Right now, we are at the Callisto Garden. It's been so long since I've last visited this place. I already have my mini Callisto Garden after all.
"Ali... haven't you been sleeping well? You're gaining baggages under your eyes," Brother Aeli spoke, pointing at my eyes. Well, I've been reading the book these past few days and I can't just stop! It's a great story!
And I even found out that the last Astra is named Alina as well! And I just can't help but to root for her too! I also learned about how and why the two Primal Luminars and the incarnations were cursed. There's still no mention about the one who did that, but it's a different God. A God equalled with Raini. Alina, the fourth Astra was cursed, and she got a heavy punishment, all of them did. Well...she's the incarnation of Aisha, and she tried to defend her God, and it cost her greatly. Like her God, she became someone who gets reincarnated in any world, without the memories of her past. Just, like Aisha.
Hah...those two seems pitiful. Lucky me, I still have memories of my past, hah!
Both Azrael and Aisha fell in love with each other, but it turned out that Gods falling in love with one another is considered a taboo. Alina did her best to reason out, that even though Aisha and Azrael are considered Gods in Lumia, they are different from the Gods above them and that their rules should not be applicable to the Primal Luminars. All the incarnations did everything to defend the two, and it cost them to become cursed.
For Asher, he gets reincarnated as well. But, his memories are not stripped off him. Wherever he goes, he carries all the past with him. That means, Asher was reincarnated here in Lumia as well, unlike me who was only transported here after I died.
For my Godmother, Ashley. It's also about reincarnation, but she will never be able to come back here in Lumia. Which made me confused because when I heard them talking, it sounded as if it was her who didn't want to come back here. Or maybe they only talked like that because I can hear them?
As for Athalia, she bears Azrael's Unyielding Flame now. It's a power that burns her flesh—since she's an incarnation of a God and is immortal, her burnt flesh are immediately restored. And then it will burn again. That means, Athalia...she's always in excruciating pain, but she never shows any of it. Maybe her body even became numb now. But, the advantage is she can use this flame.
Abel's curse is related to his core. This book clarified that each incarnations have five layers of divine cores. And Abel's was reduced to two layers. Pretty ruthless if you ask me. It might sound the most lenient one, but for someone who was once considered very strong, he became someone who's only one level stronger than normal humans. My pride and dignity won't be able to take this if it were me. Bro was nerfed.
"Ali?" I flinched and was sent back to reality when I heard Brother Dae calling my name. I've been so immersed to the book that I can't stop thinking about it.
"Oh, I'm sorry! What was it again, Brother Dae?" He stared at me for a moment, and exchanged looks with Brother Aeli. As of now, there are only us three because Brother Heli's busy with his duties as the Crown Prince.
"Are you truly alright, Ali?" I forced a smile and nod at them. Even Eri looks worried.
"Don't worry, big brothers, I'm fine!" I replied as I scratch the back of my head.
"You don't look fine, though?" Brother Aeli asked, and then he reached for my face. He touched my cheek and rubbed it with his thumb.
"Look at that black circles under your eyes. Don't tell us, you've been having nightmares again?" He asked, looking concerned.
"No, Brother. It's just..." I can't tell them about the book. Because I'm sure it's a secret book even if Asher don't tell me about it.
"I've been having a hard time to sleep. I don't know why..." I reasoned out. The truth is I just can't stop reading the book, because I'm so curious about everything. And I need to keep reading it if I want to know Dearil's name. Asher mentioned before that Raini descended here when he made this world, the Primal Luminars and when he planted the Essence Tree. Asher also said that even the Primal Luminars haven't seen him face-to-face yet, because the only one they met was his incarnation. I wonder, when did he planted the Essence Tree?
"Is that so? Do you want me to sleep with you, Ali?" Brother Dae asked, smiling at me. It'll be nice to have someone beside me while I sleep, but that would mean I won't be able to read the book peacefully.
"Really, brother?!" I reacted. I can't refuse him though, maybe sleeping with them once is enough.
"Yes, how about we take turns in sleeping with Ali? We can sing you lullaby as well," Brother Aeli added. I don't really have any idea about their voice when singing, but I'd like to hear it.
