The Legend of Callistana

Chapter I

"Your Majesty, may I know what is your plan for Callistana? Where is she going to stay?" Ivoc asked politely.

The emperor looked at him. Even Ariya, the head of the priests and priestesses was waiting for his answer. Emperor Remenov seemed like he's still not on his right mind, probably still fazed by what just happened. It was because he really didn't believe that much to the gods and goddesses. But the face of the newborn baby and also the blinding light that enveloped her, proved that they were really true.

"It will be better if Callistana will stay here for a while, especially that she still needs milk from her mother to make sure that she will be healthy. That milk contains the nutrition that she need while she's still a child," Ariya suggested in a gentle voice.

The emperor nodded. "Let's do that. She'll stay here for the first months of her life. I'll go back to Ruana to prepare for her."

HE immediately left after their talked then he suddenly remembered that he didn't have a successor. He needs to do something about that.

He thought of the entertainer who went to the palace eight years ago, claiming that he impregnated her. He didn't accept it because he thought that Lissana could bear a child. He also didn't want to be connected to that kind of woman.

Now, if the child is a boy, and he's able to prove that it's really his, he will get the child from the mother. The kid is related to him and he's sure that his blood will be strong. But if it is a girl, he will not get it and he will just look for a woman to impregnate and conceive his child.

He ordered his men to look for that woman and her child then bring the two to the palace.

"What do you need from us?" the woman whose head was covered with a sack shouted

The child beside her had a sack on his head, too. "Mother!" he cried.

Emperor Remenov stood when he heard a voice of a boy. He immediately signaled the knight to remove the sack on the boy's head. His eyes immediately scanned the face of the kid. He stared at him intently then a victorious laugh came out from his lips.

The sack on the woman's head was also removed. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw Remenov. "E-emperor?"

The emperor didn't even glance at her. He just looked at the little boy. There's no doubt, he was his child. The kid's face was the spitting image of Remenov. His dark eyes and hair, even the other features of his face were exactly like Remenov's. The only thing the kid got from his mother was his curly hair.

"What's your name?" he asked the kid.

The boy's eyes were full of innocence while looking at the emperor. "R-romanov..." he whispered shakily. He's scared and intimidated by the strong presence of Remenov.

The emperor's smile slightly vanished. He really didn't like it when a person shows fear, sadness, or any negative emotion that symbolizes weakness. But nevermind, the boy was still a kid, he can still change and it's understandable because the boy grew up under the care of a woman, the reason why he's weak.

"Romanov? Such a good and strong name. There's no need to change it," Remenov uttered in satisfaction.

"No need to change? What do you mean? And now, you want to claim him because until now, you still don't have a child!" the woman shouted. Her eyes were accusing.

All of the emotions written on the emperor's face vanished as he stared at the woman. He didn't like the way she talked to him, her tongue was too sharp for his liking.

He walked towards the kid who unconsciously stepped back because of his mighty presence. When the emperor finally reached him, he put his palm on the head of the kid.

"I am the emperor of this empire and because you are my son, you will be the successor of my throne. For now, you will be a prince and the moment that my time of ruling is finished, you will replace me," Remenov uttered calmly.

The kid looked up to him in awe. Romanov's lips parted while his dark eyes twinkled in delight as if he began to see a beautiful life for himself.

"Really? Then I will never get hungry again, right? I don't need to work anymore. I can finally wear good clothes and I will finally have a nice home, right?" the kid asked consecutively out of excitement.

Remenov nodded. "Yes, you're right."

The kid smiled widely.

"Then it means that I am going to be the Empress Consort!" the woman announced in delight. Her eyes were even filled with tears because of so much joy.

The emperor didn't bother to look at her. He just signaled the knights to throw her out of the palace. The knights also knew that with that signal, Remenov was ordering them to kill the woman who had no worth in his eyes.

The woman was about to shout when she realized what was happening but the knight already hit her on her nape that caused her to be unconscious. While Romanov seemed like he didn't care to anything anymore. He had forgotten his mother and all he could think of was the luxurious and comfortable life that was waiting for him.

