Elara woke to sunlight and guilt.
The guilt came first – sharp and familiar, the product of twenty years of Church conditioning. She'd spent an entire evening alone with a man. She'd danced with him, held his hand, drunk wine, laughed freely. She'd questioned her faith, her purpose, her entire existence.
And worst of all, she'd enjoyed it.
She sat up in the luxurious bed, pressing her palms against her eyes. What had she been thinking? The Church would be horrified.
Mother Superior would lecture her for hours about propriety and temptation. The other clergy would look at her with disappointment, wondering if their perfect Saintess had been corrupted by a single night outside their walls.
Corrupted.
The word stuck in her mind, uncomfortable. Was that what had happened? Had Damien corrupted her somehow, or had he simply given her permission to acknowledge feelings she'd always had?
A knock interrupted her spiraling thoughts.
"Miss Elara?" Margaret's voice. "May I come in?"
"Yes, please."
Margaret entered with a breakfast tray and a knowing smile that made Elara's guilt intensify. "Good morning, dear. The young master thought you might prefer to eat in your room this morning. The Church escort arrived about an hour ago – they're in the main hall waiting for you."
An hour ago. They'd been here an hour and hadn't immediately demanded to see her. That was... unusual. And potentially ominous.
"Thank you, Margaret." Elara accepted the tray mechanically. "Is Lord Damien with them?"
"He is. Quite the diplomatic performance, from what I hear." Margaret's eyes twinkled. "He's explaining how he heroically rescued you from bandits and provided proper hospitality under my supervision. Very proper. Very noble. No one could possibly object."
Except Elara could hear the subtext: We both know it wasn't entirely proper, but we'll pretend it was.
"I should get ready," Elara said, suddenly anxious to face whatever consequences awaited.
"Of course, dear. I've mended your robes as best I could. They're not perfect, but they're respectable." Margaret paused at the door. "For what it's worth, I think the young master genuinely cares about your wellbeing. That's rare in nobles. Rare in anyone, really."
She left before Elara could respond.
---
Twenty minutes later, Elara descended the grand staircase with her heart hammering. She'd pinned her hair back severely, composed her expression into serene saintliness, and wrapped herself in every defensive layer of propriety she could manage.
She was the Saintess again. Elara – the woman who'd danced in moonlight – was safely locked away.
The main hall was imposing, designed to intimidate. Duke Cornelius Valcrest's portrait dominated one wall, staring down with painted disapproval. Below it stood three figures in Church white and gold: High Priest Aldous, Sister Catherine, and a young paladin she didn't recognize.
And Damien, standing slightly apart, every inch the proper noble heir.
Their eyes met for a fraction of a second. His expression was perfectly neutral, but something flickered there – concern? Regret? She couldn't tell before he looked away.
"Saintess Elara." High Priest Aldous stepped forward, his voice carefully modulated between relief and reproach. "Thank the Goddess you're safe. When we received word of the attack, we feared the worst."
"I'm unharmed, thanks to Lord Damien's timely intervention." Elara kept her voice steady, formal. "He and his men drove off the bandits and provided shelter when I was too exhausted to continue."
"Indeed." Aldous's eyes were sharp, calculating. He was in his fifties, ambitious, and had never particularly liked that Elara's natural gifts gave her influence he couldn't control. "Most fortunate that Lord Damien happened upon the scene. Almost providential."
The implication was clear: Too convenient. What really happened?
"I was inspecting our border territories," Damien interjected smoothly. "Pure chance that we were in that area. Though if you're suggesting I somehow arranged an attack on the Saintess, I'd be happy to provide testimony under truth magic."
The offer was bold – truth magic was absolute. Aldous's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't push without looking suspicious himself.
"That won't be necessary," he said coldly. "I'm merely concerned for the Saintess's reputation. An entire night unchaperoned in a bachelor's household..."
"Under the supervision of my head housekeeper," Damien countered. "Margaret has served House Valcrest for thirty years and is above reproach. The Saintess was treated with absolute propriety. My honor and Margaret's both stand as testament."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Social Combat Engaged]
[Silver Tongue (Rank F) Active]
[Reputation Defense: 85% Success Probability]
Sister Catherine, a stern woman who'd helped raise Elara, stepped forward. "Perhaps we should hear from the Saintess herself. Elara, were you treated appropriately?"
All eyes turned to her. This was the moment – she could tell the truth about the dancing, the wine, the intimate conversations. She could describe how Damien had made her question everything she'd ever known. She could be honest about the confusion churning in her chest.
Or she could protect him. Protect herself. Protect whatever fragile thing had begun to grow between them.
"Lord Damien was a perfect gentleman," she said clearly. "He saved my life, provided medical attention through his housekeeper, and ensured I was comfortable while word was sent to the Church. I could not have asked for more considerate treatment."
It wasn't technically a lie. He had been considerate. The fact that his consideration had included demolishing her worldview was simply an omission.
[CORRUPTION MILESTONE: First Lie to Protect Relationship]
[Intimacy +8]
[Subject choosing player over authority figures - major progress]
Damien's expression didn't change, but she saw his shoulders relax fractionally.
Aldous wasn't satisfied, but he had no leverage to push further. "Very well. Then we should depart immediately. You've been away from your duties long enough."
"Of course." Elara turned to Damien, keeping her expression neutral. "Thank you again, Lord Damien. Your hospitality was most appreciated."
"It was my honor, Saintess." He bowed formally, the gesture perfect and empty. Nothing in his posture suggested they'd danced together mere hours ago. "I hope your journey to the capital is safer than your last attempt."
"I'm certain it will be." She held his gaze for just a moment longer than propriety demanded. "Perhaps our paths will cross again."
"Perhaps they will." His voice was carefully neutral, but his eyes said: Remember what you felt here. Remember who you are beneath the title.
Then Sister Catherine was ushering her toward the door, and Aldous was already launching into a lecture about the importance of maintaining proper distance from nobility, and the young paladin was bringing around their horses.
Elara climbed into the carriage – heavily guarded this time, no chances taken – and watched through the window as the Valcrest estate receded into the distance.
She didn't cry. Saintesses didn't cry over leaving comfortable accommodations and pleasant company.
But Elara did.