"Then, please stay with Eri and me!" I giggled as I crawl towards them and then hugged them both, even Eri tried her best to hug them! So cute!
"Then, how are we supposed to decide which one will be with Ali tonight?" My third brother asked.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" I replied while raising my right arm happily. Both of them looked at me with confusion all over their faces.
"What's that, Ali?" Brother Aeli asked. Of course, they had no idea about rock-paper-scissors. Are you serious? This world might be interesting but it's kinda boring living here. I had a hard time getting used to a life without internet...
"Oh, so it's like this! You ball your fist like this for rock, and spread your hands like this for paper, and then you do a peace sign for scissors. Rock defeats scissors, while scissors defeats paper, and paper defeats rock! You say rock-paper-scissors, and after that, you'll land your hand like this with your chosen item! Like this, Eri, come on," After I explained it, Eri and I faced each other as we ball our fist.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" I said, and after I uttered the last word, we both showed our pick.
Eri chose scissors, while I chose paper.
"Oh, that...Ali lost?" Brother Aeli asked, and I nod my head.
"Oh, we get it now! That's so easy!" Brother Dae added. Yes, rock-paper-scissors should be a common game, how come it does not exist here? The heck?
After they did a three rounds of rock-paper-scissors, Brother Dae won.
"Then, I'll be with Ali tomorrow night, and then brother Heli after me," Our poor crown prince is even included. I bet Brother Heli will be so busy with his duties that he won't be able to sleep with me at all...
It'll be nice if we can all sleep together, though. Should I suggest a camping?
"Greetings, Your Highnesses," we all turned our heads on our side when we heard Lia's voice. I smiled at her and waved my hand.
"Good afternoon, Lia!" I greets.
"Greetings, Selene—"
"Oh, please just call me Lia as well. If other people hears, they'll be curious. The Selene should be hidden and support from the shadows," Huh? Why? Is it because no one in this Era knows her? Is it because everything about the Era of Luminal Genesis are erased from the memories of everyone?
"Alright, Lia. Don't you want to become known to everyone," My second brother asked. He took the words out of my mouth.
"It's fine, second prince. My duties won't be affected by my popularity," Lia answered. I stared at Lia. There's no sign of her suffering from her curse at all. I wonder how she's able to tolerate the pain of the permanent burning from the Unyielding Flame of Azrael. She's so strong. All of them are.
Now I get Asher, why he's been avoiding the questions about the fourth Astra. It's because not only her was cursed, but all of them. It was really sad and tragic. The two Luminars just wanted to love each other, but they were cursed, and I'm sure they felt guilty as well when the incarnations, a.k.a their kids got involved with it.
What I'm most curious about is...who the hell cursed them?! And how come Raini couldn't even do anything about it?!
Hah...I'm so annoyed.
Is it because both Aisha and Azrael are considered as Raini's children that loving each other is not allowed? Well...that kinda—incest? Okay, just kidding. Even Raini let them do what they like though, it was just that one arrogant God.
"But, we can't hide it forever from everyone," Brother Dae added when Brother Aeli tried to convince Lia about making her know to the public.
"What do you mean, I was able to hide it for many centuries," Lia replied, looking proud.
"That was because you were sealed. Now, even the nobles are asking who you are," My second brother retorted. Well, he's right. The nobles will always find a way to look into her background for sure. But since it's Lia, an actual Selene, she'll be able to hide it, right?
"Well, at first...I planned to ask the Emperor to announce my identity to the public. I even told Bro Ash about it proudly, but I realized—if Virexon found out I am unsealed, we won't have a hidden card against him," What...what is she planning exactly?
"Then, you plan to stay hidden?" Brother Dae asked, and she nod her head while smiling.
"By the way, I am actually here to inform you about a visitor, haha! Uhm, what was his name again? Clovis Sigrid?" What? Uncle Clovis is here? What is he doing here?
"Uncle Clovis? Does he need something?" Brother Dae stood up right away when he heard that Sis Kae's father is here. How amazing.
"Maybe to report about their forests and jungle?" Lia answered, unsure. Well, that's the only reason for Uncle Clovis to come here. For sure Sis Kae is with him, that's why my brother reacted like that.
