TGS - Chapter 94
Chapter 94: The Performer
Having traveled through dozens of cities, Lotus had seen her share of performers playing her role, but this was the first time she had seen one who resembled her so closely.
As mentioned before, the true personalities and behaviors of the gods had little to do with the divine images presented in mythology.
But humans were unaware of this. When actors performed, they usually only referenced the version of the deity from the legends and firmly believed that the deity was just like that.
In Solancian mythology, the River Goddess was gentle and compassionate, like the quietly flowing Yilu River.
However, she wasn't like this all the time. When the Yilu River entered its flood season, the goddess's personality would become flamboyant and irritable, like the monstrous floods that submerged fields and towns.
Actors mostly adopted these two templates when playing her. One was kind and benevolent, like a carbon copy of the Earth Goddess; the other was irascible and fierce, much like the famous tyrants in the kingdom's history. Switching between these personas according to the play being performed often earned them applause and cheers from the audience.
But Asilu's performance was different from all the other actors.
The River Goddess she portrayed was cool and distant in every gesture. She was undoubtedly elegant, yet not in the aloof, otherworldly way people imagined gods to be.
If one had to describe it, the Lotus portrayed by Asilu was more like a gentle, quiet, and rather distant noble lady.
—More like the Lotus from before she transmigrated.
Lotus was very familiar with her former demeanor. Facing mirrors and video recordings, she had practiced more elegant and beautiful postures over and over again—it was what her parents demanded.
"It's not enough, not perfect enough. When you go out, you represent the face of our family. How can you only achieve this much!"
"Lotus, we gave you the name of the ancient Solancian River Goddess because we believed you could live up to it. Don't disappoint your mother and me, alright?"
Faced with this incredibly familiar demeanor, memories came flooding back.
Lotus closed her eyes for a moment, but her expression showed no change. Her breathing was calm and peaceful, not a single bit disturbed.
Only, her back subconsciously straightened a little as she watched the play more intently.
Alyuin had always been sharp, but even she didn't notice the subtle change in the goddess's eyes at this moment.
On one hand, Lotus was composed enough not to show anything. On the other, the performer dancing gracefully on stage was indeed so convincing that she had temporarily captured the princess's attention.
A complex look flashed across her face, and Alyuin turned to look at Lotus.
"Do you know her?"
Lotus shook her head without hesitation.
The princess's heart relaxed, but then her expression grew more solemn. When she looked at Asilu again, the assessment and vigilance in her eyes deepened.
Just then, Asilu on stage reached the most crucial part of the play.
The first Solancian king's army faced a life-or-death crisis. The River Goddess used her divine power to lift the waters of the Yilu River into the air, forming a colossal wave that blotted out the sky and routed the enemy.
It was this victory that laid the foundation for the establishment of Solancia.
The myth depicted this scene as both thrilling and magnificently grand.
Asilu danced before a backdrop wall covered in reliefs. Her performance had the exaggeration and artistry inherent to theater, yet it also seemed to effortlessly replicate the ineffably magnificent scene from the myth—even though she was dancing alone on stage.
But Lotus's focus was no longer on the play itself.
All sorts of speculations flashed through her mind. She looked down at the performer's fluid dance steps, her expression inquisitive.
Taking advantage of a spinning motion, Asilu tilted her head back and seemed to glance their way unintentionally.
In that instant, the real goddess and the person playing her met eyes.
Silver hair shining, blue eyes shimmering.
Her gaze quickly moved away; it might have just been a coincidence.
But neither Lotus nor Alyuin were people who would readily believe in "coincidences."
Lotus leaned back in her seat, turning the bracelet on her wrist with her fingertips.
Someone I knew in the modern world?
Or the incarnation of some god?
If it's neither...
Her expression grew slightly guarded.
Alyuin reached out from the side and placed her fingertips on Lotus's wrist.
"You seem very concerned about her."
This sentence held no other meaning, nor was it a sign of jealousy. It was an indirect way of asking Lotus if there was something wrong with this performer.
Or, to put it more broadly, could she affect Lotus?
