. He could tell exactly how the girl was treated in the temple. Daina's gaze, which seemed empty, broke the Duke's heart.

– You must want me to cut out your tongues, – Darwin's furious voice made the priests swallow nervously and involuntarily step back.

Darwin thought that he would never do such a thing in the temple, but his rage burst out, so he hurriedly compressed his lips, forcing himself to restrain himself.

'This is very serious!' – Ben, who knew Duke Dehsin well, shouted in his mind. The Duke could really do something like that without even looking at what the priests were, so Ben quickly stepped forward and spoke instead of him.:

– No, we will take her with us, - Ben, who resolutely took up the matter, took out a check for a million erin and handed it to the priests.

This sum would be enough for a simple aristocrat for six months of a luxurious life.

The eyes of the priests, who saw the amount, opened wide. The senior priest quickly swallowed his saliva and tore out the page on which Daina's name was written:

– Well, thank you. We will make this donation useful for the temple.

– Please don't forget to erase her name.

– There's no chance she'll be missed.

There was no need to wait. Therefore, Daina's name was deleted from all the lists of candidates of the temple. There was no need for the priests to report to their superiors.

No one will care if one orphan of the youngest students disappears.

– What kind of unexpected luck?! – after Duke Dehsin and Ben left the main building, the priests were so happy that they were able to sell one of the most useless candidates at such a high price.

If Daina had stayed in the temple any longer, the priests would not have been able to do anything with her. The fact that they were able to sell it for hundreds of times more than it was redeemed was an extremely good deal.

– You're not going to donate all the money, are you? The younger priest asked.

– Are you crazy?! Only we know about this, let's just divide the amount in half.

–Would you like to come to the bar with me tonight?"

– Of course!

However, these priests had no idea that they had sold the future Saint with their own hands. They couldn't even imagine the further consequences of their actions.

***

– Is that all? – Daina rubbed her eyes, looking at the luggage she had packed in her room.

Before leaving the temple, the girl examined her room for the last time, but found nothing of value except a diary.

Daina was going to leave her usual tracksuit here, and her pajamas, blanket and writing materials were badly worn out.

After tidying up, the girl sat down on the bare mattress and slowly looked around the room. Daina didn't have any pleasant feelings about the temple, but she felt a little strange because she thought she would never be able to leave here.

However, contrary to the girl's expectations, two days ago a man came who promised to pick her up and disappeared.

– Can I really get out of here? – Daina asked in a half-strangled voice, not expecting an answer.

'I have begged God countless times to help me leave the temple, but this has never happened, and I have always found myself locked in this place, meeting the same end over and over again…

I can't believe I can leave the temple so easily…'

The inconstancy of the nobility is the most famous fact. And since Daina considered Duke Dehsin's decision to adopt her a mere whim, she continued to worry that he would change his mind about taking her away from the temple.

'If I really go to Duke Dehsin's residence, then I will have to deal with his twin sons…

Someone like me won't be able to ignore those who grew up in the Grand Duke's family…'

All the aristocrats Daina dealt with were vain, proud, insensitive, and ready to trample anyone below them.

The girl did not know how she would be treated in the Duke's house, since she was an orphan.

'It doesn't matter.

I just need to hold out for a while until I find a way to die,' – thinking about this, Daina moved to the corner of the room and squatted down.

She was tied up for so long that at some point she lost the ability to fall asleep lying down straight. Daina could only relax when she wrapped her arms around her knees and leaned against some wall.

'There's not much left.

I need to get enough sleep to be able to travel a long way…'

However, Daina could not fall asleep. The girl couldn't even remember the last time she slept peacefully.

Sinking into sleep, Daina saw the prison door, which was always locked. The memory of the suffering she suffered came to life so vividly that it was painful for the girl to fall asleep.

'I wonder if if I get out of here, will I be able to sleep through the whole day in peace?

Fortunately, tomorrow I will be able to leave this place…' – Daina covered her head with a blanket and curled up. The girl just hoped that there would simply be no next day.

***

Early the next morning.

Having made the bed, Daina sat motionless on it. The girl did not sleep well, so, after tossing from side to side all night, she felt black circles under her eyes.

And yet, Daina felt more or less well. The priest, who had waited for the end of all the events, came to pick up the girl:

– Are you ready?

– Yes.

The priest turned around and left the room without even saying whether all the formalities were completed.

Daina, taking a pre-packed bag, followed the priest. It was still too early, so the corridors of the temple were empty.

– You must follow the Grand Duke at any time of the year and to any place. No matter what, you won't be able to come back here. Forget everything that happened in the temple, – the priest said coldly to the silent Daina.

– And if they refuse me?

– Then you'll be on your own, – Remember, you are no longer part of the temple.

Daina swallowed a laugh that was about to burst from her lips.

