TGS - Chapter 93
Chapter 93: Asilu
"I will go."
Alyuin smiled politely.
The nobleman breathed a sigh of relief, feeling genuinely happy.
From the sound of it, the Princess was interested in Asilu's play. Excellent. At last, his family elders' instructions had not been in vain. This was a small step for him, but a giant leap in breaking the ice between his family and the Princess!
Just as his spirits were soaring, Alyuin's next words brought him back to reality.
"Thank you for telling me, but I prefer quiet when I watch plays."
The nobleman: "..."
Preferring quiet—the implication was that she didn't intend to accept his invitation to go together, but rather wanted to go see it herself.
The step he had taken was retracted with the speed of lightning.
The nobleman was quite dejected, only managing to maintain his composure with effort.
Just ahead was the Princess's residence.
Alyuin gently pulled the reins, and her fine steed, understanding her intent, slowed from a light trot to a leisurely stroll.
"This was a pleasant hunt," Alyuin said in a calm tone. "Please convey to Lord Bodoer that I will pay him a visit another day. My apologies in advance for the intrusion."
Bodoer was the name of this nobleman's grandfather, the same old man who had repeatedly urged him to befriend the Princess.
The nobleman's eyes lit up. "It's no intrusion at all. We welcome Your Highness's visit at any time."
Alyuin nodded.
When facing others, her demeanor was always polite and impeccable, yet her eyes held a slight coldness and pride. This was her nature, but also what others expected—in everyone's eyes, only sufficient authority could be convincing.
Fortunately, the sole exception to "others" was right beside her at this moment.
The Princess bid farewell to the hunting party, which was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter, and rode through the gates of her residence.
Lotus had also ridden a horse this time, the same gray horse that was fond of her. This mount couldn't go into battle; its speed and carrying capacity were only average, but it was perfect for sitting leisurely and enjoying the scenery.
However, judging by its age, it was an old horse, and it occasionally did as it pleased, just like now.
The gray horse stopped, pawing the ground, unwilling to go any further. Its eyes were fixed on the lawn that covered the garden before it, looking like it very much wanted to go have a nibble.
Lotus didn't know whether to laugh or cry. In any case, they were home, so it was a good time to dismount and walk.
Just as she raised her hand, Alyuin caught her by the wrist. Her fingers were loosely clasped, not using much force.
Lotus looked up, her eyes questioning.
Alyuin's lips curved upward. "Would you like to come over?"
It sounded like a question, but before Lotus could answer, that long, beautiful hand suddenly tightened its grip, pulling her onto the Princess's horse.
In an instant, the distance between them closed. Her back was pressed firmly against a chest clad in a leather jerkin. The softness of the young woman's body and the supple feel of the leather were rendered in minute detail to the goddess's sense of touch.
Alyuin leaned forward slightly, and her tied-up hair slid forward, the ends brushing against Lotus's waist.
"Hold on tight."
Alyuin whispered in her ear, a faint hint of laughter in her voice. She pressed Lotus's hands onto the reins and gently squeezed the horse's belly with her calves, and the fine steed began to trot lightly.
Alyuin's mount was a warhorse she had acquired on the border, and it would only obey her commands. The steed was strong and beautiful, its jet-black body sleek and glossy, but its four hooves and the tip of its tail were snow-white. When it galloped freely, its long, soft mane would fly in the wind, and not even lightning could hope to catch it.
This warhorse was born for the battlefield and the open plains, and it had accompanied the Princess through life and death countless times. Yet now, it was strolling slowly along the edge of the garden, having to turn after only a short distance, lacking the air of an extraordinary divine steed.
But it didn't matter. Whether in terms of endurance or its understanding of humans, this horse was one in ten thousand.
It ambled along with small, good-tempered steps, serving as a utility horse without complaint.
On its back, Lotus felt a little ticklish from the Princess's hanging hair. She wanted to brush the long lock aside, but her hands were fixed on the reins, and it wasn't easy to let go at that moment.
She could only try her best to ignore the strange sensation of the hair ends sweeping back and forth and said softly, "Did you want to go for another stroll, Alyuin?"
"I wanted to be with you." Alyuin paused. "Riding together outside isn't appropriate, but in our own courtyard, we don't have to worry, do we?"
Lotus glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw a maidservant tending to the flowers not far away, staring in their direction with a nonchalant expression. Upon being noticed, she immediately lowered her head to trim the branches and leaves in a clumsy attempt to cover it up, feigning diligence.
Alyuin chuckled softly. "You see? No one will say anything."
Lotus: "..."
She couldn't help but start to reflect. Had she and the Princess always acted so intimately that the people in the residence had grown accustomed to it, to the point that even an intimate act like riding together didn't seem strange?
For a fleeting moment, Lotus thought of the gossip-loving priestesses in the temple of Akhet, and also of the mouths in the corners of modern ballrooms, judging and commenting on others.
She subconsciously tightened her grip on the reins, but in the end, she said nothing.
This shared stroll didn't last long, because dinner was ready.
Alyuin let the warhorse, which had worked hard all day, return to the stables to rest. As she stepped onto the stone stairs leading to the entrance hall, she turned her head and spoke while removing her deerskin gloves.
"Asilu's performance is next Monday."
