Chapter 169: The rumours
Time seemed to have run by fast, and it was time for the ceremony; since the temple worshipped the goddess of the moon, the majority of festivals took place at night.
A lot of pilgrims had climbed the mountains for the winter prayer. Although some went missing, the ones left were still a noticeable number. While Abrielle was resting in her room, she had no idea that rumours had already spread quickly about her miscarriage thanks to Sapphire.
Many deemed her cursed to have a miscarriage on the holy ground known for miracles, while others deemed it a miracle that Cedric’s spawn died. Even the goddess knew the monster was not meant to have any more abomination all these Abrielle had no idea of.
The doors to the main temple were left open for worshippers, Abrielle being accompanied by Evelyn and Zoltana, made their way in, but the maids had to take a seat at the back due to their status while Abrielle moved to the front, where the royal family was seated.
As soon as she walked through the doors, she felt something was amidst; everyone’s gaze was on her, and murmurs were going around as they stole glances at her.
Her hands clutched her skirt. She still kept her head high, not to think about it, but she was still nervous. A priest was already at the altar, leading the prayer under the moonlight that cascaded from the glass roof.
She got to the front seat; there was only one free spot left available by the Queen’s side, which was weird because a seat should have been reserved, and the front row should not be occupied by the Queen’s ladies in waiting.
Abrielle didn’t comment. Her eyes darted around the hardwood seat, left with no choice. She knew she had to take the seat by the queen because it was below her status to sit far back.
The pressing gaze she felt earlier was still on her as she walked up to the queen, who had the king and her two daughters, Astrid and Bernice, by her side. Astrid’s husband and daughter were still in front, just a row behind, and the rest of the royal family occupied the first two rows.