Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 108: The 1000 Pound Transaction
In the early morning, a ray of color-stained light filtered through the narrow, high windows, inlaid with delicate blue and red patterns, creating a cool, dark atmosphere. Two gas lamps hanging on the wall, shining through delicate lampshades, emitted a soft, warm glow, filling the room with brightness.

Claire, wearing a high-collared pure black nun's robe and a pure white round collar, was holding a copy of "Apocalypse of the Night" in front of her. When she walked into the small prayer room, she immediately saw Audrey sitting devoutly and quietly on the bench.

Audrey also saw Claire, her eyes bright and a look of relief on her face.

"Were you doubting that I wasn't an official?" Claire placed the scriptures on the wooden prayer table and looked at Audrey with a playful smile.

Audrey's shoulders slumped slightly. "Ms. Galadilla, isn't my suspicion abnormal? How could a clergyman kidnap someone else's pet dog?"

Claire didn't care about the sarcasm in the girl's words, and her smile remained unchanged. "Why did you come to the church to look for me? My time is very valuable."

Audrey took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions provoked by Claire, and said calmly, "As you guessed, I'm mainly here to confirm whether you are an official. Secondly, because of Qilingos's threats, I'm worried that he will follow the clues and find me. I would like to hire you as my bodyguard for a period of time."

As she spoke, Audrey's eyes grew darker.

"Hire me?" Claire smiled.

This Miss Justice was obviously looking for a reason to approach her.

But that's a lame excuse.

Moreover, it seemed that Audrey had been promoted to a Sequence 8 "Mind Reader"... Claire felt as if she was being spied on and scrutinized.

"In short, you can't just ignore it when you know my life is in danger, right?" Audrey acted reasonable and continued, "If something happens to me, you, the official who came into contact with me, will bear some responsibility when the investigation begins."

"That's a twisted logic." Claire sneered.

Audrey said, "That's because you don't understand the danger of Qilingos. This 'Vice Admiral Hurricane' is not only cruel and vicious, he also has the ability to change into different appearances."

Claire gathered her emotions, then showed a hint of surprise. Her gaze towards Audrey became sharp. "You, a noble lady, know quite a lot... Is this information given to you by the organization behind you?"

Audrey smiled reservedly and said nothing.

She deliberately spoke in great detail in order to demonstrate her own value and thus achieve the goal of getting closer to the other party.

Audrey's idea was very direct. Since she wanted to get information about the "priestess's remains" from Galadilla, she had to get closer to her, at least to have more room for communication.

Claire knew what Audrey was up to, so it was easy for her to guess what she was really thinking. Claire pretended to think about it, then said, "The hiring fee is 1000 pounds a day."

Audrey was no longer the sucker who had easily paid £1000 for a piece of information. She had learned how to bargain: "£1000 a week!"

Claire sighed and said, "Miss Hall, in the church, under the gaze of the goddess, this kind of bargaining behavior is not appropriate, right?"

"Ms. Galadilla, in your nun's robes, your behavior is unpious," Audrey retorted sarcastically, feeling somewhat guilty as she drew a crimson crescent on her chest. She quickly added, "Two thousand pounds a week, no more."

Claire nodded and said, "Okay, considering Miss Hall's piety."

Following Audrey, Claire was asked to change into a proper lady's outfit.

For the sake of Jin Pound, no, for the sake of Audrey's piety, Claire reluctantly obeyed the request. The ivory-white corset, embellished with exquisite lace, perfectly highlighted Claire's elegant and slender figure.

The wide and fluffy skirt looks like a blooming flower.

Now Claire can handle these clothes perfectly, and she exudes an elegant and romantic beauty whether she walks or sits.

Audrey was amazed and looked at the bright and beautiful Claire with a strange look: "Ms. Galadilla is more suitable for this style than I thought."

Claire said indifferently, "Since you're pious, I don't mind what style of clothing I wear... But if I wear this to fight Vice Admiral Hurricane, my chances of collecting your body will at least double."

