After making contact, we had been at peace with the mortals for almost a century at that point. Being mistaken for gods was the most unnatural thing for most of us, but to Fate, it was as natural as her birthright. She revelled in the praise from them. So, when the suggestion to give them powers was brought up, it was no surprise Fate immediately rejected it.

We only helped this one land at that time and wanted to expand our gesture of peace to the rest of the world—but we saw how that went.

Flash back

“We could help them in the long run”. Jason always spoke with so much passion back then.

“Or we could just help them. They are not capable of wielding this power with their feeble minds.” Fate always had a face of irritation when discussing the mortals. She had it at that time as well. She dripped with disdain in her voice.

“They can be capable if they are guided.” Jason was a tall being with flowing shoulder-length hair that resembled fire in color. Blue eyes that shone like the stars, tanned skin. His nickname to those who loved him was Juju.

“Why take the chance? We could just keep doing what we are doing.”

“What, letting them worship us as gods? You know as well as we do, Lilith, that to allow them to worship us is to go against the one who really created us all,” Jason said, his heart clearly invested. He felt convinced then that he was right. That’s why it intrigued me.

“It's not like they need to know we are not gods.” Fate's face exposed her goals at that very moment, as I remember it clearly.

“Yes, they do. We understand, you love being looked at like a god, but this is no time for your ego. By helping, we owe it to them to show them how to bring peace to their world, like we have ours, and offer them the powers our people were once offered.”

“I agree.” I was quite handsome back then. My hair was still long, my eyes clearer, and that crown—just an accessory that had a lot of weight to it, both physically and symbolically. “The mortals need to learn. But before we just hand over power, though, we need a concrete plan. The first thing is to clarify with them once and for all that we are not gods or deities. Jason's points are valid. It makes things so much easier that way, as they can be more open to whatever else we share.” I held reports closer to my face. “Our people have a very similar background as theirs. So how about, at the next meeting, we see what we can come up with on how to address their issues and come up with a solid plan for them to receive the blessings and possibly take the oath? Until then, the meeting is adjourned.”

Kings office

“Lilith seems to be enjoying the mortals' praise.” Thallas writes on papers while at his desk.

“Yes, maybe too much.” Louis froze at his own words in surprise “Oh, I'm sorry, your majesty”

”No Louis” I said, waving off his panic. “Please speak your mind, that's what I pay you for.”

“ Sire if I may be frank.

“Please do”

“She is quite arrogant and seems power hungry. Sometimes, I even feel she seeks to put your brother on the throne because he's so devoted to her and bends to her every whim”. His glasses sat on the tip of his nose as he spoke, his black hair flowing effortlessly. warm brown eyes and golden skin tone gave him an air of distinction.

“You're quite observant. Louise you know your one of few humans allowed to come and go out of our realm”

“Why yes sire?”

”Do you know why”

“No sire”

“Because you're very smart. You see things. You move with purpose. You know when to speak, and when to stay quiet. You are a true gem”

“ I was always told A mind is a Brilliant thing but deadly in the wrong hands and an enemy in another's by my father.”

“Your fathers a smart man. Bring him by one day I wish to meet him”

“Yes sir”

I stood and walked to the door. “How about today?”

“Today, Sire?”

“How can I speak or rule on what your people need if I’ve never even seen everyday life? I only see the nobles, but I’m sure they are in Fate’s hands with the promise of wealth and glory. I need to look and see for myself if what they say is true.”

“Well sire my family would be honored”

“Don't bow, others may think I'm seeking my own glory too. Just treat me as you have since the day we met.”

“Yes sir”

“So, I heard Juju speak of some treat you all have called flavor shaved ice. I wish to try that, if we can, on the way.”

At Louis home

“Father, father!!!! Louise is home and he has the king with him”

In surprise, Louis's father spits out his drink he was having with his meal while sitting at the table.” What?! The king here? Oh goodness, we don't have time to clean or have enough food ready”

“Don't worry. I'm not hard to impress” This amused me and it was interesting to see this side of the mortal race.

“Your majesty,” the older man stood to bow. Unlike the nobles, he seemed more humble and never met my eyes. His humility was visible in his actions.

“Don't, please stand up. I'm here unexpectedly and I am hoping to shamelessly take advantage of what you mortals call hospitality. “ I bowed to show my respect, ginning teasingly

“It's no problem ,sire please rise” For an older man he's quite kind and gentle

“Please, relax. I’m here to experience the real mortal life and struggle that pledges you all. Not the one the nobles present. So treat me as you would a friend.”

“His majesty wants to try some of the street foods and see what it’s like during the yearly festival vs. everyday life.”

His sister was so energetic at the news that she wanted to inform everyone.“Oh,so you will be joining us for the cherry blossom festival.”

