I guessed right that we will get interrupted again during breakfast...
"Who is it this time? The Great hall was quiet, so this time is only one person?"
He stopped walking and looked to his left.
"We arrived. Don't take any actions before I tell you."
It was one of those times I guess. I come to the prison tower, I watch him question different spies from other countries or rebels and sometimes the questions grew into physical tortures. I had to sit there during the whole thing, watching silently from one of the room's angles and I had to interven only when it was getting too much, when the person was either about to die or simply said - when the emperor was going out of line.
The iron door groaned as Erzion pushed it open. A damp chill rushed out from the cell, carrying with it the stench of rust. He stepped in first, I lingered at the threshold for a moment, my gaze caught between the shadows on the stone walls and the steady line of his back.
The prisoner was already there, shackled to the chair, face half-hidden beneath a mess of dark hair. It's skin color was different, darker, looking more like an animal skin, his clothes were torn on many places. His breathing was shallow, but steady, too steady for someone brought here. I narrowed my eyes. Either fear had not yet broken him, or he was far more dangerous than he appeared.
"Sit," Erzion commanded me without looking back. And I obeyed, settling into the corner where I always watched, half in light, half in shadow.
And as the torchlight flickered across the prisoner's face, I felt that strange sensation again, the hunger I got to know looking at Alet. What was this whole thing? The smell coming from this prisoner felt weirdly familiar. It wasn't strong, but I couldn't ignore that feeling...
"Report. Now." Erzion's cold voice interrupted my thoughts, he was looking at the other person in the cell, one of his best soldiers, who was carrying the power of the Ice creatures, patronized by the God of the Long Winter. I always get uncomfortable in his company, his cold breath and pale skin were making me nervous.
"Some villagers found him in the desert and informed us two weeks ago. We managed to bring him here safely, but I believe the effect of the pills is fading with every passing second."
"Looking at it now, this is my first time seeing such humanoid beast."
"We are not sure what it is exactly, but it reminds more of a demon than of an actual person."
Guttural growl came from its mouth, it lifted its head up and looked to its right, towards the emperor.
"Interesting. What would happen if I do this then?"
Erzion swung his sword swiftly through the air and when the creature showed no reaction, he struck again, this time aiming for its right arm. The demon cried loudly in pain, tried to get off the heavy metal chair pinned to the floor. His wrist fell down on the ground, blood started coming from the wound but it didn't take long till it started healing. The hand slowly began to regenerate, the new one taking shape over the course of about five minutes.
"Interesting indeed."
Both me and Erzion were not amazed by such poor copy of God's powers. But by the blood color, bright yellow, close to gold. The liquid still sparkled on the ground, it was like a pretty old mirror surface, you could see still some reflection in it, but blurry.
"Vila, would you like to come closer to it?"
I rose at his command and took a few steps toward the chair. As I walked, the beast grew calmer, its gaze fixed on me, and its cries of pain slowly subsided. I got down, observing the strange fluid on the floor. I dared to touch it with my finger tip, I moved my hand slowly towards my face and smelled it. It smelled... wonderful. Like something so tasty a person could forget themselves in its sweetness, abandon reason and sink into hunger. The scent clung to my thoughts, pulling at me with invisible threads, and I dared to lick slighly my finger.
"Vila!" Erzion stretched out his hand to stop me, his voice sharp enough to cut through the haze clouding my thoughts. The golden fluid shimmered on my skin and for a moment I hesitated, caught between his command and the pull of its intoxicating scent. But I still did it.
The instant it touched my tongue, the world collapsed into a single sensation. It was unlike sweetness, unlike spice, unlike anything a mortal palate could name. It was sunlight melted into liquid, warmth made tangible, eternity condensed into a single drop. Every nerve in my body was awakened by this. So intoxicating, I wanted more. It was a strong hunger, stronger that what I have felt looking at Alet after his fights. Was Alet something like this creature then?
"How was it?" Erzion dared to ask. "Please, get up and-"
"How long do you need me here?"
He was startled. Normal, I guess, he hasn't seen any such emotion from my side before except when he irritates me on purpose.
"I was... I was planing to perform dissection if the creature can't speak, which is the case as we have seen now."
"Then I will stay here helping. In exchange," I looked at the solder between us. And thank Gods, Erzion understood fast.
