A New Problem

Alex and Felicia bid Marquess Lydia and her children goodbye.

Cordelia had invited Felicia to attend one of her tea parties to which Felicia had agreed. Although, she wasn't sure if it was such a wise idea as it would increase the likelihood of her seeing Liam again. And being around him without being able to openly showcase her affection was going to be a challenge. 

One she did not wish to overcome.

They boarded their carriage and left with the Del Montague knights forming a protective circle around them. The party travelled at a relatively fast pace and there weren't any attacks from the Pope.

Alex, who was looking out of the window occasionally glanced at his sister. She appeared a bit down and he knew it was due to her private time with Liam. Although he was tempted to ask her what happened, he knew she would open up when she felt like it.

The situation was going to get messy.

With her engagement to Constantine, Felicia's feelings for Liam would definitely create problems. He wondered how Constantine would react if he knew Felicia was in love with Liam. Although the Crown Prince and the Young Marquis had always maintained a good friendship, would that still remain to be the case once they truly started competing for the same woman? 

Alex had seen the look of possession on both Liam's and Constantine's faces when they had watched Felicia in her unconscious state. They were smitten.

Well, as long as they're being sensible and don't do anything that could paint Felicia in a bad light, I'll leave her to handle it. This is quite literally the first time in her life she's about to have two men fighting for her. I wonder how she feels about it? Does she even realize it?

After arriving back home, the pair went to their respective rooms.

Felicia sat at her desk doing her history assignments, while her mind kept drifting to the red ruby and how she would go about discreetly acquiring it. But more importantly, how was she going to learn to summon her lightning powers in such a short period of time? The next Day of Prayer was fast approaching and she couldn't afford to waste any more time. 

Acquisition of the Goddess's gem was essential.

Felicia spread out her fingers and tried to envision purple lightning forming from her nailbeds. Sure enough, nothing happened. She tried again, and still nothing happened.

Twenty minutes later she gave up and instead chose to practice her healing magic. This came as naturally as breathing. 

Her mind wandered back to Liam and she absentmindedly touched her lips. The thought of the kiss they shared caused a sharp chill to race up her spine. A chill of anticipation.

She would meet him again at church soon, alongside Constantine. How was she going to face her betrothed after having nearly had sex with another man on a rock? 

Back in his room, Alex was revising some practice papers on how to effectively adjust a budget to ensure the profits balanced out when he suddenly wondered what Helena was up to.

The girl had silent these last few days.

Unusually silent.

Why wasn't she trying to cause Felicia any trouble? 

Alex had seen the jealous fury in her eyes when she had watched him and Felicia train during the rainstorm. So he assumed she would do something to counter. But nothing? Or had she?

Tugging his collar in unease, he decided to pay Hildegarde a short visit.

Helena had been in her room all day. She spent little time doing her assignments and instead had been brooding after realizing that she didn't have any clothes suitable for weapons training. She had woken up filled with determination, but a quick scouring of her closet made her realize that any training with Sir Rover would have to wait for another day.

She would have to contact her dressmaker and ask for male clothing to be made for her frame, just as she had seen Felicia don. Unfortunately, that would take time. Sewing did not happen overnight.

And Helena was too impatient to wait.

I'll just ask Felicia to lend me a pair of her training clothes. That isn't such an unreasonable request. She would look like an inconsiderate brat if she refused.

With that plan in mind, Helena went to inform her mother. After getting her support, she then went to meet with Sir Rovar and asked him if it would be alright for him to adopt her as a pupil as well.

However, later that night, a shocking letter arrived at the Del Montague manor. It was written by the Pope and addressed directly to Helena.

Upon reading it, Duchess Tyren had picked up her daughter and spun her in an affectionate embrace. She couldn't be prouder of her child! Both women's frustrations regarding Felicia was momentarily suspended as they rushed upstairs to inform the Duke.

The report from the holy church was spreading throughout the city.

Newspapers, bearing the message of the Holy Father had been drafted across Elysium at a very fast rate. People, nobles and commoners alike were filled with shock and excitement when they read about the newest development.

Some were doubtful. All were filled with anticipation.

The Pope had decided to engage in more precarious damage control as well as further deceive the public.

A new problem had risen for the holy siblings.