<< King Daniil's Mansion >>
"Wow" Kira gushed, clapping her hands in excitement as Isa perfectly and skillfully flipped the pancake in the fry pan. "I am human, but I can't make pancakes half as perfect as yours" she said.
Isa's cheeks grew red. "I learned a lot about mortals delicacies during my last visit to the mortal realm"
"Any immortal can visit the mortal realm as they wish?"
Isa shook her head negatively. "No. Only immortals who want a rank promotion can go, and they must seek permission from His Majesty"
Kira nodded in understanding. "Oh"
"Yes. I was privileged to accompany the goddess of love on her promotional trial many years ago, and that is how I managed to learn some important things about mortals" she explained.
Isa's words piqued Kira's curiosity, and she couldn't stop herself from asking questions. "What rank are you?"
"I'm just a maid. I have been merely a maid all my life, but some maids do go on promotion trial and get promoted to fairies"
Confusion washed over Kira's face because she hasn't completely comprehended the existence of immortals, and she's hearing about fairies. *Well, anything is possible at this point* she thought to herself, deciding to go with the flow.
"Why are fairies higher than maids?" she asked, but Isa wasn't able to give an answer when she proceeded. "I watched a mystical movie some time ago, and maids were referred to as fairies. Why do they seem higher than maids here?"
Isa let out a short laugh, she seemed to like the fact that Kira is curious.
"Those movies and stories are written by mortals from their imaginations"
Kira raised her brows, urging her to continue as she reached forward to carry the plate of pancake Isa had dropped a few inches away from her.
"No mortal have ever been to the immortal realm, but some do have the idea that immortals exist. So, the things they write about immortals or the immortal realm in general are based off their imaginations. They could only imagine, and write down what or how they think the immortal realm looks like"
"Right" Kira nodded thoughtfully.
Isa giggled as she recalled something. "I really do appreciate the effort those writers put in their made up stories because I think it is not easy yet most of the stories are fascinating and a bit close to the truth"
Kira's mouth was stuffed, she could only nod in response. "Wowww, this is super delicious" she complimented Isa's cooking skill.
"Oh, thank you" Isa replied shyly.
"Wait, how did you get flour? I thought immortals aren't supposed to eat food"
Kira's question got Isa bending over as she held her stomach and laughed hard.
"What?" Kira asked Isa who's still laughing her guts out.
After laughing to her satisfaction, Isa sobered up, pulled a stool and sat next to Kira. "We eat food too, but not as much as mortals do"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we might eat once in a week and not feel hungry. But there are some immortals who are gluttons, they eat twice or thrice in a week"
"Huh?" Kira's mouth was agape. It's obvious she's finding it difficult to believe or trying to imagine how someone would go a week without food. "That's not healthy at all, I'm poor back home, but I still try to eat twice every single day"
Isa chuckled. "It might not be healthy for mortals, but it's very healthy for immortals. King Daniil can go a month without food, and he'll still be healthier and stronger than every immortal being. Because we don't even eat food for our stomach satisfaction, we eat for fun and mainly because we love how it tastes on our tongue"
Isa's explanation left Kira speechless, she couldn't form any words as she was questioning nature. Realizing figuring out the immortal realm's way of life is too much for her already, she pushed that thought aside and decided to ask a question that has been bothering her.
"There's something else that really bothers me" she said.
"What bothers you?" Isa asked.
"It's about the time-lapse between the mortal realm and here, the immortal realm."
"Hm" Isa nodded, indicating her to continue.
"Last time I was here, I only spent a few minutes here, but it was already three days when I went back home. Why is it like that?" Kira asked. "I've been wanting to ask your King, but he seems so busy"
"Em- about the time-lapse, I really don't know why it's like that because it's always been that way since as long as I could remember. Maybe his Majesty will have a better explanation, but as for me, I don't know"
Kira sighed deeply, she reached for the glass of milk which Isa had given her earlier, and gulped down the remaining content.
"If I'm being honest, I don't care about any of these stuffs" she grumbled. "I just want to go back home and be with my sister"
Her mind couldn't help but wonder what Yulia and Ruth would be doing right now, she also wondered whether it's been up to a day already since she came back to the immortal realm.
Isa stared pitifully at Kira, she knew Kira must be missing her people back home, and she understands how she (Kira) feels because she's felt that way when she accompanied the goddess of love on her promotional trial in the mortal realm.
"You're going to…" Isa's words were cut off when she heard footsteps approaching them. "Who's there?" she asked, even though they're in King Daniil's Mansion, and she knows not everyone gets free access in.