"Gion, stand guard at the door. We will call you in if we need you."
Gion nodded and with fast steps crossed the room to the door. Once he got out, no one else could hear us now so I dared to speak again: "I want him as my meal."
"What?? That is-"
"Do it."
I got closer to him, pressing my body toward his, my voice low enough to feel like a secret breathed against his chest.
"You brought me here for a reason, Erzion. I have been doing this for some years and now finally I have something that I want."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment he couldn't meet my eyes. I could feel the conflict in him, duty battling with something unspoken.
"I already gave you the warrior." he murmured, trying to push me back, though his hands lingered too long on my shoulders. "What else do you want? This?!"
I smiled faintly, though the ache of the golden taste still burned on my tongue. "All the years your father kept me locked here... Aren't you curious to see what happens after I eat for the first time?"
The prisoner shifted in his chains, the sound of metal scraping stone filling the silence. I heard Erzion's sigh, I knew there was no way he would refuse this desire of mine. Not because of curiosity, you know. But because I have asked Erza for four things up to this day, and he has never once told me no.
"Alright. But I may not be done with him by the end of this week. Also I don't want you here. I need to research him without any distractions."
"I can wait. As long as you keep your promise."
"I always keep them. "
I leaned forward, voice soft but deliberate. "Then what about making another one?"
"What do you want?"
"Let Alet train with some of your soldiers. I want to make him talk, but first I need to give him something in return."
A brief silence stretched between us. His expression faltered, the usual confidence slipping for just a moment. "No."
"Why not?!"
"If he is the same as this creature, it is too dangerous."
Right after I told you he never once told me no...
"He has brain! And can speak! And I am not asking this for free, think of something in return! "
He hesitated, jaw tightening as if weighing something heavy. The silence stretched again before he finally exhaled.
"One hour," he said.
I frowned. "One hour?"
"One hour every day," he clarified. "You will spend it with me drawing. No soldiers, no missions, no interruptions."
I blinked at him, caught off guard. "Drawing? Are you serious."
I expected him to demand some unpleasant favor, the kind he used to trade for when we were younger. For example, making me spill mud on his older sister's clothes, go around lying that his dad had a second peni- anyways. He was a troublesome kid, suffocating from boredom. Instead something weird, he just asked for this.
A slight smile crossed his lips. "You said once that it helps you be more... you."
I crossed my arms, studying him. "Drawing?"
"That's what I need indeed," he said quietly.
"Thirty minutes every second day," I started negotiating.
"Forty minutes each day," he countered, smirking like he already knew I'd hesitate.
"Thirty-five minutes, tops."
"Thirty-eight," he said, tilting his head, clearly enjoying this whole thing.
"Twenty minutes every third day if you continue speaking nonsense."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with that familiar mischievous light, and declared with total confidence:
"One hour every three days and a private dance hall for you and Onet."
I wasn't surprised he proposed this, he has had servants following me since I arrived here years ago. But a private hall... Is there a place in the palace buildings I was not aware of so he could give it only to us?
"Sold. But Alet has to participate in every training session."
"Daily. Got it."
We had almost forgotten the monster between us, until it made a strange sound and drew our attention back to it.
"I will probably start cutting him tomorrow. And inspect this hand today." Erzion kicked the palm lightly, it was cold and stiff, more stone than flesh.
"Got it."
"We finished quickly today so take the rest of the day off."
"My thanks, Your Majesty. Now please excuse me." I lowered myself in a deep curtsy before leaving the room.
***
"Onet! What are you reading?"
"One of the new books the servants brought from the market last month."
"Do you want to go to our new private dancing hall?"
There was a ball for Ezion's coming-of-age ceremony and it was maybe one of the few times I managed to endure being surrounded by people. The grand hall sparkled with crystal chandeliers, the air filled with the soft hum of music, laughter, and the gentle rustle of silk gowns. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the faint aroma of fine perfumes and the air was warm, the air didn't feel stifling, but…. it pulsed with energy. Since then, for the past two years, I have been asking Onet to accompany me to the ballroom to dance together, but she has always turned me down. Erzion knew that and still gave me hopes that maybe Onet would say yes this time giving me a private room for just the two of us.
"Sit down and read with me."
