I was walking cheerfully as the servants followed me from behind. Currently, we are at the Antares Garden to unwind. And it was my request to visit this place just so I can celebrate my another peaceful life. I even asked them to bring food with us because I want to have another picnic with everyone. Why? That's because my life has been quiet ever since I saw Helios in the Callisto Garden four days ago.
I'm guessing that my prayers were answered by God. For that, I thank you, God!
"Princess? Who are you praying to?" Oh, I actually ended up clasping my hands together and bowing my head to that God, hehe. Well, I am happy! So, don't blame me!
But, wait, what does Ande mean by that?
"Uhm, our God?" I answered, unsure.
"Which God, Your Highness?" This time, it was Ryna who asked the question.
What do you mean 'which God'? That's a strange question—how many Gods do you have?!
Was it ever mentioned in the book? Their Gods? Wait, no, they did mention a God. But…
'◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼'
They mentioned people worshipping a God, but who was it? Their name was censored all throughout the book. And it was never revealed.
That's very strange.
"Uhh… what do you mean 'which God'?" I asked, tilting my head as I curiously asked. How am I supposed to answer that kind of question?! Goodness, what if they think that I'm dumb for a princess?!
"Lumia has three Gods, Your Highness. The first one is the God of Creation, Creo. It's believed that he was the one who created our world." Ande spoke.
Really? As if I'll believe that!
The one who created this world is the author of this book! Or maybe their name is actually Creo?
"There's also the Goddess of Fate, Moira. She was the one who watches over the fate of all people in Lumia." Ande added.
If that's the case, I am praying to the Goddess of Fate! Please give me a happy ending! Please don't let my fate become so miserable that I have to kill myself at the age of 15!
"And then the God of Prophecy, Deo. The one who descends every decade within the Ciera Temple to relay an oracle." Hmm? An oracle? Then, does that mean Mr. Holiness—I mean, Kiernan can talk to the God of Prophecy? And what kind of prayers does the God of Prophecy receive? I wonder if he's working with the Goddess of Fate?
"Hmm… then I am praying to all of them! But, I won't tell you about what I prayed for, because it might not come true." I folded my other four fingers and waved my index finger to them while shaking my head, with my lips pouted and my brows furrowed. That action caused them to chuckle.
I'm so glad Alina is beautiful that these
acts of cuteness are actually adorable.
"Then our little Princess's wishes will certainly come true." Themis added as she smiled at me.
I do hope—NO, PLEASE COME TRUE!
"Of course!"
***
| 3 Days Ago - at Altair Palace |
"What's this? It looks to me that there's a serious conversation coming up." Orpheus walked towards his seat at the end of the table and pulled the chair out as he took a seat. His three sons followed him with their eyes until he was seated.
"Good afternoon, Dad." Aelius greeted as he smiled at his Father.
"Greetings, Dad. You were late, I almost fell asleep." Diellzain sighed in disbelief and shook his head, causing Orpheus to let out a small chuckle.
"It should be understandable, Zain. Dad has a lot going on in his plate. By the way, good afternoon, Dad." Helios said that made Orpheus nod his head in agreement.
"That's right. I had to finish some papers. I apologize for my delayed arrival." Orpheus leaned on his chair and looked at Diellzain.
"Why? Did little Zain miss his Dad that much?" Orpheus asked with a smirk on his face, causing Diellzain to crease his forehead and look away from his father.
"Stop calling me little Zain—and let's just proceed with our meeting." With his response, all three people that are with him ended up letting out short laughs.
Whenever these four are together, the way they act towards each other is the same as any normal family that lives in their empire. Everybody can see exactly how much they have bonded as a family. However, in times of seriousness, they also get their acts right. This is how Orpheus and Iliana wanted their family to be.
"It's been a while since you've been here, Zain. Won't you spend your time with Dad?" Orpheus teased again, which made Diellzain click his tongue and cross his arms together.
"That depends whether our sister is going to stay with us—and I'm going to spend my time with her, not you." Orpheus laughed at his little Prince's response.
"Your words cut this Dadd's heart, dear," Orpheus continued as he rubbed his chest. Diellzain looked at him in disgust, while Aelius and Helios just laughed at their conversation.
"Anyway, you mentioned a sister. I believe that's going to be the topic of today's meeting?" The Emperor took a deep breath as he smiled at his sons. Everyone stayed quiet as Aelius and Diellzain turned to their eldest brother.
"Indeed, Father. I have already informed them about my encounter with the kid yesterday, including the exchange we had last night," Helios spoke. Aelius looked at his father again to observe his reaction, but he couldn't see through his father's serious expression. Diellzain leaned on his chair with his eyes closed, and arms crossed.
After a few minutes of silence, Orpheus smiled.
"Hmm, from the sound of it, our little Zain is quite approved of having a younger sister?" Diellzain opened his eyes and turned his head away from his father, clicking his tongue.
"It appears that he's looking forward to it as well," Aelius added. Diellzain's forehead creased, his brows furrowed.
"He even mentioned bringing Kalea here to introduce her to our sister," Helios added. It was as if a vein popped out from Diellzain head as he slammed the table and faced his family.
