Beautiful Eternity

Rydia stares out across the star speckled land. The treetops shimmer, their leaves dazzling. In the distance the lake lustres: a perfect reflection of the clear sky. She sighs, straightening up, her hands pushing against the soft stone balcony railing. She stares at the sky for a long moment.

She sighs. "I wish I could be you,"

They glow brighter. Their lustre far outshines all of her land's beauty. The vivid viridian fades to ruin and withers ashamedly below the stars. Sorrow whispers with the wind as it drifts along the ground.

"Rydia!"

She sighs, once more, lamenting deeply. "I am here,"

Her long emerald sleeves slither across the stone. The soft steps of her retreat whisper along the floor. Her sad eyes glance down. She wraps her arms around herself comfortingly. The harsh life of luxury bears down on her.

The disapproving expression on her mother's face greets her. "Where were you? Didn't you hear me?"

Her arms drop to her sides at once. "I was…"

"You were out on the balcony again, weren't you?" her mother sighs. "I'm beginning to regret having had it built. For now, though, Rydia, I suppose you can make use of my room. I have the lock to its balcony so you should be fine."

Rydia nods obediently. The silence speaks of discontent but her mother fails to notice. Her mother has always failed to notice her feelings.

Her mother sighs. "Rydia, dear, please return to the garden. I believe your father wants you there,"

She curtsies. "I shall, mother,"

The slow pace of her retreat goes against her nature. As she turns into the hallway she notes its emptiness. Her eyes drift closed for a moment. The inner workings of her mind scream at her to run, but the reality of etiquette and decorum keep her pace as it is. The stern face of her father breezes through her mind. He isn't to be tried.

The windows shimmer under the radiant moonlight. Its penetrating rays stray to her curiously, almost as though it's a comforting hand. Rydia smiles faintly, steeling her nerves as best as she can. Her parents offer no comfort. The servants are rarely seen and don't dare speak; to each other; to her parents; to her.

Rydia pauses in the doorway. The gracious marble arch holds her in its protection. She composes her expression to the haughty highness she was bred to be. Her father takes no notice. He stands further away, at the hedge maze. His fingers hold fast to tangled brambles. His back is to her.

She lowers herself gracefully onto the long stone steps. "Father, you summoned me,"

He raises his hand, his forefinger gesturing to the sky, and she immediately halts. His expression isn't needed. His fury has already been awakened. The soft rustle of silk whispers across to her and she suddenly feels foolish. She takes a deep breath, clasps her hands neatly and lifts her head solemnly. No anxiousness or nervousness is betrayed.

Eventually he turns. His dark eyes blaze calmly. "My daughter, you have come as required,"

She remains soundless in his silence. The slightest disruption could set his temper further ablaze. She simply smiles. She hopes it's enough.

He nods, solemn. His lips curve. He seems suddenly light-hearted; almost pleased, but he isn't. He never is. He only acts.

"My daughter," he says, as if testing the words. "Do you know why I have called you?"

She softens her expression. "No, father, I do not,"

He glances at her. The annoyance has returned. He gestures for her to approach almost hesitantly. She obeys at once. When she joins him at the brambles he places his hand on her shoulder. It sets her on edge at once.

He speaks softly but his words are a command. "Look through this, my daughter,"

She gazes at it quietly. The mask of curiosity slips on without fail. The gentle line of her lips moves to provide the act with substance. She glimpses a deep valley cut into the earth. The endless sea of grass sways without people or houses in its way. At the other side are mountains rising to the clouds. Then, there, between two towers of earth there flickers light.

She gasps quietly: not acting. "Father, what is that light?"

He pats her on the back, pushing her away. "It is a kingdom, my daughter. It is a kingdom that you shall be bound to,"

She glances at him. The curious mask is harder to wear. A knot of dread is ever tightening within her soul. She struggles not to crease her brow or voice her worries aloud: she has never faced such troubles before. Life is a game, she assures herself, be the one that cannot be defeated.

Her voice betrays her slightly. "I shall be bound to it, father,"

He smiles, but not at her. "When you marry the prince of that land a new era shall be awoken. We shall lay claim to all it holds and take it for our own. The people shall know loyalty to me, to my forces, to my whim… And you, my daughter, you shall please the prince. You shall not fail me. Do you understand?"

She nods. "Yes, father, I do,"

He nods, his focus turning back to the flickering light. Rydia turns, her purpose made clear, and leaves as he wishes. The resounding clack of her shoes on the marble is muted to her mind. She walks on without sight or sound and fear growing in her chest.

She wants to weep. She wants to scream. She wants to take her silks and tear them to shreds. She wants nothing of the blood in her veins or the pulsing of her numb mind. She craves oblivion: the endless darkness, not a single existence, no life, no soul, no afterlife, no emotion, no escape. She struggles to breath.

The door to her room opens and she enters. She slumps against it and it bangs shut.

Author's Note: This chapter was started on the 29th of May and ended on either the 5th or 6th of June. Does the Author's Note count as work on the chapter? Yes? No? Hmm, that is an interesting question… Regardless of that, however, is the basis for this tale. Oh, you already know what it is? I suppose I should have known… *giggles* It was rather obvious, wasn't it?

Yes, 仙劍奇俠傳 strikes again! It's the very same couple as last time – Xú Chǎng Qīng and Zǐ Xuān. I just love their story. It's really, for me, the only good part. I just despise that television series with a fierce, burning passion. From now on the television series doesn't exist, okay? D'accord?

Thank you for reading. I do hope that you have enjoyed reading this story thus far. I apologise if I have disappointed you in some way.