Souls Entwined Through Time

Prince Constantine finished his dance with Saintess Helena and lead her back to the Grand Duke's table. Pulling a chair back for her, he ensured she was comfortably seated before taking the seat next to her.

"That was a beautiful dance, Helena!" Tyren gushed. "Your highness, the two of you looked so harmonious together." 

Constantine offered her a slight smile before looking at the Duke. "Duke Roelle, where are Alexander and my fiancée?"

Both Tyren and Helena's expressions twitched at the last word.

The Duke set down his cutlery and wiped his mouth on a cloth napkin. "I'm not sure, Your Highness. I haven't seen Alex since I sat down and I think Felicia may be exploring the Cathedral once more."

"That means that they're together. Those two have become inseparable lately." Tyren replied, forcing a smile. "You do not need to concern yourself over Felicia, Your Highness. She--"

"How can I not?" Constantine replied. "She is to be my wife. She is the one woman whom I need to concern myself with the most from now on."

Tyren's eyes widened, her face turning pale.

Helena took a deep breath to calm herself. She felt like she was holding back vomit. How could he say that? After the dance they'd just shared!? Did she truly come to mean so little to him in such a short time? How could his love for her just vanish like that? How could he say something like that in front of her?

It was all Alex's fault! If he had not gone to get Felicia out of the annex and started favoring her more she would never have gotten so bold!

Constantine looked at the Del Findel table and realized that Liam wasn't seated there either.

This meant that all three of them had gone off to investigate the Pope's secrets. He felt the need to go after them, but he remembered what Lady Felicia had told him about not drawing attention to themselves. So far they were certain the Pope did not suspect him or Liam, but how long would that last? Or did the Devil's scion already know?

Besides that, this was a day of celebration over Helena's immense achievement. It didn't matter if it was all a hoax. The public believed it, the church advocated it and as the Crown Prince he would have to stay throughout the celebration to show the royal family's support towards the Holy Church and the Goddess.

Constantine stood up and excused himself. "Excuse me ladies, Grand Duke. I must return to my table." He bowed and ignored Helena and Tyren's attempts to keep him with them.

Helena still felt bitter, but she was relieved to see her Crown Prince go to his family as opposed to going to find Felicia.

Her eyes moved from left to right. Where is the bitch, I wonder? And what has she gotten Alex to do for her now? And where is Young Marquis Liam?

----

Meanwhile, inside the church's grand library, where the bookshelves went from floor to ceiling, Felicia and Liam were standing in front of one of the few shelves which stood only 6 feet tall.

Felicia quickly started pressing her fingers on strategic spots on the left side of the shelf. She did not need her mother's sketches to show her how as she mimicked the motions she remembered Father Demetri having performed in the alternate course of history. It only took about eight presses before she brushed against a slight crack.

Liam's eyes widened in shock when he saw the wall move on its own, spinning the bookshelf 90 degrees to reveal an opening. Seeing it was different from hearing of it. 

"This would make for a good hiding place." He murmured.

Felicia quickly stepped in and Liam followed. She pushed the square protrusion on the other side of the the wall which slid shut behind them. Wasting no time and not giving any care to the dark and damp smell, the two marched down the flight of stairs at a hurried pace. Having no lantern, Felicia heated her hands with magic which served as their light source. Holding them over her head she and her companion made their way down the endless spirals of stairs before finally reaching the landing. 

It was much colder, their breaths both fogged as they took in the enormous cave around them. 

"I can't believe there is such a place under the church. How--when did the Pope build this?" Liam breathed, turning in a full circle.

"It wasn't this Pope. This place was already built hundreds of years ago to shelter the clergymen should Elysium ever be invaded and the temple attacked." Felicia strode on.

Liam followed behind her, feeling his anxiety rise.

"The previous Popes knew about this place and so did some of the Bishops. The other priests just knew that there were underground rooms dedicated to the storage of priceless scrolls and the church's funds. Nothing of this size." Felicia's voice echoed in the cavern. "But as of now, I don't think anyone except the current Pope and Father Matthew know about the secret entrance that leads to this place. Even the catacombs do not go this deep."

She looked at Liam over her shoulder. "My mother was killed because she found out how to get down here."

"Or rather, she saw what nobody was supposed to see while she was down here." She clarified, looking ahead. "He knew she wouldn't help him."

Liam massaged his ears which felt a bit stuffy. "Your mother was a clever woman, Felicia."

"Yes...too clever. And she didn't know what she was up against until it was too late. But unlike, Father Demetri she managed to escape from this place without being captured by the Pope." She shook her head. "So he ultimately decided to use Tyren to kill her."

"And I will find a way to prove it," she growled. "Not just Tyren, Helena and the Pope but everyone else who had a hand in my family's fracture."

Liam eyes tightened. "Do you suspect others?"

"I can sense it in my soul. There are so many pests who are in power committing atrocities left, right and center and nobody is stopping them. Until now!"

Liam smiled at that. He admired the lady's fire. She could be scared, anyone in her position would. Instead, she chose to be strong. Strong as a man.

The cavern began to shrink until they found themselves standing in front of a very tight tunnel. One where they would have to go single file. 

"This shouldn't be long. I don't remember Father Demetri walking for very long. Then again, that was a mere memory. Maybe he did walk this path for a while."

Felicia held her hands in front of her and commanded the lights in her palms to burn brighter. They did so, but it only served to blind them. They couldn't see how far ahead the door was.

Blinking rapidly to clear the spots appearing in front of her eyes, Felicia stepped forward and instructed Liam to stick close behind her.

"Here," she said. "Hold onto my skirt and don't let go until I say so."

"As you wish."

Felicia took the first step into the narrow and cobweb infested tunnel when she felt a sharp current pass underneath her heel. She immediately jumped back.

Liam was startled. "What is it?"

"I think...I think I just tripped on a spell! An intruder alerting spell!"

---

Upstairs, far above ground, where the joyous celebration was still in effect, the Pope stiffened in his seat.