"Where did you disappear?" Vittoria demanded after I had walked up to her hesitantly.

"I was just roaming around," I fibbed. She narrowed her eyes.

"Roamin where? I know you weren't in the market. I combed this place for you," She challenged, digger her probing eyes into me as if she could see through me.

"I was roaming around the town," I replied. I couldn't think of anything other than that at the moment, and surprisingly, she didn't ask me anything further. However, something devilish gleamed in her eyes as she gave me a sweeping look.

"I thought you had already gone to see your brother. I'm sure you must be dying to meet him," she teased. "anyway, let's get going. I cannot wait to see your bother,"

I almost imagined the tips of her lips narrowly tugging up as if in a smirk, but it vanished soon. The expression that hung on her face made me somewhat worried for my brother, even though I loathed him the most these days. I'm sure that he'd be beyond stunned to see the High Priestess herself there— yes, he fvcked up that bad.

"But where did you go?" I asked her as we headed out of the market.

"I had to meet an old friend," She answered with a tone indicating any more questions on this matter would be unwelcomed, but I didn't care.

"You have friends outside the shrine?" I pressed, "Isn't it in the Part IX of the Shrine Codices that one has to give up all the relationships before joining the Shrine?" I questioned, hoping that she would notice I had been paying attention to the study of Lagrifiri Codices lessons.

"The Codices also says that the High Priestess and the Matriarch are authorised to exceed the rules under Part IX if the situation mandates," She struck back. "And besides, we are going to see your brother. Aren't we?" She reminded.

"I don't remember the Codices making any exception for Royals," I told her. I'd have been pleased if she had come here without me because I didn't want to see my brother, nor did I want to deal with Vittoria.

"The Codices entitles the High Priestess to create exceptions in extraordinary circumstances," She quoted, and I sighed deeply.

Of course, Vittoria knew the Codices better than anyone else.

"Did your cards tell you to meet the old friend?"

"Don't bore me with your questions, Theresa," She spoke, glancing over her shoulder. Suddenly, the sense of being watched itched my skin. I dared to peek over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of Nico. My heart stammered. Vittoria added darkly, "and be grateful I'm not grilling you for your sudden absence. I'm sure you must've some of your friends to catch up with,"

For a moment, I was terrified that Vittoria might have found out about Nico. Before I could defend myself, she grabbed my arm abruptly and dragged me away from the streets.

"Wha—"

"We're being followed!" She hissed before we broke into a run. I knew who it was, and this added to my dread. We ran towards the town and took cover behind a house. "I hate doing this," Vittoria muttered to herself and took her shawl off her shoulders and flipped it over the two of us.

Suddenly, we were standing in one of the Royal gardens inside my brother's palace. The feeling of being watched faded immediately.

"You could have done earlier," I suggested crudely.

"I don't fancy using my abilities until they are urgently required," She answered, wrapping the shawl around her shoulder. "Now, let's meet that dunce brother of yours,"

"But first, we'd have to face the Nobles, especially Herren," I spat.

"There's always a way around," With this, we snuck into the building through one of the windows.

"Court or his Wing?" I asked. She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Gentle air ruffled my hair as I felt something shift in the aura. She was using her powers to find him.

"The Southern Tower," She declared.

"What is he doing there?" I asked, bewildered.

"He isn't there yet. He'll be there. The passions of flesh have summoned him,"

~

The footsteps outside the room caused me to straighten up by the huge window. I knew it was my brother.

I grated my teeth when the door squeaked open, and my brother stepped inside the room. The moonlight was enough to lighten up half of the room. I knew he recognised me in the pale moonlight instantly.

"What are you doing here?" He growled behind me. I was still standing by the window, glaring a the sea illuminated by the moonlight.

"We're here to discuss some matters of importance," Vittoria declared her presence by answering on my behalf. I could imagine my brother's shocked face as Vittoria rose from the shadows in the corner of the room.

"W-what are you two doing here?" He stuttered, stepping back. Instantly, the door slammed shut with a loud bang behind him.

Locked.

"Your Highness," Vittoria purred, "It's such a pleasure to see you after such a long time," I heard the mockery in her voice. She was anything but pleased to see my brother, and so was I.

"I-I don't understand. What are you two doing here?" He demanded, slowly gaining back his poise as the initial effect of the shock wore off. I chose this moment to turn around and face my judas brother eventually. "Who let the two of you in?" He went on, "I will take action once I get out of her—"

"Sit down," Vittoria used her voice that instantly made him walk to the chair and drop on it with a loud thump. My brother glared at her in response— that's the only thing he could do. No one could act against when Vittoria had used the voice. It was one of the unique powers of the High Priestess.

"Much better," she beamed as she stalked towards him and studied him with a pensiveness shrouded on her face and a dangerous storm raging in her doe-like eyes. As she rounded him the second time, she gently brushed her fingers over his shoulder and instantly, my brother gasped.

The moonlight seized a flicker of flash as something metallic fell on the floor. Vittoria chuckled.

"You don't take us seriously, do you?" Vittoria fisted his hair and yanked his head back, forcing him to look up at her.

"How dare you act like this to the Emperor?" My brother breathed arrogantly even in such a compromising position. Either he was more idiotic than I had known him to be, or he was oblivious to the vile things she could do. I had a feeling that it was the latter.

"I'm the High Priestess of the Eternal Lagrifiri. I can act however I desire with you. You're under my jurisdiction, not the reverse," Vittoria reminded him. "And as for the question of why we are here, you know well enough why we are here," She calmed down a bit, letting go of his hair and rounding off to stand in front of me.

I stood by the window and said nothing— just like he did when Herren was humiliating me.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he dared to say, not aware of Vittoria's disposition. Vittoria responded by striking him across the face so hard that a few drops of blood ran down his nose.

"That should help," Vittoria smiled, wiping her hand on the shawl as if she had touched a rodent.

"You're making her do this, aren't you?" He gritted, glaring at me.

"I don't have to do anything with this," I replied calmly, "You had it coming,"

"Enough of this chatter. Let's get to work. I don't have all night to deal with you," Vittoria declared, gently cracking her fingers. I saw a flash of fear in my brother's eyes. "So tell me, your highness, how far along are your war preparations?"

"Far enough for you to not be able to do anything," He responded. I had forgotten how arrogant he could be at times, but I had a feeling it wasn't going to last long in front of Vittoria. She endowed another oddly satisfying hit across his face.

"I'm not surprised the Nobles had you sit on the throne. You have nothing between your ears," She said.

"I was throned because I'm the rightful heir," He claimed, making me laugh dryly.

"And I have two heads," I spat, locking my gaze with him in a death stare until Vittoria stepped between us.

"I'm not here to deal with a squabble between two siblings," Vittoria warned my brother.

"Then what are you here for?"

"I've travelled here to knock some sense into you," She told him, cracking her fingers again, "If you don't quit your silly war rehearsals, a lot of horrific events will occur,"

"Because you saw a silly dream?" My brother invoked, being blessed by a punch instantly. I couldn't help but grin as he groaned with pain.

"Because I'm the High Priestess of a mystic institution that has always put the wellbeing of Somirea first!" Vittoria gritted. I could see that she was starting to get irked. I don't blame her. I was somewhat surprised how she hadn't turned him into a frog and stomped all over him.

She stood for a whole long moment, glaring at my brother, who still dared to look her in the eyes.

"I'm asking you again, Theoron," She gritted, "How far are you war preparations?" She demanded.

My brother gave her a long stare before responding smugly, "The first company of troops have been dispatched for a silent invasion,"

Vittoria punched him in the eye.

~