The Ancestor Worship Rite was one of the most important events for believers. During this period, the Holy Father from the central temple would personally visit most of the temples located within the empire.

  As the name suggested, the rite was dedicated to prayers for the deceased. Followers of the religion believed that the well-being of the departed in the afterlife depended on prayers and offered sacrifices, and that those who observed the rites were assured the favor of the gods. People came to the temple — to pray for the souls of their relatives and loved ones.

  This event took place every four years, and in bygone times, thousands of people would flock to the temple, leaving no room for a berry to fall. In the current reality, of course, it was far from that...

  However, even though the number of believers was decreasing each year, the Church adhered to its traditions, and the Holy Father personally traveled around the empire, conducting services in almost every temple. Previously, Remesis could never have imagined that she would ever attend such an event.

  Just as Remesis didn't believe in astrology, she also didn't adhere to any religion. The girl always believed that a person's fate was primarily in their own hands. As the saying goes, "Trust in God, but keep your powder dry."

  Both these organizations were not to Remesis's liking. But, unlike the Astrological Order, the temple at least had some conscience left. At least they didn't demand money from people for their rites and rituals. Therefore, choosing the lesser of two evils, the girl preferred the temple. Although she admitted that even the "holy men" were far from ideal.

  Despite the North occupying a vast territory, only one temple had been built here. And there wasn't a single astrological tower. After the Emperor abandoned the northern region to its fate, the Order didn't stay there long either. Apparently, they had nothing to do in such barren lands.

  Thus, only the Temple remained in the North. Previously, there had been several, but over the last years, almost all had been destroyed and looted. In connection with this, the last functioning cathedral remained only in the capital. It was there that the Holy Father was planning to come to conduct the rite.

  The Holy Father traveled through the empire for a month, and during this time he would visit about several dozen temples. In this list, the temple in the northern capital, as expected, was the last. Usually, many major lords also visited the temple during this event. So a corresponding letter with an invitation had indeed arrived at Fortress Nord.

  And Remesis intended to respond with agreement.

  "Convey that I will be present at the service."

  The knight was a bit surprised.

  "R-really?"

  "What's so surprising about that? I am a believer too."

  "At least from this moment on, I'm ready to become one."

  Hannes blinked for a few seconds. Then he slowly uttered:

  "Your Highness, the North has never had good relations with the Temple. Rather, they've had none at all... Therefore, if you attend the ceremony, people will think you support them."

  "And what's wrong with that?"

  "Ah... Well..." the knight hesitated. "But what if they find out about this in the capital?" "I don't care."

  Remesis shrugged.

  Perhaps Hannes's concerns were not unfounded. The confrontation between the Astrological Order and the temple had lasted for several hundred years. And the former, obviously, were now at the very top. The Temple, on the other hand, was going through hard times. In such a situation, taking one side was tantamount to openly declaring that you didn't support the actions of the other.

  And given the current situation in the country, this was quite risky... All influential families, including the Emperor, favored the Astrological Order. Supporting the temple now was not at all advantageous. The knight worried that because of this decision, the North might fall into even greater disfavor with the rest of the empire.

  Remesis, however, didn't care. She didn't see any real threat in the knight's concerns.

  "Is there any point in groveling before these dogs when we're already at rock bottom?"

  Even if her life depended on it, the girl swore she would never support the Astrological Order. She would rather form an alliance with the temple.

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  When Hannes understood the seriousness of the Princess Consort's intentions, he just sighed. "Her Highness seems like a perceptive person. I think she knows what she's doing."

  "Very well. Then I will convey your response to the temple."

  The knight withdrew, while Remesis was in a state of slight anticipation.

  "The Holy Father. A person I've never met before. I wonder what he's like?"

  The Holy Father's visit to the northern capital was scheduled for the following week. Remesis spent the remaining time preparing for his arrival and attending to current affairs in the castle.

  Their daily routine with the princess was as follows.

  Remesis would wake up early in the morning, even before the sun rose above the horizon. Then she would wake Asil, who, on the contrary, would try to stay in bed until the last moment. The girl would pull her arms and legs, grumbling: "Your Highness, it's time to get up! It's already morning!" This whole process took about half an hour. After which, the white face with silver hair would finally emerge from under the blanket.

  The princess, extremely displeased, would go to breakfast, and after the meal, her mood would noticeably improve.

