In the holy garden of Cliffveil Castle, the flowers and fruit trees were growing in abundance. The Empress was walking about on one of the trails, plucking a plume off a tree. The dark red skin of the fruit contrasted her pale white skin and light green silk dress. She took a bite of the fruit and dropped the rest indifferently on the ground. Advancing the trail, she inevitably approached the centre of the garden, as the layout was such that all trails lead to the massive tree in the middle: the sacred Mother Tree. As the scorching sun became unindurable, the embracing crown of the tree gifted her a shadowy sanctuary for relief. The grand tree was looming large over her, its bark and branches shining in a glistening translucent light, alluding to its mysterious magic.
As she was observing the lowest branches of the tree, she noticed a spot where the wood of a branch was splintered. It must have been broken off. While she was pondering, the sound of steps closing in from the trail she just came from caught her attention. Her squire was approaching.

“My Empress, the Popess wants to speak to you. It’s urgent.”

“My God, you are completely soaked. Take a breather first.”

“Something has happened at the holy cathedral the Popess want you to see.”

The squire’s agitation could not disturb the Empress’s tranquility.

“Alright, go ahead and give notice of my coming. I will be there shortly.”

The squire nodded and was off.  The towering tree’s shadow was dwindling as the sun was progressing across the sky. Meanwhile, she was making her way back to the chapel passing by the various trees basking in the sun.
Later, advancing towards the chapel, she noticed the double doors were already open with voices conversing in the building. It was the Emperor and the Popess talking, with a carrycot laying on the floor in front of them.
The Popess started: “Finally, you are here. It took you long enough.”
With both staring at her, the Empress’s pale fair face started reddening.
“I apologize, your Holiness, I was just at the Mother Tree.”
The Popess’s face soured. “It is about time you get rid of this heretic vestige. It is only the High Popess that is Mother to all.”
The Empress tossed a glance at the Emperor, as his face soured also.
“Your Holiness, I’d like to remind you that you are talking to the Empress. And as long as I am Emperor and Pope of the realm, I decide what is heresy what is not. Now get to the task at hand. My love,” he turned back to the Empress “it appears our castle is not as safe as it should be. In the night, someone entered the castle and left this at the cathedral’s door.”. He pointed at the cradle.
It was a baby. Fast asleep.

“A baby?”

“Yes, we don’t know whose it is. I’ve sent out my men to find out who came to the chapel last night. If no one is found, it must be the Popess to take him into custody.”

“You Highness, you should know, better than anyone else, that I will not take this child in. I am the Popess, not a step mother. Even though you’ve decimated the church’s power we are not an orphanage.”

“The crown is neither. We will-“

“Take him in!”, the Empress blurted out.

Both the Emperor and the Popess looked at her as if she was possessed by a demon, wondering why she cared about this strange child already.

“I will nurture it myself. We will not abandon this child to die in seclusion and poverty. By the grace of our faith, we cannot do that.”

Taken aback, the Emperor replied: “Popess, I am sorry to say that your leave will have to be cut short. I will have to settle this matter privately with my wife.”

Wordless, the Popess left.