TGS - Chapter 36
Chapter 36: Invitation
Unlike the main border city in the northwest, with its simple and rugged style, the City of the Sun God was one of the most prosperous cities in Solancia.
Just outside the city was the largest quarry on the continent, which produced giant stones of fine, white texture. Nearly all the large buildings within the city were constructed from this stone, making them appear magnificent and exquisite, like a giant palace.
For this reason, poets always described it as the Sun God's terrestrial palace.
The climate here was warm, leaning toward hot, with ample sunlight. Flowers and trees flourished year-round, and all sorts of produce were extremely abundant. Two tributaries of the Yilu River converged in the city, weaving a picturesque and flawless landscape.
Even without mentioning the natural scenery, the city of Surinia boasted numerous breathtaking man-made landmarks: the opposing Temples of the Sun and Moon, the Sky-Reaching Tower that soared in the city center, the open-air theater, and the public baths...
In a word, Surinia was a city perfectly suited for leisure and tourism.
Alyuin had said she was here for a visit, and she certainly acted the part.
The first day, she visited the temples; the second, the gardens around the Sky-Reaching Tower; the third, she went shopping in the commercial district. Under the guise of a caravan guard, she played the part of a tourist, completely ignoring the hesitant expressions of the local officials, and paying even less mind to the despairing face of the envoy from Akhet.
In front of a shop specializing in clothing and accessories, Lotus was examining a small, uniquely shaped alabaster bottle. It was filled with a fragrant balm made from lotus essence and myrrh. When the stopper was removed, a rich, sweet aroma wafted out.
The people of Solancia placed great importance on adornment. For the nobility and the wealthy, intricate gold ornaments were indispensable, and the more cosmetics they had, the better.
In addition, the land, rich in spices, provided the Solancians with the means to create balms and perfumes. Their craftsmanship in this area was enough to astonish even modern people.
Having been in ancient Solancia for so long, Lotus had never really paid attention to things like cosmetics. As she was studying the bottle of balm, she heard Alyuin ask from beside her, "Do you like this?"
"It's nice. I'm just looking."
Lotus placed the balm bottle back among the dazzling array of goods. Seeing Alyuin's gaze still fixed on the bottle, she repeated with a hint of helplessness, "Really, I'm just looking."
Alyuin withdrew her gaze and said innocently, "I wasn't planning to buy it either. You already smell much better than any of these balms."
No matter the time, the goddess always carried the faint scent of dew and snowtu flowers, a fragrance that could only be detected up close. Whenever the princess drew near affectionately, she would unconsciously breathe deeper, letting the scent linger a little longer.
Lotus couldn't smell her own scent at all and simply assumed the princess was making a casual remark. She happened to glance up and met the expectant gaze of the shopkeeper.
Like other native Surinians, the shopkeeper had deep brown skin and a petite figure.
The moment she saw Lotus look over, the shopkeeper immediately began her sales pitch: "If you two don't like the balms, you could choose some kohl. Your eyes are so beautiful, it would be a shame not to apply any. And over here are the incense cones, they're our specialty! All the noble ladies and madams buy them here!"
Lotus: "..."
She couldn't help but silently glance at the princess, who was staring at the cone-shaped ornaments the shopkeeper was passionately recommending with an inscrutable expression, her thoughts unknown.
It was no wonder the shopkeeper was so enthusiastic. Alyuin's behavior had been too obvious. All along their stroll, if Lotus's gaze lingered on anything for more than a second, the princess's coin purse was already at the ready.
"Please wrap it up and deliver it to the Muka Caravan's lodging."
This sentence had practically become her catchphrase.
The owners of the surrounding shops had witnessed this scene and had long since labeled the pair: rich, and easy to fool.
Seeing them stop in front of their own shops, they would use every trick in the book to praise their goods as if they were the best in the world.
Lotus was a little troubled by this.
After several years, the river goddess was still poor. Even when going out to shop, she had to let a child pay, which sounded truly improper.
But when she tactfully expressed that it wasn't necessary, Alyuin would say dejectedly, "You are willing to accept the offerings of the priests, but not mine?"
Lotus: "...I don't think that's the same thing."
Alyuin argued righteously, "Gods are meant to receive offerings. If I let you buy things yourself, it would be a dereliction of duty for a believer."
"That may be so—"
"Most importantly, you don't have any worldly money."
Lotus looked at the princess, speechless.
Alyuin blinked cheerfully at the goddess.
The penniless goddess could only accept the offerings under the princess's earnest gaze, while secretly pondering what she could give in the future to repay such devotion.
The shopkeeper was still making her pitch, and her hospitality was hard to refuse, so Lotus ended up picking out a few simple trinkets.
After browsing for a while longer, the two returned to the caravan's temporary residence.
Motis was standing guard beside the large and small packages delivered from the various shops, so bored he was on the verge of counting them. When he saw them return, he pointed to the reception room on the other side and said, "Your Highness, you guessed right. The God-Concubine's people are waiting in there."
