Capítulo 49: 2nd Lifetime: The People
Mai had been dreaming of the long-haired man for quite some time now, however this had been the first time that she had seen him face-to-face.
She remembered the emotion in his eyes.
He reminded her of... the voice. He couldn't be... could he?
She sighed and shook her head. There was no way to tell. She wasn't able to hear him to make sure.
She curled up in her bed and stared at the closed wooden door. Mai had also been hearing creaking noises from beyond that door for the past couple nights as well.
Every time she checked, there would be nobody there.
Another sigh and she turned to face the wall. Sliding a hand underneath her pillow, she thumbed the hairpin that was exactly like the one that Teacher Claire had given her. She still didn't know whether that hairpin was hers or... she shook her head. It was for another time.
Instead, she should focus on the many things she has learned in the past following weeks.
There were periods of time when the head priestess acted differently than usual. Counting the days, Mai noticed that it usually lasted for only two to three days and afterwards there would be long stretches where the head priestess would return to normal. Although she had no idea why, Mai was still determined to figure it out.
She had also learned that there were three factions and that Municia's family belonged to the Weiss faction, the same faction as Cornelia. Which made sense as Cornelia was marrying 'her' older brother. Mai had found this out during dinner. One of the girls had had enough of Cornelia's snarkiness, so she pointed out that Cornelia's "high-ranking" family was marrying below their class. Cornelia had a rare moment of silence; she could not think of anything to refute the other girl with.
Mai chuckled as she remembered Cornelia's green face. Soon, however, Mai thought of another problem.
The young girl, Jaquine, belonged to the Cardon faction.
Each faction had two separate goals. One of the goals were what all three factions strove for- they wanted enough priestesses within the Vestigal court in order to pass favorable jurisdiction.
However, each faction also had their own specific goal. Mai was unable to discreetly ask, however. It was impossible without Cornelia or the other girls becoming suspicious.
Mai learned, though, that the different goals of each faction must have been in completely different sides of a spectrum. How did she know this? The girls of different factions were like cats and dogs; they weren't able to even live quietly in the same space. Each faction felt as if the other factions were filled to the brim with lying and cheating two-faced girls.
Despite this, Mai felt as if Jaquine was trustworthy. Despite her being from the Cardon faction and Mai being from the Weiss faction, Jaquine was very timid in nature, and it seemed as if she couldn't do things without her help. Most from the Cardon faction were brash and rude.
Ophelia and Andrea were examples.
Jaquine, on the other hand, reminded Mai of the children she would help take care of in a nearby orphanage during her last few years of her previous lifetime. Their energy helped her to forget about her nearing end.
Shaking her head, Mai closed her eyes. There was always a morning prayer, and Mai couldn't be late for it.
...
Mai dreamed of him again, yet he seemed to be worried as his eyebrows scrunched together, and he breathed shallow breaths.
Furrowing her eyebrows, Mai remembered this scene. Didn't she bend down to listen to his heartbeat? Why was she seeing this again?
Her eyebrows remained furrowed as a flashing light caught her attention. She turned her head towards a window, and it felt as if her attention was pulled to view something beyond the horizon. Beyond the... Godspace.
It was a mountain. A very, very large and dangerous mountain.
She watched as three individuals began to climb it, while a dark, looming shadow appeared behind them.
It was going to eat them.
Mai tried to call out, her arms outstretched in horror. She was the only one to know. If she didn't tell them...
"Stop!" She was pulled out of her dream by her scream, and Mai felt disoriented as she glanced around her room.
She had fallen off her bed. Her covers and pillow had gone down with her. Scared, Mai turned her head and noticed her hairpin.
It had chipped slightly.
What a bad sign.
She shivered as she picked herself and the covers up. Glancing out of her window, she knew that morning prayer was about to begin.
It was the day that head mistress was going to lead the prayers.
.....