“Yes, I will, if it's okay with you all”

“Oh, I have to tell Shela. She's going to be so jealous of this”

“Sue, You will do no such thing.”

“But father...” Sue whined.

“No, his majesty is our guest, and we will not risk exposing him to unwanted attention.”

I couldn't help but laugh at the scene playing out in front of me.

“I'm so sorry. My family tends to be loud. Most families are not like ours”

“Your family reminds me of something we lost long ago. In our realm, loyalty is everything, but humanity… humanity is rare. I want to understand it.”

“Well, humanity tends to have some down sides.”

“Yes, yes it does, but the reward is alluring”

“Louis take his majesty to the guest room and take him to the festival with you and your sister and show him all the sights”

“Of course father.”

“Do we still have an extra festival garment for men in the chest? Go pull it out, Sue.”

“Your majesty you have to wear the clothes to have the full experience” sue was squealing as she ran to the storage room.

“Yes, I shall. I wish to have the full experience”

“Okay, it’s settled. His majesty will be staying with us as long as he wants, and as head of the family, you have my permission to use our home as yours while you're a guest here.”

Switch to the festival

“So this is called a skewer”

“Yes sire” Lois seemed more relaxed outside the palace then his usual self

“So, all the stalls sell different types of foods and each festival has aspecial dishes for that season?

“Yes sire”

“Interesting”

Sue ate heartily. “The ones with the meat and potatoes are the best.”

“Sue please, the vegetable one is best it has the most flavor”

“Brother, you’re so noble. You must worship the God of Peace since you have refused since childhood to eat meat.”

“It's not me being devoted. It's me still being unable to forget father slaughtering my pet pig”

“Oh, yeah, I still remember that.” Sue looks behind her

“Brother where his majesty”

“What do you mean? He's right here” Sorry Louis I had an important place to be.

Area on the border of the town

It was a beautiful place. It was also my first time seeing a place so lively, even when there wasn’t hardly any life around, but the plant’s life force was something I had never felt.

Under the night sky, where all I had at the time was the moon and stars as my light, I saw a river with a wooden half-circle bridge. Near the bridge was a very big tree. The leaves of the tree had a blue hue to them under the night sky. While taking in the beauty, I noticed, under the tree, a young woman. She was dressed in very modest attire. As I walked closer to her, I noticed she was leaning over an owl.

By the time she noticed, I was already at her side. She jumped to her feet, wary of me.

“I’m not here to hurt you. May I ask, what is that?” My curiosity got the better of me. These mortals are quite different.

“A baby owl.”Confusion laced in her words.

“Owl?”

“Yes sir, it's a bird that flies at night. They help keep certain animals population down so we don't have to worry about them becoming too much”

”Really?”

“Yes< they are friends of ours <but most people here see them as a curse because of their eyes.”

”Why’

“Because their eyes are viewed as being able to see the sound”

”Why that's foolish.”

“Yes, very much.”

“Hm people are very fearful of the unknown. Why is it bleeding heavily”

“Because someone shot it with an arrow. I was able to remove the arrow, but I don’t think he will make it.”

”Then why are you still here? If it's to die soon, why not leave?”

“Because no one deserves to die scared and alone”

“You’re quite intriguing.” My smile danced on my face at that moment because she sparked my interest.

“Intriguing is an unusual word that has been used to describe me. Usually, I get a different reaction.”

”What reaction do u usually get?” I think then she realized how close I actually had gotten.

“Sir, why are you speaking with a woman that is of no kin or acquaintance of yours?’”

”Your quite rude” this was a first, being spoken too like that

“I could say the same of you.”

”And quick-witted.”

“Only the smart survive “

“I thought the saying was ‘only the strong.’”

“That's only said by those who are too weak to see they are being used” that line right there sealed the deal on my investment in knowing what this young lady believed in.

“Quite a view.”

“If you don't mind Sir I would like you to leave me be.”

“Sorry I can't do that.”

“And why not?”

“Because I find this interaction quite fun and interesting. I haven't had this in quite some time.”

“ Unfortunately for your fun, I'm busy. “

“I can change that. “

“And how shall you do that fear sir”

I walked over and bent down next to the animal and laid my hands on it. A white light appeared around it and in the next second it was healed.

“You're a deity.”

“Not far from it. I'm a celestial as you people call us”

“Sir, I'm so sorry.” She was bowing and had fear in her eyes.It was the only time I ever saw that from her.

“Now, don’t lose that quick tongue you just had. I only healed it so we could have more time to talk. And it’s no fun if you start treating me like this.”

Who knew this was the beginning of the love I was feeling? I had never been in love, it was nice while it lasted.