The sanctum kitchens were clean and well maintained.
Even in the dim blue hours before dawn, the lower halls already hummed with quiet activity.
Temple attendants carried baskets of bread from the ovens while novice maidens arranged silver tea sets with practiced precision.
Sacred lanterns glowed softly overhead, reflecting against polished marble floors still cool from the night.
Laliya moved gracefully through it all like flowing water.
Every motion of hers was calm and elegant.
The younger maidens adored watching her work because even ordinary tasks somehow became refined in her hands.
She greeted every attendant with a gentle nod, thanked each servant personally, and carried herself with the same composed humility she showed during public blessings.
She was never hurried or careless.
Never hurried and while outside even when she was exhausted, she remained impossibly poised.
Unfortunately for her, today’s duty assignment felt like divine punishment.
The high luminar had personally instructed her to oversee Anaqielle’s accommodations “Until the benefactor adjusted comfortably to sanctum life.”
Which translated to, Laliya now had to bring breakfast to the fallen seren responsible for ruining her peace of mind.
She balanced the breakfast tray carefully as she walked through the guest wing corridors.
The trays were packed with fresh tea, fruits, steamed rice, honey cakes and moonnerry preserves.
She had enough anxiety to spiritually combust.
The wardens guarding the guest wing bowed respectfully as she approached.
“Lady Laliya.”
She returned the bow softly.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The older warden smiled faintly at the praise.
Laliya always acknowledged guards, servants and kitchen workers.
She never spoke down to anyone despite her sacred status.
It made people love her frighteningly quickly.
The warden opened Anaqielle’s chamber doors for her.
Laliya inhaled once, twice…
then walked in.
And immediately regretted every life decision she had ever made because Anaqielle was still in bed.
She wasn’t sleeping.
The fallen angel rested lazily against silk pillows while morning sunlight poured across dark sheets and silver hair.
One shoulder remained bare beneath a loose black sleeping robe that had clearly slipped far lower than necessary.
And Laliya couldn’t help the feeling that it was intentional on Anaqielle’s part.
Laliya nearly turned around and left.
Anaqielle brightened instantly upon seeing her.
“Well,” she murmured, voice still rough from sleep.
“This is a lovely arrangement. I find that I will feel better very soon.”
Laliya focused very hard on the breakfast tray.
“The elder luminars requested I bring your meal.”
“And here I thought the heavens had finally rewarded me.”
Laliya carefully set the tray down near the bed without looking directly at her.
Huge mistake.
Warm pale shoulders slightly covered with dark fabric loose around her chest.
After becoming aware of her, she noticed Anaqielle’s silver hair spilling across the plush pillows.
Anaqielle noticed the staring.
A slow smile spread across her face.
“My eyes are up here, holy maiden.”
Laliya straightened quickly.
“Your tea will cool.”
“What a devastating concern,” Anaqielle gasped.
Laliya clasped her hands together tightly in front of herself, posture instantly perfect again.
Years of training on her composure, balance and survival kicked in.
Anaqielle watched her with open fascination.
She found her resistance worthy of awards.
However, she wasnt there to praise her control, her task was to tempt her to let go of it.
“You know,” the fallen angel said lazily, “you move like you’re performing a sacred ritual even while serving breakfast. Relax a little bit, it not like I’m going to bite.”
Laliya blinked.
“I am simply doing my duty.”
“No.” Anaqielle tilted her head slightly.
“It’s more than that. Don’t deny it.”
The holy maiden looked uncertain now.
The fallen could always read her mind, get in her head and inspire thoughts that were never meant for her to have.
Anaqielle’s golden eyes followed every careful movement she made.
The graceful way she adjusted the teapot, the respectful way she lowered her gaze while speaking and the he soft calmness in her expression even when nervous.
“You treat people gently,” Anaqielle said.
It reminded her of a time when she used to be gentle too.
Laliya looked up slightly at that.
The fallen angel’s voice had changed.
It was quieter and almost thoughtful.
“Even the servants outside looked calmer after talking to you.
You truly are made of pieces of paradise.’
Laliya lowered her eyes modestly.
“Everyone deserves kindness. It has nothing to do with what I am made of”
Anaqielle felt something uncomfortable twist faintly inside her chest which was deeply irritating.
Her honesty and sincerity felt bitter to witness.
She preferred when the holy maiden was flushed and stumbling over sinful thoughts.
The softer version of her was somehow more dangerous.
It was the side that already had one foot in the promised land.
The side she was there to destroy.
Laliya moved toward the curtains to open them wider for morning light.
Anaqielle stared openly.
Those eyes, paired with such a kind and graceful face.
Had she been tasked to be Laliya’s guardian angel back when she still held a place in heaven, she would have fallen without a doubt.
The holy maiden noticed after several seconds.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“I enjoy beautiful things,” Anaqielle admitted, it wasn’t a lie.
Beautiful eyes had cost her heaven and now beautiful eyes were her ticket back, it felt like torture.
Laliya’s ears turned slightly pink.
Anaqielle looked delighted by that too.
She finally reached for her tea.
“Will you be taking care of me every morning now?”
The question sounded far too pleased like she already knew the answer and simply wished for Laliya to confirm it.
Laliya kept her attention firmly on rearranging fruit that did not need rearranging.
“Only until you are… spiritually recovered.”
Anaqielle nearly laughed into her tea.
Spiritually recovered!
From being a Fallen Seren?
Since that was never going to happen, it meant she and Laliya were stuck together and she had plenty of time to accomplish her mission.
‘Wonderful,’ she thought.
“And if my condition worsens?” she asked innocently.
Laliya looked suspiciously.
“What condition?”
“The nightmares.”
‘Liar,’ Laliya knew perfectly well those nightmares probably involved mass destruction and ancient celestial violence that is if they were real at all.
Yet the elder luminars had completely believed her tragic little act.
It was concerning how trusting her teachers were.
Anaqielle rested her chin against one hand lazily.
“I slept much better knowing you were nearby. So you are already helping more than you know.”
Laliya almost dropped the spoon she was holding.
“Anaqielle.”
“Yes?”
“You should not say things like that.”
“Why?”
Because they made her heart react improperly, hearing them warmth spread through her chest and it set her on a path where she was beginning to anticipate Anaqielle’s attention in horrifying ways.
Laliya turned away quickly to hide her expression.
Anaqielle smiled knowingly into her tea.
She was enjoying this arrangement far too much and judging by the faint trembling in Laliya’s hands, the sanctum had unknowingly handed her exactly what she wanted; unlimited access to Heaven’s most beautiful soul.
“The tea tastes amazing. It makes me wonder,” she ran her finger on the edge of the cup.
“How the one who made it tastes like,” she raised her eyes and caught Laliya’s mortified expression.
“What do you think, is she sweet or sour?”