When I emerged from my cultivation, the first thing I noticed was the sunlight. It shone just as strong as before, even though I’d dimly noted its passing. The sun stood at the exact same spot it had occupied before.

Sighing, I shook my arms out and got to my feet. The pain had almost faded, but I still felt strange. My senses were heightened even further, until I could almost smell the scent of the mountains beyond the walls. My hearing could pick up the buzzing of an insect one courtyard over, but when I stopped focusing on it, the sound faded into the background of my awareness. At least there’s no sensory overload. How does this work? But the greatest change came to my sense of qi. It felt far clearer, my range had more than doubled and my sense of the guards’ presence was far more detailed.

I guess I can cross option two out. No failure here.

This time, no once came to bother me, so I took a moment to adjust to the changes before I turned around. Slowly, because my thoughts were still hushed from the meditation.

The courtyard looked the same but subtly different, with some of the guards replaced and a few mats rearranged. Aston stood guard further in, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture stiff enough for a parade.

I walked over, rolling my shoulders and testing the new lightness of my body. Again, I glanced at the sky. “How long has it been?”

“Only a day. Your Highness was quick.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, but the feeling was quickly shaken. Looking around, Ling Ta was nowhere to be seen, and neither was anyone but the guards. But Aston still stood the same way, gaze fixed straight ahead.

“I’m sorry if I was insensitive earlier,” I began.

“Your Highness, there’s no need to apologize.”

I shook my head. Well, at least he looked me in the eyes now. “Yes, there is. There probably will be a lot in the future, knowing myself.”

“Beg your pardon?”

I sighed, glancing away. After a while, I forced myself to meet his gaze again. Come on, you know your rules. Self-reflecting and articulation with people close to you. “I’m not a particularly social or empathetic person, Aston. But I like logical thinking, to analyze and debate things. Sometimes, when I’m stressed, I forget that not everyone is okay with treating some things that way.”

“I see.”

I smiled wistfully. I needed a good relationship with Aston, but maybe the meditation was still influencing me. “Once, I got halfway into a lecture about why the afterlife is a fabrication to strengthen in-group behavior and ties and rule-adherence before I noticed my little brother was struggling to hold back tears. Apparently, his best friend’s dog had just died.”

“I … see.”

I’d stopped seeing my surroundings in favor gazing into my life, my real life. Now I was the one blinking back tears.

“Do you know what the worst thing about dying is?”

“I couldn’t begin to guess.” He took half a step closer, then seemed to think better of it, stilling to listen to me.

“It’s not losing access to the Internet, although honestly that’s a serious contender. It’s not never knowing how my favorite series will end, let alone the lives of people I know. It’s not even never seeing my family again.”

“It’s not?”

“I think I could learn to deal with it if I knew they were safe and happy. The problem is that for them, I’m dead.”

Aston did step closer now, laying a hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Inaris. I’m sure your family here will come to fill the hole in your heart if you give them time.”

I turned away and rolled my eyes, but I didn’t throw off his hand. “You don’t get it, do you?”

He didn’t reply, and the silence lingered for a second.

I finally turned my head back again, meeting his gaze. “The thing is that I feel guilty for harming them, making them feel grief. Not to be egotistical, but I’m sure they love me. And it’s not something I can fix.”

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head and finally stepped away from him. Well, talking about it helped. Hopefully. “Let’s just go. I need a hot bath and a warm bed.”

So we started walking. It was only then that I noticed he’d erected a shell of qi around us, probably to keep sound in. I felt a little better as I walked through its dispersing remains, but I didn’t know how to communicate my gratitude.

The other guards fell in around me. Now that I could focus again, I noticed the usual noise of the fortress around us, people walking on the gravel pathways in the surrounding courtyards. None were close, luckily enough. Maybe they’d marked off the courtyard for my breakthrough.

Just as I was about to leave, a speck of light dropped from the sky. After a moment, I realized it was a qi construct in the form of a small bird, one that started hovering in front of me. Hesitantly, I reached out my hand. As soon as it reached my fingers, it transformed into a card made of light, black letters standing out sharply. It took me a moment to recognize Mother’s handwriting from the records.

Congrats, youngling.

There’s going to be another announcement. This time, you’ll attend.

I groaned at the bad attempt at humour. Then I groaned at the order.

“Bad news?” Aston asked.

I flicked my hand to send the construct of light qi over to him and watched him read it. Then I shrugged. “I suppose my closed season is over. At least a bit.”

He didn’t reply to that, which was probably the most diplomatic response, considering. I set off, my mood shifted yet again. At least now I have something more tangible to worry about. Progress, yay?

We started ascending the path to the palace again. The note didn’t specify the time, but I’d venture a guess that it was going to be tonight. Someone would know.

