Where was I… Ah yes!
The Crystal Veil was the usual dining hall for having meals with the royal family and it was one of the most beautiful places in the whole court. Light streamed through the towering stained-glass windows, scattering colors across the long silvered table, while chandeliers of cut quartz shimmered above like frozen waterfalls. The ceilings arched high, carved with scenes of ancient victories, and the floor beneath reflected the brilliance like a lake of polished marble.
The servers moved in quiet grace, their footsteps muffled by thick carpets embroidered with golden thread. It was always so quiet during the meals that even the clinking of the cutlery against the plates could be heard. Outside I could see the grass swaying because of the wind and the glowing windows of the imperial family's building in the distance.
The table was large enough to accommodate the entire living royal family and small enough not to leave large gaps between each of the diners. I sat at one of the short ends of the table, the emperor facing me from the opposite side, while his sisters dined to my left and right.
The emperor's two younger twin sisters sat side by side, always inseparable. I believe they were around the age of fourteen or something like that. Their faces were like mirror images, they seemed to wear the same smile and their eyes were staring at the same directions at the same time. The only difference was the small decoration in each of their gowns. Tonight, they were wearing violet simple dresses, Kiana, the one sitting closer to me, had ribbons around her chest while Kayana had small flowers of the same fabric.
"Kayana, could you please pass me the salt?"
"Of course." Kayana's hand gesture, robotic as always when she's not trying to imitate Kiana's movements, was fast and simple, passing the salt to her older sister. Both of them always try to imitate each other so they can sync up and look identical.
Miriam was a woman of high nobility. She carried herself with the quiet authority of someone who had never needed to demand respect—only to exist, and it was given. Draped in silks of deep crimson, she reminded me of the late queen before she died two years ago. I was always having uncomfortable feeling whenever that woman was looking at me the same way Miriam's gaze was. At her side sat her young son, his small frame half-hidden in her shadow, yet his eyes followed every movement at the table. He was a curious child, with a certain innocent charm—naïve, almost endearing, if I can call him that. But his mother was stern with him, rarely allowing his softness to surface. Miriam was determined to raise not a boy, but a prince of the empire. Even in this moment, when he fidgeted with the rim of his cup, she silenced him with nothing more than a glance, and he straightened instantly. What an unfortunate child to be born in this family...
"Vila, how did you find the fights this time?"
My gaze shifted from Miriam to her younger brother - Erzion.
"With all the respect, Your Royal Highness, I do not wish to discuss this on the dining table."
"But you are not eating? And I don't have problem discussing it while having a meal, I believe my sisters are okey with that too."
Miriam at my right looked as interested in this conversation as a fish at a gardening class. Not even going to mention the twins. I looked at my empty plate. Every night I was forced to dine with them and only sometimes there was dish in front of me, usually a small dessert. No, no! I love telling you this story, so don't feel sorry for me here. I just simply don't need food to live. At least not human food.
The emperor, who I either mockingly name by his title, was a warrior boy named Erzion, as far as I remember he will be turning twenty-three this year. For me, he was still just a kid, my playmate or whatever the late king told me to call him when he pushed me in his chambers. Most of my memories back then are blurry, I only remember the cold surrounding me as if I was stuck in a glacier, but from that day on I had to follow him like a shadow, always inseparable. It was even worse when his parents were still alive.. Anyways they died two years ago, so I could not care less.
"I didn't like them. " I decided to answer simply.
His brown hair had some light strands from the times when I used to burn his hair on purpose in his sleep, thinking maybe the king would kill me as punishment for touching his precious heir. Well, the king got killed in one of the battles, Erzion conquered more lands after that and turned the kingdom into an empire. His mother could not handle the pressure and went mad, I believe that Miriam poisoned her one night and in the morning she was found dead in her chambers. But this is justa rumour. What was not a rumour was that I don't like Miriam, or her son, everyone knew that I may despise her more than her brother. But this bold "rumoured" move saved me from one more person who was trying to control me. Pretty convenient I would say, the queen to be dead.
"Why? Tell me so I can make them better next time!"
I feel annoyed. Sometimes he dares to speak to me, but usually the dinners are silent and fast. Nothing to think about.
"You weren't the one down there, dying by their hands." I answered.
"Vila!" His laugh was something I don't think I can ever get out of my memories. He smiled. A wicked smile showing perfectly aligned white teeth. "One day, my dear, I will die. But I promise you this. When I do, it will be you who kills me."
"Oh, how generous."
"Could you please meet me at the prison tower tomorrow again? After you are done with your new lover, of course."
I hate him. I hate him so much that I can't focus on my own story telling narative. And I wanted to use all those fancy words I have read in the books to tell you the story...
"Are you jealous, Erza?"
"Me? Of him? How come?"
"I don't know, you tell me why you have been looking at me with those eyes smiling whole night."
He opened his mouth to reply, only for Miriam's sudden choking to interrupt him. She coughed hard, nearly spilling her cup.
Erza frowned. "Miriam? You all right?"
She waved her hand frantically, still sputtering, eyes darting between the two of us. The moment she caught her breath, she muttered, "I'm fine, I'm fine, just… wrong bite. "
The way she refused to look at me, again, but this time her lips twitched like she was holding back a grin, or maybe I was just imagining it.
"We shall take our leave for tonight. Yona, come." Her son looked as though he might drift off any moment, his small body couldn't keep him awake so late at night. They both left the dining hall, and the twin sisters followed shortly after, as if on command.
