“Sir, how long are you going to follow me?”

“I don't know, how long are you going to walk? The woods here are quite dense.”

“Well it is the woods. This path leads to most of the farms and water resources we use.”

“I see.”

She stops in front of him. "You're quite weird, you know."

Leaning in with his teasing grin, "Why, isn't that the kettle calling the pot black?"

When I started walking away from you at that time, I just couldn't help myself but to follow you. But this time, I made sure to walk side by side.

“You know I don't like you taking my catchphrase. “

“I'm a little confused still on what a catch phase is, but I will say I quite enjoy the irritation it causes when I use it.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you possess a smart mouth? That smile of yours with your words don't help either”

“No, I can't say I've ever heard that, but thank you”

“It's not a compliment. I meant it to be insulting”

“I pretty much deciphered that from your tone, which, might I say, doesn't seem all too humble like it was when we first met. At least then, you treated me with unwavering respect “

"You said there was no need to treat you special—hence, you're not anymore."

"Yes, but I didn't expect you to actually take me up on the offer. Don't you think it's improper?"

"I tend to take others at their word. So no, I don't. Why don't you stop talking and help me with this heavy bag I've been carrying that you didn’t even offer to help with?"

"Well, I would have offered, but I didn't want to offend your pride. But since you asked, I shall assist."

“Well thank you.”

She sets the bag on a cleared area. "Here, help me get the supplies lined up."

"What are these things for?"

"I'm making a kite."

"As she worked on the kite, I couldn’t help but be engrossed in her movements."

"Kite?"

"Yes, a kite. Don't tell me the great king doesn't know what a kite is."

"Well, that looks nothing like the trees I saw over the last few weeks."

"I never said I was blessed with talent."

"Indeed, you didn't."

"No need to co-sign. Instead of talking, why not make one of your own? That way we can fly them together."

"All done! We're ready to fly. Let's go to the field over there—it has way more space."

"She showed me how to fly a kite that day. I had never seen anything so simple yet so beautiful—and I’m not talking about the kite."

"Hmm."

"You know, I noticed something. The ones that look to be the same age as you are in school at this time. Why are you here and not there?"

"Because I'm different." When she said that, her whole face changed. That was the first time I felt like something was pinching my heart.

"How are you different from the others?"

"Because I'm a concubine's child, and because of that, my family doesn't see it fit for me to attend."

"Concubine?"

"Yes. I'm a child that is not from the main wife." Her voice and face kept catching my eyes then, because it was the first time since we met that I noticed sadness.

"I think I did hear your people take more than one wife but tend to mistreat the children of the lower wives."

"Yes, that’s what it is. Because of that, I've taken to teaching myself. Every day, I come out here or to the little shed on the estate I live at and study. Today is crafts and free time, but usually I have books, homemade ink, and paper."

"You're quite smart. Have you met my assistant, Louis? You’re just like him—you both pique my interest with your intelligence."

"No, I have never met him, but I've seen him plenty of times."

"Well, next time we meet, I'll bring him. We can meet officially at your home."

"No, we can't." The panic in her eyes told me then something was wrong.

"Why not? I know you're a child of a concubine, but we value knowledge and principles more than traditions of birth."

"No, that's not it. My family are followers of Fate."

"Followers of Fate? Well, that may have been so in the past, but we as celestials have ceased the inappropriate attention encouraged by your people. As we have all explained recently, we are not gods."

"Fate doesn't seem to be following your lead. The others have stopped, but she, she has continued in secret."

I'm sure at that time, my eyes said it all because I saw a look of fear on her face. Even though I was smiling, I'm sure she felt my anger.

"And my dear low-born brethren, how do you know what Fate has been up to?"

"She visits."

"Visit who?"

"My father. He is one of her believers… Sir, you seem angry, so I’ll be upfront. She visits my father quite often, and they talk about ways for Fate to keep her seat in power. My father and her are in alliance, along with the noble party from the mortals and some other celestials, to force your hand and maybe get you off the throne for your twin brother."

“I knew there was a chance she wouldn't like the ruling of explaining who we are to them, but I didn't think she would go behind my back and try to take my throne. Oh, what shall I do?”

"My lord, this is a big issue."

"Little one, do you believe her to be a god?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because if you all were gods, you wouldn’t be curious about us. You wouldn’t pity us also. Because if you made us, you wouldn’t wonder if we're worth helping."

"You are very smart. Here,take this."It was the first time my heart pounded—her words revealed something rare.

"What is it? A ruby necklace?"

"It’s a relic, it acts as proof that you have rights to enter our realm.It allows you to travel there without anyone’s help, and it’s infused with my power, in case you ever need it."

"Why give me this and why would I need your power?"

"Because something tells me you and Fate are not on the same page and when you're not on the same page as her you can become her enemy. If she or anyone who follows her ever makes you fear for your life, remember these words: 'Salvami.' When you say them you will be sent to the safest place at that time, and no one—not even me—would be able to find you unless you say the word ‘Casa”. It will bring you directly to me.

"Should I be scared?"

"You know better than I do."

"Why help me when we don’t even know each other’s names?"

"Because unlike you, I’ve already made my decision to make you a wife."

The shock on her face was priceless because she knew I was no longer teasing her.

"I know this is a lot all at once, but we can take our time so you feel more comfortable. It also gives both mortals and celestials time to find common ground and ensure your people have the resources they need to become independent. That way, we can finally stand as equals."

"You have to be kidding me."

"Far from it. I may not know your name, but I have this uncanny ability to see things."

"What things?"

"You don’t need to know. Just know I know more about Fate’s intentions than you think, and I also see your intentions."

"You can hear thoughts?"

"Quite smart indeed."

"You knew before I answered who my family was and how they viewed Fate."

"I’d be lying if I denied it."

"When we first met…"

"I saw your thoughts. You were thinking, next to the owl, and wondering: ‘If I had power I would save you and myself. But I would need to kill Fate in order to escape.’ Fate is my brother's wife and she’s very ambitious while he's very moldable. I keep my feelings to myself about how I view her, but hearing your thoughts made me want to say: You’re right to fear her. Ambitious people sometimes only see others as stepping stones to their goals—no matter how selfish they are.’"

"You want me to enter as your wife because I don’t trust her and I’m mortal."

"You could be the representation of mortals who don’t want the god system in place and want equal footing."

"So you want to use me."

"Yes and no. At first, I was just going to have you in a position at the kingdom like Louis, but I changed my mind after following you around for these few weeks. You want a family after you break free from Fate and your family. You want to marry and be happy like in your book. The thought of you marrying bothers me. So it’s only logical to have you as my wife. Also, marriage in our kingdom is viewed as sacred. Between one male and one female. It’s a bond neither party can break once you pledge in front of God. So what do you say?"

"I say, my name is Elizabeth. It’s from my mother’s homeland, which is across the sea. It means 'God is my oath.'"

"Well, Elizabeth, my name is Thallas. It means 'unyielding light' in my language. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."