Audrey was stunned and smiled awkwardly.

She had wanted to tease the arrogant red-gloved captain.

In her opinion, a maverick woman like Galadilla would definitely not like such cumbersome aristocratic clothing.

For a moment, he got carried away and neglected the important things.

At Audrey's suggestion, Claire changed into a black pantsuit and tied her long golden hair back, looking elegant and dashing. This style suited her better than the dress she'd worn earlier. Seeing this, Audrey couldn't help but sigh, "Ma'am, if you had a father or brother, you would definitely be the star of the ladies at the ball."

After hearing this, Claire suddenly bent down and stretched out her arm to tidy up Audrey's hair that was hanging by her ear. She smiled softly and said, "I think I can do the same."

Audrey blushed at Claire's action.

After realizing what was happening, he cursed Claire's bad character in his heart.

It's approaching night.

Claire followed the Hall family's motorcade, accompanied Audrey, and participated in the grand ball organized by Duke Negan.

"How did you get my father to allow you to stay with me?" Audrey asked curiously.

Claire answered, "I honestly told your father that I was a clergyman and that you had been having trouble sleeping recently and came to the church for help. I was the professional who was here to handle this matter."

Audrey raised her eyebrows and said, "My father actually believed your words so easily?"

Claire smiled and said, "I told you that the Earl of Eastchester has closer ties with the church than you think. Your father doesn't trust me, but the Goddess Church."

Following Audrey into Duke Negan's mansion in the Queens district of Backlund, Claire felt the gazes of countless people.

She walked beside Audrey with her body held high and her body held high.

This made Audrey a little uncomfortable, so much so that she declined the invitation to the opening dance.

Claire stood on the second floor of the ballroom, looking at the extremely luxurious banquet hall, the elegant crowd on the dance floor, and the two rows of ancestral statues standing in the corridor behind the double doors of the banquet hall.

Compared to the Negan Mansion in Claire Meazza's memory, although it has not changed much, it looks more luxurious.

Duke Negan is the largest landed noble besides the King, the most powerful supporter of the Conservative Party, the elder brother of the current Prime Minister, and one of the few richest and most powerful people in the Kingdom of Loen.

Claire's expression became a little strange after she saw Audrey beside her greet a noble gentleman with a perfect smile and etiquette.

After Baron Gramire left, Claire stood beside Audrey and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Baron Gramire is a little different from usual..." Audrey frowned, her green eyes filled with confusion.

"In the past, when he looked at ladies and wives of higher status and greater beauty than himself, he would look away, not daring to look directly at them, and would constantly steal glances... But today he seemed very confident."

"And the smell of his perfume is off. When he attended parties before, he always exuded the base notes of 'Amber'. In other words, he would spray the perfume a few hours in advance, letting the top and middle notes evaporate before the party. But just now, the scent on him was the middle note of the perfume..."

Claire listened to Audrey's meticulous analysis and truly felt how observant a Beyonder from the Audience Path was.

"Are you guessing..." Claire glanced at Baron Gramire who had disappeared into the crowd and frowned, "Is that man a fake?"

Audrey looked at Claire nervously, "I have a feeling that man is Qilingos in disguise!"

"I...I'm going to the bathroom." Audrey said, walking familiarly towards the bathroom for the Duke's guests.

Claire followed Audrey Fang.

When they reached the bathroom door, Audrey said to Claire who was following her, "Ms. Galadilla, please wait here for a moment."

Claire refused and said seriously, "If there are suspicious and dangerous people nearby, it's best for me to stay close to you."

Audrey, desperate to find a secret place to pray and communicate with the Fool, was now anxious and embarrassed. She muttered to Claire, "I'm shy! And stay away and don't eavesdrop!"

After saying that, Audrey slammed the bathroom door shut.

After a while, a little further away from the door, Claire "heard" Audrey's prayers coming from above the gray fog...

(End of this chapter)