Chapter 20: Chapter 19: my first temple visit

It was in the early afternoon, the sun was high in the sky. Shining its warm rays on the people of Mirai.

The sky was blue, with only a fluffy cloud here and there. Birds were happily chirping and children were running around happily. The roads here are well maintained, you would think these are at least the early 1800's, nothing barbaric or mediaeval about this place.

 

In front of us is a temple. A huge building, dedicated to goddess Ima, my mother. The place where I will start my duties as a head-priestess. 

 

I brought Nana with me. She was my guide here, as I don't know anything outside the palace yet. Mother Miyako insisted that we would bring some guards with us and that we should go by royal carriage.

 

I had to compromise here, I want to be able to do what I want, but I am still a princess. So I have no say in some matters. At the moment we are still in said royal carriage, pulled by two beautiful white horses. I am afraid to exit the carriage as a princess, because I am not looking forward to the attention.

 

Nana noticed my hesitation and left the carriage before I could, then she summoned one of our guards.

Oh no...they are going to give me the royal treatment, aren't they? The summoned guard came to the carriage door and he reached for my hand, so I could slowly leave the carriage in a proper lady-like fashion. The guard then bowed, "until later, my princess," and pulled the horses and carriage to the side. We wouldn't want to create a traffic jam here, now would we?

 

While I am blushing because I am treated like a lady, I try to focus again. I look down at my shoes, two new white formal shoes with short heels, in pristine condition. Then I sighed and decided to move on, as I saw people staring at Nana and myself.

 

"Let's go Nana."

 

"Yes my princess." 

 

I rolled my eyes. She is never going to learn, is she?

 

The temple looks suspiciously like the shrine I saw back in Japan. It has almost the same two giant fox statues on either side of the entrance. We underwent the same purification ritual using spring water, and then entered the temple. 

 

My tail was an excellent indicator of my mood, as it decided on its own to sway continuously, only the tip of my tail showing below my dress. 

Nana then whispered "princess, are you excited to be here?" 

 

"I am, how could you tell?"  She pointed to below my dress, where the tip of my tail was happily moving about.

 

We both giggled, while we continued to enter the temple. It took a few seconds to get used to the dim lighting here, but then I saw little candles burning everywhere, and people praying in silence. This please feels really peaceful. 

 

We decided not to disturb the people praying here, and continued to walk deeper inside the building.

Some people before us opened sliding doors, and we followed them. The room we enter has huge windows everywhere. The room is filled with natural light, but not in a disturbing way at all. 

After closing the doors behind us, a miko came for us. A miko who wears the familiar white and red kimono.

 

"Good afternoon to both of you, is this your first visit here?"

 

I bowed to her, even if she didn't,  "Good afternoon, yes this is our first visit to the temple. 

We are here on, you could say, divine business."

 

"Oh, I see. Well aren't we all? Would you be interested in learning about the teachings of our goddess Ima? 

Or maybe attend a healing session?" the miko asked.

 

Nana stared at the floor, expecting me to enlighten the miko who I am. But that was still too early.

 

"I am sorry, I should have been more clear. I would like to meet a priestess here on official business. I was asked to come here by our goddess Ima."

 

The miko bows, apparently feeling some trouble coming up. "I am sorry, but without an appointment our priestess cannot see you.

 

I looked at her with a serious expression on my face. "Please tell your priestess that her royal highness, princess Ima has arrived to see her." I unlocked the necklace which my mother gave me this morning, and gave it to the miko. "This necklace shows the royal insignia, show it to her, and then kindly return it to me undamaged."

 

The miko's face turns pale and bows deeply "I am sorry my princess, I did not know about you. My teachers must have failed to teach me properly."

 

"No, you only did your job. I only arrived in the palace a short while ago. Soon all will know about me, even your teachers."

 

She bowed quickly and said "I will be right back, princess."

 

Nana then looked at me. I think she is worried about something. Must be my imagination.

I look at her and shrug, "that went well, right?"

 

Nana then said "well, I am worried about the priestess..." but she couldn't finish the sentence as a child interrupted us. A little kitsune, no more than four years old, pulled my dress.

 

"Lady, you really a princess?" 

