Cold water slammed into Shuu's face.
He sucked in a sharp breath, choking as it soaked through his clothes and drenched his hair.
The world came back in pieces: rough wood under his palms, the sour smell of hay, the ache in his skull.
"Get up."
The priest who woke Shuu up spat these words out, his eyes burning with anger and annoyance.
Shuu pushed himself onto his elbows, vision swimming. The first thing he noticed was that he was back in the barn, and the second thing he noticed was that he was wet.
'There goes another pair of robes. At least these ones are not mine, so I don't have to feel bad for soiling them.'
"You caused enough trouble last night, fainting as you did in front of our esteemed guest. The saintess is not happy with what happened."
The man said.
Shuu said nothing as he tried to gather what had happened. His memory felt foggy, and his head was throbbing.
The priest scoffed.
"Do you know what that was supposed to be? A chance. A rare one. The crown prince himself was there. He's the hero chosen by our god, the one who will bring peace to this world. It was a rare opportunity to leave a good impression on him. And you ruined it."
Shuu's fingers curled into the straw as those words barely registered in his mind.
"You embarrassed this temple. I don't think we can let this go unpunished."
The priest continued, and Shuu lowered his eyes. The throbbing feeling behind them was getting worse by the second.
"The saintess is not happy with what happened either, and you know what that means."
The priest added, his voice dropping.
A chill slid down Shuu's spine. The saintess was known to be a benevolent follower of god to the outside world, but inside the temple, her word was law.
The saintess did not forgive easily, and she never forgot. She could make his life even more of a nightmare with a single word from her mouth.
The priest straightened, clearly pleased with the effect.
"We will discuss your punishment once—"
A sharp knock cut him off.
A guard stood at the barn entrance, armor gleaming even in the dim light. He looked uncomfortable.
"The Hero is calling for Lady Shuu… immediately."
The guard said, shuffling from one foot to another.
The priest stiffened.
"What?"
"He said he will not leave until she comes."
Silence stretched.
Shuu lifted his head slowly, since that was all he could do at the moment.
The priest's expression shifted from anger to calculation. He clicked his tongue and grabbed Shuu by the arm, hauling him to his feet.
"Get him cleaned… and dress him properly."
He snapped at another attendant who had appeared.
Before Shuu could protest, hands were already on him, dragging him toward the side room. Another dress was thrust into his arms before a veil was pressed over his head to complete his look.
"Wear it. And do not ruin this one. This belongs to the saintess."
The priest hissed before he led Shuu through the halls and back to the inner chambers.
Somehow, the security was even tighter this time around, but the Hero looked oblivious to it all. He sat in the middle, and his eyes immediately turned to Shuu when he entered the room.
The saintess gave a small cough to get his attention, and when Shuu looked at her, her message seemed clear—end this quickly and get out of here.
"Greetings. May I ask why I have been summoned once more?"
He said, his voice steady despite the way his pulse raced.
The Hero replied immediately, his voice cool and teasing.
"You're rather direct and cold, almost as if you want to run away. It makes me want to chase you even more."
Then he stood up and walked toward Shuu before leaning forward.
"We need your help, Lady Shuu."
Shuu's instincts screamed.
'Why are you here? Can't you see that the saintess is glaring at me? Go back to your seat right now.'
Something was wrong. The way the Hero watched him felt too intense. Not to mention the way his head felt like it wanted to split open…
"I apologize, but I am not sure I can help you in any regard. My powers do not work on the Hero, and clearly, you have someone better by your side to seek guidance from."
Shuu said carefully, trying to earn some points with the saintess. She got his message and quickly shifted in her seat before speaking to the Hero.
"If it is guidance you seek, Your Highness, I would be honored to—"
The Hero did not even look at her.
"But I want you to do it. Are you turning me down?"
He said, looking directly at Shuu.
The room went still at that declaration. Even the high priest had to speak up to clarify whether a mistake had been made.
"You want… Lady Shuu's help and not the saintess?"
"Yes. Lady Shuu. I want her in my team."
The Hero's gaze did not waver from Shuu.
"I must insist. The saintess is far more qualified. She is beloved by the goddess and the people. Surely she—"
Shuu tried to add, only for his words to be cut off mid-speech.
"I said no."
The Hero took a step forward, and the air seemed to tighten around him. He was… too close now.
"I can tell that it's your power that I need. There is… something about your presence that calms my raging power. So I want you to help me out."
The Hero continued, not knowing that he was digging Shuu's grave with this.
The saintess's smile faltered.
"I intend to make Lady Shuu part of my party. If that does not happen, I will not go."
The Hero said, causing multiple murmurs to ripple through the chamber.
The high priest cried out immediately, wanting to stop this.
"Are you serious? You cannot do that—!"
"I am serious, and I will do it."
Shuu's hands trembled beneath his sleeves. He could tell that his life was over. There was no getting out of this anymore.
Still, he had to try…
He bowed lower.
"I am unworthy of such an honor."
The Hero's voice softened, just slightly.
"That is not for you to decide."
The saintess stood abruptly.
"This is absurd. Can't you tell that she's someone not blessed by the goddess? Who would choose someone cursed like her?"
The Hero finally looked at her with a flat gaze.
"Well, that 'cursed one' can do something you cannot and help me out. In that regard, isn't she more useful to me than you are?"
The saintess went red, but Shuu could tell she had not given up. Still, all this fighting was giving him a headache.
Silence crashed down, heavy and suffocating.
Finally, the Hero turned back to him and gave Shuu the choice.
"It is your choice… well, not really. But it would make things easier if you come with me on your own."
There truly was no other choice here.
"I… I will do what I can."
Shuu hesitated, then lowered his head again.
The Hero smiled, and Shuu knew, with sinking certainty, that his life had just shifted onto a path he could no longer run from.
The saintess coughed suddenly, and Shuu knew that his life was over one way or another.
She lifted a hand to her lips, then smiled, composed once more.
"Forgive me. It seems emotions have run a little high. Shuu has been a beloved companion of the temple, so to see him go is a little bit… emotional for me."
She said gently, lying through her teeth.
Her gaze slid toward Shuu, cool and assessing beneath the warmth of her expression.
"Lady Shuu must be exhausted after yesterday's… ordeal. If she is to accompany the Hero, she will need proper rest and preparation."
The Hero did not argue.
"That would be wise."
The saintess inclined her head.
"I shall return to my chambers as well. There are matters I must attend to. Lady Shuu should prepare in her room too."
That was the signal for him to leave and not cause any trouble.
A priest stepped forward immediately.
"Lady Shuu, this way."
Shuu rose and followed without looking back. He felt the saintess's gaze on him until the doors closed behind him.
The priest's grip on his arm tightened the moment they were out of sight.
"Move."
He muttered.
Shuu stumbled as he was pulled down the corridor. His dress made it difficult to walk, but he somehow managed to keep up with the other man's pace.
As soon as the barn appeared in front of him, he knew that his life was in danger. He walked inside, and the door locked behind him.
"What are you doing?"
Shuu asked, and the priest who locked him in just sighed.
"Don't worry about it. These are just the saintess's orders. Just behave for now, and you will get to live… for now."
With those ominous words spoken, the other man disappeared, leaving Shuu alone in the barn with the horses.