The day Yulianna dreaded most had finally arrived.
At first, she hadn't given it much thought, believing it would be nothing more than a simple march through the Holy Hall—a piece of cake. What no one bothered to tell her was that the ceremony wasn't ordinary at all, but a three-day ordeal of fasting and hunger. It might be considered an honor to take part, but Yulianna wasn't nearly saintly enough to think starving herself counted as devotion.
It was said that she would not only bear the emperor's pledge of blessing but also carry the weight of the entire empire. To do so, the chosen bearer had to undergo a three-day cleansing—fasting, purifying both body and spirit. Only then would she be deemed worthy to carry the people's prayers and beseech the goddess on behalf of the Aerion Empire.
Isn't this supposed to be a saint's job? Why do I have to starve myself for three goddamn days for the sake of people who practically want me buried alive?!
Everyone fell silent when Yulianna entered the room. She walked along the red-carpeted floor, poised and steady, to receive the emperor's pledge of blessing before the gathered nobles of the imperial hall.
She wore a simple yet elegant gown of golden silk that brushed the floor—provided by the palace itself, symbolizing the royal bloodline. Yulianna looked ethereal from every angle; her graceful features seemed to merge perfectly with the fiery hue of her hair. She wore no jewelry, yet in that very simplicity, everyone understood why the cold-hearted duke had softened for her.
"Yulianna McGregor."
His Majesty, Emperor Henrique Aerion, spoke as Yulianna reached the steps before his throne. His expression was unreadable, yet his very presence carried an authority so weighty that none would dare defy it.
"It is your duty to bear the empire's pledge of blessing before the goddess, for the sake of Aerion itself. Once your purification is complete, you shall walk into the Holy Hall with a light heart, carrying nothing but the prayers of all. The saint himself will accompany you in sacred prayer."
Yulianna said nothing, offering only a curt nod and a graceful curtsy. Even she was powerless to defy the emperor's command. The weight of his presence pressed down on her; standing this close, it felt as though his very aura could steal the air from her lungs.
"You must remember," the emperor continued, his tone heavy and final, "this is a matter of utmost importance. Failure will bring doom upon the entire empire."
Those were the last words Yulianna heard before finding herself inside the grand imperial carriage bound for the temple, thirty minutes away from the palace.
He couldn't possibly be serious about the empire being doomed if I fail… right? He looked dead serious though. If that's true, I might as well be doomed too. So much for my plan to live this life to the fullest luxury, comfort, riches, all canceled.
Sighing, Yulianna steadied her breathing. Somehow, the emperor's words had gotten to her more than she cared to admit. For the first time, she began to take the ceremony seriously.
"It's just three days of fasting. I'll be fine," she murmured, trying to convince herself with forced optimism. "I've been through worse in my past life."
But as soon as the words left her lips, a scene flickered in her mind. She was six again—skinny, starved, and desperate. She could still remember the sting of running barefoot through the alleys, chased for stealing food. On better days, she would linger near restaurants, waiting for someone to leave just so she could eat their leftovers. The memory alone squeezed her heart, sharp and aching.
Yulianna had been given another chance at life, a life far more comfortable and abundant than the one she'd known before. That was why, no matter what, she had to survive. She wasn't just enduring this for herself, but for the child she once was, the orphaned, starving girl who had longed for a day like this.
When the carriage finally came to a halt, Yulianna stepped out as the coachman opened the door. She was greeted by the most serene and breathtaking sight she had seen since waking up in this world.
The gigantic golden gates loomed before her, slowly parting to reveal rows of well-groomed, bald monks dressed in pristine white robes. They stood in perfect formation, bowing deeply in greeting, a ceremonial welcome.
An older monk stepped forward, his calm smile exuding both warmth and authority. "We've been anticipating your arrival, my lady. I am Bishop Benedict, the overseer of this temple. I'll be your guide throughout the purification process. Please, come inside. I'm sure your journey was long and exhausting."
It's nothing compared to the starvation I'm about to endure.
After offering a graceful courtesy, Yulianna returned his smile. "Thank you for receiving me, Bishop Benedict. It's an honor to serve the goddess. I'll do my best to fulfill my duty without failure. Please take good care of me."
When the introductions concluded, Yulianna was led deeper into the temple. Her eyes widened in awe; everything—from the towering walls to the polished floor, was gilded in shimmering gold. Massive cylindrical pillars lined the path as they walked, reflecting the warm glow of lantern light.
"This is the Holy Pool, my lady," Bishop Benedict announced as they entered a vast chamber. At its center lay an enormous pool, its waters so clear they almost sparkled like glass. "The purification process will begin here tonight. You will bathe before dawn, at noon, and again before sunset. This shall continue for three consecutive days, along with the fasting."
Smiling sweetly, Yulianna replied, "That truly sounds like a purification process, Bishop Benedict. Not only will my body and heart be cleansed, but perhaps my soul and entire existence as well, don't you think?"
