*Third POV*
Sleeping peacefully in the comforts of her bed, Yuri found it hard to get up. She rubbed her eyes from the back of her hands trying to wash away some of the sleep. Her head hurt like it had been hit by a car.
"Your Highness, can you please get ready for the Lantern Festival? I believe we are already late." Said a woman in her early thirties trying to wake up the girl for the past half an hour.
The low groan of the young lady on the bed made the servant move inches away from the round cushioned edge of the bed. The bed itself was an opulent masterpiece, a piece of celestial artistry that transcended the boundaries of mortal craftsmanship.
Fashioned in a circular form, the bed's frame resembled a celestial wheel, representing the cyclical nature of the cosmos. Intricately carved symbols of moon phases and constellations adorned the edge, telling tales of the celestial dance that echoed inside the heavens.
The mattress, a plush haven of silken clouds, cradled the small figure in its divine embrace. Woven with threads of stardust and interwoven with strands of moonlight, the mattress seemed to shimmer with a subtle luminescence. Pillows, plumped with the feathers of astral birds, cradled her head as she lay in a state of peaceful repose.
As the lady once again gently prodded the woman to wakefulness, the lady reluctantly opened her eyes, their celestial glow momentarily dulled by the lingering drowsiness. Her gaze, holding confusion drifted to the elaborate canopy above, where the fabric, resembling the night sky, hung in gentle folds. Silver threads sparkled like stars, casting a soft glow upon the room.
The lady's voice, tinged with a gentle urgency, echoed in the chamber. "Your Highness, the Lantern Festival awaits, a celebration of light and joy. The heavens themselves shall partake in the festivities."
'Your Highness??'
'Wait is this...'
With a languid stretch, Yuri slowly rose from the circular bed, she marvelled at the ancient craftsmanship that surrounded her, trying to get familiar with the unknown room she was in. The bed, a convergence of celestial symbolism and divine comfort, had cradled her in a restful interlude between the realms.
"So this is what The God of Time meant, I choose my fate" Yuri mumbled making the young lady standing beside her frown her brows.
The young lady, with a gaze reflecting a mix of concern and awe, was clad in a celestial robe, her features delicate yet filled with simplicity tried to smile at the lady, confusion palpable on her small face.
"Your Highness, did you say something?" Finally taking notice of the pale girl standing beside her bed, Yuri tilted her head trying to look at the small girl carefully.
"Who are you?" Yuri's question made the girl's already round eyes double in size, "Please Your Highness, please tell me you haven't forgotten everything, the fall wasn't so bad!"
'Fall?'
"What fall?' Yuri asked, looking at the girl as she frowned her brows.
The girl was almost close to fainting, her body trembled miserably making Yuri feel bad for asking her such a question. The girl must be the Goddess's assistant as most heavenly beings had official servants that cared for them.
"Um, don't worry you won't tell anyone about the fall, I just feel like I am not able to remember anything clearly from last night," looking at the girl, Yuri was sure she could see tears streaming down her face, "however, I feel lively!" Yuri tried sounding cheerful.
"I- I was so worried Your Highness! You fell from the tree, I tried telling-", the girl wiped her tears from the back of her sleeves, "I tried telling you to be careful but you cast the "Silence Spell" on me" The girl completed her story as she sniffed loudly.
"Your Highness how can you forget your most loyal servant, Your Highness how can you forget your trusted Haeun" The girl now named Haeun cried as she tried wiping her eyes over and over again.
"Haeun, first stop crying, I did not forget you, that's an order," Yuri said in a strict tone which seemed to be very efficient as the tears immediately stopped. "Don't think too much, how about you tell me everything about me and I will try to get you forgiven!"
"About you?" Her eyes widened in shock and before she could say anything, I tried explaining, "You see I don't remember anything, it feels like I have 'Short-term memory Loss'"
"Shot-Term Memory Loss?" Haeun's confusion was evident, Yuri understood that such terms were foreign to the girl. Smiling at her victory of fooling her, Yuri stood up from the bed placing a hand on her servant's small shoulder.
"Indeed, Haeun. It's a condition where one struggles to retain memories for an extended period. But worry not, I trust your loyalty, and you will help me piece together the puzzle of my forgotten past," Yuri explained, maintaining the facade of her newfound identity as Jacheongbi, the daughter of the God of the Heavenly Emperor.
