"W-What are you talking about?" the Archpriestess stammered, her voice rising with panic. Her chest tightened with a growing dread—she absolutely didn't want him to find out the truth.
Not now... Not until he loved her more.
More than Stella!!
If he knew now... he'd realise how she had manipulated his feelings, and she was certain he would hate her—hate her from the very depths of his heart.
And she couldn't bear that. She didn't want that to ever happen!
Aether leaned closer to her, his frown deepening as his eyes narrowed, "I'm saying... why is it that you and Stella never show up together? Not even once. Doesn't that strike you as strange?" His voice was calm, but edged with suspicion, his gaze fixed sharply on her.
The Archpriestess's eyes began to tremble, her lips parting as her breath quickened. Fear flickered behind her gaze. Her mind scrambled for something—anything—to say. But she found no excuse.
Not one!
