TGS - Chapter 183
Chapter 183: Deep Thought
As the protagonist of the recent myths, Alyuin's performance—was no performance at all.
The Princess was exceedingly calm, poised, and at ease.
Even when the common folk, having heard the bards’ tales, loudly discussed the epic poems praising the gods on the streets.
Even when certain officials and generals in Surinia, prompted by the priesthood, looked at her with an expression akin to gazing upon a divine statue.
Alyuin would simply give a slight nod, her bearing composed and majestic, making people sigh in admiration at the aura befitting a god on earth.
In contrast, Lotus, who was still not quite used to the priests’ fervent, face-to-face praise: “…”
Is this what they call being socially unflappable?
In any case, Alyuin was adapting well to her identity as the reincarnation of the War Goddess.
And while others grew more reverent toward her, the shift in attitude wasn't too abrupt, given that the Princess was already the ruler of the kingdom.
Although everyone seemed to already worship the Princess as a deity, whether Alyuin could truly ascend to godhood remained an unknown in the eyes of the other major gods.
There was no sign of a temple yet, and the new myths had not yet taken deep root in the people's hearts. Even if these conditions were met, the inscrutable rules of divinity were a major variable.
Moreover, the time required for a mortal to become a god was far too long. The faster ones, like the Goddess of Performing Arts and the God of Medicine, took several decades or centuries. The slower ones could take over a thousand years, like Lotus, whose mythological prototype had existed since the founding of Solancia.
Who knew how long Alyuin would have to wait?
A human who carried a myth was still a human. This god war, which was already nearing its end in the eyes of the gods, had nothing to do with her.
When Lotus’s main body returned to Surinia, night was just falling.
The sky had just darkened. The Temple of the Sun and Moon was brightly lit, while the Tower of Ascension was dark and somber.
In truth, only upon entering the tower could one see the corridors and halls filled with a soft, glowing light. It wasn't open flame, but it was nearly as bright as any lamp or candle.
On the lower level of the Tower of Ascension, the banquet hall belonging to the God-Concubine Naimaer was abuzz with voices.
This hall was not often used to entertain guests; it was usually where Naimaer enjoyed dance performances.
That’s right—the troupe of female musicians and dancers rumored to be kept by the God-Concubine. When the mood struck, she would even join in on an instrument herself.
This time, however, the Princess had just returned victorious after retaking a city. A celebratory feast was customary, but for some reason, the God-Concubine had instructed that it be held here.
The assembled generals: “…”
Celebrating a victory in a hall filled with night-luminescent pearls for the first time was, how should they put it, quite a novel experience.
When the banquet began, the God-Concubine had only planned to stay for a short while before leaving, but she was first stunned by a general who had volunteered to dance.
Using the pretense of offering a toast, Naimaer walked over to the Princess’s side.
“You’re just going to let them dance like that?” the God-Concubine’s voice was cool and melancholic.
Alyuin: “What’s wrong?”
A look of profound grief appeared on Naimaer’s face. “This is an injury to the eyes. I consider myself still young, and I have no desire to damage my sight so soon. I’ll call for the professional dancers at once.”
“There’s no need.” Alyuin was unperturbed. “What’s wrong with this? Let them entertain themselves. It builds camaraderie.”
Knowing she couldn't succeed in getting the dancing brutes off the stage, the God-Concubine sighed helplessly and raised a cup of wine in a toast.
The Princess gracefully accepted the toast, thinking to herself that she would stay a little longer before going out to find the silver mermaid in the pool, and wondering when Lotus would return.
Just then, the God-Concubine’s gaze swept from side to side, not seeing the black-haired female official who was always with the Princess.
To be honest, Naimaer always felt that Alyuin, her only remaining blood relative and sole niece, was similar to her in certain respects—for instance, her preference for women.
After hearing the new epic poem revised by the high priests of the royal city, Naimaer had found it strange.
She didn't know if Alyuin was truly the reincarnation of the War Goddess, but myths were written by mortals. For it to be released by the priests, the Princess must have given her approval beforehand.
The narrative poem subtly alluded to a romantic drama between the Goddess of War and the River Goddess, Lotus.
For example, many scenes in the story had background narration like, “The two goddesses met in the gardens of the divine kingdom, confiding in each other their resolve for the future,” or “The War Goddess chose reincarnation without telling the Goddess of the Yilu River. Lotus arrived a step too late, standing grief-stricken in the realm of the Death God”… and so on.
