Here I am, sitting on a golden chair while the priests and priestesses continued to bow toward me. The five of them stood in the center of the temple, dressed in white robes that fell past their feet for no reason. Just to seem as though they are regal or important.
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It isn't true.
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Every single one of us in this room isn't as significant as they all like to think we are. It's the people outside that matter. The ones working their asses off just to eat another day and sleep somewhere safe. Others like Aoi that sacrifice a normal life to ensure the safety of others. This includes the ones who have been shunned by society, given no choice but to do whatever they could to survive.
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We are so small in comparison.
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Yet here I am, being placed on a high pedestal based on a title.
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A name.
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"High priestess, these are the letters coming from the Eshea kingdom," Priest Fridolin raised that nearly bald head of his, those silver eyes matching the few strands left. Despite being a demi-god it is clear the Fridolin's human blood has outpowered his immortality as the man's youth slowly deteriorates. The man might be older than being nearly 700 years old but it will only get him so far. I'd noticed the tell-tale signs of aging when Friolin had turned 80.
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While I was a child, priest Fridolin worked to brownnose anyone he could so that one day, he could be sitting in the seat I currently have my ass on. Unfortunately, when I was the age of 10 years old it had been a woman who I'd once considered a mother that was to be the next high priestess. It was irrefutable as the kingmaker of that time had stepped down, deeming her the chosen one.
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The new kingmaker.
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Hundreds of years have passed since then and yet here priest Fridolin is, practically bending and kissing at the feet of the elders.
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All so that he can keep that precious spot of being their eyes and ears.
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The closest thing the man can get to be a high priest.
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He motioned quickly for the servant girl several feet to his side toward me, the irritation in those brown eyes clear. With those thin lips pinched tightly together, it seemed there was something Fridolin wanted to say but whatever it was, wouldn't be good for him.
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It never was.
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"Have you forgotten you aren't speaking to just any high priestess, priest Fridolin? You stand before the kingmaker," One of my guards, Aoi, stepped forward to prevent the servant girl from getting any closer toward me.
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My gut churned just a little to see the way Fridolin looked at the young woman as though she had messed up. Still, I continued to be silent. Arguing gets me nowhere, there isn't a point in trying an ignorant man who refuses to change.
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"They're just letters, guard," Fridolin spoke with clear animosity in his voice as he looked down on her.
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A lot of people underestimate Aoi because of her small stature. Standing at 5"4 with pretty small green eyes that glared at the priest. That long silky black hair was placed in a thick braid that was put into a bun, pretty intricate silver and gold strings were used as the band. As her eyes glowed paler than usual, it was clear the cat shifter was giving him a warning.
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The animal within would not accept disrespect from him.
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"Will you read them or not?" Fridolin huffed out when Aoi refused to move out of the servant girl's way, who was now cowering between the two angry people.
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Gods, it's like dealing with children.
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Oh wait, that was a question for me.
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"No," I've got my chauffeur already packing the car with the maids for our trip Eshea.
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Fridolin likes to belittle me so much and how I got here or what I've done that he forgets I know most things before him.
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Especially when it comes to rulers.
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"Excuse me? Are you not the kingmaker everyone is so proud of? Yet here you are, refusing to help others in need. It was like this last week as well, telling me no as if it is so simple. Is this the woman you wish to have as-"
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"You assume I have not done anything about just like you had during the time Shubet's letters had finally reached us. It is my job to save countries that need it, your duty is to ensure the temple is organized and that everyone is working... why do you feel the need to get into my business?" I interrupted the man with ease as my voice carried clearly around the room of the temple.
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Ah, there it is. Fridolin's face turns red as his ego and pride feel as though it has gotten attacked. Which isn't what happened. The man just can't see that I'm only speaking facts. He isn't the high priest it is only if he manages to take my place in the future that Fridolin should interfere. Especially with the kingmaker's business.
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Just because one is a kingmaker does not mean you have to continue the duties as a high priestess like I have been doing for the last 577 years.
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When I had agreed to become a high priestess, I had been young and naive.
