Prologue II
"... It's dark. Why is it so dark?"
All the candles in the room had been extinguished earlier to welcome the new moon guest.
Speaking of lights, the flames in the fireplace flickered. A young man entered the room and looked around, “Alana, you’re not here?” He wondered.
The young man picked up a candlestick and bent over, smothered the remaining embers and relit the flames. He then lit the candles throughout the room. It was only when he approached the window that he noticed Alana on the terrace.
“What are you doing in such a place? Tomorrow is an important day, you’ll catch a cold.” The young man leaned over and pulled Alana’s arm towards the inside of the room. However, Alana’s long hair, swaying in the wind, timely entwined with his ornamental button. “I’m sorry, stay still. I’ll remove it.”
“Cut my hair, Callisto, it’ll come off easily.”
“Don’t be stupid. How could I dare to hurt your beautiful hair?”
Alana could care less about her hair, but Callisto seemed to think otherwise. He constantly praised Alana’s hair, which she had inherited from her late grandfather and was the colour of a beautiful milky golden mix. Callisto took out his sword and snapped his button off.
“So, what were you doing on the terrace tonight?” He asked, glancing at her.
“I was looking at the sky.”
“Sky? Certainly, the starry sky tonight is wonderful, but it’s too dangerous to go out without a companion. I wonder if Marquis Longolia was assassinated? You should know not to.”
“I know.”
“I see. I’m worried about you Alana; I have a lot to say to you.” Before Alana could say anything, he continued.
“Why are you always like this? If I look away, you don’t eat. You bathe, without commanding us to heat the water. Even if the fire in the fireplace goes out in the middle of winter, you leave it. If you don’t get a servant to look after you, you'll easily weaken. Yet, you say you want to be alone and immediately drive out your servants. When will you be aware of this? You are the most precious person in this country of Armenia. The last royal in the family. There is no one who can be your substitute.”
Callisto seemed to notice that Alana was squeezing something. She tried to hide it, but it was taken from her and forced open.
A cherry-coloured liquid swayed in the small vial, glowing like the flame of a candle. Without listening to Alana’s voice, “stop”, he opened the lid and drew it to his nose. “Hmm, the scent is of rosebush...perfume? It has a fascinating aroma, but it’s a bit too early for this.”
“Return it.” Alana stole back the bottle from him and quickly closed the lid, before putting it into her pocket.
“You're looking at a constellation of a rose? I’m not one to enjoy tasting roses, but it's a different story if you look at the stars. From now on, I will be with you. Don’t go out onto the terrace alone. Call for me, alright."
"Yes, alright."
"I'm relieved, I thought you didn't have a hobby, but you do love stars." Callisto smiled as if someone had just confessed to him. But Alana shook her head.
"I'm not particularly fond of them."
"If that's the case, then you can like them from now on. A long time ago, we saw a big shooting star together, isn’t that right? 'If I make a wish upon a shooting star, will it come true?' That’s what you said.”
“That’s right, they’d definitely come true, won’t they? I’ve never made one, but I think it’d have been good to have tried. If I’d wished, maybe the current situation would have changed.” The two looked up at the night sky through the window. It hadn’t changed; there were still many stars in sight.
"Every time someone wishes for someone's death, the stars will disappear one by one.”
"What??"
Alana softly sighed “...Does the star represent a person’s goodness in their heart? Or perhaps life, a future, hope, a dream?”
Callisto shrugged in reply, “I don’t know, but people become stars when they die, that, I’ve heard of.”
If one touched the window closely, they would be able to see Alana’s reflection. Her rich hair cascaded down her lemon-coloured dress. Alana suddenly turned to face the window.
“When the moon is full, the stars aren’t quite visible, but when it’s a new moon, they show up. Many stars appeared today. The world is still full of light.” As she spoke, each syllable conveyed a subtle sense of longing.
“It’s a word that everyone in this country thinks about. Everyone wants to avoid conflicts because they do not want war.”
Alana’s eyes reflected emptiness, “You don’t know me,” she muttered.
