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It was the start of a new morning in the Eternal Page. Neither the sun nor the Chrysos Heirs had risen yet. However, the pink haired physician was as active as ever and so was the lavender haired maiden that accompanied her. Their steps were silent for they did not want to wake or alert the others; a reason why Hyacine left Little Ica in her room.
Yet Hyacine herself was struggling to stay silent, she wanted to talk, perhaps scream. Normally she would be cautious, but the confidence she had built from the past few times she had done this had left her excited, even giddy.
She took deep breaths, keeping herself together until they reached a small room with one glass display at the center. A glass display that contained none other than the Imperator’s Crown. It’s where Cerydra stored her crown whenever she neither wanted nor needed to wear it.
“Ah! She’s still asleep.” Hyacine exclaimed before covering her mouth, seeing that the crown was still in its case.
Seeing her friend’s excitement, Castorice gently tapped Hyacine on the shoulder.
“Still putting it up?” Castorice whispered, hoping to ease some of Hyacine’s excitement.
“Mhmm!” Hyacine nodded, clutching a multicolored pad of sticky notes against her chest. “It’s been a while since I had first done this, but she would always invite me to the Dome of Stars to spend time together. Sometimes we chat, sometimes we just keep each other company.”
“That makes me wonder...” Castorice mumbled. “If she stores all of these somewhere. Before, I wouldn’t be able to touch anyone, so if anyone sent me such sweet notes... I would keep them somewhere safe.”
“I think she would too, Cassie.” Hyacine responded, imagining how Cerydra could be storing the notes she kept sending. “After all, despite her ‘tyrannical side’, she has a big yet lonely heart. So this note I’ll send her would be just that!”
“Don’t you want to give her a big hug too, Cassie?” Hyacine asked.
Castorice could only smile warmly, seeing how her friend was starting to get giddy again. “Your words just gave me another reason to want to embrace her then, Miss Hyacine...”
“That’s wonderful!” Hyacine exclaimed. She was beaming at Castorice’s answer, knowing how much Castorice now wanted to hug everyone. Not wasting another moment after that thought, the physician embraced Castorice. The latter was surprised, yet leaned into Hyacine’s hug.
“I wish then, that you are given that chance to give her that embrace, Miss Hyacine.” Castorice whispered.
“Thank you, Cassie. I hope so too” Hyacine replied before reluctantly letting go of her embrace. She wanted to stay like that, to talk more about the Imperator with her friend, but she saw the sun start to rise. Its rays shone first on them both, and then on the displayed crown. “But, let’s head back to the courtyard before she wakes up.”
---
Feeling one small ray of sunshine reach her eyes, the Imperator came to. She stretched her arms with a yawn before groggily scratching her eyes, waking her up further. She wanted to rest more, sleep more now that the problems plaguing Amphoreus are gone. Yet, just as much as she sought to rest, she longed to chat with her subjects more. It was an annoyance, having to choose between both options.
But as the Imperator, it made the second option her priority. After all, there was someone from the latter generation of Chrysos Heirs that piqued her interest. Someone who she was curious about, someone who was also curious about her.
“Dux Lucens...” Cerydra muttered to herself as the thought of her pink haired junior crossed her mind. Thoughts came flooding in she thought about Hyacine. A train of thought that couldn’t be broken even as she started her morning routine; washing her face, then boiling water for tea.
In the countless cycles of Amphoreus, there wasn’t much time that I have spent with her. But... I do recall that one occurrence when I performed onstage with her alongside Dux Goldweaver and dear Dux Gladiorum. While anything could happen with each occurrence, it was quite an odd one that we managed to meet despite the eon between our lifetimes. Is that why she kept sending me these notes? But... that cycle is so vague. It’s like a dream that’s hard to recall!
The Imperator’s train of thoughts led her to opening the curtains to let the light into her room, creating a good place to read. She gently sets a notebook on the table before sitting down. Opening it, it contained sticky notes pressed to the pages of the notebook.
The notes were of varying shapes, sizes, colors and messages. Yet each one was full of whimsy, something that Cerydra found endearing. Some of the notes were cheerful encouragement, some were doodles about Cerydra and her crown, some were silly banter such as “The shape and color of this note reminded me of the patterns on your hair, Great Imperator.”