Haeun, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears, nodded earnestly. "Your Highness, forgive my momentary lapse. I am at your service, ready to assist in any way I can."
As they sat together in the celestial chamber, Yuri, now in control of Jacheongbi's divine persona, prompted Haeun to recount the details of her celestial life. With every word Haeun spoke, Yuri's keen intellect absorbed the information like a sponge, weaving a narrative of divine politics, celestial duties, and the intricacies of her immortal existence.
Haeun, unaware of Yuri's ruse, poured her heart out, recounting tales of Jacheongbi's benevolence, her pivotal role in the celestial court, and the challenges they faced together. The room resonated with Haeun's earnest storytelling, and Yuri marvelled at the complexity of the heavenly realm she now inhabited.
Yuri's mind, however, remained fixated on the next steps of her plan. The revelation of her so-called memory loss had successfully disarmed Haeun's suspicions, and she was now a key ally in Yuri's quest to navigate the divine intricacies that surrounded her.
As Haeun finished her account, Yuri nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, Haeun. Your loyalty will not go unnoticed. Now, let us join the festivities of the Lantern Festival. I may not remember everything, but I am eager to experience the joy that this celestial celebration brings."
Haeun, now beaming with a mix of relief and devotion, assisted Yuri, now known as Your Highness Jacheongbi, in preparing for the festival. The pair descended into the celestial revelry, their steps synchronized with the rhythm of divine music and the glow of lanterns that illuminated the celestial pathways.
Unbeknownst to Haeun, Yuri, now fully immersed in her divine deception, revelled in the dance of celestial lights, her mind calculating the intricate steps of a cosmic performance where the stakes were nothing less than the fate of gods and mortals alike.
"So, Your Highness, do you remember everything I have said so far?" Haeun's inquiry was hesitant.
Yuri, feeling the weight of both destinies, shook her head. "Bits and pieces, fragments of emotions," she whispered, looking up to meet eyes with Haeun's soft hazel ones, Yuri smiled. "I have you to help me recall everything."
Haeun, though visibly relieved, couldn't shake the concern etched on her face. "Your Highness, Haeun is always going to stand next to you. But for now, the Lantern Festival awaits. It's a celebration not just of light but of the eternal cycle of renewal and hope. Let us partake in the joy that the heavens have prepared for us." she spoke with enthusiasm for the very first time in her voice. "Also, Your Highness will get the opportunity to meet her future husband as well."
"FUTURE HUSBAND?" Jacheongbi's voice came out louder than she had expected it.
Haeun's eyes widened, her enthusiasm momentarily dimmed by Jacheongbi's unexpected reaction. The delicate smile that adorned her face faltered, replaced by an expression of concern.
"Your Highness, I meant no offence," Haeun stammered, her eyes filled with a mix of apology and trepidation. "The Heavenly Emperor, your father, had you engaged to the most suitable bachelor you selected yourself during the 'Pythian Festival' last week."
Jacheongbi's eyes widened in surprise as Haeun revealed the details of the engagement. The Pythian Festival—the memory of which remained elusive to Jacheongbi—had played a pivotal role in determining her future spouse. The weight of responsibility and the sudden revelation left her feeling disoriented amidst the celestial splendour of the Lantern Festival.
"I... selected a suitor during the Pythian Festival?" Jacheongbi questioned, her mind struggling to grasp the unfamiliar memories that seemed just beyond her reach.
Haeun nodded gently. "Yes, Your Highness. The Pythian Festival is a sacred event where divine beings from noble families present themselves, and you choose a suitor from among them. It is an age-old tradition, ensuring the harmony and prosperity of the celestial realm."
"I suppose I will meet this chosen suitor during the Lantern Festival," Jacheongbi mused, attempting to reconcile the unfamiliar with the present.
Haeun nodded, her gaze still filled with concern. "Indeed, Your Highness. The suitor, along with other noble beings, will be present tonight. It is an opportunity for celestial unions, a celebration of love and unity that echoes through the ages."
'What were you Jacheongbi, seriously how could you choose someone to marry when you can't even climb a tree!'
Yuri's thoughts were interrupted by Haeun's voice. "Your Highness, please choose your outfit for the festival and I will have the maids prepare for your bath"
'This is going to be a long life...'