Leon was shocked to see the representative of Heaven, whose name was Throenia.
Throenia was, technically speaking, a few centimeters taller than Leon. It wasn't something she dwelled on. Height meant nothing in the grand scheme of divine hierarchy or soul governance but it was mildly amusing to walk beside a prince who didn't seem to notice or care. Leon walked with casual, languid confidence as he guided her through the halls of the palace.
The Palace of Richinaria was large. As they passed through a cross-hall, several palace servants bowed but not to her. They did it only to Leon. She didn't mind. Truly, she didn't. She wasn't a ruler here, nor was she of Richinaria blood. It would have been inappropriate to expect otherwise. Still, it was a new sensation being invisible in the presence of someone else. In Heaven, it was the opposite. Even her silence spoke loudly.
"This palace is quiet," she said softly.
"That's because all the chaos is bottled into the House Sections."
He stopped before a large crystal doorway that shimmered faintly when he placed his hand on its seal. The locks clicked and the door unfolded like a lotus, revealing a warm, luxurious interior chamber that was clearly not hers, just the guest quarters wing.
"This way," he said, gesturing further in.
Throenia followed, peering into the rich textures and soft velvet interior. There were glowing plants instead of candles, gold-accented bookshelves and several hallways leading to yet more rooms.
"May I inquire why you did not request the servants to escort me?"
"Because my brother told me to. And when Vastarael tells you to do something himself, you do it."
"He could have left this to a steward."
Leon shrugged. "He likes doing things himself. He usually says that if a ruler just sits and waits for their Houses to handle everything, they might as well be children sitting at a dinner table waiting to be fed."
"Hm. A pragmatic sentiment."
"Exhausting, too." Leon chuckled. "But fulfilling, I guess. My older brother says he learned it from our father. Never rule with your backside glued to the throne. All five of us we follow that rule too."
Throenia blinked. "You have four siblings?"
"Yes. Big family. Dysfunctional, but close-knit. Sorry. I'm rambling about my family."
She shook her head gently. "I do not mind. I… rarely speak of my own. I have many angel sisters but I have few memories of my early days."
She glanced out the side corridor. The windows shimmered with divine mist beyond the glass.
"My work keeps me distant. I guide the deceased, purify the corrupted and oversee reincarnation passages. It is... repetitive."
"That sounds heavy."
"It is not. I was created for it." She paused, then added with the faintest edge of amusement in her soft voice, "But my sisters insisted I needed a break. And thus, here I am."
Leon chuckled again. "So the queen of souls came to chill."
She tilted her head in confusion. "Chill?"
"Relax."
"I see. I find myself enjoying it."
As they turned down another corridor, sunlight spilled onto the floor in great shafts.
"I must confess something," Throenia said suddenly, her tone more hesitant now. "When I visit the realms of Spheraphase, I observe the mortals and immortals. And many of them possess desires. Physical ones."
Leon didn't respond. He only glanced over.
"I do not sense such intent from you," she finished plainly. Then she blinked and dipped her head. "Forgive me. That was rude. I should not read your emotional currents without consent."
But instead of looking offended, Leon just let out a laugh.
"I don't think it's rude. A little weird? Sure. But I mean you're a Divine of Heaven, right? Reading emotion is kind of your baseline."
"Still, I apologize."
"Don't worry. You're not wrong. I don't really think it's respectful to lust after guests, especially not ones who talk like royalty and float through corridors like a ghost."
"A ghost?"
"I mean that nicely."
"You think I am beautiful?"
Leon looked momentarily like an animal caught mid-jump.
"I mean I didn't say that—"
"You did."
He scratched his neck, red creeping up his ears.
"I mean, yeah, you are. You've got this elegant, terrifying grace thing going on. You could probably stare a war god into a coma."
She looked mildly intrigued. "Thank you."
He breathed out a nervous laugh. "That's probably the calmest reaction I've ever gotten when saying that."
"I have been told I am... emotionally inconsistent."
"That's one way to put it."
They reached a curved hall that opened to a high balcony overlooking a vast courtyard. Down below, knights in dark armor sparred in perfect formations, sparks clashing off their weapons. A woman stood in front of them, her long golden hair tied back. Her voice ringing out like a commander's bell.
"Ferris Harrowshard," Leon muttered.
Throenia watched as the woman looked up, sensing them. She inclined her head deeply.
"Prince Leon."
Leon leaned against the balcony. "Excessive training again?"
"They've grown soft. They've been doing Krepsuna hunts for years. This is the personal army of Lord Vastarael Richinaria. They are to be impeccable."
"Ever heard of a break?"
"This is the break."
Throenia saw the woman glance at her for only a moment before her eyes returned to Leon.
"How is Master Vastarael?"
"Managing his social chaos," Leon said with a grin. "Says he'll fight you someday."
The woman actually shivered. "I will pass."
Leon snorted. "Coward."
She bowed again and turned away, barking orders. Sparks flew once more.
"Ferris Harrowshard," Leon said, watching her. "She's the leader of Insignia and our Dynasty's personal army. Her strength's up there. Even the House Leaders keep their eyes on her. And my brother? She'd take a spear to the chest for him. Probably has, actually."
Throenia watched the glint of sunlight off Ferris's pauldrons.
"She is formidable."
"Everyone here is. And you'll probably fit right in."
Throenia's lips barely curved upward. "That is oddly comforting."
"Hey, it's all about surviving the insanity. You're here, you're beautiful, you talk like a queen, and you don't panic when weirdos like me compliment you. You'll do just fine, Lady Throenia."
And for the first time in a long while, she smiled.
"You're not so strange, Prince Leon."
He grinned. "Oh, I'm very strange. You'll see."