Cerydra let out a small chuckle whilst going through the compilation of notes Hyacine had brought her. It was one of Hyacine’s talents after all, getting close with others without crossing boundaries.
Both Dux Lucens and Dux Brumalis are subjects of mine who have no fear when it comes to speaking out their thoughts. However, Dux Lucens’ words are just warm compared to the frigid words of her ancestor.
“I want to make more memories with you, Great Imperator”
“I couldn’t think of anything to say today, but I wanted to give you this!”
“Great Imperator, tell me about your way of Flame-Chase, please?”
Cerydra found herself laughing out of joy as she read through each one. Hyacine was... as the Great Imperator put it... a ray of sunlight.
She took a good view of the realm her window overlooked. A bright sun which had already risen, shining light on the Eternal Page; a sight which will never tire her no matter how many times she has seen it. She could see the sage beginning to feed the dromas, the deliverer and the prince starting their day by sparring against one another, and the myriad Tribios running and flying through the realm.
“I suppose it’s time for me to join them too.” She told herself before standing up. “After all, a Monarch is from her subjects and should be by their side too.”
She gazed one last time through her window, and a proud smile formed on her face when she saw dear Dux Gladiorum playing her violin with Dux Goldweaver. Her mind recalled that occurrence again, yet someone was missing from that troupe just now. And so she scoured the sight until she found Dux Lucens, who was relaxing in the Twilight Courtyard.
Hyacine, who was glancing at the Imperator’s Window from time to time, noticed Cerydra looking at her. She waved at the Imperator, who nodded at her.
“Oh! Cassie, looks like it’s time.” Hyacine exclaimed, getting up from her couch. Seeing that the Imperator was awake, the physician knew that it wouldn’t be long before she would meet her again under the dome of stars.
“Go!” Castorice beamed. "I'll keep watch of your courtyard."
Back at her room, Cerydra gently closed her notebook. “Alright, my dear Dux Lucens... What message do you have for me today?”
Cerydra did not make any attempt to deny it to herself, she was looking forward to seeing another one of her junior’s notes plastered to her crown. She was wondering what kind of whimsical joy her junior had shared this time. She took a deep breath, calming herself before opening the display.
Seeing the contents of the note, her eyes widened. This note was similar to the very first one Dux Lucens gave her.
“Share your lifetime as Chrysos Heirs with me?”
Those were the words written on the very first note that Dux Lucens had written for her senior, something that Cerydra had compared to the promise she made with Dux Gladiorum. The note Dux Lucens gave her today was just as sentimental as the very first one she wrote.
“D-Dux Lucens...” Cerydra stuttered.
She was gazing at the crown and the note. She wanted to remove the note from the crown, to immediately add it to the ever growing compilation of Hyacine’s notes.
“Not yet...” She stopped. She wore her crown with the notes still attached to it, adjusting the crown’s flame such that it did not scorch the note in any way, yet was still visible. “I’ll still have to hear what you have to tell me about this one, Hyacine.” She told herself before making her way to the Dome of Stars, holding the notebook closely against her.
---
The Imperator closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before entering the Dome of Stars, not that she was nervous, but because she was excited.
Taking one step into the ethereal staircase, Cerydra could see that Dux Lucens was already waiting for her. The latter was sitting by the edge of the dome, looking at the countless stars in the cosmos. While she loved everything in the Eternal Page, she found this place to be her favorite. Whether it was Dux Lucens or Dux Gladiorum accompanying her, she would always gaze at the stars that once represented dreams of conquest, now represented endless possibilities.
Getting closer to Dux Lucens, Cerydra could hear her humming a light tune. “Mm—mm-mm... hm-hm—mm-mm-mm.” Dux Lucens hummed, the tune starting with a D#, lowering a few steps, then rising and falling again, concluding at a C#.
Hyacine was deep in thought, as if she was reminiscing about something. That was until she heard the Imperator's footsteps, to which she jumped up with a spring in her step, turning to greet her.
“Ah! Great Imperator! You’re here again!” Hyacine exclaimed. She could tell from Cerydra’s micro-expressions that she had read the note she’d been given; as if Cerydra wearing her crown hadn’t made it obvious already. “Do you have something on your mind? Normally I would recommend a trip to my courtyard, with snacks, books, and everything. However, I don’t mind keeping you company here too~! Staying under the stars.”
