Chapter 11: C11 - High Priestess's Visit

The nursery had transformed from a temporary, makeshift space to a fully furnished room, complete with toys that I could one day play with. It was one of the reasons I remained hopeful about my adoption prospects.

One morning, the ducal couple, accompanied by two robed figures and guards, burst into the nursery. Their conversation was polite but seemingly about nothing in particular.

Peering out from my crib at the gathering of people who had come to discuss me, I noticed a new face approaching. While unfamiliar in person, I recognized her voice, which was lyrical and smooth, akin to wind chimes gently swaying in the breeze.

The priestess, though younger and lacking the Duchess's prominent cheekbones, was strikingly beautiful. She was draped in a long, silk white robe, with golden accents along the edges, giving her an almost angelic appearance, as if she had descended from the heavens above.

Her long, smooth blonde hair caught the light from the ceiling chandelier, adding to her ethereal presence.

Initially, fear gripped me as I overanalyzed the situation, but as she drew nearer, that fear melted away. My eyes widened, sparkling with fascination as she came into close view. She was truly a vision of beauty.

As she stood just a meter away, a sweet scent wafted towards me, reminiscent of honey mixed with various floral fragrances. It had a soothing effect, almost like an herbal remedy for calmness.

"He's growing up so well," her sweet voice remarked, appraising me with a gentle smile.

"Yes, he's already one season old! It feels like just yesterday he appeared," Duke Calo replied, grinning.

"It was quite a shock when he appeared on your doorstep," the priestess added, her words carrying a hint of meaning as she glanced subtly at her entourage.

The Duchess caught the implication instantly. "Indeed, we are grateful for your assistance in managing his condition," she replied.

Duke Calo, a bit slower to grasp the hint, nodded and added, "Yes, it's good to have you here again." He lifted me into his arms and settled me on his lap.

From this vantage point, I noticed that the entourage included another priestess and a group of armed men. They were armed with swords and clad in light metal armor and leather, further confirming the assumptions I had made about the level of technology in this world.

"The high priestess has matters to discuss with the ducal couple. Let us retire to our chambers after our long journey," she said, her voice familiar from my first night in this world.

It was the throaty, harsh voice I remembered. Now, I could finally put a face to it. She appeared ancient, older than anyone I had ever encountered in my previous life. One might expect such an elderly woman to have a hunched posture, but she held herself upright, moving with the grace of a much younger woman.

If she were to conceal her face with her robe's hood, one might easily mistake her for a young woman based solely on her body's appearance.

Though we had mastered anti-aging technology, which initially led me to believe Duke Calo was much older until I had a closer look at him.

The guards hesitated but eventually acquiesced to the older woman's insistence, filing out of the room.

"Finally, I can speak freely," the high priestess sighed in relief.

"Why are the king's guards following you?" the Duke asked, his expression concerned.

"When he learned of my visit to your city, he insisted on sending guards with me. I tried to refuse, but he was adamant," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"Do you think he suspects something?" the Duchess asked nervously.

The high priestess shook her head reassuringly and replied with a smirk, "Don't worry, dear. Even if he did, he couldn't openly challenge one of the Five Dukes on mere suspicion, could he?"

Duke Calo nodded thoughtfully and responded, "No, openly, he couldn't. However, in your message, you mentioned that your research had uncovered that our little... accident wasn't unprecedented."

The high priestess nodded and gently stroked my wispy baby hair, which felt soothing. "Damiano, you named him, right? He isn't the first baby to grace us this way."

Duke Calo looked surprised, lifting me up slightly for emphasis. "You mean this--" he glanced down at me "--has happened before?"

The high priestess nodded knowingly. "Yes, as we discussed before casting the spell that night. The ritual pulls someone from another world who has just died. Obviously, babies are not immortal. The implication is that the baby is summoned after its death."

That's news to me. Was I reborn in my old world and then immediately died again? It certainly doesn't match up with what I remember; hitting the bulkhead after being executed.

The ducal couple looked horrified and exclaimed together, "Death?" Their expressions were filled with intense sorrow and sympathy as they gazed at me.

Duke Calo mused, "So Damiano was born in another world, shortly died, and then got summoned? What a complicated life he's lived already. Poor thing." He paused, tickling my stomach apologetically, before continuing, "It's a shame we'll never know how he died."

A servant brought refreshments in ornate tea cups, prompting a pause as all three sipped several times before resuming their conversation.

Duchess Calo, her gaze intense, turned to the high priestess and asked, "So, did little Dam inherit the blessing of Shani?"

The high priestess shrugged, "There's no way to be absolutely sure; we can only wait for him to grow up and ask him. Though, based on our research, the babies have always received the blessing."

Duchess Calo shivered at the thought that I might have this "blessing." Her eyes then turned to me, almost hungering for something.

It was at this moment that I realized the way to the Duchess's heart is through power rather than cuteness. As this revelation sank in, all three took the opportunity to sip from their beverages. It was also at this time that the other priestess returned with the guards.

"Mistress, the room has been prepared," her sandpaper voice croaked from the doorway.

"Good, I need rest. We have finished our discussion," the high priestess stated, standing and gliding out of the room.

The older priestess bowed to the ducal couple and shut the door, leaving me alone with the Duke and Duchess.

"So, it's official then?" Duchess Calo asked excitedly. The Duke nodded and tickled my stomach, eliciting an involuntary giggle from me.

"We should tell Anna first before we start introducing him to others," Duke Calo said, casting a meaningful look at his wife.

The Duchess's smiling, excited face abruptly changed as if someone had splashed cold water on it, and her smile faded. It seemed she had not considered this Anna person.

Nervously, she responded, "Well, Anna won't be back for a while. She's at the academy, after all. Let's wait until next summer and then travel to the capital to surprise her."