The bishop cleared his throat, clearly taken aback by her choice of words. "Indeed, my lady," he said at last. "That is the very purpose of this ceremony. It is essential that you bear the empire's prayers with a purified mind, body, and soul, so that the goddess may hear and feel them in full."
"Ah, I see," Yulianna murmured. "Is there anything else I'm obliged to do? You might as well tell me the temple rules while we're at it. I'm a bit of a troublemaker myself, just saying this as a precaution."
Bishop Benedict chuckled softly. "You will be informed of them later, my lady. For now, you only need to rest. However, if you wish to wander around, you're free to do so."
"Thanks for the heads up, Bishop Benedict. I'll take a little tour after I've rested."
After the bishop excused himself, Yulianna was escorted to her room. Once the door closed behind her, she let out a deep sigh and sank into the soft, plush bed. She exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the ceiling above.
Intricate markings and words were carved into the center, foreign symbols she couldn't decipher. The room, much like the temple itself, was simple yet undeniably elegant.
Yulianna's plan to stay awake a little longer failed miserably when darkness quietly pulled her under. She had no idea how long she'd been asleep, but the steady knocking on her door finally dragged her back to consciousness.
When she opened it, a woman dressed in a white robe stood outside, bowing politely.
"Pardon my intrusion, my lady," the woman said softly. "My name is Carina. I'll be serving you for the duration of your stay here. Bishop Benedict sent me to fetch you for today's ration."
"Ration? Did you mean lunch?" Yulianna asked, stretching her arms to shake off the lingering sleep.
Carina nodded as she led the way down the corridor. "Yes, my lady. Everyone is already waiting for you."
"I see. Sounds like a banquet to me," Yulianna said dryly.
"Indeed, today's meal is as grand as a banquet in the palace. We simply call it 'ration' here in the temple, as we only eat once a day. But everyone will dine together this time before the purification process begins."
"Ah, right…" Yulianna muttered, pressing her fingers against her temples. Despite having rested, her body still ached all over, especially her left arm. The wound throbbed faintly, growing sharper now and then without warning.
"I suppose this will be my last meal before starving myself for three days," she murmured.
Carina stopped briefly and turned with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, my lady. You'll be fine."
When they arrived at the grand hall, where everyone had already gathered and waited, Yulianna was once again greeted with polite bows. The crowd was neatly divided into two groups: one composed of young monks dressed in plain white robes, and the other of older monks whose robes were trimmed with gold.
"The monks in white are the beginners, my lady," Carina explained, noticing Yulianna's curious gaze. "The ones in white and gold are the senior monks who guide the younger ones."
"I see," Yulianna murmured, nodding as Carina led her toward a separate table. On it were simple offerings, fresh bread, white wine, and neatly arranged fruits.
"What about your kind? I've seen a few of you tending around the temple," Yulianna asked, glancing at the women in white.
"We are called maidens, my lady," Carina replied with a gentle smile. "We serve the goddess and this temple, ensuring that everything is properly cared for."
Yulianna nodded as she took her seat. "Ah, like a nun."
Carina tilted her head slightly in curiosity. "I was told that my lady has a rather peculiar way of speaking. May I ask, what is a nun?"
"They're women who choose to serve God and dedicate their lives to the church," Yulianna explained. "Quite similar to you and your sisters here."
Bishop Benedict rose from his seat, followed by the other monks. "Today, we gather to honor Lady Yulianna's sacrifice, not only for this temple but for the entire kingdom. In this bread, may she not hunger for the next three days. In this wine, may she not thirst with temptation. And in this fruit, may her body remain strong throughout the purification."
He paused, lifting his cup reverently. "We give thanks to the Goddess Cataliya for these blessings."
Everyone raised their toasts and began their meal. Yulianna, however, remained still in her seat, quietly observing the solemn ritual before her.
"Is there something wrong with the food, my lady?" Carina asked, watching her shake her head.
"Not at all. It's not the food,"
Damn it. I planned to devour every dish I could before starving for three days. But it seems the bishop had seen that coming.
Carina chuckled softly. "You must be wondering about the food, my lady."
"Indeed. Did this temple not receive enough donations?"
"The imperial palace provides everything we need, my lady. Goddess Cataliya herself ate only these foods during her trial and journey in this world. Thus, the temple regards these sacred offerings, our daily bread, as our source of strength."
"Wow, that's a lot of faith and sacrifice," Yulianna sighed, resigning herself to her fate.
She wanted to stop being stubborn—really, she did, but the moment she remembered that infuriating duke's face, her irritation flared right back up.
Tsk. That man is the reason I'm suffering through this mess in the first place.
Out of pure spite, Yulianna grabbed a piece of bread and bit into it like she was chewing out her anger. Then she downed her cup of wine in one go and took a hearty bite of the apple.
Without another word, she stood up and turned to Carina. "I'll be taking a short tour around. I'll be back before bath time."
And with that, she strode off, leaving the hall behind. Yulianna told herself it was just another role to play, but for the first time, she wasn't sure who was watching the act.