Cerydra’s excitement gave way to a still feeling, eased by how calming Hyacine’s words and expressions were. “Hmph! I haven’t been to your courtyard yet, and you think I’d rather stay here?” She replied, holding back a chuckle, yet the sound of Hyacine’s laughter made it difficult to do so.
“Oh? Then how about I bring the courtyard here instead? I could even have Little Ica fetch us some snacks while I carry the other things...” Hyacine looked around, already imagining the space it would take to set up her courtyard here. Yet she paused at the thought of Little Ica bringing snacks. “If... she didn’t eat all the snacks on the way.”
“Heh...” Cerydra chuckled, her smile widened from Hyacine’s words. “I never thought you’d make me laugh, Dux Lucens. Quite the contrast to Dux Brumalis. Though... I should pay your courtyard a visit some time soon. I’ve heard good things about it from Dux Gladiorum.”
Hyacine’s face lit up upon seeing the Imperator’s joy. “I promise you that it won’t disappoint you! I’ll look forward to your visit!”
“I’m sure of it, Dux Lucens, and I’m looking forward to visiting your courtyard too.” Cerydra agreed, sitting by the edge of the dome and patting the spot next to her.
“But for now, I’ll take you on your offer. I accept your company, Dux Lucens.” Cerydra adjusted her crown as Hyacine sat by her side. Feeling the presence of her junior beside her, Cerydra adjusted her crown, bringing attention to the note that was stuck there. “But, there is something on my head, my dear Dux Lucens.”
Cerydra’s heart raced when she remembered the contents of the note. Even if she had read the message already, she wanted–no... she needed to hear Hyacine say it herself. Yet as much as she was eagerly anticipating, she was also anxious. Just that... she was hiding her emotions, just as she was also hiding her story.
She chose to be forgotten at the end of every occurrence she lived through, not wanting anyone to define who she was. And yet, here was Hyacine, her junior... her junior who was eager to learn about her; her junior who wished to spend the rest of their lives together as Chrysos Heirs.
Hyacine picked up on the Imperator’s micro-expressions, the way the latter swallowed before informing her about something on her head. And so she laughed to ease the Imperator’s mood before holding her hand. Cerydra gasped silently, the tension leaving her face momentarily as a result of Hyacine’s gesture.
Hyacine’s laughter continued, bringing her other hand above Cerydra’s; both hands now clasping her Imperator’s.
“You’re correct, Great Imperator! There is something stuck to your crown again!”
They both know what they were about to tell each other. A small yet cherished routine they’ve formed over the time they’ve been chatting under the stars. All ending with Hyacine reading the contents of the note she had given for that day.
Yet today would be different. While Hyacine was laughing, she brought her other hand over Cerydra’s, until both of her hands clasped her Imperator’s– as if to say “It will all be alright, dear Imperator!”
Cerydra nodded, and continued their routine. You and your talents, Dux Lucens.
“Then, be a dear, Dux Lucens, and take it off for me, will you?” Cerydra asked.
“As you wish, great Imperator!” Hyacine exclaimed before taking in a deep breath, returning her hand to Cerydra’s; note held between her fingers.
“Great Imperator, I want to understand you more. I don’t want to know you only as my senior Chrysos Heir, or as my Imperator. I want to know you, just you, if you’ll allow it. Who you are. How you feel. The things that make you happy.” Hyacine recited. Her eyes were closed, as if she was speaking from the heart.
Slipping back into their usual exchange, Cerydra responded with a proud smirk on her face. “How earnest... Do you know who wrote it, dear Dux Lucens?”
“I don’t know, Great Imperator.” Hyacine looked up into the stars, pretending to think of an answer. “It’s quite the mystery... Every day, someone would always put a note on your head, then we would read it together!”
“Quite the mystery? But we have cleared out the names of each Chrysos Heir!” The Imperator’s smirk gave way to a heartfelt grin. “Now that either means... This Imperator has gone mad, writing notes to herself, or...”
“Oh come on...” Hyacine sighed, followed by a chuckle. “We were already so immersed, Great Imperator!” She pouted.
“I know, I know!” Cerydra laughed too before tightening her hold on Hyacine’s hand. “Though, I find it sweet that you wrote it, Dux Lucens.”
As if Hyacine’s face wasn’t already radiant, it lit up further when she heard her Imperator’s words. “Great Imperator! Really?”