Lotus: "What play?"
"I'm not sure. Except for festival celebrations and sacrificial occasions, the titles of the plays she performs in are never announced before the show actually begins. It's just that..."
Alyuin paused, not finishing her sentence.
Rumor had it that Asilu could portray the gods so vividly that no one could resist the charm of her performance. It was almost as if a god had descended and possessed her, granting her such a moving performance.
There was just one thing: among the many gods, Asilu seemed to have a particular fondness for the River Goddess. Five out of ten of her performances were portrayals of Lotus.
Some said she was a believer in the Goddess of the Yilu River, but Asilu had never publicly stated her faith, only demonstrating her exquisite acting skills to the audience time and time again.
Suddenly, Alyuin didn't really want Lotus to see her performance.
Lotus was unaware of all this and only thought:
Oh, an actress with personality.
Alyuin shook off the strange thought that had arisen and extended a hand to Lotus. "Are you willing to watch with me?"
Lotus: "Of course."
She placed her hand in the Princess's open palm, and they touched for only a moment before separating.
On Monday, wisps of clouds drifted slowly across a reasonably clear blue sky.
It had just rained the day before, and a dampness still hung in the air. Carriage after carriage departed from their respective residences, their wheels rolling over the still-wet ground as they headed toward the royal city's only open-air theater.
Backstage at the theater, everything was in order.
"Asilu, are you still going to perform that scene? Won't the audience get tired of it?"
An actress who had already put on her wig sat to one side, watching the lead actress apply her makeup out of boredom.
"No one will ever tire of my plays." Asilu's voice had an indescribable, penetrating quality, as if it could drill its way through the cochlea and into one's mind. Some people would want to hear more because of it, while others would subconsciously feel uneasy and choose to stay away.
The actress froze for a moment, then fell silent.
Portraying a god might seem glamorous, but the preparations were very troublesome. Wigs and makeup that matched the god's described appearance were essential, and sometimes it required wearing heavy ornaments and wielding swords or long staves. It tested not only acting skills but also physical stamina.
The Asilu before her was undoubtedly a professional at portraying gods. She seemed born to play them, and every performance was flawless.
This famous performer was preparing her own makeup.
The makeup was on the lighter side, but the steps were tedious. She was very patient, dabbing a scented balm on her lips with her fingertips, unconcerned with whether anyone around her was watching.
Finally, Asilu picked up a silver-white wig with slight, wave-like curls and carefully secured it over her own short, pale-gold hair.
Grasping the handle of a brass mirror, she briefly examined her reflection. Asilu's expression betrayed no obvious emotion.
"It's almost time for the performance. Let's go."
Separated by the stage, the curtain, and a small open space in front of the audience, Lotus lifted her eyes slightly. All she could see was a linen curtain dyed black and red, completely concealing the stage.
Alyuin rested her cheek on one hand, her eyes turning to look at the goddess's profile as she gazed at the stage.
"You seem to be looking forward to it."
Lotus tapped the armrest of her seat. "It's alright. I'm just a little curious. Which play do you think will be performed this time?"
"The Rite of the Moon Goddess? The Hunt Under the Moon?"
"After all, today is Monday, a day belonging to Anmila."
Alyuin's guess was logical, but she actually had a premonition that Asilu would choose a play about the River Goddess. The only question was which one.
Just then, a roar of cheers like a mountain collapsing or a tsunami erupted from outside.
The seating in the royal city's theater was somewhat different from the beautiful grand theater in the City of the Sun God. It was more clearly tiered, and in the best viewing positions, the designer had used upright stone slabs to create several private boxes.
Three sides were enclosed by stone slabs, and the side facing the stage had a curtain. When one wanted to watch the performance, the curtain could be drawn open, and when one didn't wish to be disturbed, it could be closed again. It was very convenient.
At this moment, the curtain was fully drawn to both sides, and the large curtain on the stage below was also slowly opening.
On the stage, the actress playing the silver-haired goddess stood with her back to the audience and raised her right arm. A silk shawl, made in imitation of those on divine statues, slipped down with the movement.
The audience suddenly fell silent. Under the gaze of countless eyes, Asilu began to dance, performing a silent, interpretive dance before she began to speak.
The moment she spoke, the lines were from a play familiar to everyone.
"The strife of mortals has lasted a hundred years, causing the sky to fall and the earth to wither. My river would rather gather into a lake elsewhere than draw near and be stained with blood."
"I must choose a suitable tribe and help them establish a new kingdom."
Lotus gazed at the stage.
This play didn't have a universally recognized name, but it was often called "The River Goddess's Choice." As the name implied, it depicted the mythological story of Lotus choosing Solancia as the kingdom she would protect.
After her success, the people of Solancia lived and worked in peace and prosperity, and the River Goddess returned to the Kingdom of the Gods. It was a happy ending for all.
From a certain perspective, myths about gods intervening in the mortal world were likely reflections of a period of history that had once existed.
The real past might have countless ties to myths and legends.
Lotus had also pondered this issue deeply, speculating about her own forgotten past, but right now, she wasn't thinking about it.
Lotus studied Asilu's expression, her lips pursed slightly.
The "River Goddess" on the stage—whether in expression or posture—was too much like her.
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