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It had been Fridolin who was trying to coax me into taking the position when he realized his name was on the list of possibilities. Though the man manipulated for a short time, I had taken the title of the high priestess of Aegonis temple to better the world.
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At a time... I had thought it was working.
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"Kingmaker, we are prepared to leave for Eshea kingdom whenever you desire," Inigo stopped at the entrance of the temple out of respect. It was the interruption he'd caused in our conversation that spoke volumes as those dark eyes refused to look anywhere else but me.
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"Your driver needs to be trained...kingmaker. It seems the people you have surrounded yourself with require learning a lesson or two as well," Priest Fridolin lifted his nose at the earth fairy waiting for my command, feeling disrespected.
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As he should.
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If one can not read the energy of the room, they would be blind to the glares being sent his way. Priest Fridolin has walked into my territory demanding respect when the very people underneath him strive to look down on me. He wishes to have what he does not deserve.
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"We will leave now... Aoi, Raul, and Marinella, the three of you will be on vacation until I come back. Enjoy," As I stood up, I waved toward Aoi and Raul when both guards were about to move along with me.
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Marinella, my banshee assistant I've had by my side for a century, had a sad look in her pretty green eyes with gold specks. Out of the three of them, Mari is the only one who doesn't have any family for her to go back to. When they get their vacations she usually travels to a place to relieve her stress but it doesn't mean she enjoys doing it alone.
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Unfortunately, I can't bring her along as death is always around the corner with a kingmaker out on business. I'd hate to have Mari continuously upset and losing her voice from warnings of impending death or one that has already happened. Even though the banshee is over 200 years old, I'd rather not add more horrible experiences into her young life.
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"Are you doing anything for this vacation? I reserved you a seat with the pride," Aoi's wasn't loud but I still heard her as my feet gracefully carried me out of the main room of the temple.
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"What? No way, my grandma already asked if she would be joining us for the pack celebrations!" Raul huffed out and I couldn't help but smile.
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I haven't been the only one worried about our dear Marinella.
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"You won't say anything? Not even notify your elders that you're already on the assignment to ease their worries? They're concerned for you, you've been ignoring their calls and summons. I know I've come off harsh with you but it's all because I trouble over the thought of you making horrid life choices. You're like a daughter to me. If you have fallen ill or are tired, let us help you," As the priest spoke while trying to keep up with our now quick pace, I could see why I hadn't seen his manipulative ways when I'd been younger.
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Because just like how Fridolin is greedy for more, I had once had my dreams. Ones that had once coincided with Fridolin and his advice.
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That doesn't mean he had ever been close enough to verbally call me his daughter. Such a claim is powerful and should never be flung around like a toy.
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"You'd best watch your tongue calling me your daughter, it would be quite embarrassing for others to hear that I do not have the same sentiments," I kept my voice cool, calm, and collected despite the anger that began rolling off the priest in waves.
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It seems that Inigo being the only person around to hear it, is enough to make Fridolin feel humiliated. Once we stepped outside into the front of the temple where the car wasn't parked too far away, I could see Fridolin taking a quick look around to make sure no one else had heard our conversation.
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A dull man, too afraid that all his shady ways will ruin his already horrid reputation while not at all concerned about where his actions will lead him after death. Priest or not, it doesn't mean that you aren't capable of being damned.
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"While I'm gone I do hope you remember to keep yourself out of the kingmaker's business and do your job. I'd hate to have to replace you to help humble you," I slid into the backseat of the silver hummer limo once Inigo held the door open for me.
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Before Priest Fridolin could respond, Inigo closed the door quickly before giving him a quick look of distaste. The earth fairy walked around the demi-god before him and slide into the driver's seat.
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"Just relax Nyota, while you're in my car you'll be in my care," Inigo spoke in a soothing voice as the old fairy started the vehicle up, rolled the windows down a bit, and even played nature sounds on the speakers.
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Nyota... Nyota Nightwind...
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A name that feels unfamiliar to me these days despite it being the one I'd been born with.
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Nyota Nightwind cannot exist when the world only allows me to be the kingmaker.
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