"It's me, Aleksandr" Aleksandr's voice came from the living room.
"Anything the matter?" Isa asked when he arrived in the kitchen.
Aleksandr rolled his eyes at Isa as he found her manner of speech somewhat offensive, then totally ignored her and faced Kira. Isa scoffed unbelievably as she shook her head.
"His Majesty has requested for an audience with you, Miss" he told Kira.
"Why?" Kira asked with a small frown.
"It's concerning the phoenix queen"
Kira nodded. She stuffed the remaining piece of pancake in her mouth, hopped off the stool and signaled Aleksandr to lead the way.
"Please wait for me, I'll be back soon" she mumbled to Isa.
"Okay"
Kira flashed her a thankful smile—more like a grimace—then rushed after Aleksandr, who's already heading towards the main door in the living room.
★★★
Coming out of King Daniil's mansion, Aleksandr led Kira through a large hallway which seemed to stretch on for miles. This magnificent hallway was adorned with opulent tapestries, glistening chandeliers that looked super expensive, and a breathtaking display of perfectly trimmed flowers aligned on both sides. It was a sight that could only be described as enchanting.
The sun's golden rays filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the marble floor, and the fragrance of the flowers filled the air, creating a symphony of scents that danced delicately around the passageway. Each flower, meticulously chosen and cared for, stood tall and proud, as if vying for the attention of any passerby.
Kira couldn't resist the urge of reaching out her hand to touch them, she closed her eyes and smiled as she loves how soft they felt.
"This hallway is magical" she voiced out her thought.
"Of course, His Majesty planted these flowers and designed this hallway himself" Aleksandr pipped in, sounding proud on behalf of his king.
"He planted them himself?" Kira scoffed. "According to what I have noticed here, he's such a busy king. How did he get the time to plant all these flowers? Are you seeing how endlessly long this hallway is?"
"His Majesty is always busy, but he spends his leisure time farming, which means he planted these flowers in his leisure time" he explained.
"Hm, that makes sense"
Kira began humming a classical song, then started dancing ballet (even though, she's obviously can't dance ballet) along the way.
<< Courtroom >>
All the high-ranking gods and goddesses have arrived at the courtroom, they are impatiently waiting for Kira's arrival.
King Daniil had sent a telepathic message to them after Aleksandr left to get Kira, King Daniil told them in his message that the oldest member of the phoenix clan is back, and they're going to check why Kira have the phoenix queen's immortal light and bone.
Everyone's attention shifted to the entrance as the doors pushed open, Aleksandr walked in and Kira followed him.
The once silent courtroom was soon clamorous as everyone began whispering in groups of twos and threes, making their anticipation of finding out why Kira's related to the phoenix queen more obvious than ever before.
This doesn't seem good for Kira, as she felt anxious about the situation. She couldn't help but worry if they'd let her go back home in one piece when they find out she's a hundred percent human and isn't related to their phoenix queen at all.
"Your Majesty, she's here" Aleksandr reported with a bow, gesturing at Kira who is looking around with a nervous expression.
Aleksandr moved away when he saw Arata approaching them. Kira was startled when she felt someone hold her hand, she pulled her attention away from the judging gazes of the gods and goddesses, and wanted to snatch her hand from this person's grip, but she relaxed immediately she realized it's an old woman who's holding her.
"What is your name, child?" Arata asked her.
"I-I'm Kira" Kira's voice cracked as she was tensed.
Arata looked around, she glared at everyone who was watching Kira judgmentally, and they quickly looked away from her.
"I am Arata, and you don't have to worry about them, I'm here with you and nothing is going to you, no one is going to hurt you" she assured Kira.
"Hm" Kira could only nod, even though, her heart is about to burst out.
"We just want to check something, and no one will stop you from leaving if our guess is wrong, okay?"
Kira nodded once more, but frown when she replayed Arata's words in her head. "What if your guess is not wrong? What happens then?" she asked.
Arata was silent for a moment, she simply smiled and caressed Kira's cheeks softly.
"Let's just see if we're wrong first" Arata said.
Her words seemed to trouble Kira, but she comforted herself with the fact that she is completely human and there is no way she could be related to their phoenix queen.
King Daniil who has been quiet all these while cleared his throat, and everyone gave their undivided attention to him.
"I believe everyone present here saw my message" he spoke. "And since we already know the reason for this gathering, let's just get on with it. Agreed?" his eyes moved around as if he's searching for someone.
"Agreed!" Echoed throughout the courtroom as everyone agreed with him.
