A Small Expedition

[Diana]

The lady led us up through innumerable floors until we finally reached the suite. Once we arrived, the lady opened the lavish door into a lavishly decorated room.

"Woah," I gasped in awe at the luxury around me.

"The Empress will arrive at the fifteenth hour. Please be ready by then," the attendant said.

"Got it. Thanks," I answered.

She nodded, bowed, then closed the door.

"Am I dreaming?" I took in my surroundings. The intricately gilded moldings depicted various flora. Ivory walls seemed to glisten. Crystal lamps illuminated the room. And richly crafted furniture littered the room.

"You're wide awake, Diana," Sam replied.

"I've never seen so much gold in one room; this must have been expensive, right?" I inquired.

"During the time of its construction, gold was considered almost worthless. That was due to the vast gold mines scattered across the continent," Sam answered.

"What about now?" I asked again.

"Well, the price of gold has sky-rocketed since the reign of Empress Liferavia. So, you could say; the cost of the gold in every nook and cranny of the palace would amount to more than five hundred billion Imperial Faelens," Sam replied.

My jaw dropped as I stood there. I thought of the conversion rate between Levelian and Crusavian currencies.

"Don't try to convert that to Crusavian Wings. It's just going to give you a headache," Thomas said.

Devia approached me and said, "Would you like me to go around the suite with you?"

"Oh, sure! How about you guys?" I asked Sam and Thomas.

"We'll sit here. You have to meet the Empress later, so don't forget," Sam reminded.

"I won't, don't worry," I replied.

She nodded, and I headed off with Devia as we explored the suite.

We first ventured into the bedroom. And it also featured the same lavish interior as the previous room. Next, we ventured into the bathroom. It featured a walk-in closet and an enormous bathtub. The bathtub was shaped like a square and was the size of a small pool. Placed on each of its ends were small statues that "poured" water into the tub. Afterward, we headed into another room. This time it was a kitchen, and unlike the rest of the suite, this room had a cleaner and more modern design. Next, Devia and I found ourselves in the dining room and returned to the excess and grandeur of the previous rooms. A crystal chandelier illuminated the space- while paintings depicting historical scenes adorned the walls. We exited the dining room and entered a small hallway. We looked around and noticed two doors in the adjacent wall. We picked the door closest to us and entered an office. Polished wood encased the room, unlike the previous rooms. A beautifully carved table stood in the middle. Behind it was a magnificent tapestry depicting the sigil of the Creyaltver and eleven figures. I took a closer look at the tapestry and admired its craftsmanship.

"I haven't seen this piece in a long time," Devia walked up to me and gazed at the artwork.

"You've seen his before?" I asked.

She nodded and replied, "The High Menyott had the tapestry displayed in the Creyatholven of Puritia before. It depicts the creation of the universe by the Creator alongside His ten children, the Celestials."

"If I remember correctly, the sigil of the Creyaltver is called 'The Divine Eye,' right?" I asked.

"Yes, it is. The eye represents the Creator's power and glory. The sigil of the Creyaltver adds ten diamonds, representing the ten Celestials," She answered.

"Wait, I thought there were only nine left?" I asked.

Devia lowered her head and answered, "Yes, that is the case."

"Sorry for suddenly asking," I said softly.

"It's not a problem," she sighed, "It still burdens the Creyaltver that the Celestial who perished was the one who oversaw our creation."

"What?"

"Oh, it's nothing," She glanced at the band on her wrist and continued, "We have to get ready for the Empress' arrival. Let's head back to your sleeping chambers, shall we?"

I nodded and followed her. I couldn't wrap around what Devia had said. What did she mean by "the one who oversaw our creation"? And who is this Celestial?