“Yes, I’m happy that you wrote me these notes.” Cerydra agreed, holding the notebook tighter. “As I said, it’s sweet. It’s like the first note you’ve sent me.”
“Aww, thank you, great Imperator!” Hyacine exclaimed. “I remember that too, it’s one of the first times we chatted with one another.”
“That is true.” Cerydra asked, her hand itching to open the notebook she was holding. “Quite the introduction too, first time and you proposed quite the promise. Do remind me again, dear Dux Lucens?”
Hyacine was grinning from ear to ear, her Imperator’s request bringing her back to that day.
“Great Imperator, would you spend the rest of your life as Chrysos Heirs with me?” Hyacine repeated.
“Again, quite the introduction.” Cerydra repeated, her smug smirk returning. “I’ve heard from our gray haired Deliverer that such tales begin with getting to know each other first, then the grand promise.”
“As Grayie said, ‘Rules are made to be broken’ after all, great Imperator.” Hyacine winked.
“In that case...” Cerydra paused, preparing to ask what was on her mind. Seeing her Imperator fidget with the notebook, Hyacine gently fiddled the Imperator’s thumb knuckle to soothe her until the tension eased.
“There is something I want to clarify with you. I would like to understand your reasons.” Cerydra started, her gaze focused on Hyacine. “Why do you wish to know me, Dux Lucens?”
The Imperator took a deep breath, pausing before she continued
“And... I must admit, I do not like to be defined by others. In almost every occurrence I’ve lived through, I chose to be forgotten.” She continued “But as you and our gray haired deliverer said... ‘Rules are made to be broken.’”
“So the second point I want to clarify is... What is it that you know about me currently, and what do you feel about me?” Cerydra asked.
Hyacine paused, pondering on the question her Imperator had raised. It’s not like she didn’t have the answer, rather she was thinking of how she would say it all. But in the end, she just let her heart do the talking, just as she did when she wrote her messages. She puts a hand to her chest, preparing herself. Her gentle demeanor changed, giving way to a resolute look.
“I’ll be honest, great Imperator... Despite both of us having lived through 33 million occurrences... I don’t know much about you at all! In some occurrences, Hysie’s songs would survive long enough to reach our generation of Chrysos Heirs and yet... there was almost nothing to be found about you.”
Hyacine continued without pausing, she knew that once the heart began to cry out, it was difficult to stop.
“The time between our lives is so vast that I couldn’t learn much about you from either Lady Aglaea or Lady Tribbie. It is as you said... you were forgotten as you have wanted.”
“But that is why I want to know you, Great Imperator! We’ve lived through 33 million occurrences. I’ve heard Hysie’s songs for 33 million lifetimes, and now in the Eternal Page, I’ve had the time to know her too! I’ve known, fought alongside, and loved everyone for 33 million lifetimes... I’ve gotten to know everyone, for so long.”
Hyacine’s voice was moving, showing her wish, her reason why she wanted to know her Imperator. Yet as she reached the end of her speech, the bubbly Chrysos Heir frowned.
“Except for you. Out of all our 33 million lives, there was only one occurrence when we met each other."
There was a long pause between the two of them. Hyacine was catching her breath, while Cerydra was thinking about what the former had just said; having listened to each and every one. Hyacine and that talent of hers, always managing to get close to others without overstepping.
“And what were your thoughts about me, dear Dux Lucens?” Cerydra asked. “With what little you know of me, what do you think of when you see me?”
“I... I think things were heavy for you, great Imperator.” Hyacine answered, her heart being her guide. Cerydra let out a gasp at what she heard, covering her mouth in a way that shock looked like intrigue.
“The handful of anecdotes that survived into our generation... painted you as someone tyrannical and... it confused me at times.” Hyacine continued.
“That is true, Dux Lucens.” Cerydra responded thoughtlessly, shook by Hyacine’s answer. She was reflecting about her past lives, what she did as the Imperator. “Your ambitious Imperator is a tyrant, someone who would not stop until she has conquered what she saw. Until she had gained what she wanted, no matter the cost. Countless lives, across countless occurrences were given for the sake of the Flame Chase.”
Heavy? Cerydra thought. That is true, just perhaps... I’ve never given it thought. As I said, as long as the goal is achieved, the cost, the burden, the weight is irrelevant.
