CHAPTER 66: DIVINE WILL!

Xavier... was blessed. Personally blessed.

Her lips parted slightly in awe, though she forced herself to remain composed before the gathering. Inside, her thoughts raced.

No wonder. No wonder he carried such impossible affinity. No one in this world possesses such a bond with the Moon. No one but him.

Her chest tightened, a holy weight pressing down on her. The Goddess of the Moon and Fertility had spoken to her — and Xavier was at the center of it all.

The nun closed her glowing eyes for a moment, a resolve hardening in her heart. ’I must proceed exactly as the Goddess has asked... whatever the cost.’

Her eyes opened again, still glowing like silver fire, the holy radiance lingering in her gaze. But then, faintly — almost imperceptibly — a blush spread across her cheeks.

’But the ritual... can I really do that?’ The Goddess’s command weighed on her mind, the meaning of it making her heart pound. Yet the divine voice was clear. She had no choice.

Raising her hand, the head nun’s voice rang through the silent church, carrying the weight of heaven itself.

"Hear me. The Goddess has spoken."

Gasps spread across the congregation. Even the chanting of the nuns stilled, the echo of her words hanging heavy in the air.

"The Goddess has chosen one among us. One who carries Her blessing, one whose body radiates the purest essence of the moon and fertility. He shall stand before Her. He shall receive Her words directly."

Every eye turned, following the nun’s raised hand as it gestured slowly toward Xavier.

The air thickened.

"He... is the one," she declared, her glowing eyes locking with his. "Xavier of House Valemont’s guard — blessed beyond all others. The Goddess of the Moon and Fertility wishes to meet him, through a sacred ritual. He shall stand before Her presence."

The silence that followed was deafening. Then, all at once, the chamber erupted.

Farmers fell to their knees in awe, whispers of "a chosen" and "divine blessing" passing through trembling lips. Guards exchanged stunned glances, gripping their spears as if unsure whether to kneel or salute. Even nobles who had accompanied the offerings lowered their heads reverently, though some did so with hidden envy burning in their eyes.

The runes along the marble floor flared brighter, as if confirming her words. The statue of the Moon Goddess seemed to glow faintly, a silver shimmer washing across her stone features.

And there stood Xavier, the focus of it all.

He hadn’t moved. His sharp features remained composed, though inside, his thoughts turned rapidly. His very presence seemed to grow heavier, his shadow longer, his eyes more piercing. Handsome yesterday, perhaps — but now, under the holy proclamation, he looked almost untouchable, carved in divine light.

The nun’s glowing eyes dimmed at last, though they still glistened with lingering traces of moonlight. Her voice softened as she spoke again.

"The trial is concluded. Justice has been rendered, and the guilty shall walk the path of penance. But let none forget this day... the Goddess has chosen her voice, and He has appeared among us."

The nuns resumed their chanting, louder this time, their song sounding almost like a hymn of celebration. The farmers were led away in chains, their punishments now sealed, while the offerings for the temple were placed reverently at the altar.

But no one looked at the grain, or at the farmers. All eyes lingered on Xavier.

Outside the church, the air felt less suffocating, though the weight of the prophecy clung to them still.

Seraphina walked at Xavier’s side, her silver dress trailing behind her as her carriage was readied. She hadn’t spoken since the nun’s proclamation, but as soon as they were alone, she turned to him, her eyes sharp and troubled.

"I don’t like this," she said quietly, her voice low so only he could hear. "I have a bad feeling about it. A ritual? For you to meet the Goddess directly? Why would She require such a thing? Why now?"

Xavier’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He placed a steadying hand on her arm.

"Seraphina," he said gently, "it’s the Goddess. Nothing bad can come of this. Her will is above all else. If She calls me, then I will answer. That’s all there is to it."

But she didn’t relax. Her frown deepened, and the grip she had on her skirts tightened. He could feel it — beneath her calm exterior, she was worried, fiercely protective, unwilling to let him walk into anything unknown.

He studied her, and for a long moment, his smirk faded into something softer. Thoughts surged in his mind.

She had proven herself. Time and again, she had stood at his side, loyal to him in all things, without faltering even once. The way her eyes burned with worry for him now left no doubt. She was a hundred percent his — loyal not because of duty, but by choice.

There’s no point hiding things from her, Xavier thought. When this ritual is over, when the dust settles, I’ll come clean. She deserves to know everything.

The carriage door opened, and as he helped Seraphina inside, Xavier’s gaze lingered on her profile — elegant, fierce, and worried for him. His chest tightened with a rare warmth.

No matter what comes next... she will remain at my side.

The envoy prepared to depart, carriages rolling in formation, when a messenger hurried forward, bowing low before Xavier.

"Sir Xavier. The head nun requests your presence. The ritual is to begin."

Seraphina’s eyes flicked to his, a trace of worry flashing in their depths. For a heartbeat, she said nothing. Then, slowly, she nodded. Her meaning was clear: Go. But be careful.

Xavier gave a faint smile, then followed the messenger back through the marble halls of the church.

He was led to a side corridor, where moonlight streamed through stained-glass windows in pale hues of silver and blue. At last, they stopped before a heavy door carved with lunar sigils. The messenger bowed, then stepped back as guards closed the door behind him with a heavy thud.

The lock clicked.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed. While he had expected something unusual, it was still surprising to see the church go this far. So... it really is some kind of strange ritual.

The chamber was dimly lit by silver lanterns. At its center, on a carved wooden chair, sat the head nun.

Up close, she looked even more radiant than before. Her long white hair cascaded down her shoulders like silk, her face both delicate and mature — a beauty that felt both holy and sinful. There was a softness to her, a warm aura that wrapped around him like moonlight itself, whispering that she could be trusted.

When she saw him enter, she smiled gently. The expression wasn’t just formal — it was disarmingly cute.

Xavier found himself smiling back before he even realized it.

"Xavier," her voice was soft, melodic. "Do you believe in the existence of the Goddess of the Moon and Fertility? Do you believe in gods and goddesses?"

"Of course," Xavier answered without hesitation. His tone was steady, confident.

He knew. He didn’t just believe. The goddess of lust was his wife. The goddess of the moon had blessed him herself. There was no doubt.

The nun nodded, her eyes glowing faintly in approval. As expected of the one chosen by Her... his faith doesn’t waver.

She leaned forward slightly, her fingers lacing together in her lap. "Then if you believe in their existence... you must also believe in what the Goddess has commanded. She has revealed to me the way forward. With your affinity, one beyond the limits of this world, you have the power to raise mine. For that... I need your essence."

Xavier tilted his head slightly. "My essence?"

Her lips trembled, and for the first time she faltered. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she forced herself to speak the word. "...Your semen."

The bluntness of it shocked even her. Her chest rose and fell a little faster, the pure composure of the high priestess cracking. She quickly looked away, her pale skin glowing with embarrassment.

Xavier didn’t reply immediately. The silence stretched, and in it, panic began to stir in her chest.

"I... I know how this sounds," she blurted softly, her hands clutching her robes. "The prophecy, all of this—it came so suddenly. But you must believe me. It is real. The Goddess herself entrusted me with this."

His calm voice broke the silence. "I know."

She blinked, caught off guard.

Xavier’s eyes were steady, his presence unshaken. "If the Goddess wills it, then there’s no need for doubt. There’s nothing wrong with this."

Her blush deepened as she swallowed, heart hammering. "Then... you understand? You’ve been blessed by Her. That blessing cannot defile me. This is not sin — it is divine will."

Her words trembled between conviction and self-reassurance, her voice a blend of devotion and hidden desire.

Xavier’s lips curved faintly, his gaze never leaving her. So this is the ritual...