Aston looked far too pleased about this, even if he tried not to let it show.

Whatever. I’m still going to have my bath first. Maybe a nap and a nice meal. Then I can worry about this.

---

I’d barely sat down when the noise died and the session of court began.

Luckily, not the full court. The great hall was, well, great, but I could clearly make out that only half of the positions were filled. That probably made sense, me reaching the fourth stage wasn’t as big news as being a high-level genius, since it simply happened earlier than expected.

The people in the hall were almost all richly dressed and occupied a number of balconies as well as the floor. I knew most were government officials, nobles, sect heads or the like. There were spaces reserved for anyone who wanted to watch, but most of the commoners there I put as rich merchants based on their attire. A few wore plainer clothes. Others might think those were curious people from the city wandering up to take a look, but I’d bet on professional reporters.

A herald stepped forward on the dais and a gong was struck to signal the start of a proclamation. Mother sat on her throne, a golden monstrosity encrusted with gems, impassively staring ahead. I guess she doesn’t read out her own decrees.

I didn’t have a good view from where I sat on the dais, to the right of the throne. Mother had the only chair in the room, but I sat on a wide cushion, and it was actually elevated, hovering above the floor, so it didn’t matter much. Aston stood immobile behind me, and my skin tingled from all the qi barriers and unidentifiable things surrounding us.

While the herald unrolled his elaborate scroll, I turned my attention back to the courtiers. Most veiled their aura, bringing everyone allegedly to the fourth realm. Must be protocol. I could still sense that they were higher level, probably some seventh-stagers among them. Maybe even a few in the eighth stage, if they’re not showing it I probably wouldn’t know.

The proclamation concerned a new law Mother decreed. I couldn’t follow the details, but it dealt with land ownership, taxes and such. Sounded pretty mundane. By the expressions a few of the nobles sported, they didn’t think it was harmless. To them, at least. But for most, I was pretty sure they only showed polite interest.

I’d asked a few questions beforehand. Apparently, Mother didn’t do court much. She almost never dispensed justice, there were courts of law for that. Anyone who merited an audience would get one more privately in an audience chamber. Holding court was mostly for holidays and ceremonies, occasional decrees and announcements. I guess she just doesn’t like it. Well, I sympathize.

Finally, the herald stopped reading and rolled his scroll up again. There was some scattered applause from the throng, but it didn’t last long.

Then, another herald stepped forward, and started reading from another scroll. This time, it was a list of names and achievements. Citations for exemplary service. One by one, soldiers in shiny, decorated armor stepped forward and knelt to the throne. Then they received colored ribbons that must constitute medals from a gray-beard I vaguely recognized as the highest-ranked general and de facto Minister of War.

At first, I watched attentively, but after a while they blurred together. I stifled a sigh.

‘Don’t let them see your boredom, Nari.’

I started, just managing not to look around wildly. The voice had sounded from so close to me it was actually inside my skull. What the hell? Is this telepathy?

‘Concentrate on responding and use your qi.’

I took a deep breath. Now I’d definitely recognized Mother’s voice, although she sounded weirder than normal. Carefully, I grasped for a trickle of qi and focused on sending a thought in her direction. ‘Hello world …?’

‘Oh, you’re such a nerd!’ A mental chuckle accompanied the words.

‘This is telepathy? You’re in my mind?’ And all the while, I carefully tried to factor increasingly higher numbers in my thoughts, pushing down my unease.

‘Don’t worry, I can’t read your mind, only what you send back intentionally. Everyone gets some limited telepathy on reaching the seventh stage. Well, for spirits it’s innate, and spirit beasts usually develop it at the same time they gain sentience.’

I breathed an internal sigh of relief and focused again. Of course I couldn’t be sure she was telling the truth, but what else could I do, keep trying not to think important thoughts forever? I really need to search the library for this. Maybe ask a few people.

‘Why are you telling me this now?’

‘You’re not the only one getting bored.’

I managed not to smile. Then I glanced around, but no one seemed to have noticed our exchange. At least they didn’t look at me more than before. Suppressing a sigh, I plucked at my sleeve before making myself stop. I wore a white dress bedecked with pearls and a few gemstones, a little ostentatious but it could be worse. A few servants had styled my hair and applied a bit of make-up, so I actually looked quite good. There’s no reason to feel self-conscious. Besides, half of these people look like they’re trying to literally outshine each other. I’m classy.

For a while, we continued watching the ceremony together, idly commenting on the visitors. Slowly, that tapered off into a comfortable silence.

‘Actually, I have a question,’ I finally sent, the sight of the nobles reminding me of something. I hesitated a bit, then plunged in. ‘Who is my father?’