"Where is the goddess of fertility?" King Daniil asked with a frown.
There was a moment of silence as everyone looked, just realizing that Mariya isn't in the courtroom.
"I personally messaged everyone, did she not get my message?" he asked, but no one could give an answer since none of them knew why she chose not to attend this gathering. "Carry on with the ritual, Arata" he said to Arata in a calm tone.
Some gods and goddesses sighed, shaking their heads as they felt pity for Mariya because King Daniil was too calm, and that only means, he's super pissed.
Meanwhile, Kira's whole body was shaking from nervousness as she watched Arata bring forth a bowl and a sharp knife. All that was praying for currently, is for the ground to open up and swallow her.
She took cautious steps backwards as Arata approached her with the bowl and knife, shaking her head in disagreement with desperation in her already tearing up eyes.
"No, please" she pleaded.
"Trust me, child, I won't hurt you" Arata told her, her voice held so much sincerity and assurance.
"You are holding a knife, ma" Kira cried, emphasizing on each word.
Arata smiled reassuringly at her. "Have you forgotten that we know magic here, I promise you won't feel any pains, just trust me" she said.
Kira studied her for a moment, contemplating whether she can trust Arata or not. But after much deliberation, she decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"What do you want from me?" she asked.
"Stretch forth one of your hand"
Kira looked between her hands, wondering which one she should sacrifice. "Here. It won't hurt much if I use this hand" she said while offering her right hand.
Some gods and goddesses found her words amusing, as they laughed briefly.
"You are one funny girl. I like you" Arata smiled at her.
*I'm not trying to be funny, old lady. I'm bloody scared* Kira mentally screamed, but plastered a fake smile on her face just to be polite.
Arata called a maid over, she handed the bowl to the maid and reached for Kira's outstretched hand. She blew some air in Kira's palm, kissed the palm and began mumbling some incantations.
After mumbling her incantations, she picked the knife and brought it closer to Kira's palm. Upon seeing the knife approaching her palm, Kira slammed her eyes close and open her mouth as a loud, frightened scream emitted from her.
Arata ignored Kira's screams, she dropped the knife on her palm, cutting deep on her palm and watch Kira's blood drop in the bowl.
"Oh" Kira stopped screaming abruptly. "It didn't hurt" she said with a surprised expression. "How come?"
"Magic" was Arata's answer.
"Wow"
Everyone was watching attentively, some were praying that Kira would be their long-awaited phoenix queen, and others were she shouldn't be considering the fact that she is mortal.
When Arata has collected enough blood, she put her palm on Kira's and her (Kira's) palm healed immediately. Kira's eyes widened in disbelief, she can't believe that magic really does exist.
"You collected my blood, and I'm not related to your phoenix queen, right?" Kira asked hopefully—she just wanted to be done with all these, and leave as soon as possible.
"There's no rush, child. There's one final step" Arata said.
"Huh?"
Arata nodded at two guards who have been standing by a door since the beginning of the ritual. The guards quickly pushed the statue of a woman who's majestically dressed, with a luxurious crown on her head and a phoenix standing on her shoulder, forward and placed it in the middle of the courtroom.
*Who was this? She must have been a very gorgeous woman* Kira mentally awed by the statue.
"Everyone, this is our moment of truth" Arata announced. "Let us all accept the result with open minds, no matter what it may be" her gaze shifted to King Daniil as if she's seeking for his approval. King Daniil gave her a curt nod, and she proceeded with the ritual.
Everyone's eyes were glued on Arata, attentively watching as she carried the bowl of blood and poured it on the statue. The courtroom lightened up as bright light emitted from the statue, making everyone present—apart from King Daniil and Arata—flinch back as the brightness was a bit too much for their eyes to handle.
"What is going on?"
"What does this mean?"
"Is she the phoenix queen or not?"
Those were questions flying around the rowdy courtroom, the confusion on the gods and goddesses are massive as they are eager yet anxious.
"She- she is…" Arata trailed off pointing at Kira who is just as confused as others, in fact, she more confused.
"She is what?" Boris asked, tired of Arata's suspense.
"She is not related to the phoenix queen at all"
Immediately Kira heard those words, she couldn't help but leap for joy, a relieved smile spread all over her face. "Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord" she shouted.
Meanwhile, King Daniil's expression was sour. He felt a distinct sting in his heart, as though someone as just shot an arrow straight in his heart. But Arata's next words brought a smile to his face.
"She. Is. The. Phoenix. Queen" Arata shouted as she went on her knees and fell on her face, and everyone (except King Daniil) followed her lead.