Light from the Shadow

Chapter 19

"So you are King Ekua's daughter? Nice to meet you, Princess Ayna. Thank you for coming today." Emperor Tana smiled at Ayna. The same sinister smile as his older son. He looked even scarier with a large scar across his face. A wound from the war, Ayna guessed. She returned the greeting and thanked him for the invitation.

"About the possible marriage between you and Kuan, your father insisted to wait for your approval." The emperor said calmly. Straight to the point I see... Ayna thought. "I can see the king treasures you a lot." He added.

"Father!" Kuan interrupted but his father ignored him.

"I hope I will receive good news from you, Princess Ayna."

Ayna smiled and bowed before the emperor. Kuan pulled her hand and walked her to the side of the hall.

"I'm sorry about my father, Ayna." He said apologetically. "Please don't mind what he said. I... I will respect whatever your decision is."

"Thank you, Kuan." Kuan was so sweet to her and she liked being in his company but marriage? She could not decide yet.

"Do you want to dance?" Kuan asked, trying to change the subject.

Ayna shook her head. "Sorry. I hurt my legs during the accident. Next time, okay?"

"Are you alright? Should I call the royal physician to take a look?"

Ayna shook her head again. "Thank you, but I'm okay. Let's go outside? It's kind of stuffy here."

"Sure." His smile returned. He put her hand in his arm and they both left the hall.

Rishi sat alone in his room with a book on his hand. He had been reading the same page for at least an hour. Nothing went into his head. He was just sitting, looking at the blank wall, taking in the air. The familiar scent he smelt since their carriages approached the east empire, had brought nostalgia. It was different from what was in Remblan – not that he could smell magi or anything, but he knew this scent. The smell of his childhood.

He gave up reading and came out of his room, walking alone in the corridor. He could hear the loud cheering voices coming from the Grand Hall nearby. As he passed through the inner garden, he heard voices, two people arguing. He stopped and hid himself behind a stone pillar nearby. He took a peek and saw two figures in the dark.

"But, Helten..." A woman voice was heard.

"We have talked about this before, Ares. No matter what my father said, I won't do it." Helten pulled his wife into his embrace.

"I'm sorry..." Ares whispered.

"I'll wait for you... no matter how long it takes..." Helten's voice was soft.

Rishi did not see anyone else within the vicinity. He carefully pulled out his dagger, gripping it hard. Should I show myself? He asked himself. Then, he took one step forward. Suddenly, he heard someone calling for the crown prince. He quickly hid himself again. He was so absorbed in his thought, he jumped when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. His dagger was now pointing at the neck of the person behind him.

"Ri... Rishi...?" Ayna was shocked.

Rishi was surprised to see her. He put away his dagger and apologized. "I'm sorry. I thought..."

"Are you okay?" She put her hand on his. It was cold.

Rishi nodded weakly.

"Princess... Ayna?" Ares called. She looked like she had just cried.

Rishi's body turned stiff. Ares noticed the man with his back on her was not her brother-in-law.

"Oh... this gentleman is..."

Rishi turned his back and a gasp escaped Ares' lips. "You..." She could not continue her words.

"Rishi." His face was smiling but his eyes were cold. "I'm one of Princess Ayna's humble servants, Your Highness."

"This is Princess Ares, Crown Prince Helten's wife." Ayna explained.

"I know." Rishi replied, still smiling. Ares' body trembled. She looked like she just saw a ghost.

"Are you okay, Your Highness? You look pale." Ayna asked.

"I'm sorry... I am not feeling well... please excuse me..." Ares quickly walked to the other side, leaving both Rishi and Ayna alone.

"Why are you here?" Rishi asked on their way back to their rooms. He did not see Kuan with her too.

"The banquet was boring... well, all banquets are."

Rishi chuckled. "Where is your prince? I didn't see him just now."

Ayna glared at him. "Not you too. I have enough with the emperor."

Rishi stopped. "You... met him?"

"Of course I did. Who do you think I am? Remblan maybe a small kingdom, but I'm still a royal. And he said he wanted to meet me." She retold the story of their meeting. "I don't like him though. He looks evil. You should see his annoying face!"

"I've met him before..."

Ayna stopped him. "You do??? When?? You've been here, in the east before?? I heard he was a war hero! Is it true?" Ayna bombarded the librarian with questions.

Rishi laughed. "I'll tell you someday."

Ayna wanted to protest but let it go. He had returned to his usual self, she thought. She remembered the look on his face when he pointed his blade at her a while ago. It was the same cold, menacing eyes he displayed when he fought those men in the mountain. She had wanted to ask him more. How did he know how to fight? Had he not always just a librarian? Always sitting, buried among all those old books in the Grand Library?

She glanced at him from the side. Rishi... who are you... really?

Both continued to walk, unaware of a shadow that was watching them from behind.

The next morning, Rishi was alone, buttoning his shirt in his room when he heard a knock on the door. He walked to open it, expecting Ayna or the maids. He was taken aback when he saw the woman he met yesterday was standing in front of the door.

"It's really you..." The woman said. Her eyes fixed on him.

The corner of his lips curled upwards. "Long time no see... Ares."