The winter morning sun was thin, and the air was cold and crisp.
In front of the Sarkax Royal Capital Cathedral, cleaning staff in thick work uniforms were using special long-handled brooms to sweep the freshly fallen snow from the broad stone steps and plaza to the sides.
Despite the cold weather, a modest line had already formed before the cathedral’s main entrance.
Most were devout citizens or nearby residents, bundled in thick winter coats, their expressions solemn or serene as they waited to enter for morning prayer.
Sefina and Feliel stood in the shadow of the colonnade on one side of the plaza, observing the flow of people.
They had both made simple disguises, dressed plainly and inconspicuously.
Sefina had covered her face with a scarf, while Feliel had tucked her black hair up and hidden it beneath a hat. Their gazes simultaneously turned toward a side door on the cathedral’s flank.
There were guards there too, but only two, and they wore the vestments of internal Church clergy.
That was clearly the service entrance for clergy and internal affairs personnel.
The two exchanged a glance and walked straight toward the side door.
As expected, no sooner had they approached the doorway than the two guards raised their hands to block them.
One of them looked over their clothing and furrowed his brow slightly.
“Miss, this is the internal passage. May I ask what business you have? Judging by your attire, you’re neither clergy of this church nor registered devout believers.”
Sefina remained calm. She took a wax-sealed envelope from her cloth bag. The wax bore the family crest of a prominent duke of Sarkax.
Naturally, Versie’s handiwork.
The guard took the letter, and the moment he saw the seal, his expression turned respectful.
He quickly opened and read it. The letter was a recommendation written by the Duke’s family for two “pious girls from distant relatives,” recommending them to serve the Church as nuns.
In the past two years, the Church’s review process for new entrants had become unusually strict and cumbersome—background checks, faith tests, multi-level approval…
This was to “maintain internal purity,” but in Sefina’s view, it was clearly a means for the lurking “Demons” to tighten their defenses and control the flow of personnel. The lengthy process had discouraged many young women who wished to serve.
However, no matter how strict the rules, in the face of upper nobility’s connections and influence, a convenient door would often still open.
The guard carefully examined the seal’s authenticity and the letter’s hidden marks. After confirming everything was in order, his manner grew even more courteous.
“So you’re the young ladies recommended by His Grace the Duke. My apologies. Please, come in.”
He stepped aside to clear the path, and just then noticed a young clergyman passing by nearby carrying several thick ancient texts. He raised his voice to call out:
“Hey, Deacon Pohl! A moment please!”
The young deacon called Pohl stopped at the call and hurried over.
“Is something the matter, guard sir?”
He looked to be in his early twenties, with brown hair and brown eyes, his face carrying the diligence and slight nervousness typical of a newcomer.
“These two are new nuns, recommended by the Duke’s family. Take them to report to the Sheng Nü and pick up their habits and arrange their lodgings.”
The guard instructed.
“Of course, no problem.”
Deacon Pohl quickly nodded, then turned to Sefina and Feliel with a friendly smile.
“Ladies, please follow me.”
Sefina and Feliel nodded slightly and followed Deacon Pohl through the side door into the cathedral’s interior.
The moment they entered, the cold of the outside was replaced by a warm atmosphere mixed with a faint scent of incense.
The interior space was exceptionally tall and magnificent. Stained glass windows filtered the sunlight into multicolored beams that fell across the polished stone floor and between the towering columns.
In the main hall, a number of early worshipers had already gathered, kneeling before the pews and murmuring prayers in low voices. Their voices merged into a humming resonance that echoed through the open space.
Deacon Pohl led them along the edge of the main hall toward the stairs on the side, introducing himself as they walked.
“I’m Pohl. I’ve only been serving here as deacon for a few months. What should I call you two ladies?”
“Sefina.”
“Feliel.”
Their answers were brief and to the point.
Pohl nodded and noted the names, asking no further questions. Clearly, he maintained an appropriate distance and courtesy toward those recommended by nobles.
