Valley of Weeping Blood, Allied Army Camp.
Uther VII knelt inside the tattered tent. Both hands clutching the reply letter from the Eternal Night Empire. His fingers trembled violently. Yet in his eyes burned a fanatical flame.
“Your Majesty, what does this mean?” King Lorion stared at the parchment, his face pale as death.
“They’re coming to Dawn City?”
“This is a divine blessing!”
Uther VII suddenly stood up, his voice hoarse with excitement.
“The Sacred Body is willing to set foot on our land!”
“This is the opportunity she grants us for redemption!”
King Lorion opened his mouth to object.
“No buts!”
Uther VII’s eyes grew wild.
“Prepare the highest standard invitation immediately!”
“Use the finest parchment and the purest gold powder!”
“Beg her in the letter to grant us one month’s time!”
“To welcome her arrival with the utmost sincerity!”
He paced frantically inside the tent. “I want the Sacred Body to see our earnestness!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
King Lorion dared not argue.
“Inform the Five Great Kingdoms to begin preparations at once!” Uther VII continued giving orders.
“I want Dawn City completely renewed within a month!”
“All buildings must be repainted!”
“The streets paved with the most precious carpets!”
“The floor of the Holy Light Cathedral replaced with cloud-patterned marble!”
“The dome regilded!”
“The Seven Great Knight Orders to select their most handsome knights to form the honor guard!”
“All priests to wear newly made sacred robes!”
“I want the Sacred Body to see how desperately we crave her forgiveness!”
King Lorion shivered hearing these mad commands. But he had no choice but to obey. For he too felt the divine pressure emanating from the gods.
***
Night fell over the city of Yelin, the Silent Royal Court.
Ophelia sat on the throne. Holding the invitation letter dusted with gold powder. Every word dripping with sycophancy.
Humbly requesting a month to prepare for the arrival.
“Mother, they agreed?” Avira bounced into the grand hall. Her blood-red eyes sparkling with excitement.
“They agreed.”
Ophelia casually set the letter aside. “They asked us to depart in one month.”
“So they can prepare the ‘greatest welcoming ceremony in the continent’s history’.”
“One month? That long?” Avira pouted, a bit impatient.
“I wanted to see those knight orders right away.”
“Patience.”
Ophelia tapped her fingers lightly on the throne armrest. “Sometimes it’s more intimidating than power.”
“Go call Sylvia.”
“She needs to know this news.”
Avira’s eyes lit up. She dashed off excitedly towards her sister’s room.
Sylvia was buried in the third volume of the Imperial Culinary Compendium. This volume was about decorating techniques for various desserts. She was reading it with great interest.
“Sis!” Avira pushed open the door and burst in.
“Mother wants you!”
“Hm?”Sylvia looked up, blinking.
“What is it?”
“Good news!”
Avira grabbed her hand. “We’re going to Dawn City!”
Before Sylvia could react, Avira dragged her out. Sylvia stumbled from the sudden pull.
The Imperial Culinary Compendium nearly slipped from her grasp. “Sis, slow down!”
Soon, the two arrived at the majestic royal court hall.
On the throne sat their mother, Queen Ophelia of the Eternal Night Empire, quietly watching them.
Her blood-colored eyes unfathomable.
“Dawn City?” Sylvia clutched the book tightly. Her fingertips turned pale.
Ophelia nodded. “In one month, we will make a friendly visit.”
“No, no way.” Sylvia instinctively shook her head.
“I don’t want to go.”
“Why not?” Ophelia tilted her head.
“It’s beautiful there. You’ll like it.”
Sylvia bit her lip. “I… I hate sunlight.” She muttered a flimsy excuse.
‘It’s alright.’ Ophelia chuckled softly.
“Mother will shroud you with the Night’s Authority.”
“You won’t be harmed in any way.”
“But… I have social anxiety.”
“Sylvia.” Ophelia’s voice grew gentle.
“With Mother and Avira by your side.”
“I’m shy.”
“They won’t dare be rude to you.”
Sylvia despairingly realized she had no grounds to argue.
“Alright, it’s settled.” Ophelia made the final decision.
“We depart in one month.”
“Then… I need to prepare.” Sylvia made a last-ditch protest.
“No need.”
Ophelia waved her hand. “I’ve already arranged all your luggage.”
“One hundred sets of new dresses.”
“Enough for you to change every day there.” Sylvia’s vision darkened. She had wanted to use ‘not enough time to prepare’ as an excuse. But her mother had just handed her a whole month.
Even that slender hope was gone.
“Then… I’ll read.” Sylvia hugged the Imperial Culinary Compendium tightly.
“This book isn’t finished yet, one month might not be enough…”
“You can read on the road.” Ophelia smiled.
“We have plenty of time.”
“I want to practice making desserts!”
“The pastry chefs in Dawn City are more professional.”
Ophelia blocked that as well. “You can go learn from them.”
Sylvia completely gave up. She knew she couldn’t escape.
“By the way.” Avira suddenly spoke up.
“Sis, did you know?”
“They all call you the ‘Sacred Body’.”
“What?” Sylvia’s eyes widened.
“They think you’re some kind of holy existence.” Avira said excitedly.
“Even the Pope worships you.”
Sylvia nearly fainted. This misunderstanding was huge!
“I’m not the Sacred Body.” She weakly defended herself.
“But you really are special.” Ophelia said softly.
“Your deed of silencing an army of millions has spread across the continent.”
“That was just… just…” Sylvia was at a loss for words. She couldn’t exactly say it was because they were too noisy, right?
“So this visit is very important.” A gleam of expectation flashed in Ophelia’s eyes. “To let them witness your majesty in person.” Majesty my foot!
I’m just a socially anxious couch potato! Sylvia raged silently inside. But she knew there was no escaping.
“Fine.” She sighed resignedly.
“I… I’ll go back now.”
“Mm.” Ophelia nodded. “One month. Use that time to adjust your mood.”
After they left, Sylvia returned to her room and buried her face in the pillow.
“It’s over, it’s over, it’s over.” She mumbled gloomily.
“One month… is this the countdown to a public execution?” “What should I do?”
“Pretend to be cold and aloof? Pretend to be arrogant? Or pretend to be mysterious?”
“No, no.”
“I can’t even walk properly, none of that would look believable.”
She turned over, staring at the ceiling blankly.
“Should I fake an illness now?”
“Like a terminal disease, dying in a month?”
“No.”
“Mother would definitely call the best doctors in the continent.”
“Would see through it immediately.”
“Should I pretend to be crazy?”
“No.”
“My sister’s crazier than me.”
“Mother would just think I’ve finally gone sane.” Sylvia despairingly realized. She had no choice but to accept her fate.
“Oh heavens.” She sighed deeply. “I just want to quietly lie down and do nothing.” “Why must you torment me like this?”
It feels like looking at myself😭, social anxiety and shyness really give me a hard time