“I know. We’ve been together since we were born. I know everything about you.”
When Alana raised the tip of her nose, the corner of his mouth rose.
“Even if someone wishes someone else to die, even if the stars disappear, I will light a candle by your side. If there aren’t enough, I’ll burn torches all over the country. That way, you can be at peace without minding about the number of stars in the sky. I will create a world that suits to be by your side.” The man shrugged, his smile telling her ‘you can entrust that to me.’
Alana glanced at him and smiled softly. “You are such a radiant, unchanging person. Yet you work for me, it must be hard.”
“Why? It makes sense to live for you. I was born to be your vassal.”
“No, you should cherish others. Priscilla, not me.”
Perhaps surprised by Alana’s words, Callisto’s cheeks became stiff.
“Your father came to report it. ‘Tomorrow, I want you to bless my son’s engagement.’”
“Engagement? Damn, that man. What does he mean by blessing?! I was never engaged and have no intention of getting married for the rest of my life.” He frowned and crumpled his jet-black hair. "There’s no way of changing fate. Who would have known that your father and brother would die in an accident.”
The king and prince of the country had died in a landslide. As a result, only the surviving princess Alana, had succeeded the throne. Tomorrow, Alana would be crowned Queen of Armenia.
“The regent’s spouse is determined to be from the royal family only. Your husband must be in the country’s interest. My father told me 'You are not qualified for it'. It’s really frustrating that I’m not.”
The pain in his eyes was evident. Without looking away, Alana looked back at him. “Tomorrow you’ll be queen. I won’t be able to hold you again. You’ll be out of reach. So please forgive me? I want to hug you."
Though he mustn't want it, he did. That was the look that appeared on his face, pleading to her to be naive in that moment. For the longest time, he had made continuous efforts to make Alana his wife. Knowing that Alana took the offered hand. Gently, she was pulled closer towards him and immediately wrapped in a strong hug.
"I don't know what you think of me, but I've always loved you without missing a day. I believed I could have been your husband. If God is here, I wish he would kill me. " If one saw Callisto, they’d see hot drips sliding down his cheeks. His blue eyes, visible in the gaps between his black hair, were damp and wet.
"Callisto, please. Don't cry."
"I don't want to cry. No, I want to cry. I can't hold back. It's ugly, but this is my heart. I have to give up on the people I don't want to give up. My heart dies."
"I want you to be happy"
"Well ... then please give me happiness. Please, Alana." Suddenly, her lips felt warmth. A soft touch. Although she could have shaken it off, Alana did not resist the kiss.
***
What was reflected in the mirror was a girl, still innocent, caught in the intermediate between a child and an adult. The ring indicating the power of the king was too big. Her earrings floated lightly, and her necklace hung loosely. She knew it didn’t suit her even when others told her that it 'looked good.'
For the fourteen-year-old girl, the dignified people grovelling before her seemed unreal. A white cloak rested on a delicate body. A crown adorned with diamonds and emeralds was laid on her head, heavy enough to be nauseous. However, it shined in in her platinum hair, making it radiate even more gloriously.
The light from the chandelier danced across the room and the yellow stained glass dyed the interior a brilliant golden sheen. Along with the aristocrats in line, famous musicians played music, and men in formal wear sang in high praise for the new queen. The chorus continued reaching the queen, the sounds entangling and echoing through the hall.
In a quiet space, Alana listened to the ceremony without changing her facial expression.
In her mind, was the night of the new moon two years ago, with stars overflowing into the sky. An unforgettable nasal voice had said, ‘every time someone wishes for someone else’s death, the stars would disappear one by one.’
It had belonged to a person who had laughed a lot. Alana closed her eyes slowly, stopping the tears that had been on the verge of spilling.
Her heart should have been killed, but it may not have been killed. Not yet, it hadn’t been killed yet.
How many stars had disappeared from the world?
How many stars would be erased in the future?
She would never forget the night sky that she had looked up to that day.
“Wherever you may be, you are in me.”