“That is true... so many have fallen during the Flame Chase journey. I remember reading about how you and your army gave your lives just to seize Phagousa’s Coreflame.” Hyacine looked down, thinking about the Flame Chase journey. “But it still confuses me, Great Imperator.”
“Huh?” Cerydra’s eyes widened. “Continue.”
The Imperator was surprised, anticipating some sort of condemnation from her junior. She did not expect confusion to be what Dux Lucens felt.
“Especially since I walked on the path that you have started. The Flame Chase journey is a noble cause where we give ourselves up for Amphoreus... So it felt difficult to line up... someone described as unyielding, ruthless, and selfish... making a selfless cause possible.” Hyacine answered. “There has to be an important reason for this tyranny, right? The Flame Chase Journey...”
The Imperator stayed silent, listening attentively to her companion’s words.
“D-Don’t get me wrong, great Imperator!” Hyacine stammered, shaking her hands vigorously. “It’s just that... I’ve seen what happens when a rule is driven by greed and malice.”
She remembered her friend and comrade Mydei, and what he went through in Castrum Kremnos under King Eurypon’s tyrannical reign. And the eventual battle between the Kremnoan Detachment and Castrum Kremnos. “It leaves kingdoms in ruins, and those who survived the fall... they lived in bitterness.”
“But what you started didn’t end up like that.” Hyacine recalled the events of the 33,550,336th occurrence. From Mydei inspiring the Kremnoan Detachment to defend Okhema and the Flame Chase Journey, to Aglaea’s ceaseless efforts to continue the Flame Chase, to Phainon uniting a mourning Okhema after Aglaea’s passing.
“The path you set in motion, the one we’re still walking on, it gave people a reason to continue; to fight together. Heroes such as Lady Aglaea, Lord Phainon, Lord Mydei, and everyone else. They united cities in spite of the pains, and gave hope to the people who lived in bitterness. We all gave our lives for the cause.” Hyacine explained, thinking about her friends.
“Great Imperator, please tell me if I’m wrong; and I hope I didn’t overstep here.” Hyacine paused, this time asking the Imperator for clarification. “But your wish... it’s for Amphoreus, isn’t it?”
Cerydra was taken aback. Her eyes widened as she gasped at Hyacine’s guess. She took deep breaths, then gazed at the latter’s eyes before shaking her head in disagreement; quelling Hyacine’s worries of overstepping.
Hyacine nodded after this, wanting to ease the tension the Imperator was feeling. It was a silent agreement to be someone who would listen to her; someone she can turn to at this moment.
“Great Imperator...” Hyacine muttered thoughtfully. “You asked me what I think about you, and I said it. However, I do not wish to overstep.”
Hyacine recalled what Cerydra told her just before she shared her thoughts. “After all, you told me that you do not want to be defined by others. So I’m not going to assume further with what I know. If it’s also in your will, I would want you to define yourself to me.”
Feeling the comfort from her junior’s subtle gesture, Cerydra spoke.
“You’ve put a lot of thought into this, haven’t you?” Cerydra replied, she was impressed at her junior’s thoughts. “You are correct, Dux Lucens. My decisions were not made lightly, out of malice. And each one was not without consequence.”
“You are correct again.” Cerydra gazed at the Eternal Page. “I wanted to see Amphoreus stand on her own two feet, free to choose its own fate. It didn’t matter who or what wanted to puppeteer its fate, may it be the titans, or the black tide, or any kingdom among the stars. I don’t want Amphoreus to just be a pawn in someone else’s board. A nameless land that has to play the role given by its puppet-master, lest it gets discarded, left in the cold.”
Hyacine angled herself towards her Imperator, silently saying soft verbal cues such as “Mmm...” or “Go on.”
“My decisions were harsh. Again, each one had its consequences. Yet, as I said, I wouldn’t stop until I achieved what I desired. The cost did not matter, the burden did not matter. Any cost is better than for Amphoreus to fall, to die, starving in the cold before it could even grow.” Cerydra explained, her proud voice softening as she explained her rationale. Her eyes widened and she looked to the stars, as if trying to stop a tear from flowing.
Hyacine noticed this, putting two and two together. Cerydra’s defenseless tone, the way she was giving an exact imagery about Amphoreus... her Imperator was speaking from experience. It hurt her, thinking about the things that the Imperator may have gone through. She wanted to embrace the Imperator then and there, yet she didn’t. She didn’t even say another word, she did not want to interrupt the Imperator. And so, she only nodded, all ears to Cerydra’s words.
