CHAPTER 57: CH 57: AM I BEING FRAMED?- PART 2

Kana followed Evaya through the quiet halls, her footsteps light but cautious.

When they arrived at the entrance to High Priestess Jenna’s wing, two guards stationed at the door straightened at their approach.

Evaya stepped forward.

"This is Kana. She’ll be staying in our wing tonight under my supervision. Let this serve as evidence in case anyone asks."

The guards nodded wordlessly, clearly recognizing Evaya’s authority. She added.

"No one is to be let through this corridor. If anyone asks for entry, they are to be turned away immediately."

The guard seemed serious and followed the words without any delay.

Once inside, Kana glanced at the dimly lit corridor lined with doors, the faint smell of incense lingering in the air. She turned to Evaya.

"Are we going to meet the High Priestess before sleeping?"

Kana asked, her voice quiet but steady.

Evaya shook her head.

"No need. The High Priestess is occupied tonight. And until we’re sure something strange is actually going on, we’ll handle this ourselves."

Kana nodded slowly.

"Alright."

Evaya pointed out the room Kana would be using and then left her alone for the night. The room was simple, but clean and quiet.

For the first time since entering the temple, Kana felt a sliver of safety. She climbed into bed and let sleep take her.

But in the stillness of the temple, the night did not pass as peacefully.

______

Outside the now-abandoned room originally assigned to Kana, a shadowy figure approached without a sound. Its presence was unnatural, gliding more than walking.

It crouched before the door and left behind a cold, unmoving body—a man, already dead.

There was not enough time and the recording device just looped on itself, not recording anything and not allowing anyone to know what happened.

In other words, it was a perfect crime.

There was no trace of the figure by the time the first light of morning crept into the temple.

A commotion erupted near Kana’s old room as guards discovered the corpse. Voices rose, panicked and confused.

And in the middle of it all, the same guard from the day before stood with a twisted smile tugging at his lips. He looked almost pleased, as though fate had finally handed him a gift.

"Well, well. It looks like an accident—or maybe something worse. And if I’m not wrong, this was the room assigned to that outsider girl, wasn’t it? Can it be called luck? The goddess really is looking out for us."

He said loud enough for the crowd to hear. The crown looked at the scene with disturbed eyes, and they were quickly forming their own opinions about what happened.

He turned to one of the guards beside him.

"She’s gone. Not even inside. That’s as suspicious as it gets. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. For our own safety, of course."

He rapped sharply on the door. No answer. His grin widened.

"She ran. That’s all the proof we need. Detain her."

Meanwhile, down the corridor, Kana and Evaya were making their way back to retrieve her belongings. As they turned the corner, they saw the crowd and stopped.

Kana’s breath caught in her throat. Evaya’s body tensed.

"That’s my room."

Kana said softly.

"I see it."

Evaya murmured, already scanning the scene.

The same guard from yesterday spotted them immediately. His expression twisted with vindication, and he stormed toward them.

"You! You’re under arrest for suspected involvement in a murder."

He barked, pointing directly at Kana.

Kana instinctively stepped back, her hand reaching for Evaya.

Evaya’s eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, shielding Kana with her arm.

"She was with me. All night. In the High Priestess’s wing."

The guard scoffed.

"That’s convenient."

"You can check with the guards stationed there. She never left my sight."

Evaya continued coolly.

The other guards looked at one another uncertainly.

"And if you’re still unsure, ask the High Priestess herself. She knew where Kana was."

Evaya added.

The man’s smirk faltered, but only slightly.

"Anyone can fake stories like this. You could be lying to protect her."

"She’s under the temple’s protection. If you try to lay a hand on her again, I will personally see to it that you’re held accountable for obstruction."

Evaya snapped.

The man reached out anyway, as if trying to assert control. But Kana jerked back and raised her arm defensively.

Her heart was racing, but her instincts were sharp. If he touched her, she didn’t know what she would do.

"Enough!"

A commanding voice cut through the crowd.

All heads turned as an older man with striking robes approached. There was a quiet hush as the guards straightened and stepped back.

"The High Priest. Bow."

Evaya whispered beside Kana.

They both lowered their heads respectfully as the High Priest came to a stop.

"What is going on here?"

His voice was sharp, but even.

The guard immediately stepped forward, painting Kana as a suspicious outsider who fled the scene of a crime. His words were fast, accusatory, and filled with practiced venom.

When he finished, Evaya stepped forward without missing a beat.

"Kana was never here. She was with me all night in the High Priestess’s wing. There are guards who can confirm this. I brought her there myself. We came to collect her belongings and found this scene."

She said, calm but clear.

The High Priest glanced between them.

The crowd was silent.

A heavy tension hung in the air.

Then, finally, the High Priest let out a slow breath.

"I see. We’ll verify both of your statements. Until then, no rash decisions. Do I make myself clear?"

The guard who had accused Kana clenched his jaw but nodded.

"Yes... High Priest."

Evaya bowed again, her face blank.

"Thank you."

Kana remained silent, standing beside her.

The High Priest turned away, the matter closed for now.

But as the crowd began to disperse, the air didn’t feel any lighter.

Kana knew this wasn’t over.

As Kana and Evaya quietly left the scene, the High Priest remained behind, his presence radiating authority as the murmuring crowd parted to give him space.

With a flick of his fingers, he motioned to the gathering.

"That will be all. Return to your posts."

He said, voice low but impossible to ignore.

The lingering temple staff and guards obeyed without hesitation, dispersing from the hallway like a tide receding. Only a handful of his personal guards remained behind.

The High Priest turned his gaze to them.

"Clean this up. Make sure there are no traces left behind."

He instructed.

As his guards moved swiftly to carry out his orders, the High Priest turned his sharp gaze toward the man who had accused Kana so boldly.

His expression was unreadable, but his tone left no room for misinterpretation.

"You’re fortunate that girl wasn’t harmed. High Priestess Jenna and her people are not the type to forget insults. They’re patient. Shrewd. If you’re not careful, boy..."

His eyes narrowed.

"You’ll be eaten alive before you even realize it."

The guard’s face paled.

The High Priest leaned closer.

"Lie low for now. Watch, listen, and say nothing. That is your only chance at surviving this."