The chilly air of the night made me want to shiver though it wasn't that cold. The moon was so bright it felt like a lamp post or a torch. I didn't even have to look up at the sky to see it. The moon today was incredibly bright. Wow. This was the moon. It felt powerful. Maybe not as powerful as the sun but the reflectiveness and it’s shadow triggered night animals and other things of the dark to appear. Orlixes* flew around and couples hugged as they looked at the moon, (perhaps they will break up in less than a year-- the nobles’ romance was quite complicated.) the knights stopping by to gaze at the moon, some people’s soft chatters under the moonlight and me watching everyone.

“Amira!” her friends called from below.

“Sila! Aly!” Amira turned to me. “I’ll be taking my leave, Your Majesty. Thank you for your time. I hope we meet again soon.” She bowed and went for the stairs. I’ve seen those people in Amira's friend group before, perhaps in my past life.

I walked towards the railing of the terrace. Adonis shuffling became closer. I spotted Ian having a drink with Anna. Anna laughed at something Ian had said. But her laugh felt artificial-- trying to grab attention and sort of forced out. Although I wanted people to be happy and get what they want, I suddenly felt really opposed to him getting engaged to Anna.

For the…. I haven't really kept count ,but wished that Ian was here with us. Since he somehow knew more about relationships, (for some reason) Some people started retiring as they headed to the Guest’s Palace. Anna curtised to Aeson as she followed her friends.

Aeson waved after her, then spotted me staring. He waved at me.

I, not used to the awkwardly smiling-Aeson who creepily smiled and waved at me, just cringed. I looked away, gazing back at the moon. The moon’s power was especially strong tonight. I suppose the people of Arlene's temple were storing up its energy, making charms or something.

“In Halio, who was your patron god again?” I asked. I kept my eyes on the Orlixes.

“It's the god Apolius. He’s the counterpart of Arlene, goddess of the moon.” Adonis stepped out of the shadows, close enough for me to see him in the corner of my eye. “We have a festival around June 14th. Ironically, we officially celebrate it during the short night since the day is very hot. And dangerous.”

“What do you do there?” I started tracing my fingers on the cracks of the terrace.

“We burn offerings. We don't do it like here- quiet and peaceful. We play games, go swimming, have competitions and some even lose their lives.” he stopped for a second as if thinking what else to add. “Now that I think of it, many people are born in June or July as we take it as good fortune.”

“Then are names chosen just like here? Do most of their names start with an A?”

“Yes, I suppose. But not as much as here.”

“What about the other gods?” I asked. I slid my laurel off and examined the glinting gemstone in the moonlight. It glowed faintly, so faint that I wasn't sure whether it was actually glowing or reflecting.

“We are rather carefree and not really serious. So we don't have other major gods to worship. We just honour the gods we like choosing. So the majority only honours our patron god Apolius. Ah, but they don't really mind.”

“What about animals or flowers?” I was quite daring with this question. I mean, the way I asked it had many meanings plus since the question was so simple, he could take it in different ways. I turned towards him and leaned against the railing. His brown-ish amber hair in the moonlight looked black, his eyes more startling. Hmm. He looked better with darker hair.

“That, I am not so sure about. But I remember they like animals of the day and flowers that mean joyous. Or warm coloured flowers.”

KNOCK KNOCK

Adonis turned to the door of the terrace and opened it.

“Hi.” Aeson came in, walking straight past Adonis as if he was invisible and Sir Liam guarding the door from the inside.

“Aren't you cold? Here.”he took off his coat and offered it to me.

“Uh, I’m fine, thanks.” I quickly put the laurel back on my head making both of my hands free.

“Just take it.” It felt more like he gave his warm coat to me because he didn't want to hold it. Did the talk with Lady Anna make his body temperature rise? Normally he’s always cold. He seemed to be in a good mood. Now that I think of it, Aeson changed quite a lot. Since Ian went off, he was sometimes distant, but when he's with Anna his personality changes.

“Did something good happen?” I asked even though I knew it happened. Just trying to change the subject.

“Just had a chat with Lady Anna. We surprisingly had many things in common. And she asked me to escort her to the small event we are going to do tomorrow.” His arm retreated as he held his coat casually by his side.

Ah that's right. Tomorrow the temples are going to open for the people who want to pray. It is also when the temple will recruit people with certain powers; but that's rare. I also need to go as well to cleanse my soul or something. Just have to sit in a room doing nothing. Which sounds more like a really bad punishment. Then I’ll have to spend the night there and stay at the temple until the coronation starts. That's bullschist. I don't want to do that. I should change the law or maybe rebel. Should I stay up tonight so I’ll be able to sleep better tomorrow? Or just go with the flow.

CLANG… CLANG… CLANG-

It was nearly midnight. We had to go back in because the creatures of darkness will come out of their shadows and mingle. We didn't want to disturb them so we had to go.

“Let's go back.” I didn't wait for Aeson. Adonis opened the doors and I went back to my room.

Sara thoroughly brushed my long hair which went all the way to my belly button. I blew my hair away from my eyes.

“Sara, grab me the scissors.” She handed me the scissors.

“Are you going to cut your hair, Your Majesty?”

“Yeah. Thought it would be a nice image change.”

Sara tied my hair into a ponytail. “How much?”

“Around here.” I traced my fingers across my arm, marking the length.

SNAAAP

She bent down and picked up the cut hair. “Have a good rest Your Majesty.”

“Oh and donate the hair. Make sure its a secret and just donate it normally.”

“Yes I will.” she left the room.

Without looking at my image in the mirror, I quietly opened the drawer where I kept my records. I unlocked the key.