Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Finding Carmela

Ahcehera finally got a tip on the whereabouts of Carmela. She was living on Ziomera, a B-ranked planet known for producing the best healing elixirs in the interstellar era.

However, despite its advancements, the people of Ziomera still followed an ancient custom centered around their patron saint, Lessandra.

According to legend, Lessandra was a divine carrier, born with the ability to heal the sick.

She never asked for repayment, but her healing came with a strict condition, those she healed had to live righteously.

If a person committed evil after being healed, they would be punished under her oath, sometimes leading to their death.

Ahcehera found it intriguing. Even in an era where science ruled, faith still had a powerful hold on some planets.

Gaining entry to Ziomera was not difficult for Ahcehera, but blending in was another matter.

The planet was ruled by the Morningstar royal family, and every chosen saintess was traditionally wedded to the crown prince.

It was a tradition that none had managed to escape. King Leminsi, the current ruler, had four children, two princes and two princesses.

However, only the crown prince had ever been seen in public. The others had remained hidden from the world.

Ahcehera was cautious. She needed to find Carmela, not attract attention.

When her starship landed, she swiftly made her way to an accommodation hotel that she had booked in advance.

It was a modest place, not too extravagant but comfortable enough for her stay.

Richard had wanted to accompany her, but his responsibilities as the heir to the dukedom kept him occupied.

As much as she appreciated his presence, she understood that his role as the duke’s successor demanded his full attention.

Still, she felt slightly uneasy. Being on a foreign planet, alone, without Richard by her side, made her feel more vulnerable than she liked to admit.

After settling into her room, Ahcehera changed into a simple but elegant outfit that would help her blend in.

She needed to gather information about Carmela’s whereabouts without drawing suspicion.

Her first stop was the Grand Market of Ziomera, a bustling place filled with merchants selling exotic herbs, healing elixirs, and religious artifacts dedicated to Saint Lessandra.

As she walked through the market, she overheard conversations about the upcoming selection of the new saintess.

It seemed the temple was searching for a new successor to carry on Lessandra’s will. Ahcehera couldn’t help but wonder, was Carmela somehow connected to this event?

Ahcehera held the picture Abrixien had given her, studying it closely. The woman in the image had long silver hair, striking amber eyes, and an air of graceful confidence.

There was no mistaking her beauty, but what caught Ahcehera’s attention was the desperation in her brother’s voice when he handed it over to her.

Abrixien was desperate, that much was clear. He was willing to do anything to find Carmela again.

Ahcehera finally got answers after days of wandering.

The woman Abrixien loved most had disappeared, and now Ahcehera finally knew why.

But she had not expected this revelation. Carmela was not just some noble lady traveling the stars. She was royalty.

Ahcehera exhaled sharply, gripping the picture tighter. The youngest daughter of King Leminsi. That was who Carmela Morningstar really was.

No wonder she had been able to disappear so easily, the royal family had the means to protect her and keep her hidden from those they deemed unworthy.

Did Abrixien know the truth?

Ahcehera doubted it. If he did, he would have stormed the palace himself, consequences be damned.

He had always been a stubborn and relentless man when it came to things he wanted. Carmela had been traveling when she met Abrixien, likely using a false identity to blend in.

The Morningstar family doted on her, allowing her to explore the universe without restrictions.

And now, she was back.

But instead of living the life of a typical princess, she had taken on a crucial role, one that put her in a powerful position.

Carmela was one of the judges in the selection process for the next Saintess of Lessandra.

That explained why she was in Ziomera and why it had been so difficult for Abrixien to track her down.

If she had returned to her family, the royal palace was impenetrable. No commoner, no matter how highly ranked, could simply walk in and demand to see a princess.

Ahcehera sighed. This just made things far more complicated than she anticipated.

Getting close to Carmela meant getting involved in royal affairs, and she wasn’t certain how much she wanted to attract the attention of King Leminsi and his court.

Still, she had made a promise to Abrixien, and she wasn’t about to turn back now.

The Grand Market of Ziomera was still lively as she wandered through the crowded streets, trying to gather more information.

People talked about the saintess selection with great excitement and reverence.

The temple was preparing for a grand ceremony, and the chosen saintess would be sworn in before the royal family and the people.

“Lady Carmela is overseeing the trials personally,” one merchant whispered to another as Ahcehera passed by.

Ahcehera slowed her steps, pretending to inspect a stall filled with crystal vials of glowing elixirs.

“She is?” the other woman asked, wide-eyed. “That’s surprising. I thought she would be one of the candidates.”

“She refused,” the first woman replied. “Said she had no desire to be bound by the temple’s rules.”

Ahcehera smirked slightly. That sounds like the woman Abrixien fell in love with.

Carmela didn’t want to be confined. She wanted freedom.

But why return here, then? If she had refused the position of saintess, why take part in the selection?

Ahcehera had a feeling there was more to the story.

She needed to get inside the temple, and to do that, she needed an identity that would allow her to enter without suspicion.

Luckily, she had just the thing.

That evening, Ahcehera sat in her hotel room, studying the temple’s recruitment listings.

With the saintess selection underway, the temple was hiring temporary attendants to assist with preparations.

Ahcehera smiled to herself. This was her way in.

By morning, she would walk through the temple doors, not as a visitor, but as an attendant, blending into the background until she found her chance to meet Carmela face-to-face.