He led them up the broad spiral staircase to the second floor.
Here, the corridor was carpeted in deep red, with oil paintings depicting holy deeds and candelabras adorning the walls. It was far quieter than the floor below.
Pohl stopped before an oak door carved with lily patterns and knocked gently.
“Sheng Nü, are you in?”
A soft, gentle female voice came from within.
“Yes, please come in.”
Pohl pushed the door open and gestured for Sefina and Feliel to enter.
It was an elegantly simple room, furnished with bookshelves, a writing desk, a kneeling bench for prayer, and a few potted green plants on the windowsill.
A young woman in a pure white holy robe rose from behind the desk and walked over to greet them.
She appeared to be around twenty, with smooth, radiant golden hair that flowed like liquid sunlight.
Her eyes were a light gold that matched her hair—clear and gentle, carrying a natural warmth when she looked at you.
Her features were delicate and composed, her bearing pure, embodying every beautiful expectation people held for a “Sheng Nü.”
Deacon Pohl bowed respectfully.
“Sheng Nü, these are Lady Sefina and Lady Feliel. They are new nuns, recommended by the Duke’s family.”
The current Sheng Nü, Isabella, let her gaze fall softly upon the two of them, a faint smile curving at her lips.
“Welcome to serve in the Hall of Sacred Light. May the grace of the Lord be with you.”
Her voice was like a spring breeze brushing over strings—pleasant to the ear.
However, her gaze lingered a moment longer on Sefina. Her light golden eyes blinked, a flicker of kindhearted puzzlement passing through them.
She bent down slightly to bring her eyes level with Sefina’s, her tone even gentler as she asked:
“But… this young lady here seems not yet of age? According to Church rules, girls under sixteen cannot formally serve as nuns. Could there be some mistake?”
Sefina could feel a vein pulsing at her temple.
A familiar feeling—a mixture of humiliation and helplessness—surged up in an instant.
She silently clenched her molars, forcing out her answer almost word by word.
“I’m. An. Adult.”
Inside, her heart let out a mournful roar.
It’s just that my height is a little shorter than average!
My face just looks a little younger!
What part of me doesn’t look like an adult?
It’s definitely not the height issue! Definitely not!
Sheng Nü Isabella widened her light golden eyes slightly, a hint of surprise on her face, then covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
That smile was pure and flawless, with no trace of mockery.
“Oh, is that so? My apologies, I was rude. It seems Lady Sefina simply has a natural eternal youth. How lovely.”
She shifted the topic, a look of slight concern crossing her face.
“But… the standard sizing for Nun’s habits might not have something that fits your frame perfectly. Even the smallest size might be a bit loose.”
Sefina: “…”
Sheng Nü Isabella paid no mind to Sefina’s instantly stiff expression and thoughtfully led the two of them in person to the clothing room to pick up their habits.
Those were simple black-and-white long dresses, complete with headscarves and belts.
After changing—
Feliel wore her habit well. The black-and-white contrast made her skin look even fairer. Her black hair was tied up and tucked beneath the headscarf.
Though her cold, sharp aura could not be entirely hidden, at first glance she truly looked like a quiet, fair-featured young nun. The size fit her perfectly.
As for Sefina…
The loose garment hung on her small frame. The sleeves were far too long and had to be rolled up several times.
The hem nearly dragged along the floor, and with any misstep while walking, she could easily trip.
The waist was utterly empty. Even with the belt pulled as tight as possible, the fabric still swayed loosely around her.
The black-and-white habit on her body conveyed no solemnity at all—it looked more like a child who had stolen an adult’s clothes.
A glimmer of amused laughter flickered in Sheng Nü Isabella’s eyes, but it quickly softened into deeper warmth.
“Hmm… the size really isn’t suitable. I’ll have someone alter a smaller set for you soon. For the next few days, please bear with it, Sefina.”
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