CHAPTER 135: CH 135: I’M BACK - PART 2

The quiet hum of incense filled the private chamber within the temple, its faint sweetness blending with the soft rustle of robes as Evaya carefully arranged freshly brewed tea on the table.

High Priestess Jenna sat on a cushion near the window, her posture unusually stiff, shoulders slightly tensed despite the calm expression on her face.

Evaya had been serving her long enough to notice the subtle change — Jenna had seemed distant lately, distracted even, as though carrying a weight she refused to share.

Evaya hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the delicate curve of Jenna’s shoulders before she quietly stepped behind her.

"High Priestess, you seem... tense today. May I?"

She said softly.

Without waiting for a response, she gently placed her hands on Jenna’s shoulders and began to knead them with slow, practiced motions.

But the moment her fingers pressed into the high priestess’s shoulders, Jenna jolted forward, pulling away sharply as if burned.

The unexpected reaction froze Evaya in place. Her hands hung awkwardly in the air for a second before she drew them back, her expression flickering with hurt.

For as long as she could remember, High Priestess Jenna had always been warm — playful even — openly affectionate toward her attendants and unbothered by small gestures like this.

She had been a flirt by nature, known for her teasing smiles and indulgent touches, yet now... she recoiled as though Evaya’s touch was unwelcome.

Evaya’s chest tightened with a complicated mix of frustration and confusion.

Ever since Kana appeared, Jenna had been... different. More restrained. More distant. And Evaya couldn’t tell if she hated that change or feared it.

Realizing the weight of her reaction, Jenna turned back immediately, her expression softening.

"Evaya...I... apologize. I didn’t mean to react like that."

She murmured, her voice carrying a tinge of guilt. Evaya looked away quickly, forcing a small, polite smile as she shook her head.

"It’s fine, High Priestess. There’s nothing to apologize for."

Her voice was calm, but beneath it lay the faintest trace of resentment she couldn’t quite bury.

Jenna sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"It wasn’t intentional. My body just reacted on reflex..."

She explained gently, her tone tinged with quiet weariness.

The words did little to soothe Evaya’s unease, but she kept her smile steady, unwilling to let her frustration show further.

"Of course."

She said softly, her voice low and carefully measured.

Silence lingered between them for a moment before Evaya decided to change the mood. Straightening slightly, she allowed a playful lilt to slip into her tone.

"If it helps lift your spirits, High Priestess... Kana has finally returned. And if I’m right, she’ll be visiting us very soon."

Jenna’s head turned sharply, her eyes softening with surprise and faint excitement.

"...Kana’s back?"

"Mhm. Not only that, but she even brought souvenirs for us."

Evaya’s smile widened faintly, though her expression didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Jenna blinked at her, raising a brow.

"Souvenirs? And how, exactly, would you know that?"

She paused, suspicion briefly flickering in her gaze.

For a split second, Evaya’s lips parted as though to respond, but instead, she let out a small, knowing chuckle, lowering her gaze demurely.

"That’s a secret, High Priestess."

Jenna stared at her for a moment longer before sighing and shaking her head, deciding not to pry further.

"I see... perhaps it’s better if I don’t know."

Satisfied with avoiding the question, Evaya quietly resumed her duties, pouring fresh tea into Jenna’s cup and setting a small plate of delicacies beside her.

The two women sat in peaceful silence, the weight between them softening slightly as the steady sound of the incense burner filled the air.

Just as Jenna was beginning to relax, a sudden knock echoed against the chamber door. Both women turned at once.

Evaya quickly set the teapot aside, rising to her feet and moving to open the door, but before she could reach it, the wooden panel slid aside to reveal a temple guard.

The young man bowed deeply.

"High Priestess, there is a guest waiting to see you."

He said respectfully.

Jenna’s brows lifted in surprise, her earlier tension melting into sudden brightness.

"A guest? Could it be...It must be Kana."

Her lips curved into a soft, hopeful smile.

But standing behind Jenna, Evaya’s expression remained skeptical. She crossed her arms loosely, watching the guard with sharp, discerning eyes.

"That’s... unlikely."

She murmured under her breath.

Jenna turned slightly, puzzled.

"Why wouldn’t it be her?"

Evaya hesitated, then replied evenly.

"Because Kana just returned. The timing doesn’t make sense, High Priestess. Do you really think she’d come rushing here before even taking a moment to rest?"

Jenna blinked, considering the logic, but her excitement made her dismissive.

"Kana wouldn’t make us wait. You’ll see."

Still unconvinced, Evaya followed silently as they made their way to the guest room.

Her instincts told her that something wasn’t quite right — and as they stepped through the doorway, her suspicions were confirmed.

Seated gracefully within the chamber was not Kana, but High Priestess Lumine, her serene presence impossible to mistake.

At her side stood her personal attendant, head bowed respectfully.

Jenna froze mid-step, her hopeful expression faltering as surprise washed over her features. Evaya, standing just behind her, allowed herself the faintest sigh of vindication.

"...High Priestess Lumine."

Jenna murmured, regaining her composure as she stepped forward to greet her unexpected guest.

And just like that, the atmosphere in the room shifted — from hopeful anticipation to quiet tension, the kind that even Evaya, ever observant, could feel settle deep into her chest.

Lumine rose gracefully from her seat, her soft smile betraying little of her intent.

"High Priestess Jenna. I hope my sudden visit hasn’t caught you unprepared."

She greeted warmly, inclining her head ever so slightly.

Jenna composed herself quickly, returning the gesture with practiced elegance.

"Not at all. Your presence here is... unexpected, but always welcome."

Evaya, standing silently behind her, kept her gaze lowered, though her sharp eyes studied every subtle motion between the two priestesses.