Chapter 23
One Week
After finishing his bath, Einver sat quietly on his bed, replaying in his mind everything that had happened throughout that long day—from meeting the princess, to entering the city, and now finding himself within the lavish walls of the palace. He tried to think more deeply, to analyze what was happening around him, to uncover any hidden truth or secret motive behind what he had seen. But he quickly realized that he could not read people's hearts, nor foresee the future to know what was truly coming.
He decided to let events unfold on their own, to watch the future with calm eyes, and see whether it would stand with him or against him. As his thoughts drifted, a soft knock at the door broke the flow of his contemplation.
Einver rose smoothly and opened the door, finding a soldier standing before him, bowing respectfully the moment their eyes met.
"Honored guest, Princess Sun Mi awaits you."
Einver stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him, prepared for whatever awaited.
"Lead the way."
At his words, the soldier moved ahead, and Einver followed behind with steady, composed steps. Soon they arrived at a great chamber, its door carved with the image of a radiant sun. The soldier tapped gently, and a soft, melodic voice came from within:
"Enter."
The soldier bowed lightly and opened the door with courtesy.
"Please, honored guest."
Einver entered the room, and the soldier withdrew quickly, closing the door behind him without once lifting his head.
The chamber was vast, its design refined and resplendent with luxury. The bed was built of rare wood, its four posts cast in pure gold, while the wooden ceiling was adorned with delicate carvings. Drapes shaped like butterflies hung on either side of the bed, and at its foot rested a small wooden stool.
To his left, Einver noticed a large bath, decorated with chandeliers and ornate fixtures. Strong, heavy fragrances filled the air—scents that were neither natural nor gentle, but thick and overwhelming. He tried to ignore them.
His gaze shifted to a medium-sized window in the wall, where the princess reclined on her right arm upon an enormous chair. She wore a lovely pink garment; her hair flowed down over her shoulders, and a strip of fabric covered her chest and modesty, while the rest of her body lay bare. Moonlight spilled through the window, illuminating the fairness of her skin and enhancing the beauty of her face.
"Come closer, traveler Einver. Do not be shy."
Einver stepped toward her, standing beside the chair, then turned his gaze outward through the window that overlooked the city scattered with lights. He saw the townsfolk moving in the streets, working, passing between places. Lifting his head higher, he found the sky a clear expanse without stars, the moon at its center casting a soft, steady glow over the world, while the winter winds stirred now and then, brushing against his face and carrying strands of his hair behind him.
Princess Sun Mi regarded Einver calmly, then spoke with intent:
"Sit beside me, Einver."
He looked at the space she had made for him, and smiled faintly.
"There is no need, Your Highness. May I ask the reason you have summoned me to your palace?"
The princess gazed at him, her voice calm yet certain:
"I was captivated by you the moment I saw you, and I wish for you to become one of my men—my personal guard. What is your answer, traveler?"
Einver breathed quietly, his eyes fixed on hers, eyes that carried power and command.
So, Princess Sun Mi has not truly been captivated by me as she claims, and yet she has called me here, asking that I serve her as a soldier. There is something hidden in all this… what does she truly want from me?
Breaking off his train of thought, Einver looked at her in silence. After a moment he said:
"Well then, as you yourself noted, there is the word 'traveler' before my name. How could you expect a traveler to set aside his journey and settle in one place? Would you ask a bird to remain still at command—to surrender its freedom and its wings? I am like that bird in the sky, soaring without restraint, wishing to fly on my wings across the world, to see with my own eyes the truth of this life and find answers to my questions. If I were to remain in one place, would that not mean cutting off my wings and yielding my freedom? Are you prepared to abandon your rule of this city simply for a fascination with another?"
The princess was astonished. Never before had anyone spoken to her in such a manner. She sighed with clear frustration and replied:
"Why not? I would abandon everything for the one I love."
Einver gave her a simple look, then turned his face back toward the moon high in the sky.
"That is who you are. But as for me, I will not abandon my dream, nor my life, nor my path, nor what is mine—merely for infatuation, or love, or any other fleeting feeling."
Silence filled the chamber for several minutes, until the princess broke it:
"Do you believe my feelings are false?"
He caught in her voice a note of boldness, almost playful, and replied evenly:
"I did not say your feelings are false. I am only saying that I myself will not abandon my own path for the sake of someone I do not truly know. What would be the point of that?"
The princess exhaled, then said:
"Very well. Why not remain with me for just one week? After that, if you still hold to your decision, you will be free to leave."
She ended her words with a confident, radiant smile, as if certain that Einver would change his mind within a week. That certainty in her eyes made him pause.
I have not yet truly faced this world or its power. What if she possesses something that could seize control of my very mind?
Einver thought calmly, then his expression shifted from composure to a spark of excitement. He murmured to himself:
Never in my life have I encountered anything like this… They say you cannot know the truth until you live it yourself. And so…
"Very well, Your Highness. I will remain in this city. It matters not where I stay—whether in this palace or in some small dwelling. Circumstances do not define my life. Now, if you will excuse me, I am weary from the journeys of past days and wish for a little rest."
He left the chamber, closing the door quietly behind him. Under the moonlight, the princess smiled.
"You will be mine. That is your only choice, beautiful boy."
She licked her lips softly, smiling again as she turned her gaze away from the door.
"Come forth, Mo Bi."
At that moment, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Your orders, Princess."
Clad in black from head to toe, as though he were the darkness itself, he awaited her command. The princess spoke:
"Have Mo Ba spy on our guest, the traveler Einver. As for you—I want you to investigate his background. Where he came from, who his family is, what strength he wields, whence he appeared… everything about him, I want to know. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lady," Mo Bi replied softly, before vanishing once more into the shadows.
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