Serenity of Moonlight [Resvetaeza Series I]

Justice is best served when it is hot. In a life where survival is a privilege, I have learned to make my way into everyone’s lives. Not because I wanted to feel a sense of belonging, but because I must adapt. A royal life has its own cost, and my family taught me how to keep the numbers even not by paying debts through service and loyalty, but by methods only my mind knows. It is not about fooling anyone. I am beyond lying straight into someone’s eyes. What I love is not measured by flowers and delicacies most women my age desire, nor defined by horses and warriors prepared to die for me. I do not need those. I can march my way to the battlefield and weave petals if I wanted to. Perhaps, what I really wanted after all is just a burning, hot soup. “You are not a Nerajaval if you are weak,” my mother’s words struck into me like the tip of her sharp sword, as if twisting my chest after a fresh cut. My throat savored the stock as it drew a line down my stomach, but it was halted by her beefy remarks before I could even enjoy it. All I want is to eat, at least, peacefully. “And I am not my father’s daughter if I don’t chase justice,” I quoted her usual words like a muscle memory of my tongue after hearing her previous line. They always come together. My mother sharply looked at me across the dining table. Her red hood was suddenly blown by the invisible wind, flashing her entire intimidating features right at me. Only if I am another person, I would have softened by her presence alone. With her both hands resting above and palms kissing the surface, one corner of her lips went up as if teasing or challenging me to something. I sighed and kept my stares at her, as I took a sip from my food. She is done having her dinner, and that is why she’s now coming after me. Always fond of entertainment. The table between us swallowed every little sound coming out from its surroundings. My favorite marble mug was the last peaceful noise ever heard in the middle of us, as everything around started to be engulfed in deafening silence. A dangerous deafening silence. Though, I know how long that stillness can live—because there is always an incoming raging disaster when it comes to her. As they say, the calm before the storm. “Loving the dramatic entrances,” I remarked as soon as I dropped the utensils on the empty plate and pretended not to look at her. Suddenly, a series of red water daggers lunged directly at me. The moment I looked back ahead, the sharp points of her attack almost pierced my skin—just a few centimeters away from my bare eyes. Passing those blades, I watched how my mother stood up from the other end of the table, pushing through my limits on how I could hold her back from me. I felt my orbs heating up while I am trying to fight back her surge of energy. It might look like a simple strike but given her force, it’s much more than just blades. The more she cuts the distance between us with the thumping sound of her combat boots, the more power I exhaust from my energy. “How long can you concentrate, my child?” she whispered as her hand swiftly passed through the back of my chair. Fuck. I could feel my mother’s line of strike trying to completely divert me from my focus. It was kind of aching, as if needles were continuously poking every nerve of my body. But I can hold it. I must. Just as I thought my mother’s power would blind me, she stopped her attack and looked at me. Proudly, I hope. “We move tonight.” Stomp filled my ears as the queen’s heels kissed the floor with elegance and kindness. The palace, as usual, was filled with sorcerer guards roaming around the halls. They are not as explicitly armed as expected, but the more hidden their weapons are, the more dangerous they can be. I grew up believing that everyone has something beneath their sleeves, may it be the sharpest sword ever existed or a lethal energy one spent his lifetime honing. “We shall set foot at Sortiara Gadhya to see the king before the day ends tomorrow,” the queen calmly yet authoritatively said to my mother, who is walking beside her, as they both trail the aisle towards her throne. I kept my pace behind them, quietly listening to their conversation, as they talked about matters concerning the kingdoms of the Magus Sortiara empire. The queen handed my mother a magic sealed scroll, orders from the king of the mages from the north. Or perhaps, secrets to be unveiled. As she sat on her power, I followed my mother when she moved aside. She was silent and prim, like an enemy never anticipated. But I know deep down that red hood, it covers her anger and keeps her sanity. I was about to turn my head away from them when I caught a glimpse of the queen’s hazel eyes, catching mine effortlessly. Surprisingly, for the first time, she directly stared at me and smiled. Yet as a sign of respect, I quickly turned away from her gaze and bowed down my head. “Forgive my discourtesy for staring at you, regina. I intend no harm nor disrespect on you,” I uttered halfheartedly, while keeping my eyes staring at the hem of her unbrewed coffee-colored gown. Like a history giving its vintage scent, her wardrobe seemed to be also filled with everything from the past. But I cannot blame her, it is her gift. Her life was shaped by the power of divination. A reverse divination. So no wonder why her essence remains like those skeletons buried a long time ago. “Rise, carus. It was indeed no harm,” she softly said followed by a short chuckle. Her hand touched my arm, and caressed it for a bit, almost causing me a rapid fire of repulsion. I stepped back and bowed down even more as a sign of acceptance to her kindness, and forced a smile in front of her before stepping down from her side to take my post just below her throne. Despite the distance, I could still hear them talking. “Protect this with all your heart, meistre. I entrust you with my will.” I kept my posture straight in front, pretending not to hear any exchanging conversation between them. But no matter how hard I tried to ignore their words, my ears continued to do their purpose. The next second, I heard my mother’s knee touching the floor. She must be kneeling beside the queen to accept that order, maybe, written on a piece of fancy parchment scroll. After their overly formal exchange, I moved out with my mother and parted ways with her on her mark. She went out of the palace, while I turned to the other direction to secure what we needed for tonight. “I shall serve that to the queen.” I stopped the servant from taking the midnight tea to its destination before she could even touch the entrance of the narrow aisle. She was about to ignore my words but when she recognized me, her face lightened up. “My apologies, dear. I appreciate your kindness, but the queen ordered me to deliver this to her, myself.” I paused for a moment after hearing that. For the past few years of my stay here in the palace with my mother, I have been giving her this. Why would the queen request such things? Does she know? “Her Regina is summoning me in her room. You will not dare to defy the queen’s orders, will you?” I commanded my card over her, while still keeping the soft and kind facade in my tone. She looked at me and met my eyes. Hiding my intentions, I smiled and bowed down a little bit, as a respect for an elder. I cannot risk being caught at this very crucial moment. Oh, please. The heavens are with us tonight, servant. You should, too. Just as I thought she would not allow me, she carefully handed the tray with an earthenware teapot paired with an engraved teacup, a gift from the queen’s niece. “Make sure Her Regina takes this, carus. It is different from the ones you used to give her.” Flashing a soft smile, I nodded and gladly received it. I directed her to leave the queen’s tea to me and went straight to her sacred room. Before I could reach the guards, I checked the tray for any suspicious elements. It is better to be safe than to be the cause of problems. As soon as the guards figured out my shadow, they all bowed down upon my presence. With the tray in my hand, I commanded the aisle. “Meistre Draigh’s calling all of you at the hall. Move at once,” I gently announced and simply walked towards the queen’s bedroom. When all of them faded from my eyesight, I went inside and greeted her with my usual atmosphere. There, I found her reading another scroll with the mark of the northern kingdom, Sortiara Gadhya. It must be another letter from her brother. I bowed down respectfully despite the utter surprise in her face when she saw me, instead of her head famulus. After a formal greeting, I carefully walked to her sacred space filled with gifts and souvenirs from her beloved ones. Without another word, I filled her cup of tea and handed it to her cautiously, avoiding any mishaps on her part. I felt my lips forming a short smile when she unhesitatingly took the small cup from my hand and sip from it. But as I was about to continue celebrating in my mind, her next words sent shivers all over my spine.