Yes, it was very much in the style of Solancian mythology.
As one of the few who knew about the special relationship between the Princess and her female official, Naimaer couldn't quite understand Alyuin’s intentions.
Perhaps it was similar to how past monarchs had people compose legends describing themselves as the child of some deity?
Although tying the story to an existing god would make it more believable, writing herself as the lover of the River Goddess sounded rather disrespectful.
After all, when writing divine love stories and hinting at romance, the default partner was usually Adia, the Goddess of Love.
As Naimaer thought this, her gaze toward Alyuin grew rather complex.
Could it be that she planned to use this later to claim that the female official by her side was an incarnation of Lotus?
A grand move.
Naimaer was filled with solemn respect.
Alyuin slowly finished the wine in her cup, raised her eyes, and spoke in a very business-like tone, “Aunt Naimaer, is there anything else you wish to say?”
Naimaer shook her head. Suddenly remembering what had triggered her thoughts about the new myth, her deep amber eyes narrowed in her pale face.
“Your Majesty, where is your teacher?”
“Out for a walk to clear her head.”
“No wonder you seem so listless. I say, you’re not thinking of staying just a moment longer before going out to find her, are you?”
Alyuin shot the God-Concubine a sidelong glance.
It was as if to say, You know the answer, so why ask?
Ah, youth, tsked Naimaer.
Naimaer waved her hand. “Go on, go on. I’ll keep an eye on things here.”
It was indeed a good time to leave.
Alyuin’s familial affection for her aunt was faint. Although they were partners, her trust in Naimaer was not high, so she still gave Lena a distant nod, indicating that she was leaving things in her hands.
Just before she left, Naimaer added lightly, “I’ve prepared a small gift for you. Remember to accept it.”
Alyuin: “My thanks in advance.”
With that, she turned and left the hall through a side door, while the officials and generals within continued to sing and dance, seemingly having a grand time.
Turning back to once again witness the eye-sore, Naimaer’s expression soured.
She shouldn't have casually said she would stay and watch. Why didn't she leave with Alyuin just now?
Damn it.
Alyuin returned to her residence in Surinia.
Arriving at the edge of the pool, she saw no sign of the silver mermaid. The water was clear, reflecting the approaching figure behind her.
A pair of cool hands reached out from behind and covered her eyes.
Alyuin paused, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turning up as she leaned back slightly.
“Do you want me to guess who you are?” Alyuin said. “Lotus.”
Lotus, having retracted her mermaid incarnation, fell silent for a moment. Her hands remained where they were, and beneath her palms and knuckles, she could feel the Princess’s eyelashes fluttering.
She hadn't actually planned on asking that.
Covering someone’s eyes from behind was already a very undignified, playful act. To then ask such a question would be too childish.
But since Alyuin had said it, Lotus replied in a deadpan voice, “Guess who I am.”
Alyuin feigned deep thought for a moment, remaining silent for a long time. The fluttering of her eyelashes quickened, tickling Lotus’s palm.
Finally, the Princess chuckled. “So it’s my goddess.”
Lotus leaned in, nibbling on the human’s earlobe.
Caught off guard, Alyuin’s breath hitched.
It seems those TV dramas had a point after all.
For instance, the fact that a person’s ears are very sensitive.
Lotus felt the Princess’s arm tense slightly, but no further reaction came. With great restraint, Alyuin took the hands covering her eyes, placed a light kiss on the edge of her wrist, and then released them.
“It’s a bit cold out here. Let’s go back to the room first,” Alyuin said nonchalantly.
Cold?
In the city of the Sun God, even at night, even in autumn, it couldn't possibly be that cold.
Lotus suppressed her confusion and returned to the room.
The two of them currently shared a bedroom, and a bed.
Purely sharing a bed, the kind where they would chat at night under the same blanket.
In truth, now that their relationship as lovers was confirmed, it was impossible for Lotus not to look forward to developing a more intimate connection.
Spiritual love was probably the model Nierde advocated, but the goddess of love was Adia, the goddess of love and desire. The juxtaposition of those two words showed that love and desire had always been inseparable.
Perhaps it was related to the bit of divinity still sealed behind a gate, or perhaps Lotus was naturally not particularly passionate about carnal matters. She seemed to have a slight inclination toward being an ascetic, almost asexual.