There was a hierarchy to how the young priestesses sat. Those that attended the Vestigal Courts would sit nearest to the head priestess.
Those that are of the same faction tended to sit together, unless otherwise told to by the head priestess. For example, Mai and Jaquine sat together despite them being from different factions.
Mai genuinely liked Jaquine, despite them holding different "goals" (in fact, Mai had no idea of what those goals were!).
Instead, Mai felt reassured by Jaquine's presence as it felt quite familiar to her. She nodded as her previous thoughts of Jaquine seemed as if they were correct- Jaquine's timid nature seemed almost naturally inclined to the natures of the orphan children.
And, just like how the children's energy helped Mai feel better with her own draining one-, she felt as if she could breathe a little easier seeing Jaquine's innocent nature.
Mai discreetly glanced at Jaquine before she continued to look at the floor, her gaze as pious as the other young disciples.
They were wishing for the prosperity of their nation, wishing for their nation to be able to defeat all enemies that are or will be in their way, and wishing for peace for their kingdom.
After around thirty minutes of prayers, the head priestess straightened up and dismissed them.
Mai left with Cornelia, and Jaquine followed her.
Cornelia glanced behind her at the two annoying shadows. She sighed and glared at Mai. "What are you doing?"
Mai glanced in front of her, amused. However, she put on an innocent expression, showcasing her large, doe eyes. "Nothing? Just following you."
"That. That's exactly what you shouldn't be doing!"
"Why not? I thought we're on the same faction?"
"Shhh!" Cornelia grabbed Mai's arm, and her eyes shot daggers at Jaquine. Hissing into Mai's ear, Cornelia's expression was almost as if she was about to bite Mai's head off. "Why are you giving away information to the other side!"
Mai looked at the furious girl and chuckled inwardly. Of course she would give information away- she didn't even know any of the information of any of the factions! She had to give some to get some... at least that was what she had learned in her last life.
Cornelia looked at Mai's innocent expression, and she instantly deflated. Letting go of Mai's arm, Cornelia gestured towards her. "Come here."
Mai followed her, but both looked back at Jaquine who moved as if to follow them as well.
"What are you doing?" Cornelia spoke harshly to Jaquine, her tone filled with disgust. Jaquine, like a baby turtle, stopped in her tracks and her neck shrunk into her shoulders. Cornelia nodded in satisfaction.
Sending the turtle a sympathetic glance, Mai followed the older girl to an empty hallway.
Cornelia made sure that there was no one in their proximity before she brought Mai close and continued to hiss at her. "She's a Cardon, don't you know! They want to raise the taxes to nearly 2% for all imports of fabrics!"
Mai noted that in her heart. The Cardons must all have business in clothing or rugs, etc. That meant that most if not all priestesses came from a high class. What about the Weiss faction? What did 'we' want?
Purposefully acting dumb, Mai pouted, "So?"
A flash of fury crossed Cornelia's eyes, and the girl almost wanted to pound Mai into the ground. "Municia," she hissed, "More taxes equates to less money for us! Don't you get this?"
Mai inwardly frowned. So their faction was also just about the money.
"But what about the people?" Mai couldn't help but probe. She learned from the voice that those that rule over others have a responsibility equal to the power they receive.
Although there were many things suspicious in her previous lifetime, Mai knew that she did the right thing. She looked back up at Cornelia, right in time to see her unamused expression.
"The people? It's not our job to worry about the people. It's the emperor's."
Mai's expression within her changed drastically. So that's how the young priestesses thought of the common people? How was their life like, then? What if not even the emperor cared for them?
She slowly shook her head, but kept her expression like that of admiration and deference. "You're right!"
Even if, deep within her heart, she was already making plans to have it all changed.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Leialeial
Leialeial I still have the other five that I owe you. This is an experiment to see if you guys can read this. Please comment on the previous chapter to my comment saying that you can if you can.
My inkstone is acting wonky. It's either that, or my Mac. This is ridiculous.
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