The days after the incident at the greenhouse.
The atmosphere was grim at the Yellow Palace. Rain was not in the mood to entertain anyone at all. She spent most of her time at the greenhouse, trying all remedies she thought Kirai would use to get Ara back. Something definitely happened to Ara.
"How is the child, Lady Lando?" Seated on his highchair in the royal study, he still focused on the documents, not glancing at the newcomer.
"The crown princess is still coping with the ancient tree. But not much to be worried about, your majesty." She slightly bowed with respect and delivered her reports.
Emperor Aleq looked troubled. He has been observing her since the first time he saw her at Duke Hamdel's Mansion nine months ago. That child intrigued him to know more. When he first encountered her in the study room, dumbfounded and disbelieving left him speechless. He never thought there was another person similar to Lady Coriane. More like a copy version of her. The only difference was this one is ruder, more straightforward in her approach and way of talking.
The only thing that came to his mind instantly was the sole reason Lady Coriance was lying there right then because of her silly wishes? Duke Hamdel senior was found dead in his bedchamber. An obvious conspiracy of something huge. After several rumours spread about the eldest brother still being alive and sane, it had been troubling him for quite some time. He refused to believe the possibility after what happened to him.
"The priestess. Is she here yet?" Emperor Aleq leaned back to his chair and raised his head to query about the only person coming in and out of Yellow Palace since the Wedding ended.
She nodded. "Yes, your majesty. She has arrived at Yellow Palace."
He devised a brilliant plan, but now he begins to wonder if his plan can proceed as he expected when the child wants to get out of the marriage. He became fond of her. Her way of thinking is much different than Lady Coriance that he remembered. Smart, matured in handling the administration, strong-willed. Except for her temper and weak heart or more to weak body constitutions. The healer once told him that her breathing was different. Her organs appeared weak and as if the body is still adjusting its way with the world. In other words, she has the dirtiest set of lungs and other organs.
He frowned at the thought. What does that suppose even to mean? He did have his suspicions when she sent in her request to build such a bizarre-looking building. He once saw the way she explained with details and argued with the blacksmith. Someone with such personality wouldn't develop such detailed design or life by simply making the dumbest wish for replacement.
Another peculiar rumour troubling him was the long-forgotten main gate of the origin. It has never been discussed since the last two emperors reign.
"Did she mention anything about her plan after the new year festival?"
"No, your majesty. But, she is busy coming and going to the library."
"What is the crown prince doing?"
"He has his normal schedule to get by. Sometimes, he drops by at the Yellow Palace to check on her." She continues reporting. He nodded with satisfaction at her reports. "But, she appears confused about something."
"Explain."
"The whole thing about the goddess of Star, the wishing system as if she doesn't have any idea how the system works."
He stood up from his chair and slowly walked up to the window. He did have some questions to ask her, but he tried his best not to see her, afraid she would ask the forbidden topic. Divorce. 'In time.' That's all he can answer her for now. Buying some time for that brat to get his senses back.
At the same time, his face perturbed with Rain's high curiosity about the wishes system. If he was right, he can't let that child be aware of the system. That system consumed numerous good people, even himself. He was just glad he didn't end up with a dreadful result, unlike some people, including some people he knew of. He heaved a heavy sigh.
"Well, let her be. That might buy us some time." He replied. "If you don't have anything to report, you may leave."
"Your Majesty, Lady Coriane had requested for some number of guards."
He frowned at her. "I have not heard any of it. Is she? Any petition for it?"
"The Chief Tega, master of the training ground, came to inform me. Lady Coriane made that request on the spot with the crown prince."
"I assumed he approved her request then?"
"Yes, your majesty. You will get the petition in the next few days."
Emperor Aleq crossed his arms, trying to grasp what Rain planning on doing.
"Any idea of what was that about?"
"No, your majesty. But I brought with me the chief master of the training ground. He will deliver the report himself. If nothing else, I will get back to my post, your majesty." She excuses herself, and another man enters the chamber.
An hour passed, a peal of hefty laughter broke the silent space. Emperor Aleq looked impressed with Rain's way of attracting attention to herself. He does have high hope for her to be the next empress. He doesn't have any doubt that she will succeed. 'I don't care if this woman turns out to be an impostor.'
High Priest Romou is still not returning from the important quest. He should be back soon before the festival. He has to, or it will be too late.
'Anak-anak, where are you?'
####
"Kirai, how's Ara?" A soothed feeling washed out the anxiety I had since the day I found out something is wrong with Ara. I'm glad Kirai is finally here. I hugged her for a minute. I need it desperately after what happened to Ara makes me more anxious than I ever felt before.
But it didn't turn out to be what I expected. Ara is still silent.
Kirai stayed for the night, and she visited me in my bedchamber, which I very much appreciate. We were seated by the balcony, moongazing. I began to miss our time together, stargazing at night like a nomad people in the desert. But, there were no stars in the sky tonight. Only the bright oversize moon staring back at us. After some time, I decided to pull the gift box, hand it back to Kirai.
"What's this?"
"Take it back," I pushed the box to her. "I don't need it."
"What is that supposed to mean?" her raised voice didn't sway me at all. "Look, High Priest Romou gave it only mean one thing, you deserve it, alright. No, I won't take it back!"
I smiled bitterly. "This box, the reason Ara gets hurt. I won't take it." I refused to listen to her. "What will happen to Ara?"
"Tell me something I don't know," Her frustrations only double with my act. "This might sound weird, and I read somewhere about the tears of the god. It can heal anything with it like magic." Kirai starts with her theory. "I wonder if this gift is one of the valuable artefacts from the god."
"I don't get it."
"You see, rumour has it that the Goddess of Star has returned to the stars Realm and left so many artefacts behind." Kirai leaned closer and whispered. "What if the other person that came to this land with the goddess has left some artefacts too?"
"I still don't get where this discussion is going."
"What are you?" She groaned with annoyance. 'A mundane!' She stopped before she slipped her tongue about that. She cleared her throat and took a long breath. "Alright, listen carefully. These artefacts were worth more than your own life. Whoever or whatever creatures can use it to get their deepest desire to be answered with just a blink of an eye."
"Are you really sure about this?" I glared at her BS theory. That was unheard of. In a blink of an eye, can your wishes come true? It can't be. I let out a pathetic dry laugh.
#####
Rain always lived in poverty, lack of love and was a target to bullies since she was very young. She was always on the side of the road, watching the other children having their needs fulfilled. Anything they want, they'll get it—money, good food, good clothing, good life, or even being able to study further overseas. In comparison, her life was all about struggling to survive.
She once naively asked for a birthday cake with a candle from Ah Ma. But she never got one. She asked the kind lady from the confectionery shop to let her work there to buy herself a tiny cake with a candle.
When she finally gets her own cakes and candle, not wasting any time to clean her face or tidy her clothes up as the other children did, she sat in front of her tiny cake, fervently clasping her ten fingers tightly and shut her eyes before starting to recite her wishes. Her full list of wishes. Her face shined with satisfaction. She gave it a hefty blow on the lit candle-like her whole life depends on it. Now, she will only wait for the wishes to be fulfilled one by one or all simultaneously. She doesn't care.
Days passed, days to months, months to years, it fulfilled none of her wishes.
She learned the hard way to live, and you need to earn hard to get whatever you desire.