Chapter: 14. The Flowers Fill the Garden (6K)
The nights at the villa in the outskirts are warm, with the twin moons cuddling each other, and fish leaping across the lake’s surface, creating splendid ripples, attracting the melodious chirping of insects on the shore, which adds a delightful texture to the night sky.
However, where there is joy for some, there is worry for others.
A hundred miles away from the villa, within the heavily guarded royal palace of the Kingdom of Komir, lies the sleeping quarters of the royal family.
The distance between each room is considerable, and along the central axis of the palace, royal knights stand guard day and night, ensuring absolute safety for every royal member residing there.
At this late hour, all the magic stone lamps in the sleeping quarters have been extinguished, and what lies beneath is a pitch-black view from above.
It seems that the bustling Komir Castle has also entered slumber with the night, waiting for the dawn to awaken and reveal its solemnity once more.
But in this moment, one splendid flat palace slightly set back in the sleeping quarters remains brightly lit, as magnificent as ever.
With a regal yet somewhat charming décor, adorned with elegant and ancient furniture, on its pink-painted walls, the royal crest stands out boldly,
declaring that this palace belongs to a beautiful princess.
Indeed.
This brightly lit palace in the deep night is the residence of the Third Princess of the Aulus Kingdom, Livra.
With her deep indigo long hair cascading to the edge of the desk, Livra grasps a quill tightly, fervently jotting down elegant characters on the layers of paper stacked before her.
Just by looking at her ink strokes, each page could easily be considered a work of calligraphic art.
Livra has practiced writing since childhood; being well-versed in literature and martial arts is the basic accomplishment expected of a princess.
Unfortunately, Livra is not currently practicing calligraphy.
After painstakingly writing on the heavily embellished “artistic” paper…
She pauses briefly to think and rolls it into a crumpled ball, and with a sudden motion of flinging her upper body onto the desk, the crumpled paper joins the pile of “paper mountains” already accumulated on the table.
Ah… so tired. How many discarded drafts has she written tonight?
She has lost count; Livra can only feel her head buzzing!
Since returning from the council chamber, she has been seated at the desk writing for over ten hours, and she truly feels on the brink of exhaustion!
A small crack appears in the door of the sleeping quarters.
Then, a middle-aged woman dressed as a palace maid pushes the door open and rushes towards Livra with concern.
Seeing the princess slumped over the desk, she thinks something has happened!
“Your Highness…! What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
“Ah, I’m fine, I’m fine… Don’t worry, Anna. I’m just a bit tired, taking a short rest. I’ll continue the fight after a while… ugh, so tired.”
Hearing this, the middle-aged woman lets out a sigh of relief.
This maid, whom Livra calls “Sister Anna,” is a senior member of the palace maid service at Komir Castle, having worked there for over twenty years, even before Livra was born.
Since Princess Livra’s birth, Anna has taken it upon herself to care for the Third Princess.
Though technically a maid, she has watched the princess grow and can easily be considered Livra’s second mother, a statement that holds no contention.
Thus, seeing the princess so exhaustingly worn out naturally tugs at Anna’s heartstrings.
“Your Highness, you’ve been writing since you returned this afternoon… you haven’t even had dinner. Is this really such crucial business? Why not take a short break? You must take care of your health and not overexert yourself…”
“Ah… thank you, Sister Anna, but I’m fine.” Livra replies, her face pressed against the desk, looking somewhat haggard, clearly not appearing to be okay, “Today’s work is somewhat special… very important. If I can’t write it down today, tomorrow will be catastrophic.”
“Catastrophic…?”
“Yeah, the future of the kingdom will be in jeopardy.”
“Is it that serious?!”
While Anna knew Livra to be playful and prone to exaggeration, this time, the resignation in her eyes showed she wasn’t in a joking mood.
It seems things really are that dire.
There’s nothing that can be done… after all, Livra personally promised at the negotiating table.
