Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

All these years, I noticed that Aunt Zaira and I had a few things in common. One of them was that we we both sucked at lying on the spot. And even if we do try to talk our way out of something by the use of some flowery words, we still find it quite hard to deal with. Aunt Zaira was a powerful person. I kept thinking that because of her status she could always be blunt and frank whenever she wants and to whoever she wants. Even if the other party found her annoying to the point of having her killed, she could handle herself.

But it wasn’t like that for me.

Sure, I had the mentality an ancient deity, but I currently had a mortal body with limitations. And even though my core got reunited with my spirit it would still take some time before I could even grow as strong as I used to be. If I could ever do it, that is.

After asking Aunt Zaira about why she cried, she told me a bunch of confusing reasons which I knew was a lie.

“I just suddenly cried. Even I don’t know why I cried.”

“Really?” I asked, skeptical at her answer.

“Really! Maybe I was just really shocked! I mean, I used to be friends with a fox deity as well before I joined the group who defeated the demon king.”

Okay, maybe her reason did sound like she was telling the truth but I felt like she was holding back some information.

“Friends with a fox deity?”

“Yeah.”

“Who?”

“She’s named Elthesia.” she answered. “She was the one who blessed me when I was a child. She’s the reason why I have an abnormal amount of magical power and variety of skills.”

I couldn’t help but stiffen on my seat.

-Did she just say my sister was the one who blessed her?

“My sister… my sister was your patron?” I asked.

“Yes. Oh yeah, Lady Elthesia did mention she had a sister she calls Nyx. I guess it is short for Nyxtriel.”

I gasped involuntarily. Nobody could call me Nyx apart from those I gave permission to do so. Even in my family, only my elder sister and younger brother called me Nyx.

-I guess being my sister’s champion is the reason why Aunt Zaira feels familiar sometimes.

“I suppose hearing my real name juggled those memories and you remembered my sister?” I questioned.

“Yes! That’s exactly it!”

I just sighed. Well at least that one made sense. But I still had the feeling that Aunt Zaira was not telling the entire truth. I just decided to put it aside at the moment. I figured she’d tell me when the time comes. She had always believed timing was important anyway.

On one hand, I was reminded she was my sister’s champion, which would make Aunt Zaira some sort of sworn child of Elthesia.

-Which makes her some sort of niece of mine.

I shook my head at such thoughts. I just decided to not wrap my head around that complication and continue treating her as an aunt.

-Yeah, let’s stick with that. For the sake of my sanity.

“I guess this concludes our conversation. I suggest not telling anyone about this at the moment Luna. This is… this is some really big shit!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her use of coarse words. She did have a point though.

“I know. I do hope it would remain between the two of us until the world is ready for such revelation.” I said.

“I know how important timing is, so don’t worry.”

I just smiled and sighed in relief. Suddenly, I remembered Bernard’s note.

“Aunt Zaira, do you remember my friend Bernard?” I asked.

“Your friend from the engineering department?”

“Yes. Somehow, he knows Vyfal is a qilin when she transformed back when we got trapped inside the northern forest of the Imperial Academy.”

“He recognized her race?” I nodded. “That should be impossible. Vyfal’s currently the only qilin in Afasia. Her kin is not even from this world. Those who knows what a qilin is and what it looks like are…”

Her expression suddenly changed to that of a realization.

“Did he say anything else?”

“He also knew what Chinese is.”

“What else?”

“This.” I handed to her the note. “He said if you saw this you’d want to meet him.”

Aunt Zaira looked shocked as she read whatever was on the note. I couldn’t even read what was in it and yet she could. I could only conclude that whatever Bernard wrote was the language called Chinese.

“Indeed. I want to meet him. Thank you for this Luna. Now, I have things to do. Paperwork to read, check and sign.” she groaned and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “We have already settled this issue between us, so I guess we’re back to normal.”

“Okay. That’s probably a good idea.”

I did not have any opposition to that. At my situation, even if I was a former goddess, Aunt Zaira could probably destroy me at the snap of her fingers. Plus, it felt nice to know someone my sister blessed. And if my timeline was right, she was blessed just before my entire clan was massacred, which made Zaira, no, Marii Chrishni von Celestine (Aunt Zaira’s real name) the last human my sister favored.

Telling Aunt Zaira the secret, as well as knowing a few things about her (not to mention finding out about her relation to my sister), it felt like some thorn was pulled out of my chest and I actually felt a little better. Sure, I was still guilty at lying to my friends, but Aunt Zaira knowing my secret was one less person I was lying to.

The next day, it was finally the day of the Winter Festival. It was snowing in Azte and all citizens were getting ready for the festivities in the capital’s square. Thomas, Andrea, Charles, Bernard, Peter, Kai and I were checking out the various stalls that were selling things that were only sold during the Winter Festival.

Everyone in Azte, whether they were locals or outsiders, was obviously enjoying the festivities of the occasion.

Praiji Empire’s Winter Festival was celebrated in the honor of Ymirsi, the goddess of winter, ice and snow. From what I remembered from my lessons in the Imperial Academy, praying to Ymirsi during winter would ensure one’s safety during that season.

Back in the celestial realm, I personally knew Ymirsi. She was the epitome example of an ice princess with her stoic expressions and snow white hair. She also was the most powerful ice wielder in the entire celestial realm, which was befitting of her title as the goddess of winter, ice and snow. But despite all this, Ymirsi was a child at heart who loves children.

And no, we weren’t really close since Liada was more in the seasons of summer and spring.

Back to our small adventure in the capital, Kai suddenly asked if we could talk in private.

“So, uhm… there’s a Winter Ball tomorrow in the palace. My imperial uncle told me I could invite anyone I wanted, and other than that I also have a plus one. Technically it’s like my partner during the ball. So… uh… Luna… can you be… my plus one for tomorrow?”

To be honest, I was taken aback at Kai’s invitation. I figured I wouldn’t be attending the ball tomorrow and I should just stay at home, but Kai invited me all of a sudden. I did not have the heart to say no but I was pretty sure attending a ball hosted by the royal family, for the first time, would also lead to complicated stuff in the future.

-Let’s just deal with it when it comes.

“You can-“

“Sure, I would like to be your plus one.”

Kai stiffened and looked at me. I saw his face go red and when I realized what just happened, I felt my ears rise in temperature too.

“Really? Great! Thank you very much! I’ll send for a carriage for you tomorrow afternoon!”

“Uhm… yeah. Okay.”

-I guess I’m coming to the ball.