The Fake Princess

14. Academy leasons now starting

I made it to the Academy. The Duke and Duchess played the role of dutiful parents as they gave me away to the priests. I would be living in the place where the other students live, the Academy. I'll visit later tonight. While most of the students are priests or scholars, I knew I wasn't going to be having any king of fun.

I was sent to the bathroom where I was given a set of simple robes. Around the temple and after classes, I had to follow the dress code of the priests and priestesses. In the Academy, I was given a uniform. Uniforms were mandatory and that meant I couldn't wear the fancy dresses. I didn't care about that. While they were gorgeous, I felt like a child playing dress- up, playing pretend and someone could notice. But in simple clothes, I'm closer to the real me.

The priestess helped me out of my dress. She unbuckled the intricate buttons that kept the lace together. She then left me alone and I was able to change into the dress. It was a simple white robe with a rope that tied around my waist. It was rather plain but the fabric was think and felt nice to the touch. I changed into the set of slippers and left the room.

She showed me around the Temple and the Academy grounds. I noticed that there were a lot of people walking around. From the different outfits, I was able to distinguish them apart. She told me not all priests have access to the Academy and not all scholars have access to all of the Temple grounds.

She handed me an identification card to explain more. I asked if the Temple was restricted and she said no. She said there were some private grounds that outsiders can't enter, but I could since I'm working with the Pope. She said I have free reign everywhere I want, but to keep in mind not all have my level of access too.

She took me to look at the important paintings that depicted the different gods. I learned their names and their proper domains, remembering from what Grandpa Homen said. I was able to see a better face to them, wondering if they had actually looked like the art.

The last work of art was the big statue in the atrium. It was of Era, god of creation. He stood up enormously tall, my head cranking to the heavens to look at him. He was gifted with muscles and the sculptor managed to portray an awe- inspiring person.

The priestess instructed me that we must always bow or curtsy to him as we pass, if we fail he will bring us bad luck. I nod and copy her curtesy and mumble the words quick prayer she said. We then stood and and continued on with the tour.

I was bored and I don't know if she realized it, but she showed me a private place where only a small handful of people have access to. She says it's the place I will be practicing at with the Pope.

It was a garden- like place where I could see cobblestones in a large circle. As I squinted my eyes, I saw that there seemed to be engravings in them. I couldn't understand the weird markings, maybe it's written in the ancient script. She lead me away from the circle, further into the garden where I heard yelling.

I looked up at her but she didn't look concerned. She called out a person's name, someone I haven't met. We walked closer to the yelling and then I felt a sharp cold. I crossed my arms and kept walking.

There was a big area that was open. Three men were standing there, and one of them was a boy my age. He was leaning over, hands on his knees probably catching his breath. I looked at the man in the robe walking towards us, pausing to recognize him. He was the one priest that was in the same room as the Pope. The priestess and I stopped walking. I looked over at the other man. He was dressed in similar clothes to the boy, clothes made for training and running around.

"Saintess!" My eyes snapped to the priest and he grabbed my right hand and shook it with vigor. My upper body shook from the force and I was too shocked to say anything.