—She would try to persuade the First Princess of the Demon Race to turn hostility into peace, promoting the ongoing peace between the kingdom and the Demon Territory.
Saying it is simple… but actually doing it is fraught with peril. One wrong word could lead to being killed by the Demon Princess!
What Livra is currently writing are her intended words for the meeting with the Demon Princess tomorrow.
Yet no matter how she writes, Livra feels her chances of success are slim.
For instance, the previous line she wrote, “What does the princess like to eat? Perhaps the kingdom has culinary delights to your taste,” comes off as utterly nonsensical!
What kind of dialogue between the royal family of two nations opens with “What do you like to eat?” The Demon Princess would surely think she is insulting her!
The thought of saying goodbye to her beautiful world tomorrow brings Livra agony as she clutches her head, resembling a large hamster.
Seeing the princess so worried, Anna furrows her brows and attempts to offer advice.
“Your Highness, don’t rush… I don’t know what’s happened to make you this way… but why don’t you meet with His Majesty the King tomorrow morning? He should be able to help you.”
“Ugh… I just returned from meeting Father this afternoon.”
“What did His Majesty say?”
“Father said… he doesn’t have a daughter like me! Ugh… I know he was just angry, but I feel like I’m about to be kicked out of the family!”
“Your Highness, please don’t worry. His Majesty is usually furious with you nearly every day; such remarks from him are not unusual, you won’t be cast out of the family. Rest assured.”
“Sister Anna, you have a way of comforting people… I could cry!”
Livra flops onto the desk, adjusting the feathers on the quill while recalling the situation from her afternoon meeting with King Celtic.
She accurately reported the happenings from the council chamber, resulting in a very genuine reaction from the king.
—He almost fell from his throne!
Ugh, Livra considered if she should be more subtle in her explanation, but subtlety wouldn’t convey the urgency of the situation, while urgency wouldn’t ensure her father’s heart was safe.
After weighing the pros and cons, Livra decided to sacrifice her own comfort for the greater good, wagering her father’s health on it.
Fortunately, King Celtic has a strong mindset. He nodded in acknowledgment of Livra’s on-the-spot reaction in the council chamber.
However, he then sighed and shook his head, lamenting that his generation has faced a series of misfortunes, filled with dangers.
If he cannot persuade Snowpheia Halder, a fierce battle beyond anything in the past between the Demon Race and the Human Race is inevitable.
If he succeeds in persuading her, then both nations would enjoy a long period of peace and recuperation, and that would, of course, be the best outcome.
But the probability of successfully persuading the Demon Princess… does it truly exist?
Will the ruthless Snowpheia Halder patiently listen to Livra’s advice?
Celtic feels the chances are slim.
In comparison, the likelihood of having to retrieve his daughter’s body is far greater.
Yet Celtic certainly cannot stand by and watch Livra take such a great risk, so he suggested that Ecklight accompany her tomorrow, and with the Hero also present, having two Tenth Stage experts protect Livra would ensure her safety even if the negotiations fail.
But what the king didn’t expect was…
Livra actually rejected this proposal.
They cannot accompany her.
Because this meeting with the Demon Princess is not a negotiation between two nations but rather Livra extending an olive branch to Snowpheia in her personal capacity.
If the two Tenth Stage experts were to follow closely, this negotiation would start with hostility, drastically reducing the chances of success, and even if they hid in the shadows, Snowpheia Halder would likely sense their presence.
Celtic felt torn but admired his daughter’s courage.
As a member of the Aulus royal family… this sense of responsibility flowing through her veins seems to remind Celtic of himself, who once resolutely donned his armor to face the battlefield of the borders.
He agreed.
He allowed Livra to act according to her own thoughts, taking a chance that might determine the future fate of the Aulus Kingdom.
At the same time, Celtic informed all royal members, including himself, that they all needed to ponder what to say that might persuade the Demon Princess, and everyone must come to the castle in the morning to present their ideas.
This is not war, but it is far more perilous.
