❝ There was no sin he would not commit for the right price ❞

Preparations had to be made for the wedding. And even though he didn't bother for most things, as he had people for that, there was one thing he did bother to check out. Since the passing of the last high priest, a somewhat familiar face to the church stepped up. Alpha had always been a very weird figure in his own ways. Matthew didn't like him, the man covered his face as if he had something to hide. And let that just be one of the two things he hated in people. Even though he had many secrets too hide, little people knew he actually had them to begin with. Now, for a man like the current high priest, in the ways he was acting and presenting. Even a blind man could see he had a lot to hide. And if Matthew was a little more bothered with the well being by the church, he would have done something about it already. But he didn't even believe in Renestrae. It was all a hoax anyway to silence the little sheep of the lower rings. If anything it was laughable to see people as devoted as the high priest himself. To get someone on their knees over something as silly as an idea. It really showed him, once again, how bendable the human mind was. How fun.

As he entered the church his gaze went over the expensive decoration. Mister Hyon was a huge sponsor to the church, so there was no doubt in his mind that some of his money was spent in some of the decorations. The tall man looked at the statues, the stained glass and the perfectly arranged candles. He lifted one of his brows as he couldn't suppress a slight chuckle. Imagine actually spending money on something like this? Where was the payback? The benefit? There was no gain to get from this? Truly he had picked the right man to take the daughter off. This mister Hyon was truly an idiot. Or perhaps he was chasing some desire to clean his sins. It was classic thing to do among the richer people. Perhaps he would have some men look into that. A background check was always a good thing when it came to family related to his new wife. He knew all to well how appearances could deceive. And it made him smile when he thought about it. What if he found out the others sins, the others secret. How much would his beloved new wife give to keep them hidden for the outside world? What kind of deals was she willing to make with the man that already owned her. He got high on the mere idea of power once more. He was looking forward to the day when all the festivities were behind him. Because... That's when the real party would start.

He slowly walked further into the church, a smile curling on his lips as it didn't take long to find the person he was after. The masked man himself, Alpha Aphelion. The priest had noticed him rather quickly, but that didn't surprise him. Being silent or sneaky wasn't something he tried to be and he most likely couldn't even be stealthy because of his immense posture. He simply smiled at the other as he addressed him. Calling him lord winter. Oh, how nice! He went on to ask a question that was right to the point. The tall man nodded for a moment. "Victoria Hyon, daughter of Kingsley Hyon," The name could ring a bell with the other, as Kingsley had sponsored the church for many years now. "I wanted to check up on... The church, since this will be my first marriage under your watch... Father Aphelion," He averted his eyes as he focused on what he was doing. Seemingly some peasant work as it looked like he was cleaning up some wax. I'm looking forward to see how you will do. He had to hold his tongue as not to run his lips too swiftly. It wasn't time yet to tease the other, to be an idiot. Not right now, there were other matters to attend to. "I've heard great things about your ceremonies, your services in general," He smiled, his voice sounding warm and welcoming, as always. Sweetened up for the other to enjoy. "I'm truly excited!" A broad, charming smile decorated face as he looked down on the other, tilting his head a bit. Eagerly awaiting to see what the other will even say on something like that. Matthew had always been known to be the more energic type amongst his brothers. Outgoing, charismatic and generally always seeming in a good mood. Man, he was good at the part he was meant to play.

❝ There was no sin he would not commit for the right price ❞

He never really liked the church and those silly little rules they placed on people. But even if he was Winter, he couldn't ignore them. Well in public at least. All those silly little believes of some sort of punishment after death seemed... Funny to him. Wouldn't that just be convenient? To promise something after you have laid your head down. Well, anyone who was dumb enough to believe that could easily become a follower, blinded by those fears and desires. But Matthew was a man who lived by his own desires. Why not enjoy the freedom you had while you had it? Why be a sheep if you could be so much more. Some of his family actually believes in those stupid things, laughable really. Not that he would ever speak up about it. No no... He would act like they wanted him to act so that they would be pleased with him. Only on the surface would it look like he was playing by all those silly rules they so admired.

The high priest himself complimented him on his choice. He nodded for a moment, but decided not to say much more about it. They would truly make a delectable pair, even if he said so himself. Just like how men showed off their wealth and money, did women so do the same in their beauty. She would fit that statement perfectly. When he spoke excitingly about the others work, it did disappoint him that the other was as boring as he expected him to be. Stern as if he had something up his ass. Well, he couldn't blame him. If he was as dry as the other was he would surely be as delightful as the other. Really. What man willingly gave that up for... What... Exactly? A chase for some sort of power? Or maybe he... Actually believed whatever he was preaching? He didn't know what was more funny to him. To cast your existence to something that couldn't even be seen. Oh... People would correct him and say that he would have to call it noble. But in all reality there was nothing noble about a coward seeking guidance from nothing.

So... With all that it was safe to say that Alpha's statement did little to the lord. He smiled at the priest, tilting his head somewhat. "I would love to, really," he said. "But I am a very busy man," He nodded as he turned himself around. "I'm rarely even in Alderrath these days. And when I'm home I would rather spend the little spare time that I have with my children," It wasn't a complete lie. He did try to spend a lot of time with his daughter, but not all of his free time. Some activities just... Overlapped with his worktime as to get things done. Building relationships and all that took time after all. "I guess I'm more of a family man," What a joke, really. But the other didn't need to know him. No-one barely knew the guy behind the mask anyway. So why should he share anything with such a coward. "Oh... before I forget," he said, turning back around as he looked at the other. His face held the charming smile he always held. But the thing he was about to say was... Just something he really had to hold himself back for. "I'll be donating a... small gift to the church later this week," he said. Some money as to please mister Hyon mostly. The other would like it and that's all that mattered. "As a bit of a celebration and all,"