'What a pity that I once appreciated this place.

Would they treat me like this if I wasn't an orphan?..' – the girl burned the priest with a furious look, angry at him for treating her like an empty place.

– I get it.

'It's just that too much time has passed since I gave up my expectations of a good life in the temple,' –Daina suppressed her anger, considering it a waste of time.

Then none of them said a word.

When the priest and Daina walked silently through the Prayer hall, they noticed a familiar figure at the end.

'Why now?..' – The girl's eyes widened when she recognized her as Rabien.

Rabien also seemed quite surprised by the meeting. She looked puzzled to see Daina and the priest so early in the morning.

– Madame Rabien, where are you going so early in the morning?

– Ah, I'm going to pray to the Holy Mother.

– As expected. That's why the Divine Sun loves you so much.

Rabien smiled in response to the priest's flattering words and immediately turned to Daina:

– But where are you going? Daina?

– Um... actually, I'm leaving the temple today, – Daina tried not to advertise it, but now that she met Rabien, the girl had no choice but to tell the truth.

– What? But where will you go?

– To the residence of the Grand Duke of Dehsin. The Grand Duke said he would take her there himself," the priest explained.

Rabien's eyes widened at these words:

– Grand Duke Dehsin?

'It seems absurd…

Daina and the Grand Duke can't possibly be related!'

– If you'll excuse me, I'd like to say goodbye to Daina." Just a minute. It's such a pity to part with her–" Rabien said with a sweet smile.

– Of course, – the priest replied with a kind smile, which he never showed to Daina, and turned away.

As soon as the priest turned away, Rabien gripped Daina's forearm tightly:

– Are you really going to the Grand Duke?

– Yes, – feeling uncomfortable, Daina moved her shoulders, and Rabien's face twisted:

– But why? Have you known each other before?

– No.

– Then why would the Grand Duke want someone like you? – Rabien's agitated voice was gloomy and filled with acid. She even forgot for a few moments that she had to pretend.

A smile appeared on Daina's lips as she looked at Rabien:

– I don't know. Why would he need someone like me?

– It doesn't make any sense. You are an orphan, and I am the star of the temple. He's probably going to use you for something... – Rabien's red eyes narrowed.

It was a rare moment when Rabien, who always wore a mask of pretense, behaved like this. Daina looked at her with an expression that said, «Yes, you're right.»

– Oh, Daina! What I just said is a misunderstanding! – Rabien, feeling that the atmosphere had turned cold, quickly changed her face, putting on the mask again. – I'm so sad that you're leaving. We were pretty close, weren't we?

In an instant, tears shone beautifully on Rabien's eyelashes, like a doll's.

– Have we been? – Daina's insides were boiling as she watched Rabien's hypocritical behavior.

'I think it's stupid to take revenge, but how I now want to take revenge on her for the pain that she made me feel ...' – Daina was surprised even for a second that such emotions still remained in her.

– I'm sure you'll be the next Saint.

Rabien, who unexpectedly received these words from Daina, blinked quickly, as if in perplexity.

At the same time, Daina smiled broadly, as if she didn't hate the word «Saint» and squeezed Rabien's hands. It was a gesture of giving a blessing in their temple:

– I want to give you my blessing before I leave.

– Really? – Rabien's lips twitched as she looked at someone else's palms over her own.

'How dare this worthless orphan hold my hands?!' – but despite her thoughts, Rabien forced herself to smile, because she didn't have the reputation to reject a blessing.

Seeing through Rabien, Daina closed her eyes and focused on the blessing that came from her folded hands.

Except, of course, Daina wasn't going to give her blessing to Rabien. Instead, she said from the bottom of her heart:

'Even if I die, I and my power will never belong to you!'

At that moment, a bright desire flared up in Daina's heart.

'I want revenge. Until now, I just hoped that my life in a dark and cramped prison cell would end, but now I want to see how Rabien's self-confident face is filled with despair!

If you can see Rabien, who always firmly believes that she will become a Saint, crying in despair...

It would be nice not to die, but to live and look for a way to take revenge. After all, as long as I'm alive, Rabien will not become a Saint.'

– ...Finished.

– Thank you. I wish you all the best too.

Daina nodded and, lowering her gaze, followed her escort.

– It seems she's different today, – Rabien stared intently at Daina's retreating back.

'This is not the look that usually looked up at me. Her eyes were so angry, as if she knew everything.'

– We won't see each other again. What's wrong with her? – Thinking, Rabien wiped her palms on her clothes, because she felt so dirty after Daina's touch that she couldn't stand it.

– She was originally a stupid orphan that I could use as I pleased, – Rabien turned away, erasing all her memories of Daina. The existence of such a person was no more significant to her than the stones scattered on the streets.