After some minutes, Erza finished his meal and tapped his plate lightly. The clanking sound drew my attention back to the other end of the table. How annoying, I was taking a rest from the storytelling but I guess it is time to continue again.
"Well, I am just a little curious how he managed to get your attention with just one look," he purred, leaning closer to his plate but it felt like he was leaning toward me.
I wanted to give him a silent treatment, but for the sake of this story I eventually decided to answer.
"You know, I don't like your human lifes one bit. But he... He doesn't look human."
"I see. So you won't let me cut his body into pieces?"
"No."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
"A fingertip?"
I slammed my hand against the table.
"You're unbelievable… in the worst way possible!"
He grinned wider, eyes gleaming with wicked delight.
"But you love me! And I was here first, before this miserable warrior!" he shouted after me as I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet. "And I have a better sword!"
The night air struck me cold as I pushed open the doors of the Crystal Veil. The temple was only a few minutes walk away, but the freezing unpleasant feeling was strong making my body shiver. I felt a gentle, warm hand on my shoulders for a moment before wrapping a thick cloak around me.
"Tomorrow then?" His voice echoed in my head. "Don't keep me waiting. It's dreadfully dull in there without your fury to brighten the hours."
Did I mention that I hate him? Acting so arrogant as if he is the king of- aah well anyways, forget it. I will be going to my chambers now, resting away from him. But I was forced to wrap myself tightly in the cloak Erzion gave me so I had to walk fast to get sooner to my warm room and throw the fabric way from me.
It is that time of the day again. I don't sleep. This human body of mine is just a shell, a camouflage to blend in with my surroundings. No need to sleep, no need to eat, just a little divine power to recharge, and I'm done. The unfortunate side effect? All the human emotions. As if on purpose I appeared before the humans ten years ago just to embrace them all. And once I got into my room in the temple, I could not fall asleep. I removed all the hairpins, releasing my braid and my hair flowed smoothly down my back. I looked in the mirror, a beautiful young lady was staring at me. And I was staring at her.
After a small walk around the bed I decided to go to the garden. No, no. Outside is cold of course, the emperor made a closed garden behind the temple a few years ago. It was a small glass room full with flowers in gold and crimson colors, it had a small fountain in the middle and a small tea table where I was spending most of my time with Onet reading books.
The air was warmer here, heavy with the perfume of blossoms. I walked slowly toward the fountain, its trickling water breaking the silence. This was the only water I could ever stand, aside from hot or boiling. It was smooth and gentle, never frightening, always comforting. The glass walls caught the moonlight and scattered it across the petals, so that the crimson roses looked aflame and the golden orchids shimmered like coins from the emperor's treasure.
I thought I was alone, but then a soft movement stirred among the leaves. Not a breeze, there was no wind here. Something, or someone, lingered in the shadows of the orchids, was watching.
"Who is there?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, but even that did not make the intruder come forward.
For a moment, nothing. Then, a small body peeked out from behind the flowers.
"What are you doing here, Yona?" I kept my voice sharp and cold, trying to scare the kid to go back to his mom.
"I can't fall asleep."
"Well, that's not my problem. Now shoo, shoo!"
"Are you really a God?"
I raised an eyebrow, trying not to let the question get under my skin. Kids had a way of peeling past armor without even meaning to.
"Who told you that?" I felt my voice softening as I sat on the fountain, looking at the small child in front of me.
Yona shrugged, pulling his little pyjamas. "Mama says only gods and priests live in temples, but there are no priests living here."
I gave a low laugh, dry, humorless. "Maybe they just don't like calling me like that."
"But you help them, right?" Yona said quickly, eyes wide and shining. "They said you are here to help us all. That's like a god, isn't it?"
For a moment, I didn't answer. My hands were resting on the stone plate under me, and I stared at the kid who should have been asleep hours ago.
"Go to your room, Yona," I finally murmured. "If I were a god, you'd be in danger standing here."
Yona tilted his head, but didn't move an inch.
"Then… tell me your story!" he said, almost like it was a dare.
"My story?" I gave a low chuckle, shaking my head. "You've got too much curiosity for someone who can't even stay awake past bedtime."
His eyelids drooped heavy, fighting sleep with every blink, yet stubbornness held him upright. "I want to know," he whispered. "How did you end up here? Why do you stay all alone on this temple?"
"Alone?"
"I have only seen a few of servants here and you. But for such big temple there should be more, right?"
"I kicked them out, I don't need any priests around here."
"Then why are you here?"
For the first time, I didn't have a ready answer. Silence stretched between us but then an amusing thought struck me. I leaned in, speaking just low enough for only Yona to hear, not that there were other people around.
"I'll make you a deal, little one."
His eyes brightened, eager. "What kind of deal?"
"If you come back tomorrow night here, you'll get your story." I let the corner of my mouth curl into something that was supposed to be a smile. "But you'd better bring a chocolate cake with you. A big piece."
Yona's jaw dropped. "Cake? At night?"
"Those are the terms," I said, leaning back. "No cake, no story."
He hesitated, then nodded fiercely. "Fine. I'll bring the biggest piece I can find!"
I almost laughed at his determination and I waved him off. "Now go. Tomorrow night, Yona. But now go sleep."
Yona dashed toward the garden gate and disappeared into the shadows of the cold night. I threw back my head and laughed, my legs kicking in the air with pure delight as I replayed the conversation. What greater joy could a storyteller have than to find someone eager to listen? At last, I wouldn't be trapped in my own mind, rambling only to myself. Of course, if this kid is clever enough to come tomorrow night as well.