Yet she refused. I thought perhaps she didn't want to relive all those years of dancing with me, maybe because she preferred being away from people even more than I do. But even now she was not interested...
"But it's too cold here!"
She was stubborn. She never told me why she doesn't have even the slightest interest in me, even when I tried to show interest in her out of curiosity. But she… she rarely wanted to do anything I liked. Even now, I found her alone, seated on a bench in the temple's open garden. Her golden hair, darker and shorter than mine, caught the sunlight as she moved, glowing like spun gold against the muted green of the trees.
She was reading, or at least pretending to, her fingers lazily tracing the edges of the book. Then she looked up at me, her eyes slightly unfocused, as if silently begging for help. I sighed.
"Do you want me to read to you for a while?"
Her lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile appearing. She didn't answer, just nodded, turning the book slightly so I could see the page. I took a deep breath and began, letting the words fill the quiet space between us, the garden's soft rustle of leaves and distant birdsong the only other sounds.
For a moment, she seemed to relax. The cold bit at my fingers, but I could endure it for her. I stayed, drawn to those rare moments of her vulnerability, moments when, as a God, I felt compelled to offer her comfort.
Ah yes. I forgot to tell you. Onet can't read.
After a few minutes and four pages, the cold was unbearable. I couldn't stay that long outside, I felt like I would freeze and I was shivering. Onet felt my body rapid movements as she was leaning on my shoulder the whole time and grabbed the book out of my hands. She signed.
"Let's go to this dancing hall for a while."
Was I imagining it? Did she just say that?! You guys heard it too, right?! My heart skipped a beat, disbelief and excitement twisting together in my chest. Onet, you are a blessing!
"Come on." She stood, her hand brushing mine as she gently tugged me toward the main palace building. My mind raced and for the first time I was about to have a fun time with Onet doing something I wanted.
As I expected, Erzion had told the palace guards to call the servants and guide us to the hall once we arrived. Sometimes it felt like he could see the future, though maybe he was just ready for anything that could happen.
The hall stretched out before us like something out of a dream. It was different than the ballroom I was used to. It was similar to the dining hall, but far more expansive, and every large window on all four sides gleamed with colorful stained glass. The polished marble floor beneath my feet was reflecting the glow and making it feel like I was stepping onto a pool of liquid gold. I got reminded of the sweet fluid I tried earlier today and I couldn't help but smile.
"What's so funny?" Onet asked.
"Nothing! I am just happy that we are going to dance together!" I answered keeping the same broad smile. Nothing, just me thinking of my special meal in a week.
Every corner seemed alive, as if the hall itself was breathing, waiting, inviting us to move around its air. There was no ball tonight, no heavy gowns covered in unnecessary decorations, no elaborate hairstyles, just us, two girls standing in the middle of the dance floor. I slipped off my shoes, Onet had already done the same, leaving hers neatly by one of the tables to the left. I dashed over to place mine next to hers.
"So, do we have music?"
"I don't think so..."
Looks like he didn't plan for everything after all. Erzion, you piece of-
"What do you mean no?"
"Well, I didn't ask anyone from the royal orchestra to come play and probably Erzion didn't too."
I felt a little ashamed for relying on him, but I also hadn't expected her to say yes today.
"You have been asking me to come dance with you for years, and now you are telling me you are not prepared?" Onet blurted, her voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
She froze for a moment, twisting a strand of hair between her fingers. Her eyes darted to the polished floor beneath our feet, then back to me. "I… I just…" she stammered. "I didn't think… I mean… I'm not sure I can—"
"It's alright! We are here to have fun!" I said, smiling at her.
I thought I heard her murmuring something like, "This isn't what he told me…" but I wasn't sure, so I just ignored it.
It was the first time I had seen Onet crack like that anyways, her usual calm, composed self replaced by something vulnerable, uncertain, and utterly human. And of course, I couldn't let the moment pass. I took her hand gently, guiding her again toward the center of the dance floor.
"I will guide you then! I can hear music, a distant melody that I can recreate and so you can enjoy it too!" And as we began to move, the silent air started filling with a rhythm only I could hear. Onet was unsure at the beginning, but after hearing my soft humming she became more aware of the beat and and let herself sink into the embrace of the melody.