Chapter 4585: Perfect Blueprint (Part 1)
Chapter 4585: Perfect Blueprint (Part 1)
"Althika is as fine as her situation allows her." Lith replied. "The Desert is safe, but she feels lonely. Althika’s family disowned her, and she’s considered a disgrace to Fae and plant folk.
"Her clan blames her for relinquishing her Upyr powers and allowing me to cleanse the taint of the Vurdalak’s blood from her son, while everyone else blames her for her involvement with Meln. Once Erkin is born, things will get even harsher for her."
"I would love to meet her, if you allow me." The Dryad said.
"Are you sure?" Kamila asked. "Althika is... well, a decent person now, but your people might not see it that way. Aren’t you worried this might ruin your reputation?"
"Maybe I would if I had a good relationship with other plant folk, but since I’m a pariah as well, I don’t care." Ryssa shook her head, and her golden hair sparkled under sunlight. "We can visit Althika now, if it’s okay with her."
"How and when did you become a pariah?" Kamila asked. "This is the first time I hear this."
"The moment I didn’t use my newfound authority as the Lady of the White Griffon to strengthen my turf and refused to let the elders of my clan Awaken my son." Ryssa snarled. "They only see Dhiral’s magical talent as a blessing.
"My clan members are eager to see how powerful he can become, and if he can break the limit of the Fae race thanks to his genius. Everyone believes Dhiral can become the plant equivalent of a Divine Beast, and so do I.
"Yet I want my son to be happy, safe, and enjoy his childhood, whereas everyone else only wants him to become powerful. Dhiral’s just two, for the gods’ sake, and if they so much as try to touch him, they’ll have to go over my dead body!"
Entering the White Griffon Academy without invitation was suicide, and Dhiral never left the premises of the academy unless he was with Shargein or went to the Verhen Mansion.
No plant folk was mad enough to try to kidnap Dhiral under such circumstances, but it only exacerbated the resentment toward his mother.
"I know how you feel." Kamila nodded. "Ely and Ral already receive countless betrothal offers, and they are babies! I can’t believe how shameless some people can be. I’ll call Althika now. She’ll be happy to meet a friendly plant folk."
A quick call to the Blood Desert and a cross-border Warp later, Ryssa walked into the Overlord’s palace.
"Thank the gods it is night, or the dry climate would be hard to bear." The Dryad found no guards waiting on the other side of the Gate. "I can’t imagine what the poor Althika must endure every day."
Those Lith brought as his guests weren’t subjected to body search or interrogation. He didn’t comment on Ryssa’s words and led her through a series of corridors until they reached the door-curtain of the Titania’s room.
A white Phoenix, its wings unfurled, and its talons wreathed in light and darkness, was embroidered into the door, marking the room as occupied by a member of Salaark’s blood.
"Hi, Althika. It’s Kamila and Lith. Can we come in?" Lith asked after knocking on the fabric and producing a dull, deep sound.
"Of course." The Titania replied. "I wasn’t expecting guests this late, but you’re always welcome here."
When Lith pulled the curtain open, everything Ryssa believed about Althika’s life in the Desert shattered. The room was actually a two-bedroom apartment with the ground covered in a thick, short grass softer than most carpets the Dryad had ever touched.
The tables had small flowerbeds as centerpieces, while the furniture was wrapped in colorful blooming climbing plants. Every room had at least two fruit trees instead of pillars, each ripe with a different fruit despite the season.
A spring gushed from the north wall, forming a small pond filled with water lilies of different colors and a few lily pads. The water continued streaming underground, leaving the floor dry, but keeping the air as humid as a forest’s.
The tapestry on the walls depicted lively woods with plenty of small furry animals that Ryssa could swear changed position the moment she looked away. Between the tapestries and the lush green of the apartment, the Dryad had the illusion of being in the open instead of a cramped space.
"Hi, Althika. How are you doing?" Kamila asked.
"I’m doing great, thank you. We both are." The Titania brought her right hand to her womb and caressed it tenderly. "The Overlord is a wonderful host. My only issues now that I’ve recovered from the procedure are boredom and loneliness.
"There isn’t much a Fae can do in the Desert, and even though everyone is nice to me, I feel alone. The few times I met a member of the Nest, they were at best coldly polite. And the worst part is I can’t blame them, because in their shoes I’d do the same. I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid. I-"
Ryssa cleared her throat, drawing Althika’s attention and stopping her before she said something too personal in front of a stranger.
"I’m sorry. Wallowing in self-pity in front of a guest was rude of me." The Titania straightened her sun-yellow desert robe. "Who is your friend?"
"Althika, this is Ryssa Marth." Lith replied. "Ryssa, this is Althika the Titania, and the lovely baby bump is my unborn nephew, Erkin."
"Nice to meet you, Althika." Ryssa was a head and shoulders shorter than the Titania, so she had to crane her neck a lot as they shook hands. "I’m sorry for bothering you at this hour, but I wanted to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Ryssa." Althika studied the Dryad, trying to understand her intentions. "It’s no bother. I can sleep anytime I want, whereas good company is as rare as welcome. Why did you want to meet me?"
"Because I understand how you feel and I can relate to your condition." Ryssa replied. "After I started dating Duke, I’ve been treated by humans like everybody treats you now. After my son Dhiral was born, things got even worse.
"My son is also special. He’s very smart. Actually, smart doesn’t even start to describe him, but what matters is that humans are terrified of him and our kin want to get their hands on him.
"They don’t see Dhiral as my son, a baby boy, or even a person. Everyone who looks at him only sees what he can do and starts thinking about how to exploit his talents for their own ends. Aside from a few friends like Lith and Kami, he’s alone."
Althika swallowed hard, already seeing herself walking many miles in shoes even more uncomfortable than Ryssa’s.
"I’m very sorry to hear that." The Titania clenched her hands. "Unlike me, you did nothing to deserve that kind of treatment. I can’t believe that an innocent child like yours has to-"
"Innocent children." Ryssa cut her short. "Erkin is innocent as well. Just because Narchat’s blood flows in his veins doesn’t mean your son carries the guilt of his father’s crimes."
"Thank you." Althika hiccupped, holding her womb protectively with both hands.