The Villain Who Fell In Love

The Temple of Azraelle who are known for worshipping the goddess of life, death, and rebirth. The temple has believed that their goddess can save the world. That their prophesies are accurate but always false. 

There are people who believe in the temple, but some distrust the temple because of its false teachings. It said that the donations given by the people and rich nobles are being used for the priests themselves rather than what they promised to the people. 

Even in the temple, there will be corruption. They don't show their wicked side to the public, but there are those who know about it. 

The royal family has been on bad terms with the temple of Azraelle. The reason is their beliefs and the way they do things in the temple. Explaining how the temple works will only make a person burst into anger. That is why it is best kept in the void. 

Elliot stood up from his chair and opens the curtains, watching the sunrise bringing light into the world. The door opens, and enters Air, holding a round silver plating in his hand. Then transfers the teacup to the desk. 

"Is there a matter?" asked Air as he wondered what Elliot thought after seeing the seriousness on his face.

"Not really," answered Elliot, taking his seat back on the chair. "I've been thinking, what if my parents were still alive? I'm sure it will be different, but then sometimes I wish for them to be here," said Elliot while Air clenched his fist as he watched the saddened expression Elliot made. 

Air flashed a smile at Elliot, who immediately knew something was going to happened to him. "Is there time to talk about these depressing things?" asked Air, who kept his smile on and continued, "I assume you are done dealing with the temple affairs?"

Elliot turns his head to the side and avoided making eye contact with Air. When Air becomes like this, it gets hard for him to control him. There times where Air was much superior to Elliot even if he was the Emperor. 

"Now, what do you say?" asked Air all the more, his smile grew wide. While Elliot gulps out loud. 

"I-I'm s-sorry," Elliot apologizes, and Air nods his head, praising Elliot for being a good child.

"Let's get back to business. I'm here to remind you about the gathering with the temple. They also required for Princess Emelia to attend," said Air while Elliot took a sip and places the cup back on the plate. "And as you know, as part of the royal family, you have to accept their invitation," continued Air. 

Once every two years, the temple of Azraelle sends invitations to the royal family to take part in their feast. For the temple, this is part of their faith, and they believe that the royal family should attend to show them that they are on friendly terms.

Bur rather this was just to put on a show that the church and the royal family are on good terms. For a very long time, the church disagreed with how the royal family does their things. But vise verse the royal family thinks that the teachings of the church are not right. They call themselves the temple but then how they manage their people is not right. 

The temple has been protesting against the royal family for them to give them a high position in society. But then this request has been declined for many reasons. Because of that, the church and the royal family had been in bad terms. 

If there was only a way to expose the wrongdoings of the church, Elliot would. But then every priest came out clean. They all came out clean. That Elliot found suspicious after meeting the head priest. 

"I know," said Elliot as he mutters, "They know that Emelia is not part of the royal family, and so why are they trying to bring her in? Unless they are plotting something."

"If the church requires her present. Then we cannot decline it. As you know, if you do decline the invitation. This means we are rebelling against them," said Air. "And as we are rebuilding the Stella Empire they are trying to keep us busy. Unless like what I've said earlier, they're plotting something."

There still many things to fix despite four months have passed, and every day, new problems arise, giving them no time to take a rest or do whatever they want to.

"Send Tanya to keep a watch on them. I have a bad feeling about that bald geezer," said Elliot while Air bows his head before leaving the office. 

Elliot didn't expect the temple to move this quickly. Now that the Stella Empire has more citizens they will do everything to convince them to join the temple with their beliefs. They shouldn't have existed Elliot said in his head. If it weren't for the temple, they wouldn't be dead. 

When Air walks out of the office, he sees the other door which leads to Emelia's office. He knocks on the door three times before, entering and bows his head when he sees her. 

"It's unusual for you to be here," said Emelia, lowering the paper she was reading earlier. 

"I apologize for entering without prior notice," said Air placing his right hand on his left chest while bowing. 

"Not it's alright. Did Elliot ask you to send me a message?" asked Emelia.

"Yes, a week prior the temple requires you to join their feast along with His Imperial Majesty," answered Air, keeping his posture. 

"The temple of Azraelle, am I correct?" Emelia asked Air. 

"Yes, that is right. As the Princess knows that we are not on good terms with the temple. But then this is their way to showing the public that we are on friendly terms," said Air. 

"Why invite us when the people already know about our relationship? Don't you think it's suspicious?" asked Emelia.

"His Imperial Majesty, and I think so too. That is why the Princess should take utmost precautions when meeting them."

"I understand. Thank you for informing me about this matter," said Emelia, and Air bowed his head, leaving her office. Emelia asked Vanessa, who was standing beside the door this whole time, "What do you think about the temple?"

"I don't trust the temple," said Vanessa with the first clenched. When Emelia saw Vanessa with an angered expression earlier, she wanted to know what makes the temple bad. 

"Vanessa, you don't need to answer me, but what did the temple do to you?" asked Emelia while Vanessa stayed quiet, assuming she didn't want to answer. 

It was hard for Vanessa to answer, and so she didn't push her to answer any further. Just seeing her expression answers everything. 

"My parents…used to believe the teachings of the temple, and of course, I was a small child back then who knew nothing of this world. I fell into their tricks, forcing my parents to pay them a huge amount of money," said Vanessa. "My baby sister back then didn't make it after catching the illness that spreader among the people. We weren't rich enough to buy the medications, leading to her death…"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"And until today, I'm still paying the debts, which I know I shouldn't be, but my parents are being held captive by them," Vanessa bit her lips this time while Emelia walks to her and comforts her with a hug. 

"What made the temple go this far for them to be captives?" asked Emelia. 

"They weren't able to pay the huge amount of gold within the time period. And this sounds unbelievable, but that is one of their teachings," answered Vanessa. "If you don't pay the amount of gold they asked for, they will either kill you if you don't have any family members or ask your family members to pay the debts back."

"How long have you been trying to pay your debts back? And if there is a time limit, tell me."

"This is my 4th year, and I only have a year left. If I don't set my parents free, they will be killed," cried Vanessa. 

"Vanessa, calm down. Who else knows about this?" asked Emelia 

"No one except for you and some of the temple priests knows about it," answered Vanessa. 

To see Vanessa cry is not something Emelia wanted to see. So this is how the temple works and why hasn't Elliot brought them down? There is only one thing Emelia could think of, and that is due to the supports of the noblemen.

The Temple of Azraelle is not a place for citizens to be in. It's a place where money is being collected, and people are being manipulated. They have to be stopped for the future of this empire. If not and the temple continues to do those things they will slowly reach the seat of the emperor.