The Princess and the Pauper

Disclaimer: I don't own the anime, Shaman King. Though, I wish I did.

Yoh x Anna, Lyserg x Jeanne, Ren x Pilica, Horo Horo x Tamao, Jun x Pailong

Author's Notes: This prologue is a tribute to Lyserg/Jeanne! ()

Typist's Notes: Another beautiful creation by Lazuli-neko :D Trust me, it's beautiful and so well written starry-eyed

Prologue

Their voices echoed loudly throughout the cathedral.

"You need not carry such a burden of a secret. You are very well in your own rights to inform the authorities of his sins." apprised the young scholar.

"One should know I am bound by a vow of secrecy in the confessional." replied the lady.

"But he does not see the sacrament as a way of repentance and atonement. He finds it amusing to mock the rite by using it as a means to boast of his crimes. Yet. You give him full absolution from his sins." Lyserg bellowed.

"We must believe all beings worthy of salvation. In time, he will see the light and the errors of his ways..." Jeanne patiently responded.

"But my lady, do you tell me you do not suffer from this grievance? I do not wish to see you in great distress or slight dismay. Command your servant and I shall be done with this villain." offered Lyserg.

"Do not besmear the name of this of this church, in time, he will receive the justice he so deserves." Jeanne piously apprised. "Listen, this discussion is to stay in the church and only to be heard by our ears, do you understand?"

"As you wish..."

It was a mistake to have told him. But it was her mistake; her consequences to bear. He need not suffer because of her.

"It is time to end this..." Jeanne sighed with effort.

"My apologies, my lady, you're right. I was very well not in place to question your methods." Lyserg said in response.

"No, I mean... us." He voice reverberated endlessly through the church walls.

He could feel the mosaics of saints look down upon him in contempt

"My church needs me, especially in these times of chaos and confusion. I have a duty as a leader of the church as you have your duty as a church scribe."

It was inevitable.

"We cannot be together..."

Jeanne turned away from Lyserg. His expression was too painful for her to bear.

She readied herself for Lyserg's reply.

"For... Forgive m, my lady. If I had caused you discomfort; it is no one's fault but my own." His voice was trembling involuntarily.

He brushed past Jeanne and ran out of the church door, towards the monastery, leaving her in his wake.

Tears started rolling down he cheeks. She fell on her knees.

She knew she had done the right thing.

She knew she must not bring Lyserg into this.

It was a mistake to have told him. It was only yesterday that she had found out about the confessor's true identity.-

His dangerous identity.

No, she could not bring him into this scandal. She could not put him in danger.

This is for the best.

"I'm sorry Lyserg... I'm so sorry..."

But her words won't reach him and the tears won't stop falling.

---

Outside, the man that Lady Jeanne feared stepped out of the carriage. The duke, Hao climbed up the stairs of the cathedral. His plans had been set in motion.

The cogs of fate were turning

:End of Prologue::