That said, Livra has no expectation that her royal siblings will provide any sound advice.
Although Livra may appear simple, she is not foolish.
She knows very well that her father holds her in high regard, which leads her royal siblings to present smiles on the surface while secretly vying for power, competing for one another.
None of them would willingly forfeit their claim to the throne; it is only natural.
Livra has no real interest in the throne; she simply enjoys her freedom. However, this does not prevent her from being a thorn in the side of the royal family.
She has expressed her unwillingness to become queen to her father.
Yet he said to let nature take its course.
The kingdom will ultimately determine the most suitable monarch, and as royalty, one should not easily relinquish their position.
Sigh… although it seems rather pessimistic, Livra feels that perhaps her royal siblings hope more for her to perish tomorrow than to help her…
But that’s okay.
After all, Livra has always firmly believed that in the most critical moments in life, one cannot rely on others; they can only depend on themselves.
Anna watches Livra, who has regained her spirit and is writing again, her delicate yet strong figure never having compromised with anything, and while she feels gratified, she is also filled with sadness.
She quietly utters her blessings and silently steps outside the palace, no longer wanting to disturb the princess’s work.
“Your Highness… I wish you all the best, may the divine protect you…”
Anna quietly steps outside the door, gently closing it behind her.
Standing guard at the entrance, she gazes into the distance.
She looks towards the small courtyard where the princess has lived for nearly eighteen years, and the distant sky.
The towering pines planted years ago have stood tall, and the fragrance of flowers fills the garden, where the young princess would often run amidst the blooms, chasing butterflies, her mischief evident.
Anna can’t help but smile.
After all, who would have thought that this small courtyard was once too small for the princess to run in? She yearned for a larger world, often climbing over the surrounding walls to run amok elsewhere, asking Anna to keep her escapades a secret. It’s hard to tell if it’s a continuation of her mischief or a testament to her growth.
But thinking of this…
Anna’s expression inevitably becomes somewhat melancholic.
The princess has begun to smile more, so much more than before.
Yet the princess…
When was the last time she smiled?
……………………………………………..
When Livra was born, she didn’t know how to smile or to cry.
There were rumors in the palace that the Third Princess was cursed at birth with a disease that rendered her “emotionsless.”
The king and queen would not believe such nonsense. They raised Livra like any other member of the royal family, ordering everyone to cease gossiping about the Third Princess, insisting on equal treatment.
Yet how could a verbal decree stop the rumors?
When Livra walked outside, she would hear children from noble families pointing and mocking her, calling her names like “Ice Block Monster” or “Cold Eyes,” and some even threw stones at her.
Livra ignored them.
Turning her back to their loud, sharp laughter, she walked away.
It’s not that she couldn’t get angry.
It was that she simply didn’t understand what those children were laughing about.
Not smiling… is that really so laughable?
Livra didn’t understand, for she was born feeling that there seemed to be nothing worth laughing about.
Because of this, no child in the palace wanted to play with her.
In the streets, the nickname “Ice Princess” circulated.
They said that the Third Princess was beautiful, with a pair of emerald green eyes, but regrettably, she was little better than a stoic.
Livra was cared for by Anna.
Although Anna also found this princess very strange…
Unlike the scorn of the world, she only felt sorrow.
At an age when children should be the most mischievous and playful, the princess had nothing but lessons on royal etiquette to occupy her time. When she returned to her chamber, she would sit in the middle of the courtyard, staring at the sky for hours, then maturely tidy up her things and go to bed, needing no one’s care.
—And yet, there was no joy to be found.
When Anna asked what toys the princess wanted, Livra blankly shook her head, saying she needed nothing.
She didn’t need anything, but Anna humorously brought her a small bird.
She hoped this little bird would accompany the princess as she grew and bring her some joy.
In fact, it truly worked.
While Livra still had no expressions, she would walk over and talk to the bird in its cage, even if her words were a language she herself couldn’t comprehend, the bird would tilt its head and chirp back, equally meaningless.