"Let's just start, shall we?!" He asked, with annoyed and irritated expression. His golden eyes glowed as he stated those words. However, his father and brothers only gave him small laughs while nodding their heads.
"Alright, alright, Your Highness." Orpheus replied. His third son clicked his tongue, sighed in disbelief, and took a seat back to his chair.
"So… Father, please tell us everything." Helios said, causing everyone to turn to their father. Orpheus smiled at them as he leaned on his chair. Roaming his eyes to the three princes to observe their expressions.
All of them shared the same look on their faces. Interest, curiosity, determination, and most importantly, anticipation.
"Understood. Do you still remember that time when the Empress imprisoned herself within the Antares Palace?" His three sons nodded.
"We had some conflict, and it was about her being pregnant with… our fifth child." Orpheus announced. The three princes didn't react at all, as they had already expected that much. But they are still curious about one thing.
'What conflict could have ignited with just this information?'
"Well… the truth is your Mom forced me to believe that the child she's carrying is not my child, and that's how things turned to worst." This time, the expression on his sons' face changed. Confusion and shock, those feelings can be seen through their faces.
Helios was about to speak, but Orpheu raised his hand to stop him.
"Of course, I didn't believe her. There's this lingering feeling in me that the child she bears is mine, so I opened up to her about that. However, she only got mad at me—haha. Imagine her angry face? She's still beautiful despite that…" Aelius stared at his father with a face full of concern. They all know their mother as a soft, gentle, kind, and sweet mother. That's why hearing this story from their Dad is something that is unbelievable for them. And hearing that Orpheus did not believe Iliana's explanation about having an affair only made them feel relieved.
"She forced me to just believe her and let her go—she even cried, begged me on her knees… but who would let go of such a kind and beautiful wife? I did everything I could. I begged, got down on my knees to match her, cried in front of her, and asked her about the reason why she's telling me all that… you know how her eyes can't lie, right? I can see through that… she's suffering from something that she was not able to tell me, and that's what hurts me the most…" Orpheus continued. He's smiling. But the way his eyes drooped, it shows the pain that he's been hiding.
The three princes couldn't say anything at all. They only stared at their father, feeling a sudden pain in their hearts seeing how their Dad's usual cold and serious expression has turned into something that they have not seen before.
Heartbreak and melancholy.
"Why couldn't she just tell me about it? Does she not trust me anymore? Does she believe that I won't be able to do anything at all? I asked her all that… However, I couldn't break your Mom's wall—I had believed all those years that I was already accepted… ahaha, let's skip this part, shall we? Well, going back, your Mom decided to imprison herself within her palace, casting a spell—more specifically, a barrier magic that doesn't let anyone enter it except from the maids chosen to serve her. And then five years ago, they announced her death… I am certain that it was also the time she gave birth to our fifth child."
"Then, Dad. The disappearance of the Antares Palace? Is it related to her death?" Diellzain asked.
Orpheus shook his head before answering the question.
"The palace didn't disappear, it's still there. Just hidden from our eyes. I have no idea how, but your Mom placed a spell for it to be invisible from other people's eyes before she died—specifically, a magician was asked by your Mom to cast that spell. That's what the Head Maid told me. I did everything I could, but I failed to break that spell. If you try to visit the place, you will reach an area that looks completely normal, as if it's part of the forest. However, if you try to walk into it, you'll only be transported back to your last location." Orpheus explained
"Additionally, the maids refused to bring the child out of that barrier in respect to the Empress." He added. The three princes stayed silent again. They didn't know what to say, until Diellzain ruined it.
"First of all, I refused to believe that Mom had a child with another man." He shook his head repeatedly. His expression was calm and sure.
"You're really my son, little Zain. I did not believe her as well… her eyes cannot lie." Orpheus nodded as he replied.
"If that's the case, should we make an action plan on how we can destroy that barrier?" Helios finally spoke, curious about the possibility of removing the barrier.
"I am not sure, Heli. We are unaware of the magician that placed that barrier. The Magician of the Tower refused to tell me as well," Orpheus responded.
Aelius sighed and stared at the table in front of him. Helios crossed his arms, roaming his eyes to the people inside the conference room.
"We'll get her out of that palace. Dad, we have no idea who that magician is… but I'm sure, the power of both Odilia and Ciera will be able to crack that barrier." Diellzain smiled.
"Oooh, I like that idea. Should we try it?" The third prince asked with a huge smirk on his face, looking determined and confident.
"Of course. I'll take care of getting the exact perimeters of that barrier, so we can figure out the coverage of this spell" Aelius replied, giving his younger brother a smile.
Orpheus looked at the three of them as they spoke with each other, making a plan on how they will remove the barrier.
"How are you planning to destroy it? Even I couldn't," Orpheus leaned his elbows on the table as he rested his chin on the back of his intertwined hands.
"We'll still force ourselves in. Additionally, as I said earlier… we have both Ciera and Odilia's mana with us, we'll be able to do this." Helios answered with a smile on his face. All three of them have decided they'll get their sister out of that barrier to be with her.
Orpheus smiled as he nodded his head.
He's unsure whether his sons' plan will work or not, but it's better than nothing.
"I'll trust you with it, then."
***