Celestial Discord

Chapter 24- Broken Pieces

I woke up to a ray of sunlight in my eyes. Confused, I sat up and looked around me. My large but empty bedroom was replaced with a more condensed room with a smaller, but almost as comfortable, bed. My bag, which I had tossed on the floor before collapsing was still in its same position, along with my shoes that somehow scattered in different directions.

Deciding to have a small look, I peered outside of the window. To my surprise, the blinding sunshine combined with the smooth and calm currents deserved more credit than I gave it yesterday. If it wasn't for Amazons and ligers trying to kill me, I could easily mistake this place for a tourist attraction.

Well, I thought, I guess I should go ea—huh. That's weird. I'm not hungry? Aren't I usually always hungry in the morning? Maybe I just ate too much last night...but I don't remember eating. Did we even have dinner? In fact, I felt great. I had more energy than usual.

I shrugged. I'm overthinking things as usual. I'll just try to find food somewhere. Hopefully Ainia doesn't have me fight a lion for my breakfast. I laughed about it but the more I thought about it the more plausible it became.

I really hope she realizes I'm not actually strong. I thought to myself.

I threw on some clothes, not caring to match, tied my shoes and headed out into the corridor, where I nearly bumped into Queen Tali. Surprised, I couldn't do anything but watch as I was on a crash course collision with the tall empress.

Luckily, her reactions were better then mine by a long shot. Without even paying attention to me, she stepped back with me being mere centimeters away from her.

I let out a sigh of relief and she sighed, hers being more out of disappointment.

I bowed. "Ah, I'm sorry Queen Tali. I was careless and wasn't paying attention."

She raised her hand up to dissuade my notion. "Save your polite tone for someone who cares. Outside of the throne room and the public I don't want to hear it."

"Yes...Tali."

"Good. Don't make me tell you a third time." She said firmly.

"A third? When was the first?"

"It appears you weren't joking concerning your short-term memory."

I must've looked really confused because Queen Tali kept going.

"The elders had their own matters to attend to so our meeting was relatively short. Because of this, I was able to eat dinner with Ainia and your group."

What? I don't remember any of that.

"Did I, uh, act any different from how you've seen me so far?"

"How would I know what you are like? You are but an unwanted guest. A pest at best. It's my duty to get rid of you as soon as possible, not to learn more about you."

Good, good. Glad to know I'm wanted. Makes me feel very welcome.

"I will say, you were more inquisitive than I expected." She said.

"Inquisitive?"

"Yes. You were very interested in knowing about me and Ainia's adventure stories and encounters."

"Hmm? Did you tell me?"

"Of course. We have no secrets to hide. Besides, Ainia was quite happy to share her tales with someone outside the city."

"I can see that. She's a pretty energetic person. Pretty fun to be around."

"She is very different from the others. She looks at life very different from the rest of us."