 

I crouched down, so I could level with the little one.  "Yes, sweetie, I am princess Greya. And what is your name? "  

 

"Kiyoko, come here, don't bother the princess!"  The little one quickly returned to her mother.

 

I looked at her mother and said "aww, she is cute, she is no bother to me at all." The mother smiled, bowed and disappeared quickly.

 

Then the miko from earlier appeared with another lady behind her. I guess that is the priestess. My oh my, she has a stern look in her eyes. The lady stops before me and bows "my apologies for having you wait princess. We were not aware of your visit here. Would you please follow me into my office? We can speak in private there." 

 

I thought she was rude, she even didn't introduce herself, but whatever, I am patient. 

After arriving in her office, which looked more like a huge meeting room, we were offered a seat.

The table before us was already prepared with teacups and a tea kettle that has seen better days.

The miko was standing in a corner, trying to make herself look invisible.

 

The lady then introduced herself "I am priestess Kabari, I have served this temple for over ten years now. Usually our head-priestess would have this conversation with you, my princess, but I am afraid she passed away last year. So please forgive me if I do not show proper etiquette."

 

"Yes, I am aware of that fact, and I am not fond of etiquette myself, so please relax. Also, I am princess Greya, but you may address me as Greya during this meeting. And next to me is Nanami, my trusted servant and friend." 

 

Priestess Kabari then said "ah yes yes, an honour to meet you both. My miko just informed me that you were on divine business if I recall correctly?"

 

"Right to the point. Okay, I can do that. First of all, please return my royal necklace." 

 

Kabari's face turns pale, how could she forget? "Of course, my apologies, ehh, ah, here you have it princess Greya."

 

Nana looks at me, "please give it to me princess, I will keep it safe for you."

 

"Thank you Nanami." Maybe she has realised there is something wrong with it? I don't have the time to think about it. "Alright," I say, looking at the priestess "I was sent here to prepare for my new job."

 

"What?!" she shouted, rising from her chair. "Princess or not, nobody starts a new job here without my approval."

 

I glared at her. "Sit down priestess. By royal decree, I will be your new head-priestess starting in a few days." So you...."

 

"No way! I will not have it." the priestess shouts. "You are what, sixteen years old? Not only am I much older than you, I also have years and years of training and experience. You are not fit for that job. Just because of a royal decree...."

 

"Now stop it!" I shout, my anger showing on my face. "You will now sit down and calm down, or I will have you removed from the temple. Do you understand?"

 

"If I may speak," Nana says.  

 

I nodded at her.

 

Then she continues "maybe a short recess is in order. We have some tea here, why don't we enjoy that, and try again in maybe ten minutes?" 

 

"That is actually a good...."  BAM!  

 

I turn around, startled, and see that the priestess has left the office. I wave at the miko, who is still hiding in the corner. "Excuse, miko, would you please come here for a minute?"

 

"Yes princess, of course, how may I be of service." Her face red, she is completely focused to not make any mistakes.

 

"Sit down here, next to me. Good. Now first of all, what is your name?"

 

"K..K..  Kasumi princess"

 

"Alright Kasumi. Is the behaviour of the priestess normal for her? Is she always so hot tempered?"

 

"Ah, ha, it is not my place to.."

 

"Kasumi, please speak the truth, I am a princess. And I will be the head-priestess of this temple starting today. So you can speak in confidence."

 

"I see, princess, head-priestess, eh."

 

"Just call me Greya, Kasumi. I don't like formalities, I hope we can become good friends here. 

Now please answer my question."

 

"Yes, eh, Greya. She is very proud of her work and she really works hard. But she was hoping to become the next head-priestess soon. And well, your arrival just ruined her dreams. But still, she is often hot-tempered, but never impolite. I can only apologise."

 

"No need for that. I am not easily offended. Well, your little bit of background information explained quite a lot.

Would you please convince her to join us again?"

 

"Yes princess, one minute please." And she left the door, looking for the hot-headed priestess.

 

Nana then shook her head "I knew it. I already had a bad feeling about the priestess."

 

"Yeah, I could see it in your eyes. Ah, by the way. Was there something wrong with the necklace?"

 

"No, not really. I doubt it was poisoned, but you never know. It is my job to protect and serve you. And you are a princess, you shouldn't wear something that was touched by others on your neck so easily."

