My Dearest Reverend Julianne,
As I pen each word of this letter, my thoughts are entirely filled with you. You can scarcely imagine the thrill that courses through me, knowing you have permitted me to write to you.
No one has ever compelled me to write a letter a thousand times over, striving for the perfect words I wish for you to hear… From the moment I gazed upon you at the altar, you captivated my heart. Your kindness and soothing voice bring me at peace that I find myself always at loss for words. You are a radiant light in my days that I never knew I was missing.
While I deeply desire to be your acquaintance, I must confess that my heart craves more, as you have become the cherished person my soul yearns for.
With great joy, I extend to you an invitation to the festival to be held in the center of the empire's town. I have heard from a dear friend that there shall be a lavish array of foods and lively music to delight the senses. It promises to be a joyous occasion, yet having you by my side would render it truly special…
I hope this letter finds you well. The next time we meet, I long to hear you call me by my name, Sebastian, for it is a sound I deeply desire—a perfect complement to your melodious voice, which has already become my lullaby, like music to my soul. I will be waiting under the lamppost on the second street in front of the fountain.
Unconditionally yours,
Sebastian
Julianne's cheeks tinted with a delicate pink, like roses blooming across his skin, as he carefully read the letter in his hands. This time, it bore no crest of the dukedom, only an initial "S" hinting at the name of Sebastian.
"Umm… I… I'm deeply a…"
He bit his lower lip as he set the pen down on the table, his thoughts jumbled as he pondered whether to start his letter with an introduction or dive straight to the point. He was even torn between crafting a long message or a succinct one, worrying that he might make it seem boring to read. He felt helpless thinking about it, especially after reading the heartfelt letter that had been sent by Sebastian.
"I don't know! Aagh! Should I start by asking about his well-being first?"
Julianne whispered in frustration, tilting his head as if it might fall off at any moment while he stared blankly at the paper in front of him.
"I think a greeting will do—
As he was about to press the pen to the paper, a voice suddenly called out, nearly making him jump out of his chair.
"Priest Julianne, we need a hand to move the ornament from the temple!"
The voice prompted Julianne to rush to the door as he quickly hid Sebastian's letter under his pillow.
"Coming!"
Julianne replied, rushing over to his fellow priest as they moved the heavy figurine of the statue inside the temple.
Maybe later…
Without realizing it, the sun has already dipped below the horizon, its shadows stretched across the room, and the once vibrant colors of the day faded into deep blues and purples. Julianne has just then realized that he had been staring at the same blank paper for an hour. On the following next day he had found himself dozed off at the table, unsure of what to write, completely looking like a panda with two bags under his eyes.
Just as he was about to return to his chamber after the continuous calls from the temple, he overheard a worshipper squeal in delight as she responds to a friend's invitation in the festival.
"I look forward to our meeting at five o'clock this evening!"
Julianne eyes widened as hope lighting up his face.
That's right! I'll just make it brief!
He thought as he carefully wrote the words on the vast sheet of paper before rushing out to catch a wagon revealing the mailman.
Will it arrive on time, though?
As a whirlwind of thoughts consumed his mind on the way to his chamber, Julianne accidentally bumped into a wall instead of heading straight for his open door, which had caught the head priest attention, who was patiently standing at the doorstep with an indifferent expression, watching Julianne's clumsy stumble paired with weary looking face appearing ghastly, like a ghost caught in a daze.
"Gree-greetings, Father…"
His voice was soft and unsteady as he tried to maintain his respectful composure in front of the head priest.
"You somewhat look like you've fought in a war..."
The head priest remarked while Julianne rubbed his eyes, his vision clouded by fatigue that blurred his sight. Though, the following words from the head priest's mouth struck him like an icy bucket of water splashing against his skin, jolting him awake at once.
"Does the young duke of the Ashbourne family still trouble you?"
Julianne paused as he hesitated to reply, finding himself unable to respond, as though the words had deserted him—whether from weariness or a desire to shield Sebastian from his judgment.
"REGARDLESS, I want you to keep your distance from that scoundrel, if you don't want to catch a disease that runs in their family!"
His voice turned sharp like newly sharpened knife while a deep crease settled across his brow, shadowing his eyes as he fixed his gaze intently.
Though his actions left Julianne in a swirl of uncertainty, what occupied his thoughts most were the words that the head priest had just spat out of his mouth.
"Is it truly that deadly?"
Julianne's words left him rigid, frozen in place, yet the head priest did not hesitate to respond, absurdly answering the question as though he had experienced it firsthand.
"It's like an apple from the Garden of Eden! ONCE YOU BITE INTO IT, the poison seeps into your veins and SEIZES YOUR HEART!"
Just when Julianne thought the head priest had finished his scathing remarks about Sebastian, the onslaught continued, each word cutting deeper into Julianne's resolve like the hidden thorns of a rose, sharp and unforgiving, poised to pierce his heart.
"He's a monster in human form, deceiving everyone by pretending to be a hero of the war!"
"But I do not believe the young duke is like that."
The head priestess instantly wore an expression of deep disapproval upon hearing Julianne's defense, as if he had thrown fuel onto a smoldering fire. Making his eyes narrowed, revealing his utter refusal to tolerate any words that might shield the young duke from his disdain.
"HA! See?! You're beginning to rebel because of him! That's reason enough to believe that the disease has already LATCHED ONTO YOU!"
This time, Julianne remained silent, the last remnants of his energy seemingly drained away like water slipping through his fingers while a heavy weight settled in his chest, making each breath feel like a monumental effort.
But the letter must already be on its way to the dukedom…
As he watched the head priest's figure gradually fade from view, a sense of worry gnawed at him, as though the haste of his decision could spell disaster for them both, making him anxious, as if he were standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering on the brink of an uncertain fall.
******
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