Even so, the young girl felt the charm of communication for the first time.
From then on, Livra took that little bird with her wherever she went.
It didn’t have to be caged; the bird wouldn’t fly away but would perch on Livra’s shoulder, keeping her company.
Just like the sky Livra often gazed up at.
The sky resonated with her, dropping this white feather, turning what was once unreachable into something mutually understandable.
Anna saw hope.
She continually encouraged the princess not just to speak with the bird, but to gather the courage to occasionally interact with children her own age too.
But unfortunately, it seemed Princess Livra had no such intentions.
She shook her head, cradling the bird in her arms, seemingly showing off her friend to Anna.
Hmm… Isn’t the princess remarkable?
Even if it’s just a small bird, she has successfully made her first true friend in life.
Initially, Anna believed that as long as the princess had time, everything would change for the better.
Until one day.
A royal procession through the palace.
It was a whim of His Majesty the King to hunt in the neutral area near the border with the Demon Race, leading a grand caravan and taking along some of his favorite children, giving them a glimpse of the harsher environment different from the Kingdom.
Seven-year-old Livra also joined the king’s procession.
Of course, Anna, as the maid serving the princess, accompanied her, as did the princess’s beloved bird, all fortunate to witness the vast world beyond the kingdom.
The procession went smoothly.
Just a day away from returning to the kingdom.
Then came unforeseen circumstances…
A torrential rainstorm at night battered the caravan, creating mudslides.
Fortunately, the strong warriors guarding the royal family used magic to intercept and block the mudslide, preventing damage. However, this sudden natural disaster temporarily scattered Livra’s caravan from the main force.
Misfortune doesn’t come alone.
While the scattered caravan waited for reinforcements from the main force, they were attacked by a group of mountain bandits.
There were not many soldiers guarding Livra, but they fought valiantly against the bandits, inflicting heavy losses, yet they could not overcome the sheer numbers. When the last soldier fell, the only ones left outside the broken caravan were the young Livra and Anna, who held the princess protectively in her arms.
The bandits, already enraged from their losses, became thrilled upon spotting the royal insignia on the caravan.
“Hahaha! What luck! What are we running into? Looks like this is the kingdom’s little princess? Brothers! Grab her and demand a hefty ransom from that king! From now on, we’ll hide out in the Demon border; they won’t dare touch us! Huh… why isn’t this little brat crying? How peculiar.”
Livra watched the blood-soaked ground, the blood on swords, even splattering onto her expressionless face.
For the first time, she felt discomfort in her heart.
Someone had died to protect her… while she had no power to change the outcome.
All she could do was sit there, watching them fall one by one.
But she didn’t know how to cry.
If she cried… would everyone return?
It all felt so sad…
She only remembered Anna fiercely protecting her, screaming warnings at the approaching bandits.
“You thieves… get back! Do you know who she is… Don’t you fear His Majesty will punish you terribly for this?!”
They didn’t fear it because bandits live their lives on the edge of a knife.
As the blade was about to descend upon them.
Anna was ready to fight to the death with the bandits, tightly gripping the broken blade in her hand, willing to perish with anyone who approached.
But in that critical moment…
—The little bird perched on Livra’s shoulder flew away.
A plume of white feather glided past Livra’s eyes.
In that instant, she seemed to see the clear, deep sky again.
The bird valiantly pecked at the bandit leader’s head, causing temporary confusion among the bandits, who had not expected a bird to swoop in out of nowhere.
That friend who had never truly “communicated” with Livra…
It seemed to understand everything.
But how could a small bird possibly stop the bandits?
Impatient, the bandit leader grabbed the flapping bird and viciously slammed it to the ground.
At that moment, all sounds in the world… seemed to freeze.
It lay still.
White feathers scattered everywhere.
The last low chirp sounded as if it were calling to the sky, like a final farewell to Livra, its friend.