Of course, since she had already fallen in love, whether she was truly cold and ascetic was up for debate.
But Lotus was still looking forward to it.
Especially after each kiss, being so close to Alyuin’s stunningly beautiful face, it was hard not to have more fanciful thoughts.
However, to actually make a move on Alyuin, whom she had watched grow up, truly required some mental preparation. Fortunately, the Princess hadn't brought it up either, so she decided to let nature take its course.
By the time she reined in her wandering thoughts, they were already back in the room.
Just then, one of the God-Concubine’s maids arrived to deliver something. It was an exquisite gift box. Alyuin remembered Naimaer’s mention of a gift as she left the banquet hall; this was most likely it.
Lotus sat down by the window, her gaze falling on a nearby cabinet. She paused for a moment, then turned to watch Alyuin open the box.
Inside the gift box was a stone carving made from a material unique to Surinia. It depicted a serene golden eagle, its wings full and lifelike—a very standard and proper gift.
Alyuin picked up a scroll of parchment tucked under the carving. It was thick and sealed, with a single line written casually across it: For Her Majesty Alyuin to open personally.
This was the standard for a secret message.
Alyuin’s eyes slowly narrowed, a sharp glint hidden within. She couldn't help but wonder: was this secret intelligence from within Surinia? Or had someone developed treacherous thoughts that Naimaer couldn't deal with herself, hence the warning?
As her mind raced, Alyuin cautiously broke the seal and unfurled the parchment scroll.
Lotus, who had noticed the change in the Princess’s expression and drifted closer to look: “…”
Alyuin, whose mind had been a storm of blood and intrigue just a second ago: “…”
The image on the parchment was in full view: two entwined women.
The style of Solancian painters was as realistic as their sculptures, and the scene before them was no exception.
Since this was the image on top, the not-too-thick, not-too-thin stack underneath was likely filled with similar… ah, human art.
Lotus looked on for a moment with academic curiosity, while Alyuin, her expression unchanged, calmly placed the stack of parchment face down on the table and said flatly, “Naimaer truly has too much time on her hands.”
Lotus recalled the rumors she had once heard.
About the God-Concubine keeping numerous female dancers and the like.
Unlike Alyuin’s forced composure, Lotus felt no particular embarrassment about the scroll. After all, in the modern era of information overload, similar things would inadvertently pop up before one’s eyes even without actively searching for them.
Lotus had never specifically searched for them—even though she had been deeply in the closet before.
Alyuin silently rolled up the parchment, sealed it, and buried it at the bottom of a chest.
Lotus found this a little amusing and said in a warm voice, “Are you shy?”
The Princess raised her eyes. “Do you think so?”
The sudden change in address left Lotus a bit puzzled. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Then you feel that now is not a suitable time to discuss this topic?”
Alyuin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Normally, Lotus was not a god who pried, and the topic would usually end there.
But on a whim, she asked, “Then when do you think would be a suitable time?”
Alyuin answered immediately, “On the day of your festival.”
There was almost no pause between the question and the answer, showing that Alyuin saw no problem with this and was quite certain about it.
However, the day of the festival.
Lotus did a quick calculation. The next festival for the River Goddess was in five years.
Five years.
Lotus’s expression suddenly went blank.
That night, neither of them fell asleep quickly.
Lying still under the blanket, Lotus stared at the ceiling with her eyes open, while the Princess lay on her side with her eyes closed, lost in thought.
No matter how unhurried Lotus was about such matters, she wasn't so devoid of desire as all that. Five years… wasn't Alyuin’s sense of ceremony a bit over the top?
Although physical desire wasn't the most important thing compared to heartfelt love, wouldn't it be torturous to abstain for so long?
Alyuin was also in a daze.
She wasn't agonizing over the timing. What the Princess had meant to say was on the designated day of the River Goddess’s festival—which was in the early spring of the coming year.
Five years was impossible. Even if Alyuin had the patience to wait five years, there was no need for it.
But she was indeed a little worried about Lotus’s attitude toward desire.
During this time, Alyuin sometimes felt that she was the only one who became agitated after their moments of intimacy.
Lotus might be utterly lost in a passionate kiss, her face flushed and her breathing soft, but as soon as it ended, she would recover quickly, with no sign of lingering desire or being overcome by emotion.
Due to the busy affairs of war and frequent campaigns outside the city, such doubts didn't occupy her mind for long, but they would always surface for a moment afterward.