"We shall end this afternoon tea then. Themis, can you clean these up?" Brother Aeli asked, Themis bowed to them before she replied.
"Understood, Your Highness,"
And then after that, I bid farewell with my maids before as Brother Dae carry me.
"Let's go,"
*
"Greetings, Your Grace, Duke Clovis," I greets, bowing in front of Uncle Clovis. Making sure my posture and my hands are placed on the right place.
"Greetings, Your Highness, the Princess," he greets back, I giggled at him and he chuckled at me as he pinch my cheeks.
"My conversation with Rav just ended. We should be going now, but it looks like Lea wants to stay here for a bit longer. She said she was excited to see you, Princess," Well, it's almost been two months since we've last seen each other after all. I can understand why she miss me that much ~
"Also, Zain. I think it's time for you to go back to the North, don't you think?" Uncle Clovis asked, and the tone of his voice sounded as if he was ordering my brother to go there in a form of question!
"Ughh..." Brother Dae avoided his eyes with an annoyed expression.
Brother Dae is the Captain of the Third Knight Squad, and their squad is assigned to the North, as aid for Uncle Clovis' knights. It was also him who forced Dad to stay in the North, though, and now he's been here for almost three months now.
"Hah, I'd like to ask you for help too, since Kalea's being pursued by a lot of guys—even old men ever since you left—"
"What?!"
That was not just Brother Dae, but both Lia and I as well.
"Why the hell—even oldies?! That's disgusting! They shall be taught a lesson!" Woah...Lia looks really mad.
"Calm down there, dear friend. Of course, I won't allow them to lay a hand on my daughter. But, unlike before when the Prince was there, that none of them tried to send a letter at all. And when Zain left, they kept sending disgusting messages to my daughter,"
I blinked for a couple of times as I stare at Uncle Clovis who's shaking his head in disbelief. But, why does it seems like he's only acting...? Is he actually trying to convince my brother with that lousy act?
"I'll go back then,"
He actually convinced him!
"Ali, do you want to come with Zain?" Dad asked, I tilt my head and turned to him. Seriously?
"Really, Dad?" I've been stuck in the Imperial Palace boundaries ever since I was born and this is the first time Dad suggested something like this!
"Yes, like a vacation. Plus—Duke Clovis will definitely be grateful if Chan goes there for your lessons," Huh?
Uh, of course I'm not stupid to not realize what my Father just said.
"What? Do you like my Aunt Chan, Uncle Clovis?" I asked. Well, that's great!
"Yes, Princess ~ but, it aches my heart that she keeps glaring at me everytime I approach her," Oh...why?! He's gorgeous, rich, tall, kind, and strong! It looks like my Auntie is hard to get. I think they share the same age as well. They're both 29 years old.
Girl, my Aunt's already turning 30 without any lover at all? She's so cool! I wanna be like Auntie! She's so focused with her Duchess duties, I guess?
"P-Papa..." Sis Kae called, looking at her father with hopeful eyes. Hehe, Sis Kae agreed with Dad's idea!
"Oh dear, my daughter is looking forward to it. Then, I shall accomodate the Princess properly once she's in our humble abode,"
"Thank you, Uncle Clovis!" I immediately turned to Sis Kae, and then we run to each other as we hug together. Sis Kae is only few years older than me, and she treats me as her sister too!
I'm excited to spend time with her, and I'm excited to finally get out of this plaaace! It's not like I dislike being here, it's just—I've been seeing the same thing wherever I turn my head to, so being in another environment excites me!
"Oh, Lia should come with us as well, no?" Brother Dae asked, looking at Lia.
"Ehh? Why?" Lia asked.
"I mean, you're the...uh, Ali's personal doctor...?" That's right, Uncle Clovis have no idea about Lia's real identity, all he knew is that she's a new person in the palace.
"Oh, right. Then I shall go with the Prince and Princess," Lia smiled and she gave us a proper bow. I glanced at Uncle Clovis and he seem confused. I think he's thinking about something that is related to Lia.
I hope he's not doubting her.
Anyways, I'm so looking forward to the vacation!
***