“I won’t deny that I’ve done a lot of terrible things. Dux Gladiorum said so herself.” Cerydra’s gaze then drifted down, looking at her hands. Though now holding both a notebook and Hyacine’s hand, she recalled the times it was covered in golden blood.
While she understood what Hysilens felt during that time, and while she was resolute in the plan to alter the laws of Amphoreus, the words of her most loyal still hurt her when she heard them in that occurrence. Was it only the 33,550,337th occurrence? Maybe? Perhaps there were more occurrences when Dux Gladiorum had said those words.
“A hypocrite beyond reason. I sought to tear down the old order that was putting Amphoreus down. I saw no need to believe in the old law set by the Titans, believing that I shall bring about the new Law myself.” She trembled. “Yet... I’ve become cruel like the old order I tore down.”
Hyacine stayed silent after her Imperator’s lament. She knew that Cerydra was someone that had a tyrannical side, with a lonely heart. But now knowing more about her Imperator, listening attentively to everything she said... She wanted to scream. She tried to think of what to say, yet she couldn’t find anything, eventually arriving at the conclusion that saying anything wouldn’t be helpful at all.
And so, she leaned on her Imperator; silently reminding her that she’s there, she’s listening and she won’t assume or define her Imperator. Feeling the warmth of her junior by her side, relief washed through Cerydra’s mind. Feeling that there was someone she can turn to, she stopped holding back and allowed the tears to flow.
“I’m not going anywhere, great Imperator.” Hyacine whispered, before placing a hand on her Imperator’s shoulder.
“Hyacine...” Cerydra murmured with a shaky voice, calling her junior by her name.
The titles that she gave her dukes are something she has made for them herself, something that represented them with elegance. Yet such titles she set aside for this moment. Speaking to her junior, not as the Imperator, not as what the puppeteers made her to be, just as Cerydra.
“Yes, Cery?” Hyacine replied with the nickname she made for her.
When Cerydra dropped the formalities, Hyacine responded with familiarity. Hyacine always gave nicknames to her friends such as “Cassie”, “Sevie”, “Dannie”, and “Grayie”. “Cery” was a nickname Hyacine never got the chance to use until now, always wanting to show respect towards a senior member of the Flame-Chase.
“Thank you...” Cerydra replied, turning towards Hyacine who welcomed her with open arms. Hyacine’s embrace was gentle, warm, and firm; holding her Imperator close to her heart. Cerydra leaned into the hug, wrapping her arms around her, her tears soaking against Hyacine’s dress. The closeness muffled her cries, ensuring that only Hyacine could hear her.
“I’m not going anywhere, Cery. You don’t have to hold it back anymore.” Hyacine murmured. She made subtle adjustments to make Cerydra as comfortable as possible, from staying completely still to support her, then slowing down her own breath to try and match Cerydra’s.
The latter was something that Cerydra felt through the embrace, slowing down her own breaths, her uncontrollable sobs turning into longer breaths, then eventually... her and Hyacine’s slow breaths matched.
“It must be hard... being so strong for all these cycles.” Hyacine felt her eyes sting, imagining everything that Cerydra must have gone through. She made no attempt to stop it, tearing up alongside her ruler. Hyacine stayed silent, her breathing was steady, she made no attempt to sob either. Just staying with Cerydra, choosing to feel her own pain too.
“Thank you...” Cerydra murmured again. She felt a sense of security wash over her when she felt Hyacine’s warm tears flow through her hair. She loosened her embrace, relaxing at the reassurance that she was not alone in this.
The two Chrysos Heirs stayed together like that, feeling each other’s warm presence until the tears stopped. Cerydra, having just finished crying, looked up to see Hyacine’s teary eyed face beaming a warm smile back to her. Seeing the streaks on her face, Hyacine gently wiped Cerydra’s face with her sleeve.
“How are you feeling? Is there anything you need, Cery?” Hyacine asked.
“Better...” Cerydra gave her a closed smile, nodding slightly. Her voice was still shaky after everything they just shared. “Everything you just did... everything you just said... it reminded me again of that day.”
Hyacine nodded silently, glad to hear that she was better, and wanting to hear her thoughts.
