Page 232 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

A birthday celebration is the best place for him to interrogate me without anyone raising a brow.

By the Source! I am in so much trouble.

THIRTY-THREE

A fortnight later,I find myself once more at a crossroads. My anxiety is at an all-time high as we step inside Sigmore Palace for Duchess Rhea’s birthday.

Maledo is by my side, holding on to my arm and leading me inside the ballroom as our names are announced. He is the spitting image of our father, with his light blue eyes and dark hair. He is a handsome male and he is well aware of his appeal, his eyes immediately drawn toward the females present, who bat their lashes suggestively at him.

Our parents are a pace behind us, the voice announcing them reverberating loudly in the ballroom.

Molokai once more excused himself due to a previous engagement. It’s not irregular for him to miss out on social events. After all, it wasn’t him who was personally invited by Duchess Rhea to the party.

The ballroom is the size of an entire training field. It is almost double the size of the ballroom in our palace, which in itself is quite a feat. Rumor has it that Sigmore Palace might be the most extravagant in Aperion, not only because the Sigmore family is one of the wealthiest but also because over time, the family has supplied the largest number of Supremes from any one lineage.

Their connections are legendary, too. It is said that the great Lispera herself was a close friend of the Duchess of Sigmore and a frequent guest at the palace.

For a moment, I let myself absorb the history of my surroundings and imagine what it might have been like seven thousand years ago when Lispera had been alive. As the youngest person ever to become Supreme, she’s the role model for a lot of fledgling deities. But it’s not only because of her impressive career. She represents the struggles of females against the archaic practices of Aperion.

No one thought a female could achieve what she did, and rumors say her power was so great it couldn’t even be measured with the normal level system. She not only became a Supreme, but she also sacrificed herself to seal Tartareia so the Sons of Tenebreis could not leave their realm, thereby ensuring a relative peace in the universe.

If she were still alive… I wonder if Commander Azerius would have such a monopoly on power in Aperion.

I force a smile on my lips as I turn to the crowds forming in the middle of the ballroom.

There are several hundred people if my estimates are correct. I am not particular to such crowds, but perhaps they will provide a shield for me as I get lost between the countless faces.

The entire room is surrounded by runes that inhibit the use of spiritual energy. All large gatherings implement this rule so deadly conflicts are avoided. Aperion might seem united as a whole against demons, but inside there are numerous factions always fighting for supremacy. Without these safety runes in place, this would turn into a bloodbath, especially since most of the rulers of the Houses are present—the best time for an attack, from the outside or from within.

Some faces I recognize from other official functions in the past. But I am not familiar with most of the nobility. My eyesscan the crowd in search for Cerenios, knowing he will be watching me, but so far I don’t spot him anywhere.

A small reprieve.

The duchess and the duke are at the end of the ballroom, greeting their guests one by one.

My parents, Maledo, and I head to where they are to pay our respects.

“Happiest of birthdays, Duchess Rhea,” my mother intones as she drops into a small curtsy as a sign of respect, though she technically outranks her. I do the same, avoiding looking her directly into her eyes.

“Welcome, welcome. Thank you for your presence.”

“We brought you a special gift,” my father says, manifesting a platinum necklace with a light blue stone accent. “It is made from our specialty, the eternal ice.”

“Oh, how wonderful. Thank you,” the Duchess murmurs, accepting the gift.

“This is our son and heir, Maledo,” Father introduces my brother. “And this is our daughter, Minerva.”

At the introduction, I glance up. The duchess is startlingly beautiful. Her bright red hair is coiffed up in a bun atop her head, with multiple jewels adorning the updo. Her skin is a warm caramel shade, her eyes a deep green. She looks nothing like Cerenios.

I glance at the duke. He, too, does not resemble Cerenios in the least with his dark hair and black, slanted eyes.

Even more surprising, both the duke and the duchess are warm, pleasant people, whereas Cerenios is downright terrifying. If before I would have given Commander Azerius the title of the scariest person in Aperion, I think I’m slowly learning to reconsider the hierarchy.

According to the research I’d done into the Duke and Duchess of Sigmore, they aren’t the most gifted deities, althoughtheir line is a rather famous one, who’s yielded a number of legendary Supremes. Yet the most interesting thing is that two rather average individuals could have produced such a powerful offspring. It’s not just because the Sigmore family is influential in Aperion that Commander Azerius took Cerenios under his wing. It’s due to the male’s abilities, which he displayed from a very early age.

“Pleased to meet you,” I murmur.

“I hope you will enjoy the festivities,” the duchess mentions. “I have to go around to greet the other guests, but we shall have to find the time to converse,” she mentions to my parents.

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