Of Daughters and Mothers

The light of the crystals streamed through rock carved into the shape of windows, illuminating the spacious chamber of polished stone where I found myself. The furniture was finely carved wood inlaid with small gemstones resembling jade, while the cushions, curtains, and other fabrics were emerald in color and, to the touch, as soft or even softer than silk.

In what could be considered a sitting area within the same chamber stood a chair that resembled a wooden throne, set apart from the rest of the seats. It was there I had been forced to sit after much insistence... and, honestly, it was hard to hide my discomfort.

But don’t get me wrong, I have no problem being surrounded by luxury. In fact, I’d say that earning such luxuries and comforts through one’s own effort is a goal worthy of respect, without diminishing the value of a modest life, of course.

The problem was that neither the chamber nor those luxuries belonged to me, but rather to my hostess: a beautiful young woman with long, dye—pink hair and sky-blue eyes, who was kneeling at my feet while examining a wooden scepter that looked more like the staff of a powerful sorcerer.

I felt like the guest of honor at a party where you don’t know anyone… and for some reason, you end up trapped in a room alone with the hostess… someone you also don’t know… and then she suddenly kneels at your feet… Mmm… I guess it’s not really an analogy anymore.

"There is no doubt, Your Imperial Majesty. This is definitely Ainaviel, the scepter of the previous Queen of the Spirit Realm."

My young hostess, named Lirilien, finally broke the uncomfortable silence and returned the artifact to me, lifting it with both hands as though offering it in tribute.

"Aren’t you going to ask me to give it back?" I asked, accepting Ainaviel carefully.

"Give it back? Your Imperial Majesty, my mother would have left it to me if that had been her intention," Lirilien replied, clasping her hands beneath her smile. "In fact, just like Coletto, I recognized it only because it matches every existing description of it."

"Is this the first time you’ve seen it?"

"Of course. My mother left it, in her own words, ‘where it was meant to be,’ millennia before I was born. If that place was in Your Imperial Majesty’s hands, I couldn’t agree more."

"Even so, I feel a little uneasy holding something that could be a memento of your mother..." My gaze shifted back and forth between the artifact in my hands and the smiling young woman kneeling at my feet.

"Your Imperial Majesty, if the time ever comes when I would be of greater use with the artifact in my hands, then please do not hesitate to entrust it to my care. But I have yet to prove my worth enough to accept such trust."

With a resigned sigh, I decided to keep the artifact for now. After all, it was true that it had been a gift from the Queen. It would be disrespectful to hand it over to the first reasonable living being I met, even if that living being was her own daughter.

My hands released the precious scepter before Lirilien’s surprised eyes, yet it didn’t fall to the ground. Instead, it sank into my shadow, disappearing within. That drew a few small claps from my hostess, though she quickly stopped, likely thinking it might be discourteous in my presence.

"Forgive me if my question stirs any painful memories, but I must ask all the same... Can you tell me what happened to the previous Queen of the Spirit Realm... to Guindelair?"

"Of course... or at least I wish I could. But the truth is that all the Primeval Spirits, ah, that’s what we call the original spirits, all of them, including my mother, left the Spirit Realm and all of Ameritia. No one truly knows where or why..."

"I see," I said, leaning back in my seat and closing my eyes. Learning that thousands of years had passed since I... (fell asleep?) was a rather depressing realization. But considering your existence, I still held some hope of meeting someone who knew me... though it seems that won’t be possible.

"I’m sorry I can’t be of help to you..." she apologized, visibly distressed.

"No, don’t worry! It’s not your fault!" I hurried to reassure her. "B-by the way... yes! Your father! Did your father also leave with your mother and the rest of the Pri... Primeval Spirits?"

"Your Imperial Majesty, I understand your memories may trouble you, but please, do not doubt my mother! I beg you!"

"I’m not following..."

"My mother’s only romantic interest was you, everyone knows that!" Lirilien said with an energy and enthusiasm I never would have expected from her when we first met. "The Saga of the Immortal Flower is the most important romantic literary work in the Spirit Realm. It tells the story of how the two of you met!"

"So... you mean... I’m your father?!"

"No, of course not. My mother had me on her own, a thousand years after Your Imperial Majesty left us. I have no biological father, so fortunately, I am not your daughter."

"I see... spirits truly are something else... wait... fortunately you’re not my daughter? Do I look like such a bad father?!... Well, if I really did have a daughter, it would mean I left her behind only to vanish without a trace. I suppose you could say that does make me a terrible father..."

"That’s not what I meant, Your Imperial Majesty!" This time, it was Lirilien who hurried to clarify. "I believe my mother had me knowing that you would return, so I could support you in her stead. That’s why she left me in charge of guarding the gates of Endalor instead of the Spirit Realm."

"And does that have something to do with it being unfortunate if you were to be my daughter?"

"Of course it does! My intention is to be part of the Imperial Harem, just like my mother!" Lirilien replied with the widest of smiles. "If I were your daughter, that would not be possible."

From outside the chamber doors came two loud, dull thuds, as if two people had just fallen hard to the ground.