Cerydra took a deep breath, before holding Hyacine’s hand. “When we first met before this starry sky, I remember likening your words to a ‘dappled sunlight in a spring forest’. That is true with everything you just said today.”
“I remember that.” Hyacine replied, recalling the memory. “Tell me more about it.”
“Even when you say nothing at all, that still stands.” Cerydra answered, leaning again towards Hyacine. “That’s quite the unique talent you have, being able to share your warmth with others by just being there.”
“You give me too much credit, Cery!” Hyacine exclaimed. “But I’ll accept.”
“Sometimes... you don’t even have to be there to share that warmth.” Cerydra murmured, her gaze focused now on the book on her other hand.
“Okay, now that’s actually too much credit! Now I imagine the chance that someone’s time with me on the courtyard could be memorable, but that’s just too much, Cery!” Hyacine chuckled, vigorously shaking her hands until... Cerydra presented the notebook she brought.
“Sure about that, dear Hyacine?” Cerydra asked, handing the notebook to her.
“This is...” Hyacine mumbled as she took it from Cerydra’s hands. She opened the notebook with care, her face lighting up at what she saw. “W-Wow! Cery, you kept them all? But you told me before that you dislike flattery. Ah, apologies, I didn’t mean to overstep.” She bowed her head to apologize, then realized that Cerydra also doesn’t want people to bow down before her.
Yet Cerydra did not frown. In fact, she was laughing, and so Hyacine also followed.
“Hyacine... after everything that just happened.” Cerydra giggled, recalling Hyacine’s warm embrace, the tears they shared. “I wouldn’t say you’re overstepping.”
“Yes... I dislike flattery, I dislike empty words.” Cerydra answered. “But can something sincere still be counted as flattery? Words asking to make more memories with me, giving me notes even when you couldn’t think of anything... Asking me about my way of Flame-Chasing.”
They both looked at the notes that Cerydra had read that earlier morning. “Imperfect, unpolished messages. It’s as if you didn’t put much thought into a lot of these, some even looked rushed.” Cerydra commented, skimming through each one until they arrived at the farthest page. Where Hyacine placed the note she was still holding between her fingers.
“That’s what makes it different from flattery. Messages that try to flatter me will always just be a wall of text praising me, noting all the ‘wonderful’ things I’ve done and accomplished all just to get on my good side. Hmph, I know the things I’ve done, I need not to be reminded.” Cerydra explained, crossing her arms as she vented.
“But...” She paused, looking at Hyacine's latest note. “These messages you’ve written for me are not like those who write for the sake of earning my favor. Tell me if I’m wrong, Hyacine... But you’re trying to reach me through these notes, aren’t you? From asking to share the rest of our lives as Chrysos Heirs, to wanting to know about me.”
Hyacine nodded. “I wrote them with you in mind. I didn’t know much about you back then, so I just let my heart do the writing so I could send it to you even when my thoughts were a mess. And again... it’s because I didn’t know you that much, that I wanted to reach out to you.”
“I only knew so little... only meeting you in one occurrence, and yet seeing you here... I wanted to give you a hug.” Hyacine looked away, twirling her hair a little. “Knowing that you started the Flame-Chase journey... learning that you were a tyrant... it made me think. When you showed the world your ‘tyrannical’ side, I wondered if there was someone curing your lonely heart.”
Cerydra stayed silent at Hyacine’s response, thinking about it. Even towards my most loyal comrades, I’ve kept them at a distance. It did not take much for us to understand each other, sometimes all it took was a song and a game of chess to know what was in our hearts. Yet... I wished we had spoken more.
Hyacine’s gaze relaxed, subtly telling Cerydra to take her time.
But... we’re all here now, in this Eternal Page. No more Titans, no more Black Tide, no more Irontomb, and the countless stars are now meant for infinite possibilities... Cerydra reflected, finally arriving at her answer. She looked down with a glad smile, before looking back at Hyacine. “Now I have everyone. A monarch is born from her subjects, and should be by their side. And I could see that coming true here in this Eternal Page. Though I’m sure that the process would be lengthy, I would like to know everyone a lot more too, starting with you and Hysilens.”
“Dux Lucens– no... Hyacine.” Cerydra paused, reaching her hand out to her junior. “Is your offer still up?”
Hyacine’s eyes shone, taking Cerydra’s hand in hers once more. “Of course Cery!”