  Then Remesis would work in the study, while Asil, invigorated with a full stomach, would do her written assignments in the same room. This was how they spent almost every day.

  Asil followed Remesis everywhere, just like a chick following a hen. Even taking a bath, she always tried to do it together. Not so long ago, the girl had managed with difficulty to break her of this habit. "Your Highness, you're already an adult. You should be able to do such things on your own." As a last resort, there were maids for this purpose. But Asil didn't want a stranger to wash her. So, albeit with great disapproval, she did start washing herself.

  They spent all their time together and even slept in the same bed at night. Only occasionally did they have to be apart, when Asil went hunting with a reconnaissance squad and spent the whole day there. In the evening she would return, and if lucky, with fresh game.

  There weren't many animals left in the surrounding forests. The locals had long since caught them all, trying to escape hunger. Monsters also weren't averse to feasting on venison or rabbit in the absence of human flesh. So if Asil managed to return with prey, it was already a celebration.

  Today she also returned from the hunt.

  The princess's axe, which she preferred to use more than a crossbow and arrows, was smeared with dark blood. The guards were pulling the carcass of an adult deer on a sled. The corpse of an innocent animal evoked conflicting feelings in Remesis each time. But she had grown accustomed to it.

  The girl knew well that in the North, it couldn't be any other way.

  "Your Highness," reported the head of reconnaissance, "besides this doe, there are also three of her fawns here. What are your orders regarding them?"

  Since Remesis behaved as the more adult one, the knights were accustomed to addressing her on such matters.

  "Are they still alive?"

  "I answer the Princess Consort. No... Her Highness killed them too. But it's for the best.

  Left without a mother, these fawns wouldn't have lasted long either."

  Remesis gathered the folds of her dress.

  "Yes, you're right... In that case, distribute the meat to the guards who participated in the hunt. They worked hard."

  "It will be done, Your Highness!"

  Remesis sighed. So, today for dinner they would have venison. She should be glad that they had any food at all. With such thoughts, the girl consoled herself as she closed her eyes to yet another brutal scene of slaughter against other living beings.

  The cook of the northern castle prepared the venison with a dressing of salt and spices.

  No side dish, of course, but the girl was already happy that the meat was at least salted. She and Asil sat at the table in the dilapidated dining hall, and Remesis watched as the princess tore into the meat directly with her teeth. She didn't know how to use cutlery. Remesis, observing this, only mentally added to the list in her head of what else she should teach her.

  "Your Highness, how was your day today?"

  Even if Asil didn't care, Remesis still felt awkward dining in complete silence. She filled this time with conversations suitable for such occasions. This also helped them grow closer little by little each day.

  "Normal."

  Asil answered without taking her eyes off her food.

  "Was everything alright on the hunt?"

  "Umm... Yes."

  Although thanks to Remesis's teaching, the princess was getting better at forming words into sentences, she still preferred silence to talking. Therefore, considering she made no sound most of the time, Remesis was glad even for such laconic answers.

  Remesis sighed, also about to start eating. Before touching the food, the girl didn't forget to first pierce the meat with a needle. Making sure the needle remained silver and didn't darken, she was satisfied. Remesis performed this procedure every time before drinking or eating anything. Just in case.

  Asil, meanwhile, for the first time tore her gaze away from the food and looked at her.

  "And you?"

  "What?"

  "How was your day?"

  Remesis hesitated.

  "Nothing special. Worked, as always..."

  Asil didn't usually ask about her affairs, so she was a bit surprised. That look again. Every time Remesis caught it on herself, she felt uneasy. But, as usual, it soon dissipated behind her habitual expression.

  Asil was silent for a while before pouncing on the venison again as if nothing had happened.

  "I see."

  The princess focused on consuming the food. Remesis was able to relax. "And yet... Why do I feel this way?"

  In the evening, they would go to sleep at about the same time. Although Remesis and Asil shared one bed, during sleep they hardly "intersected" because there was plenty of space. They slept on different sides of the bed.

  Remesis would comb her hair and do all her nightly routines. Even as she fell asleep, plans for upcoming tasks continued to swarm in her head.

  Remesis would put out the lamp and lie down in bed. She would pull the blanket up to her chin, because it was especially cold in the northern castle at night. The girl would close her eyelids and, exhausted after another difficult day, quickly fall asleep.

  In the darkness nearby, a rustle was heard.

  Asil, as was her custom, would watch her for a long time. A very long time. Before closing her eyes and also falling asleep.