The Goddess of the Yilu River pondered for a moment, then nodded and shook her head.
Alyuin said, "I understand."
She turned her head back to face forward, thoughts swirling in her brilliant golden eyes. After a moment, she said in a steady voice, "I will have someone investigate her background. If there is anything else you need done, please tell me."
"It may be a bit presumptuous to say... but I am here."
Lotus's previously somber mood suddenly lifted a little. The corners of her lips curved up slightly. "Alright."
How should she put it? The feeling was a bit hard to describe.
This young woman she had watched grow up was now fully fledged, like those two golden eagles, and was in turn trying to see if she could help her.
Cautious, and sincere.
Unbreakable.
Lotus suddenly felt a sense of peace. She lowered her gaze, the faint smile on her lips never fading.
The play ended not long after. Following the curtain call, the audience rose, still wanting more, and discussed the memorable performance with their companions.
"For Miss Asilu to possess such astonishing talent, it must be a sign of the gods' favor," they remarked with emotion.
A certain nobleman, seeing that the princess was also attending the performance, thought he had figured out her tastes and tried to curry favor. "Your Highness truly has exceptional taste. As a favored one of the Goddess Lotus, you must feel a certain kinship watching Miss Asilu's performance."
Alyuin: "..."
The nobleman pressed on: "Although Asilu's style of acting is different from other performers, I feel this is a truly soulful interpretation. What do you think?"
Alyuin shot him a cold glance.
With just one look, the nobleman felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cave and shivered involuntarily.
He didn't dare speak again. Although he didn't understand what he had said wrong, he knew it was best to shut his mouth at times like these. So, the nobleman silently watched the backs of the princess and her lady-in-waiting, still pondering where he had gone wrong.
Weaving through the crowded throng, the two of them exited the theater.
Alyuin let out a soft breath.
If there was nothing wrong with Asilu, the princess might have been in the mood to exchange pleasantries with the nobleman, and she wouldn't have minded showing friendliness as a fellow believer of the same goddess.
It wasn't that she cared, let alone felt jealous. After all, there were countless fervent believers of the goddess throughout the kingdom. If she got sour over every single one, she'd probably have to soak in lemon juice all day and never get out.
The princess pushed the thought aside. She had intended to return with Lotus, but a Royal Guard member waiting outside the theater stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, we've just received a message. Lord Carlton requests your presence for a discussion."
Carlton was a unique and powerful court official.
He was not from the high nobility but of commoner birth, and he was the leader of a faction composed mainly of commoners and minor noble officials.
During this time, Alyuin had been contacting other nobles and had also extended an olive branch to Carlton and his faction. They had yet to reply, clearly wanting to observe the situation a while longer.
Compared to the nobles who cared about the direct royal line, the pragmatist faction of commoner origin held little attachment to the so-called noble direct bloodline. They had been among the forces that supported Horst's ascension back then.
But now, whether Horst's actions lived up to their original expectations was a matter of opinion.
Overall, this invitation was a sign of Carlton's shifting stance and could not be taken lightly.
But as for Lotus—
Lotus said gently, "You should go."
Then she pointed casually nearby. "I'll buy some books first, then head back."
Alyuin left with her Royal Guard for Carlton's residence.
Since she had said so, Lotus walked to the bookshop she had been frequenting recently to pick out scrolls she could buy—in other words, ones she hadn't read. This was no easy task, as Lotus's personal library was nearly the size of several temples combined.
The bookshop owner kept glancing at her, beads of sweat forming on his face. He seemed very nervous.
As Lotus browsed the books, she had the leisure to wonder: Who has he colluded with? The Stubborn Faction or Horst?
The door of the bookshop slammed shut with a clang.
The light inside instantly dimmed.
A tall, burly shadow could be faintly seen falling on the ground behind her. It looked exceptionally menacing, a stark contrast to Lotus's slender figure.
Here we go, Lotus thought, already prepared to look down and see a corpse killed by the backlash of attacking her.
However, someone blocked the attacker's blade, producing a grating clang of metal on metal.
Lotus paused and turned to look.
It was Asilu, the woman who had just been playing her on stage.
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