“Then... I accept. I want to share my lifetime as Chrysos Heirs with you.” Cerydra answered, holding back a laugh when she saw how Hyacine was struggling to keep still, her legs kicking each other at Cerydra’s acceptance. “Shall we?”
“It would be my pleasure, Cery!” Hyacine exclaimed, rocking back and forth until she ended up leaning against her senior.
“Hey, careful now. I got you.” Cerydra, this time was the one to welcome the still restless Hyacine in her arms, gently laying the latter’s head on her lap.
“Thanks.” Hyacine replied before pausing to take a good look at Cerydra’s face, then looking at the stars. Her gaze switches to and fro between those two sights.
“Anything on your mind?” Cerydra asked, noticing how Hyacine’s gaze was switching.
“Yeah, I’m just remembering that one occurrence.” Hyacine answered. “One amidst millions, one occurrence that felt as if it shouldn’t have happened. It’s difficult to wrap around how that occurrence even happened given how far our times are. And yet, it was a cycle when we met.”
Cerydra knew what her junior was speaking about... The 1325715th occurrence, an unusual occurrence that got them to meet one another. While it was difficult to think how those occurrences came to be, there were some of them; the most notable Anaxa being the King’s Aegis of Castrum Kremnos whilst Mydei became a sage in the 8128th Occurrence.
“It’s an impossible cycle, but yes... I remember that too.” Cerydra muttered, trying to recall that cycle. “By all means, it was impossible for us to meet... but we did. It felt like a dream compared to the lifetime of 33 million occurrences. I couldn’t even remember how I was still alive by the time we met. Did the occurrence just deviate such that we were born at the same time in history? Or did I just live long enough to reach the next generation of Flame-Chasers?”
“It’s quite the mystery! I don’t remember how we all got to that point.” Hyacine answered. “Come to think of it, we haven’t really talked about it before.”
“Yeah... Perhaps it's because we knew so little about it.” Cerydra asked. "Do you remember it clearly?"
“Not really, just some details...” Hyacine shook her head, hand to her mouth as she tried to recall it. “Just that you were there, so was Miss Hysilens, and Miss Aglaea... I remember hearing songs, I remember gazing at the stars with you, and then with Miss Hysilens. I was playing the lyre, you were playing the aulos, Hysie was playing the harp, and Miss Aglaea was playing the drums.”
“It may feel like a dream, but...” Hyacine continued. “I have a feeling that how we were in that cycle is probably similar to how we are here, right now. I have a feeling that I would still want to know more about you. Whether we were born in the same time period, or you living long enough to meet me.”
“I imagine that too. Someone as bright as you trying to reach out to me.” Cerydra gave a soft laugh. “If you say you remember watching the stars with me and Hysilens... then it might be so. Look no further than what we are doing right now; gazing at the stars together, getting to know each other more.”
“And if you remember our first conversation... I did say I was considering picking up another hobby. Such as conquering the hearts of people with song.” Cerydra continued.
“T-Then, it is possible!” Hyacine exclaimed, her eyes widening from the excitement.
She paused for a moment before continuing. “I’m glad it happened then, even if it felt like a dream.”
“Me too... but now that we have eternity to share our lives together... It doesn’t have to just be a dream.” Cerydra whispered, thinking of the possibility of making that dream happen. There were no more threats, just the time and peace for everything. To share her life together with Hyacine, to spend more time with Hysilens... and to be with her people.
“That’s right. It doesn’t have to be.” Hyacine agreed.
“Yes... Now, I look forward to the day that it becomes real.” Cerydra exclaimed, her gaze shifting back towards the stars one more time.
“I’m looking forward to it too, Cery!” Hyacine added. “It will take time, but as you just said... we have eternity to share.”
“Let’s continue staring at the stars then? Especially if that is one of your more vivid memories of that cycle.” Cerydra asked.
“Of course! I would be more than happy to watch this sky with you again.” Hyacine exclaimed before sitting up and leaning her shoulder against Cerydra. Hyacine began to hum again, her mind thinking about many things. The occurrence when they met, everything that Cerydra told her, and the very thing Cerydra likened her to. The melody was the same from earlier, when she was reminiscing, a melody that felt like a ray of sunlight in a spring forest.
Cerydra listened, holding hands as they watched the stars, silently enjoying each other’s presence.