“L-little bird?”
The bandit leader continued to curse.
“Tch, what an annoyance, wasting my time.”
Livra could only feel… that at that moment, she heard nothing.
The rumbling thunder, the trembling earth; everything became devoid of life.
Because she cried.
More torrential than the deafening thunder, more scattered than the fierce rain.
Livra’s first cry cut deeply into her heart.
She covered her face, crying out for the “bird.”
But suddenly realized she hadn’t even had time to name it.
—Is your name Livra?
—What is my name?
So that’s what the bird meant when it spoke to her back then…
Her cries shook the overcast sky, and a thunderbolt suddenly appeared from the clouds.
The bandit leader looked up, wondering why the weather had turned so strange today.
But he realized…
That golden lightning was heading straight for them!
“Get away!! Quickly get away!! Ahhhh…!!!”
It was too late to dodge.
The lightning seemed to have a life of its own, avoiding Livra and Anna, striking down the bandits, turning them all into charred remains before they even had time to scream in despair.
The lightning also avoided one thing.
—It was the scattered white feathers.
Livra couldn’t remember much more.
But she would never forget… the girl who appeared as if descending upon the lightning, landing lightly as a feather.
With silver hair, dancing gracefully.
Though she appeared not much older than Livra.
The gesture of reaching out with her hand as she turned back was immensely majestic.
She looked a certain way, one Livra couldn’t recall.
What she remembers is that the girl was smiling.
What she remembers is her patting Livra on the head and saying.
“Phew… that was close. I almost didn’t make it. I knew it was unstable around here! Are you okay? Hmm? Why’s there a little crybaby here? Tsk… I have a sister who cries too… such a hassle. I’m not good at consoling children, you know.”
“That crest… is it royal? This is such a mess. Never mind, there’s no one else here anyway. Little one, heed my advice, don’t cry. It doesn’t solve anything whether you’ve lost a friend or a family. You need to become strong.”
“Strong enough to protect your friends, so that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again. See? If I hadn’t come, wouldn’t you be done for? Just like that, I can protect my family! Hehe… so you need to work hard too, little one! So you won’t be sad. Ah… I call this, punishing the wicked and promoting the good!”
—Punishing the wicked and promoting the good.
This expression has been engraved in Livra’s heart.
The moment she ceased her tears, the rain gave way to clear skies.
A rainbow arched across the sky, and the shouts of her caravan seeking Livra echoed from the distant mountains. The stunned Anna finally reacted, shouting towards the caravan, stating that the princess was right here!
At the same time, the silver-haired girl, having come with the lightning, hurriedly departed.
She flew into the sky, merging with the heavens, disappearing from view.
Was that… an angel?
An angel from the bird’s world?
It must be…
Livra wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She went to gather the scattered white feathers, delicately wrapping them in a handkerchief.
Later, Livra buried the handkerchief in the small courtyard in front of her palace.
In the courtyard that followed, the bird songs multiplied, becoming many more.
Livra would often lie in the small courtyard, closing her eyes and reminiscing about the words of that silver-haired girl from that year.
Touching the soil beneath her, recalling the sounds of the bird.
Days rose and set.
The cycles of years urged the flowers to bloom in glorious splendor each season.
Then raising her gaze.
Without realizing it, the branches had become lush, and the garden was filled with flowers.
The birds nestled in the branches, chirping towards Livra, who smiled in response to the “Ice Block Princess.”
In truth, that so-called “Ice Block Princess”—the ice had melted long ago.
It melted into true emeralds, into a girl yearning for the skies.
“You! Your name is Little Blue!”
“And you! You shall be Wind Chime!”
“Do you like your names?”
The princess danced gracefully in the flower field, singing joyfully, arms wide open to the skies filled with birds, exuding a wild freedom.
In fact, the sky wasn’t that far away.
You were always by my side.
Your name… will be White Feather.
As white as the heavens, feather falling to return to the earth.
My friend, may you be well.