Prologue II
"... It's dark. Why is it so dark?"
All the candles in the room had been extinguished earlier to welcome the new moon guest.
Speaking of lights, the flames in the fireplace flickered. A young man entered the room and looked around, “Alana, you’re not here?” He wondered.
The young man picked up a candlestick and bent over, smothered the remaining embers and relit the flames. He then lit the candles throughout the room. It was only when he approached the window that he noticed Alana on the terrace.
“What are you doing in such a place? Tomorrow is an important day, you’ll catch a cold.” The young man leaned over and pulled Alana’s arm towards the inside of the room. However, Alana’s long hair, swaying in the wind, timely entwined with his ornamental button. “I’m sorry, stay still. I’ll remove it.”
“Cut my hair, Callisto, it’ll come off easily.”
“Don’t be stupid. How could I dare to hurt your beautiful hair?”
Alana could care less about her hair, but Callisto seemed to think otherwise. He constantly praised Alana’s hair, which she had inherited from her late grandfather and was the colour of a beautiful milky golden mix. Callisto took out his sword and snapped his button off.
“So, what were you doing on the terrace tonight?” He asked, glancing at her.
“I was looking at the sky.”
“Sky? Certainly, the starry sky tonight is wonderful, but it’s too dangerous to go out without a companion. I wonder if Marquis Longolia was assassinated? You should know not to.”
“I know.”
“I see. I’m worried about you Alana; I have a lot to say to you.” Before Alana could say anything, he continued.
“Why are you always like this? If I look away, you don’t eat. You bathe, without commanding us to heat the water. Even if the fire in the fireplace goes out in the middle of winter, you leave it. If you don’t get a servant to look after you, you'll easily weaken. Yet, you say you want to be alone and immediately drive out your servants. When will you be aware of this? You are the most precious person in this country of Armenia. The last royal in the family. There is no one who can be your substitute.”
Callisto seemed to notice that Alana was squeezing something. She tried to hide it, but it was taken from her and forced open.
A cherry-coloured liquid swayed in the small vial, glowing like the flame of a candle. Without listening to Alana’s voice, “stop”, he opened the lid and drew it to his nose. “Hmm, the scent is of rosebush...perfume? It has a fascinating aroma, but it’s a bit too early for this.”
“Return it.” Alana stole back the bottle from him and quickly closed the lid, before putting it into her pocket.
“You're looking at a constellation of a rose? I’m not one to enjoy tasting roses, but it's a different story if you look at the stars. From now on, I will be with you. Don’t go out onto the terrace alone. Call for me, alright."
"Yes, alright."
"I'm relieved, I thought you didn't have a hobby, but you do love stars." Callisto smiled as if someone had just confessed to him. But Alana shook her head.
"I'm not particularly fond of them."
"If that's the case, then you can like them from now on. A long time ago, we saw a big shooting star together, isn’t that right? 'If I make a wish upon a shooting star, will it come true?' That’s what you said.”
“That’s right, they’d definitely come true, won’t they? I’ve never made one, but I think it’d have been good to have tried. If I’d wished, maybe the current situation would have changed.” The two looked up at the night sky through the window. It hadn’t changed; there were still many stars in sight.
"Every time someone wishes for someone's death, the stars will disappear one by one.”
"What??"
Alana softly sighed “...Does the star represent a person’s goodness in their heart? Or perhaps life, a future, hope, a dream?”
Callisto shrugged in reply, “I don’t know, but people become stars when they die, that, I’ve heard of.”
If one touched the window closely, they would be able to see Alana’s reflection. Her rich hair cascaded down her lemon-coloured dress. Alana suddenly turned to face the window.
“When the moon is full, the stars aren’t quite visible, but when it’s a new moon, they show up. Many stars appeared today. The world is still full of light.” As she spoke, each syllable conveyed a subtle sense of longing.
“It’s a word that everyone in this country thinks about. Everyone wants to avoid conflicts because they do not want war.”
Alana’s eyes reflected emptiness, “You don’t know me,” she muttered.