"Let's go. The servants prepared a lot of food for you," Remenov uttered then held Romanov's hand.

THE emperor was really delighted with the fact that everything was going as planned. Romanov was really his son and the gods granted his request. Now, he's ordering his servants to prepare the room for Callistana. Remenov was also looking for the best maids that will take care of the baby.

Once Callistana is finally ready to learn, he will immediately hire teachers who could teach the girl how to serve the next emperor. She also needs to learn how to act right as the wife of his successor.

During that time, Romanov was already studying the things he needed to know in order to be a strong and excellent emperor in the future.

Emperor Remenov heard the news that there are sequence of trouble and bad events to the different parts of Eawa but he never cared. He only focused on preparing and planning things for the Empire of Ruana.

Until one day, he received an urgent message from Celestes.

"They are inviting your presence, Your Majesty," Asaro informed him.

Remenov stopped from reading the reports from different kingdom under his empire then he glanced at his assistant.

"What is the reason?"

"This is about what's happening to the whole Eawa," Asaro answered while his head was bowed, avoiding to meet the eyes of the emperor.

"And that has nothing to do with me. What do they need from me?" Remenov rested his back on the chair then clasped his hands.

"According to them, the life of the baby is on risk, Your Majesty."

His forehead creased and he began to be alert. He's not really worried about the welfare of the baby but he's worried that his plans might be ruined. He had sacrificed a lot for it and he can't afford just to lose everything.

"The message was not clear that is why, it may be better if you personally talk to them."

Remenov shook his head then massage his temple out of frustration. He's busy, he had a lot of things to do. They disturbed him and he can't just refuse because it will affect his empire.

"Then prepare the carriage and ship. I am going to Celestes today."

IVOC led the emperor to the office at the temple. The head of the priests and priestesses was also there, waiting for him.

"Why did you ask for my presence?" Remenov asked after seating on the chair that was prepared for him.

Ariya glanced at him with sadness in her eyes. "We know that you are aware how chaotic it is on different part of Eawa, Your Imperial Majesty. People can't be controlled anymore. The kindness on their hearts was nowhere to be found. They are full of rage and violence."

The emperor nodded. "Yes, I know what is happening but I really don't care because everything is under control in my empire."

It was really under control because whenever someone started a trouble, their head will be chopped off from their body.

Ivoc sighed. "The reason of this chaos is the absence of the gods and goddesses to our world. They are not in Eawa anymore. They vanished."

Emperor Remenov's eyebrows knotted in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Ariya displayed a weak smile. "Since Callistana was born, the presence of gods and goddesses were never felt again. No one is guiding the whole Eawa now that is why it is very chaotic. This also means that the life in this world is going to be harder because no one will listen to our prayers for a good climate and prosperous harvest anymore. Everything is a mess."

His lips parted in shock. Since the beginning, their ancestors were already praying to the gods, asking for guidance and blessing, especially the people from Celestes. Now that they are gone, what will happen to the whole Eawa?

"Do you think, it has something to do with the baby?" he asked curiously. It's impossible that it was just a coincidence!

Ariya and Ivoc looked at each other then shook their head because they didn't know the answer for that question.

"But one thing is for sure, Callistana is the last blessing from the gods and goddesses. And anyone who will see her will surely realized that the baby is different. If they learned that divines are gone, Callistana will be in danger because she's the last blessing from them. All of them will try to get her."

Remenov's jaw clenched when he realized that Ariya was right. Everyone will try to get the baby because knowing that she's the last blessing from the gods, they will all think of her as a lucky charm. Her perfect face and golden hair are obvious signs of her being an enchanted one.

"Then no one should know about her existence..." he uttered.

Ariya nodded. "No one other than us and the people who you could really trust. We need to put her in a place where no stranger could see her. And when she grow up, it will remain that way. No one should know that she's the last blessing from heaven."

The emperor realized that his plans need to change. Callistana could not stay in the palace anymore because different people go there. He needed an excluded place for her to live. Hopefully, when she's grown up, they have finally found reasons and excuses about her origin. Or Ruana is finally ready to face the chaos it might bring.

