"I'm exhausted."
I looked behind me while checking my suit. "Didn't you spend all day shopping?"
"Yeah, that's what I said."
I chuckled as I fixed my yellow cravat. I had harmonized it with my hair, wearing all black except for the tie.
"You know, I'm surprised by you," he said. He wore a purple ensemble personally sent by Viego, adorned with gemstones—even the shoes. He enjoyed that couch so much he decided to have some made as soon as we got home.
"Surprised about what?" I asked.
"Well, I know the relationship between you and your parents," he sat up, adjusting himself for the hundredth time. The stones were clearly a pain. "...Yet no fighting or drama. I expected fireworks. Did you get the ingredients we need in Emet?"
"Yep. The ingredients list is all there, along with a bunch of others. Let's pack them well. Some of those papers are hundreds of years old. A little water will be enough to lose those secrets forever."
"Roger that. My God..." He stood up, frustrated and fidgeting. "Let's go already before I burn this outfit."
"What are you going to do with it after tonight?"
I finished dressing and patted him down slightly.
"We'll take the stones out and make... napkins or something out of this fabric. Maybe a hat? I'll leave it to Lylly. Let's get tonight over with."
He was showing signs of annoyance now. Lylly must be a monster, too.
I never saw a more devoted couple. If you think Lylly Wold is a scary woman with those crazy eyes always fixed on her husband, just wait until you tally the men who died for a lustful look or a misguided word said about her or Anna.
He was unforgiving. The slightest misstep would immediately send the individual to hell. He beat Lylly's previous suitors over and over; it was ferocious, but those men ultimately thanked him for that suffering and were now his most dedicated followers.
He told me it wasn't jealousy, just a few occasional violent impulses. He was fine.
What was I supposed to do? Argue with an unhinged man lost in an all-consuming love? I don't think so.
"Let's go pick up Gilly. You'll like her."
We walked outside into the cold, and he grabbed my shoulder.
[SWOOSH]
My breath caught in my lungs, but we arrived right in front of the horses. His hand stopped my momentum and balanced me out.
"Let's hurry. I assume she has a warm, loaded carriage and all." He jumped onto a horse and covered his face with his scarf—also purple.
We rode against the strong winds for a while. I occasionally checked to see if he was still behind me until we arrived, and the guards—poor devils—let us in.
"I can't believe they don't walk in circles or something. They look like stone statues," he said once inside the main house, taking off his scarf and adjusting his jacket.
"I know, but it's not like they're told to stand still." I heard a thud, and a bruised brunette in a maid uniform slid across the floor. "Ah, Nora. Is Gilly ready?"
A giggle was all we received. Zephyr raised an eyebrow, but I ignored it.
"Please take a seat in the lounge; I shall check on my lady."
We walked inside, and he looked around with interest.
"This place has a different vibe. Classy."
Good eyes, Zeph.
"Indeed. That's my grandfather." I pointed at the painting, which took up half the wall above the fireplace.
"You look like him... except the mustache. Blessed as well?" he asked.
I stood beside him, looking up. "He was. The power of lightning. Raiden Malak Em."
"Hmm. Do you all have three names?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"What's Ciren's middle one?"
I smiled and warned him. "She can never know it was me. The real one is Nefalina."
"Adorable," he said, smiling.
We spent some time discussing other middle names in my family.
"...Gilly? That's just a nickname. Her middle name is Fedoriva. Irina Fedoriva Em."
"How come you don't introduce yourself as Julius? It's a good name."
His laughter every time it was said didn't match the words.
"It sounds pretentious. Besides, it's not a custom in Insatel."
"Hmm."
We heard footsteps and saw a very elegant lady, Gilly, who stopped in the doorway. She wore a black dress with a fluffy coat and a choker. Her jewelry was almost nonexistent, much like Zephyr's.
We stood up. "Gilly, meet my friend, Zephyr Astoria."
"My, my. Turn around for me, son."
Lord God.
Zephyr indulged her and did a full spin.
"Indeed. I approve. Good job, Julius. Irina Fedoriva Em... but you will call me Gilly."
He stepped forward and took her hand, placing a small kiss on it. "Gilly, it is. Umpfft... Julius told me a lot of great things about—ouch."
"Don't tease him." She playfully smacked his arm.
"Yes, ma'am."
She looked amused and took his arm.
"Let us attend this little gathering of Gods and monsters. Let's blend in."
She took my arm as well and led us outside.
"I like her," he leaned back and mouthed the words.
I had a feeling the feeling was mutual.
Outside, the carriage was unbelievably large, pulled by half a dozen horses in heavy armor. The interior had enough space to seat ten people comfortably.
"Tell me, my Zephyr... talk to me about your blessing. It must be something extraordinary if the Aragona boy is willing to celebrate someone other than themselves."
He smiled, sitting opposite us. "To best explain it... I can travel through space."
Well, that was light. Accurate, but light.
"I assume there's a great deal more to it. Flying?"
"No, Gilly."
"Enormous distances, then?"
"Yes, Gilly."
"I see. I would love to experience it."
"Happy to. But you need more clothing."
"Hmm. I see... to touch the stars." She said, absent-minded.
I remembered this.
"Like the story?" I asked.
"Indeed." She saw Zephyr's confusion and explained it in a few words. "Legends say Ehlite was able to touch the stars. Whatever that is supposed to mean. He was a man who turned into a God. The story itself is older than Dharma."
"I assume there is a great deal more to it," Zeph smiled.
I took over. "There isn't, really. It's a love story about two opposing sides at war. The man's lover dies, and he turns his rage against the Old Gods. Ehlite was added later by the Church, probably so they could integrate it into their stories."
"Hmm, good story, if somewhat sad." Gilly agreed.
Zephyr moved the curtain. "The Apostles Palace, huh?"
I leaned forward myself to take a look.
"If I ever imagined the devil's castle, it would be something like that."