Coupled with Lotus’s reaction to the parchment scroll just now, could it be that the goddess wasn't that interested in such things?
If this were in the past, Alyuin could have explained it away by saying that a deity had existed for so long that they were accustomed to such things. However, Lotus had previously said that she only awakened when Alyuin was exiled to the temple.
Where would she have had the chance to see these things!
But she clearly seemed to enjoy kissing…
Alyuin felt a subtle sense of unwillingness.
Humans truly were greedy creatures.
Back when she had a secret crush, she only hoped not to be despised.
After confessing her feelings, she only hoped to be accepted.
Now that they were together, she was starting to worry that the goddess might be cold when it came to carnal matters, only accepting kisses and hugs.
Alyuin turned over and wrapped her arms around Lotus, her eyes still closed.
The breathing beside her was steady and rhythmic; it was impossible to tell if the goddess was asleep.
Her embrace tightened slightly as a thought rose and fell in the depths of her heart.
If she doesn't want it, then I'll force her to.
Like the wind echoing in a hollow space.
But the thought was quickly extinguished.
Alyuin sighed softly.
If Lotus really didn't like it… their current state wasn't so bad.
The next day, when Lotus went out to consult with the other major gods, Alyuin had a short period of free time.
After sitting quietly in her room for a while, the Princess once again retrieved the parchment scroll from the bottom of the chest and opened it with the intention of studying.
Alyuin was a quick learner. After a rough look through, the images were recorded in her mind, unlikely to be forgotten.
Another day passed. Lotus still couldn't get the five years out of her mind. As it happened, Alyuin was out for a military conference. After much deliberation, the River Goddess decided to familiarize herself with the educational illustrations of this era.
After looking through them, Lotus fell into deep thought.
The ancient Solancians certainly had their interests.
However, given that these things were a gift from the God-Concubine Naimaer, it was hard to say whether it was the ancient Solancians who were playful, or just the God-Concubine.
Lotus put the parchment scroll back as it was, feeling that this could not go on.
It was still unknown how long the Goddess of the Mind would remain dormant. The world of the gods was calm, and the wars between mortals were in a relatively quiet phase.
But if this matter wasn't resolved, Lotus was genuinely worried.
She feared that in a future confrontation with the Goddess of the Mind, her opponent might use some trick to induce obsessions or probe at her inner conflicts—after all, her divine domain seemed perfectly suited for such a move.
It would be a huge joke if, at that moment, the Goddess of the Yilu River’s inner conflict turned out to be five years.
That would be a real spectacle.
Lotus glanced again at the cabinet by the window and made up her mind.
She had to correct Alyuin’s misguided sense of ceremony.
That evening, upon returning to her room, the Princess received a stack of Snowtu flower petals.
Delicate and graceful script covered the surface of the petals. These were ancient Solancian love letters, Flower Letters filled with short poems.
Alyuin’s eyes widened slightly. “Did you—”
“I wrote them a while ago but didn't find a chance to give them to you,” Lotus said calmly, though she was actually a little nervous.
Not finding a chance was only part of it. More importantly, this was Lotus’s first attempt at the unique poetic style of ancient Solancia.
At most, she had only graded the little princess’s poetry on her exams long ago.
If Alyuin’s past struggles were due to her overly critical eye born from a high level of appreciation, then Lotus’s current hesitation was because she really wasn't good at writing.
Just because she had consumed the temple’s books didn't mean she could write poetry!
Alyuin didn't care about that at all. She gently held the Flower Letters as if they were fragile treasures.
“Lotus, I’m so happy.”
“I thought it was impossible to love you more than I did the moment before.”
Forgetting all about her post-intimacy agitation, Alyuin carefully placed the Flower Letters back on the table, stepped forward, took Lotus’s hand, and pressed a searing kiss upon it.
When the kiss ended, Lotus said, breathing lightly, “We have exchanged love letters now.”
Alyuin closed her eyes. “Mm.”
“Which means, we can consider ourselves engaged.”
Golden eyes snapped open. “Engaged?”
…Actually, exchanging Flower Letters only meant that one could get engaged, not that one was engaged.
But Lotus had naturally skipped over the process of parental discussion.
One was a god, the other a princess who had lost her parents at a young age. There were no parents to consult—
Ah, no, Alyuin’s parents were still around.
Albeit as ghosts.
Lotus froze.
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