Chương 137: Chapter 128.5-Chosen Conversations

The Ball is in full swing. Nobles and those of influence continue to chat and eat to their content. The musicians do their last checks before the dance. Everything is seemingly good, but somewhere a bit more secluded, stands a lone Princess. She examines the room, categorizing every person into groups. Duchess Ofkald is in the avoid category along with Duke Calor. Archduke Aster is in the opposition category. Baron Seasurfer is in the annoying category. The list goes on and on as she tries to keep her mind busy.

"What are you doing?" Marigold asks as she pulls on the hem of her sister's dress.

"Drop the cutesy act. Nobody can hear us all the way over here," Penelope says in annoyance. Marigold shakes her head.

"I have no idea what you speak of, Dear Sister. Perchance are you peeved at the absence of your partner?"

"Weren't you playing with the little blueberry? Why don't you go and do that?" she asks.

"He went to the bathroom. Is it the basket I sent?" Penelope glares down at her sister.

"That was a rude prank putting my name on it. You're lucky I didn't tell Mother about it."

"And I thank you for that, Dear Sister. Still, I do find it odd. Why are you so… flustered about these matters? He's just a boy. You usually don't let these things get under your skin," Marigold says as she takes a bite of a lemon square.

"I'm not letting anything get under my skin."

"Oh. I see."

"You see nothing."

"Cousins, are you fighting again?" Garus asks as he walks up with a smile.

"Gar!" Marigold yells as she runs over to Garus.

"I take it if you're here, so is Uncle?" Penelope asks as she gives Garus a brief hug. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Garus looks around at the crowd.

"He should be around here somewhere. Probably looking for food. So, did I miss anything fun?" he asks with a sarcastic tone. Marigold scrambles onto Garus' back.

"Dear Sister is nervous that The Chosen One may have left her."

"I am not!" Penelope says with a bit more tone than she intended.

"Where is CJ?" Garus asks.

"He went to the bathroom," Penelope lied, something she had been doing more of recently.

"At times nature does call at the most inopportune times," the Pope says.

"Your Holiness," the three say as they give a small bow.

"Please, I've done all of your [Blessing] Ceremonies. A bit of familiarity can be afforded. Although it would be nice to see you all at church more often," he says, shaking his head. Marigold pulls on Garus's sleeve, motioning for them to get out of there.

"Would you look at that? I believe Mari is hungry. Apologies," Garus says as he quickly escapes with Marigold.

"It seems that I scared them away," the Pope says with a small laugh.

"It would seem… Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"If I tell you something in confidence, will that remain between the two of us?" she asks, keeping her eyes on the door.

"As the Pope, I am [Contract] bound to keep the secrets of those that confide in me in good faith. So rest assured that anything you tell me will stay between us and the Gods," he says with a warm smile.

"I need you to back me in the successor race."

"That is not a question, and you know that I do not support any of the candidates. As the Pope, I can not interfere in those matters," he says with a hint of curiosity.

"You choose not to, and it is a choice that I respect, but I must ask you to change. Your word is the word of the Gods. It is not something to throw around at a whim, but I am not asking on a whim," Penelope says as she takes a sip of her drink.

"I have known you since your birth and your father since the war. You have never been one to step into the politics of the Empire, and your father certainly wouldn't want you to shoulder that responsibility."

"That was before I had the vision. Not long ago, I saw The Chosen One in a dream. Although it was only for a brief moment, it felt so real, and the more time passes, the more I forget, but there's one thing I can not forget. He asked for my help to save this ruined world. Ruined. Your Holiness, I implore you to consider what that means, because to me that can mean only one thing," she says as the doors to the ballroom open. As Penelope walks to meet CJ, the Pope stands there in stunned silence.

"Another sign? Perhaps it is time that I speak with the Holy Maiden once more," he says to himself.