A moment’s silence, then, ‘You don’t need a father.’

I glanced at Mother. She’d turned back to face strictly forward, but I could see the set of her jaw. Her tone had been final, brusque. Obviously, there’d be no further discussion.

Had I offended her? She’s right, I suppose, I don’t need a father, she’s more than capable of raising kids alone, with servants and everything. But I’d like to know.

I calmed myself. ‘Sorry, just asking.’

She didn’t reply, and we spent a few more minutes watching the award ceremony in silence that had become tense. Finally, it finished, the general stepping back. An expectant hush fell over the room once again.

The silence deepened even more when Mothers stood from her throne and took a step forward in one graceful movement. I couldn’t see her face clearly because of the bad angle, but I’d guess she smiled, just a bit.

“The last item on today’s agenda is an Imperial announcement,” the herald declared. Then he bowed and backed away.

Mother let the silence linger for another second before she started talking. “My loyal subjects and dear guests, I am pleased to inform you of another piece of fortune that has come to our family and thus the Empire of the Sky. Again, it concerns my daughter Inaris.”

‘This is where you stand up.’

I did so as lightly as I could, which wasn’t easy since I’d been sitting cross-legged on an elevated surface, and bowed my head to her.

“My firstborn, the Imperial Princess, heir apparent to the throne, blessed of the Spirits, Lady of Earth and Sky, Princess of Ilamabidu, has again shown her strength and worthiness. As is only natural for a precious high-level genius like her, with the blood of the Imperial dynasty flowing through her veins. She broke through to the fourth stage of cultivation, the blue stage, just a scarce few months after her eighteenth birthday. There is surely no need to expound on how remarkable an achievement that is, so I shall not.”

With that, she sat down again. Then, apparently, the gathered elite realized the announcement was over, and started cheering. They put on a good show, clapping and laughing, and a few even took out glasses of what had to be alcohol seemingly from the air to make toasts.

The herald stepped forward again, and another gong sound echoed through the hall. “The session is hereby closed. You are welcome to stay and celebrate.”

Well, at least I’d managed to sit down on time. Now, I looked out over the nobles, a little baffled. They didn’t seem surprised, instead mingling and starting to converse. A lot of them still looked at me, and by the intensity of their body language, this was clearly a weighty revelation. Or good gossip.

I noticed a few of them hesitantly stepping closer. When others started to do the same, they quickened their pace. My heart started sinking. Oh, crap. They’re not coming to congratulate me, are they? Can I make an exit?

Suddenly, everyone stopped. Mother’s aura had strengthened a bit, and she looked over the gathering with increased presence. “Private congratulations are not needed,” she declared. “You may express your admiration here, now.”

I breathed a covert sigh of relief. The nobles stopped talking and turned to face us again. Then, they bowed, like a very quick human wave.

Or most of them did. A few people remained standing. Some of them just looked at me calmly, a few turned away or even sneered.

A cold shiver went down my spine, and I tried not to let my reaction show. From what I could discern, Mother’s expression remained serene, but the hand on her armrest whitened.

Probably just a few malcontents. Or arrogance, maybe. Inaris was a kid, so they haven’t had much of an heir apparent in a while. Maybe some just don’t want to bow to someone younger and weaker than them. I guess it’s a problem either way.

I exhaled and asked Aston with my eyes if it was okay to go now. He nodded slightly. So I unfolded myself from my seat.

Well, on the plus side, Mother can’t be much of a tyrant if they’re willing to disrespect her openly. On the so-so side, her power isn’t as absolute as it might seem if they get away with it. And on the minus side … I’d better look at defenses again.

Just as I was about to turn away, I paused. Something had been scratching at the corners of my mind for a bit. Frowning, I looked out over the gathered people again. Then, I finally noticed what I’d overlooked.

Some of them weren’t quite human. They had small animal ears or horns hidden in their hair, a scaly pattern in their hands, or actual crystal eyes. A dozen in total, maybe two. Most of them stood next to humans, but a few probably came alone.

I could kick myself. Anywhere else, I would’ve actually facepalmed. As it was, I only strode from the room.

As soon as the doors closed behind us, I whirled on Aston. “Those people! With the horns and stuff! Are those actual non-humans?”

Aston barely raised an eyebrow. “Indeed. It appears they are all quite strong spirit beasts in their human form.”

I grinned, then started walking, already shoving the announcement to the back of my mind. This was huge!

“Where are we going?”

“Don’t know, I actually need to talk to Mother.” I shrugged and decided a quick detour to the library would suffice.

“Is there something I should be aware of, Princess?”

“Actual non-human intelligences! If the books are right. Why didn’t I realize this before! Aston, this calls for study!”