“I know. We’ve been together since we were born. I know everything about you.”
When Alana raised the tip of her nose, the corner of his mouth rose.
“Even if someone wishes someone else to die, even if the stars disappear, I will light a candle by your side. If there aren’t enough, I’ll burn torches all over the country. That way, you can be at peace without minding about the number of stars in the sky. I will create a world that suits to be by your side.” The man shrugged, his smile telling her ‘you can entrust that to me.’
Alana glanced at him and smiled softly. “You are such a radiant, unchanging person. Yet you work for me, it must be hard.”
“Why? It makes sense to live for you. I was born to be your vassal.”
“No, you should cherish others. Priscilla, not me.”
Perhaps surprised by Alana’s words, Callisto’s cheeks became stiff.
“Your father came to report it. ‘Tomorrow, I want you to bless my son’s engagement.’”
“Engagement? Damn, that man. What does he mean by blessing?! I was never engaged and have no intention of getting married for the rest of my life.” He frowned and crumpled his jet-black hair. "There’s no way of changing fate. Who would have known that your father and brother would die in an accident.”
The king and prince of the country had died in a landslide. As a result, only the surviving princess Alana, had succeeded the throne. Tomorrow, Alana would be crowned Queen of Armenia.
“The regent’s spouse is determined to be from the royal family only. Your husband must be in the country’s interest. My father told me 'You are not qualified for it'. It’s really frustrating that I’m not.”
The pain in his eyes was evident. Without looking away, Alana looked back at him. “Tomorrow you’ll be queen. I won’t be able to hold you again. You’ll be out of reach. So please forgive me? I want to hug you."
Though he mustn't want it, he did. That was the look that appeared on his face, pleading to her to be naive in that moment. For the longest time, he had made continuous efforts to make Alana his wife. Knowing that Alana took the offered hand. Gently, she was pulled closer towards him and immediately wrapped in a strong hug.
"I don't know what you think of me, but I've always loved you without missing a day. I believed I could have been your husband. If God is here, I wish he would kill me. " If one saw Callisto, they’d see hot drips sliding down his cheeks. His blue eyes, visible in the gaps between his black hair, were damp and wet.
"Callisto, please. Don't cry."
"I don't want to cry. No, I want to cry. I can't hold back. It's ugly, but this is my heart. I have to give up on the people I don't want to give up. My heart dies."
"I want you to be happy"
"Well ... then please give me happiness. Please, Alana." Suddenly, her lips felt warmth. A soft touch. Although she could have shaken it off, Alana did not resist the kiss.
***
What was reflected in the mirror was a girl, still innocent, caught in the intermediate between a child and an adult. The ring indicating the power of the king was too big. Her earrings floated lightly, and her necklace hung loosely. She knew it didn’t suit her even when others told her that it 'looked good.'
For the fourteen-year-old girl, the dignified people grovelling before her seemed unreal. A white cloak rested on a delicate body. A crown adorned with diamonds and emeralds was laid on her head, heavy enough to be nauseous. However, it shined in in her platinum hair, making it radiate even more gloriously.
The light from the chandelier danced across the room and the yellow stained glass dyed the interior a brilliant golden sheen. Along with the aristocrats in line, famous musicians played music, and men in formal wear sang in high praise for the new queen. The chorus continued reaching the queen, the sounds entangling and echoing through the hall.
In a quiet space, Alana listened to the ceremony without changing her facial expression.
In her mind, was the night of the new moon two years ago, with stars overflowing into the sky. An unforgettable nasal voice had said, ‘every time someone wishes for someone else’s death, the stars would disappear one by one.’
It had belonged to a person who had laughed a lot. Alana closed her eyes slowly, stopping the tears that had been on the verge of spilling.
Her heart should have been killed, but it may not have been killed. Not yet, it hadn’t been killed yet.
How many stars had disappeared from the world?
How many stars would be erased in the future?
She would never forget the night sky that she had looked up to that day.
“Wherever you may be, you are in me.”