He thought that everything will be easy after the birth but he's wrong. Callistana will pay for everything in the future.

"We will keep on praying, we will never stop hoping that the divines will come back here in our world. We also want you to get Callistana out from here as soon as possible because anytime soon, a lot of people will go here once they realized that the divines are gone. It will not be good for the safety of the baby."

REMENOV immediately prepared everything according to the new plan. He remembered that there was an abandoned palace on the northern part of Ruana. People are scared to go there because it was believed that monsters lurked there. It was near the border of the whole continent of Ruana that was why, the chance that someone might go there was too low.

They renovated the important part of the palace and just left its exterior to look like it was still abandoned. Callistana was brought there together with the chosen servants to take care of her and knights who were responsible for the security.

"She's still a baby but the whole empire of Ruana is already experiencing the luck and prosperity that she brings, Your Majesty," Asaro said.

Remenov smirked. "While the other continents of Eawa are messy and chaotic, Ruana is back to normal. No, Ruana is even better now since Callistana came." He sipped on his wine and cherished its exquisite taste. Remenov sighed in satisfaction then smiled. "The gods are on our side because the girl is ours," he added then laughed loudly that filled the huge hall of the Imperial Palace of Ruana.

HER personal maid gently brushed her golden hair. She enjoys brushing it so much because of its beautiful color. It was also very smooth and silky. The emperor strictly ordered to keep Callistana's hair healthy and well-kept.

"When will I be able to go outside? When I was younger, they told me that I'll be free once I am seven but I am already eight years old and until now, I still haven't stepped outside," Callistana uttered with her soft voice. Her red lips pouted in dismay.

The maid smiled. "Maybe next year, Your Ladyship. Don't worry, time will come that you'll be able to go outside."

She made Callistana stand in front of the mirror after she fixed her hair. Callistana stared on her reflection then carried the either side of the hem of her gown then she twirled.

The servant clapped her hands in amazement. "You are really beautiful!"

She's one of the original servants that were picked by the emperor to take care of Callistana but even after eight years of taking care of the girl, she's still astonished with the perfection. Callistana's beauty was just getting even better as time went by.

Her skin was just like the color of the snow but rosy on the right places. She never had wounds because everyone was strict on taking care of her since if ever Callistana got tainted with cuts however small it is, the servants will be severely punished as per ordered by the emperor.

Callistana's face was small and every corner was just perfect. Her brown eyes were always filled with kindness and innocence. Everytime she let out a smile, anyone who could see it would feel a certain warmth in their heart. Her voice was always soothing and gentle. Callistana is just the true definition of perfection.

All the servants treated her like a princess which was the exact opposite of how her male teachers treated her.

They both looked at the door when it suddenly opened widely. One of Callistana's teacher showed up.

"It's your time to study. Now, I am expecting that you could do your assignment perfectly. You have to fix shoelaces with light hands because you always have to do that for the next emperor, Callistana," he strictly said.

The little girl clasped her hands then slowly walked towards him. "If I will be able to do that, will you let me eat more for lunch?" she asked with her voice full of hope.

The teacher shook his head. "You're not allowed to have more than that. You should be trained to eat a small portion of food so you could easily maintain your body. You must not gain any weight."

Callistana's personal maid bit her lips to stop herself from speaking. For her, the teacher just spit nonsense. The little girl didn't deserve that kind of restriction when it comes to eating. She was still a child but she was being forced to eat less even her stomach was still not full. As a result, Callistana was a bit underweight.

"Now, show me what you practiced," the teacher said then he stepped his right foot forward. "Remove my shoe like how I taught you then put it back. I don't want to feel even a slight heaviness from your hands."

Callistana nodded politely then slowly kneeled in front of him that made the man smile sheepishly. It was a boost to his ego seeing a little girl with such beautiful face to be that obedient to him.

For him, whatever the women's status, appearance, age, and even position in the palace, they are all the same. They are meant to serve men.

"That's right. That is how gentle you need to be once you are already serving the emperor. Remember, you are living for him, Callistana." He chuckled then caressed the head of the little girl. "You are meant to serve and worship him, for the rest of your life."