Alyuin raised an eyebrow. "I thought I'd have to wait a few more days. So she really is this impatient."
According to the information they had gathered, Naimaer, the God-Concubine of the Sun God who presided over Surinia, was capricious by nature and fond of extravagance. Some called her cruel, while others praised her for being a good ruler. The local people, however, held her in high esteem.
This God-Concubine had many strange rules, one of which was never going out on a sunny day.
Entering the reception room, they found the official who had been responsible for welcoming the caravan last time. He seemed to have a deep impression of the princess's "casualness," and a wry smile appeared on his face unconsciously as she entered. "Your Highness."
Alyuin: "We haven't seen each other in a few days. What brings you here this time?"
"It's like this, Her Highness the God-Concubine requests a meeting with you."
"But I recall you saying before that my aunt doesn't like to receive guests on sunny days."
"Occasionally, she makes an exception. After all, it is Her Highness the Princess who has come, haha." The official gave a dry laugh.
"Then I am truly honored." Alyuin feigned modesty. "Since my aunt has invited me, it would be improper to refuse. When is it scheduled?"
The official said hastily, "Tomorrow evening. Someone will be sent to escort you."
It seemed Naimaer truly detested sunny days, choosing to receive her guest at night even though it was a breach of etiquette.
Did this God-Concubine of the Sun God resent sunny days, or the sun on a sunny day?
The official had no desire to linger. He had a feeling the princess was difficult to deal with, so after a few pleasantries, he made a swift exit.
Lotus looked at the pensive Alyuin and remained silent, continuing to sit quietly with her.
After a long while, the princess finally came back to her senses.
"Is something wrong with the situation?" Lotus asked.
Alyuin's brow furrowed slightly. "I have a few ideas. If they're true, this could be a bit difficult."
Her knuckles tapped on the armrest of her chair. "I don't know what your opinion is of the Sun God, Suriel."
"I don't know much about him." Lotus recalled Suriel's appearance and added, "He doesn't seem very bright. He gets along well with the Moon Goddess."
Alyuin: "...Doesn't seem very bright?"
Lotus smiled. "Forgive me, that's the only description I can find. Of course, I rarely see him, so what I know is only superficial."
The princess rarely asked about matters between the gods. On the rare occasion she did, she received such an answer, and her expression was one of slight shock.
In myths and legends, descriptions of the gods were always as sacred and noble as could be. A major god like the Sun God, in particular, was always portrayed as a powerful and perfect figure, having nothing to do with a lack of intelligence.
Seeing that Alyuin seemed stunned, Lotus couldn't help but laugh. "Legends always have some discrepancies. Gods aren't necessarily flawless. After spending so much time with me, haven't you realized that yet?"
Alyuin replied subconsciously, "But you are perfect."
Lotus: "..."
Alyuin didn't understand the goddess's sudden silence and continued with sincere earnestness, "You are more perfect than the descriptions in the books. Those words don't capture even a tenth of you. The people who wrote the scriptures must not have witnessed your descent with their own eyes, otherwise how could they have written such things."
Lotus inwardly drew a sharp breath. Her human sense of embarrassment compelled her to interrupt the princess's rambling. "That's enough, really," she said weakly.
Alyuin whispered, "I'm not finished yet."
She paused, then said slyly, "Why are your ears red?"
Embarrassed as she was, Lotus wasn't about to fall for such a trick. She said calmly, "They're not. You must be mistaken."
Alyuin took this opportunity to gaze at the goddess's face even more carefully and openly, but failed to see the reaction she was hoping for.
She skillfully concealed the disappointment in her eyes. "It must be the light."
The sudden surge of emotion was not easy to suppress. Alyuin thought she should continue discussing the current situation, but her train of thought uncontrollably veered in another direction.
Finally, with an expression that said, let's get back to business, the princess asked, "What do the gods think of the God-Concubine, a title bestowed by a mortal king?"
Lotus: "I'm not sure, but based on the Sun God's behavior, he probably doesn't take it seriously."
Familial relationships between deities were merely nominal to them, let alone the position of God-Concubine, which was passed down through generations of princesses.
Alyuin said aloud, "I see."
She couldn't help but want to steer the conversation toward the topic she cared about most. Yet, whenever she met the Yilu River Goddess's clear, pale blue eyes, the fire in her heart would blaze higher, but the thought itself would be half-extinguished.
It's too soon. I should wait a little longer...
The princess backed down. No enemy in the world could make her retreat, only Lotus. Only matters concerning Lotus made her so cautious as to be almost timid.
Lotus was still waiting for her to continue, but the princess inexplicably sighed and asked no more.
Instead, she said, "It's time for dinner. What would you like to eat today?"
The leap in topic was a bit large, but "what should we eat later" was truly a universal question that was never out of place, and it successfully diverted Lotus's train of thought.
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