The Sadness of a Deity Vol. 1

Part 17 - All eyes on her

Her eyes wandered as she walks around the Palace Garden, she glimpsed at Magiting's shadow. She always relied on Magiting when it comes to the safety of the people she cares about

" Aren't you suppose to be keeping eye on Rinsa?" she called out

the petals from the cherry blossoms were falling, she picks them up and smelled them then picks more petals and throws them around, Magiting looked at her and flew to the tree's branch

"There's this part of me that belongs here and a part of me that wants to go home Magiting" she says with her mind

All your answers are here Magiting replies  

She bit her lip as she turned around but she was startled to see someone in front of her, he bowed and apologized shyly

"I'm sorry, did I startle you?" he asks politely as his eyes were fixated to her

"How long were.... you standing.... there?" she asks slowly, trying to find the right words

"The time I saw you toss some flowers around the place, I'm sorry I mistook you for a child" he says softly "Are you one of the..waiting-"

"No" she replies firmly

He smiles again, he looked to regal to be a commoner. His clothes were made of silk of a shiny blue variant. Her eyes wandered to his necklace which had sun in it. She slightly smiles

"Do you like it?" he noticed "This was given by my adopted father, as a reminder that I am honorable no matter my bloodline is"

"The sun is the symbol of the South"

"The South is a beautiful mystery, although I have never visited there are so many stories of it"

"Like what?"

"They say it is the birthplace of the gods" 

Mara was quiet then she remembered that she had to meet with Batung and the others. She excused herself and quickly went back to the temple where she bumped someone

"I am sorry" Yeeun says apologetically

"Oh hello Yeeun" Mara greets warmly

Her eyes widened "Oh Priestess I didn't know recognize you" she exclaimed while circling her 

"Ah because of these clothes" she could feel herself being embarrassed "It's embarrassing"

"No it looks great on you!" Yeeun says happily " I came looking for you"

"Oh?"

both girls walked together slowly towards the Palace Halls. The other waiting women were a bit shocked with her and Yeeun's friendship but Yeeun seemed to ignore their glares

"The guards, they whisper that you are able to grant requests if it will be good for them" Yeeun started " I know I haven't done anything to please you but I can offer a gift" she takes a pearl off her hair, she sighs as she gives it to her "Please, help me."

- - - - - - - - 

"Please Priestess, accept this golden ring. I request that my son will be able to survive today, he is ill and there's nothing that the doctors can do" 

Young Mara just turned seven years old and she felt the weight of the jewelries  on her headdress. Her eyes were the only visible sight to the humans. She turned to Tia Bana and bowed at the woman and took the ring from her hand. She felt the woman's sadness and regret, that ring was from her late husband and the only thing that kept him alive inside her. And now due to her son's illness she had to choose between her son or the memory of her husband

"Lando will be well at midnight, burn all the clothing that he wore from the time he was sick" Mara finally says

the woman wept and thanked her then left.

"You did well" Tia Bana finally spoke up and patted her shoulders but Mara didn't reply. She felt nothing at all, just an obligation.

- - - - - - - - - - - 

"What's that?" Batung noticed her playing with the pearl hairpin

"It's an offering" she replies halfheartedly

"Oh? From who?" he didn't sound interested as he fixed her bed

"From a friend, her request is a secret" she smiles 

Batung seemed to please and sat across her "Friendship is good, it suits you" 

Mara liked the sound of that and kept the pearl hairpin inside her pocket, she doesn't plan to keep it for long. Eventually when the right time comes she will return it back to Yeeun just like the time when she gave back the golden ring that a woman once offered to her.

"Are you sure the King hasn't cancelled dinner yet?" she asked while biting her lip

"Mara, you are going" 

"As you wish" she sighs "It's just strange...."

Batung stops fiddling his thumb "What?"

"It's already a month, and I feel like I've lived here forever" she smiles " When I found out that my mother is dead I thought there was no point of staying. But now it's different"

"How different?"

"There's a part of me that wants  to stay".

- - - - - - - -

The Palace seemed busy with preparations, due to guests from the East Region. General Myong walked along with his special soldiers 

"Make sure Emperor Yokata arrives safely to our borders" he signals So to come 

"Keep your eyes on the Priestess, remember, she isn't used to this yet. If you feel that she might be in danger you get her out of the dining area" 

"Do you think there's a possibility? I could sit right next to her so she's secured at all times" he insists 

"That would be a great idea"

So bows and rushed to the temple to see the Priestess, as he was about to knock the door slides open. The first thing he saw was her big eyes, her hair was up. He could see the subtle freckles on her nose, her makeup was so light and natural that he felt like a statue just looking at her

"So" she says his name "What is it?"

"Ah Priestess, I couldn't recognize you since the clothes... and the tattoos are gone..." he was mumbling to himself

"What?"

"General Myong wanted me to escort you and accompany you to dinner, just to ensure your safety"

"Ah so I am unemployed!" Batung joked "Hi So"

So waved his hands in recognition

"Remind me again why both of you are so friendly to each other" she muttered "Okay soldier, lead the way" her smile was warm and sincere this time, his heart leaped again.