 

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"I see, well, thank you for your help. I didn't think about that, honestly. Ah, would you maybe pour the both of us some tea? It would be a waste to let it cool down. Who knows how long we must wait for them to return."

 

"Certainly my princess. Here you are, I am sorry, let me taste this first. This is not really a royal tea set, if you know what I mean."

 

"So, you are testing for poison again? You know I have divine healing magic, right?"

 

"Ah, yes. Anyway, it tastes perfectly normal, so go ahead if you will."

 

But before I could taste the tea, the door opened again, first the priestess whose face was so red I was afraid it might burst any second now. Obviously angry. But I maintained a perfectly calm appearance, even though I am angry myself. Kasumi follows her silently.

 

Before I can speak, the priestess slams her hands on the table and shouts "you can forget becoming a head-priestess here. Over my dead body. Now get the hell out of my temple. Royalty has no rights to declare spiritual matters here. You should know that. We are appointed by the gods themselves. I have the right to oppose you in this matter!" 

 

But before she could continue, a brilliant white flash appeared behind the priestess. I knew what was going to happen, but obviously not everybody in this room.

 

"Wha..wa. wa. you. no. you." The priestess falls to her knees in prostration.  "My goddess, what may..."

Kasumi now understands who the new visitor is as well, and also falls into prostration.  

 

Ima then interrupts her "Silence! You bring dishonour to me and my temple. I have been watching your little  

play here and am utterly disappointed."

 

"But..but..goddess.." 

 

"Silence! I will not repeat myself. You will be silent or face divine punishment right here, right now.

This temple is my home.  MY home. You do not decide what happens, I DO. You are not a goddess, know your place!"

 

Ima then looks at Kasumi. "Kasumi, my dear miko, you are not to blame. Rise and sit next to my daughter Greya please."  She does as she is told without any delay.

 

Some sounds could be heard from the floor, the priestess understood the message and started to cry.

 

Ima continues "as for you priestess. Stand up so I can properly speak to you."

 

The priestess slowly rises, but keeps staring at the floor. 

 

"Look me in the eyes."  The priestess does as she was told, her face completely pale. 

 

Ima continues, but now in a soft tone  "Yes, you heard me perfectly well didn't you? All of you present here in this room, know this. Greya here, she is a princess of this kingdom. But she is also my daughter. 

I will not explain myself any further, but I expect you to show her the same respect as you do me. That is not open for debate. Even for you Greya, do you understand?" 

 

Everyone says "yes goddess,"  only I bow and say "yes mother." 

 

"Good," Ima continues, "Greya is a demi-goddess who shall be called upon her experience soon, in order to help in matters that will shape the future of Mirai. You are expected to help her in any way possible.

 

Now back to you priestess. I will be honest with you. You are hot-tempered and I find your lack of respect revolting. I understand you didn't know that she is my daughter, so I will not hold that against you. But your number one lesson, I repeat your number one lesson in this temple has been and shall always be that you shall be kind to everyone. No violence or emotional outbursts will be tolerated in my home. Let this be a lesson for you all."

 

All of us nod, except for the head priestess. Who starts to cry again. 

 

"Stop crying, you only reap what you sow. Greya offered you the opportunity to return to the meeting, but you only aggravated the situation further. I have no use for you in my temple. 

Having said that, I have not forgotten your many years of servitude to me and my people. I consider myself to be a caring goddess, not a wrathful one, so I will offer you this. 

Report to any other temple or shrine dedicated to me, and continue your work there. You will not be stripped of your title of priestess, but I will not have you in this temple ever again. Are we clear?" 

 

The priestess falls to her knees, and cries out "yes goddess perfectly clear. I am truly sorry and I will learn from my mistake. Thank you so much for giving me another chance. I will not fail you another time." 

 

Then Ima smiles at the priestess, bends her knees to be level with her and places her hand on her arm.    

"I am happy that you understand. Now rise, you of all people should know that I do not desire to be worshipped.

 

Now understand this, my reason to be angry with you was paid in full by your departure. I give you my blessings as a goddess, and will meet you again. A time in the future when your heart knows kindness again. Now leave child."  

