Turmoil within the Holy See surged like an undercurrent in the depths of the temple. Since the Night of Inquisition, Agath An Simeon had been deposed, and his supporters swiftly rallied among the High Priests, plotting to restore old powers. Regal, the Holy See secretary, wavered between the Altar of Light and hidden chambers, torn by his dual identities.
Meanwhile, tension lingered in the royal palace. Queen Evelyn rose at dawn, spreading a confidential letter from Eastridge Abbey across her desk. It detailed frictions between Lein City and Eastridge clergy over the New Alliance Act, with several clerics secretly petitioning the Pope to redefine the boundaries of holy light and universal equality. The signature at the end read—"Words of the Seven Circles."
Her lips twitched, resolve glowing in the candlelight before her. "If they seek to challenge me in faith, let them have nowhere to hide in trust." Tapping the desk, she beckoned Lucien: "Initiate the 'Embassy of All Peoples.' Train those clergy truly willing to ally with me, and have them publicly declare their stance to shatter the 'Undercurrent Faction's' schemes."
Lucien nodded solemnly. He, Mecia, and Karina quickly deployed plans: selecting a senior friar from each of the three main abbeys as representatives, summoning commoners and scholars with the Token of All Peoples to witness their public oath. At each abbey square, a "Dialogue Between Holy Light and Public Will" would be held, bringing clerical voices and civilian aspirations onto the same stage.
That afternoon, the first dialogue took place on the terrace of Eastridge Cathedral. Beneath a clear sky, Evelyn donned the mantle of "Envoy of the Holy Alliance," clad in a plain white robe with a simple holy light emblem at her waist. Swearing an oath, she presented the Universal Civil Code to High Priest Ihtah: "May this code serve as a bridge between the divine and all beings." Ihtah then solemnly pledged before the crowd and clergy: "The Holy See will grant ecclesiastical support for universal participation in governance within three months, amending holy laws alongside the Queen to let faith and decrees safeguard the kingdom in turn." Cathedral bells chimed in harmony, echoing through the mountains and the people's hearts.
But as night fell, whispers emerged from the Holy See's hidden chambers. Several deposed black-robed patriarchs gathered at the Well of the Departed—ancient sacrificial waters— consulting again amid candlelight and incense ash: "If the Holy Alliance decrees continue spreading, the Holy See will lose the foundation of its rituals and sacrifices. We must issue new holy edicts to preserve the true order of faith." Regal responded in a trembling voice: "None would answer unless you lead. Act cautiously at midnight; do not alert the royal secret guards." Their shadows crossed over the well, vows as frigid as winter wind.
When these rumors reached the palace, Evelyn and Lucien had retired to the royal study. She laid the letter in the brazier: "They still plot in secret." Lucien gently clasped her wrist with concern: "Your Highness is weary—let me stand by your side." Removing his cloak, he embraced her softly, murmuring: "No matter how the storm rises, you are never alone."
Leaning against his chest, Evelyn pressed her fingertips to his heartbeat: "With you, I have courage to fight on. Tomorrow's 'Holy Light Dialogue' continues; with public will as our shield, we shall crush the undercurrent."
He kissed her neck softly, fingers undoing the silver clasp of her gown: "It's late. Set aside politics for now—our night together has just begun."
By candlelight and scrolls, Lucien drew her into his arms, fingertips untying the gold satin ribbon. Evelyn responded in a tender voice: "No masks needed—only the true you and I remain now." They embraced on the thick carpet by the desk, candlelight reddening their intertwined shadows. Lucien's tongue and fingers wandered over her skin, freeing her inch by inch from political burdens. Evelyn's moans rose like a hymn and a prayer, soft yet fervent. The peacock-blue night and candlelight wove their most intimate melody, as they found a new alliance between desire and trust, vowing to protect the capital with love and duty.
As the night faded, both slept soundly in each other's arms, hearts filled with hope for tomorrow's "Holy Light and Public Will." The journey to remold the capital gained its firmest foundation through their true connection.