 

The priestess stands up, bows deeply while crying heavily, but a gentle smile forms on her lips, "yes my goddess, and, my apologies to everyone in this room. Thank you for your kindness. Goodbye." She immediately left the room, and the building.

 

Ima then sighs. "Glad that that's over. Greya, sweetie?" 

 

"Yes mother?" 

 

"Let me say I am proud of how you handled things here. You never became angry at her, so well done. But what does a goddess have to do to get some tea around here?"

 

"Wa wa wa...sorry my goddess..I will fetch some..."  Kasumi said. 

 

"No dear, you are not leaving this room. You and I are going to have a little chat." 

 

Kasumi's face then turns pale, bowing to Ima.

 

"Now, now dear. It is something good, trust me. Just sit next to my daughter."

 

I then asked Nana, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but would you please get us some fresh tea?"

 

"Of course princess, I will be back in a minute." She then left the room.

 

Ima continues "Greya, while you are here, you might want to have people call you Greya or head-priestess. Princess sounds a bit too formal, don't you think? They can still show you proper respect."

 

"Yes mother, I wholeheartedly agree. But it is difficult to convince people to just relax around me."

 

"Good girl", mother Ima continues, "know you know how I feel when people are formal to me."

 

And then Nana came into the room, already having a fresh tea kettle with her. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

 

I looked at her, and said "really? you apologised for that? I think you were super fast!" Then we all had a good laugh, because we really needed it. There was way too much tension in the air. 

 

Now everyone was enjoying the tea, Ima continued to address the miko Kasumi.

 

"Kasumi dear?"

 

"ah, ah, yes goddess?"

 

"Relax, dear. Greya will be the new head-priestess here, starting today. That leaves an opening for a priestess in my main temple. With Greya's approval, would you please take that position?

 

"wa.wa.wa. me? Really? I am only a miko, I don't..."

 

"Hush child. Greya, do you approve?"

 

"Of course mother. I fully agree. She is perfect for the job."

 

"Good, then Kasumi, by divine order, you are now a priestess in my temple. You and Greya will study together, and heal others together. You will be a team, so never forget that."

 

I looked behind the chair Kasumi was sitting on, and could see her tail doing its thing. Yep, she is happy.

Well, looking around, I can see all our tails moving happily. Must be a good sign.

 

"Yes goddess. But, well, how do I know what to do now? I have no experience.."

 

"Kasumi dear, that is part of life. You don't always know what will happen. Exciting isn't it? Now you and Greya figure out what to do, while I have to return to my domain. It was nice to see you all, and you Greya. 

Be a good girl and come see your mother once in a while in her domain, alight?"

 

I rolled my eyes, showing a big smile, then said "yes mommy, I will."

 

Ima then showed the brightest smile, before vanishing in thin air.

 

I clapped in my hands twice, no idea why, then said "alright people, it's just us three now. How are you feeling Kasumi?" 

 

"Ah, a bit overwhelmed actually head-priestess, eh demi-goddess, eh Greya"

 

"Kasumi, just call me Greya already. And call me princess or head-mistress whenever it is appropriate in a formal situation. But it's just Greya between friends, right? Nana here has the same issue."

 

"ahahh, yes, I am sorry princess"

 

"See?" We then all started laughing.

"Ah, princess, I am afraid we need to return to the Palace. The festival will start in a few days, and you well, need some pointers before then."

 

I looked at her in disbelief "really? Why does everyone want me to have lessons? It's only going to be a party? Ah, Kasumi, can you please manage here for a few days? I will start my duties as head-priestess after the festival. If you need to urgently speak, or just need some advice, just send me a letter. Or even better, come and visit me. You are always welcome."

 

"Yes, head-priestess, thank you, and I understand. I will manage. Life here will go on as usual, not many unusual things happen around here. Today being an exception of course. So we should be fine, really."

 

We then said our goodbyes and Nana and I prepared to return to the palace. 

Me in my beautiful dress, not suited for a head-priestess by the way, wearing formal, spotless white shoes.

Two gentlemen guards accompanied me, to get this princess in a ladylike fashion in and out of the carriage. One that was pulled by two of the best horses ever.  

 

I decided to invite these guards to the break-room for some tea and cookies. They deserved it, not complaining while their princess was detained in their temple, way, way too long. 

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