I want to kill. This thought pervaded my mind. I had never wished for death upon someone until today.

I should have learned swordsmanship. Why did I sit under the shades while Nassar swung his sword excitedly? If only I had learned the way of the sword… I would not feel so weak, so pathetic

I want to kill. So seriously, it was the first time I wanted to kill someone.

I should’ve learned swordsmanship. I should have learned with Nassar, frantically and desperately when he ran around with his sword excitedly. I only I had learned it… maybe I would not feel so… weak.

I laughed at myself, languidly. Regret shook my core. I should have practiced swordsmanship. I should have.

I have so much regret, regret that I could not kill this beast in front me.

This beast stood before me. He gripped on a shiny blade while my hand clutched on nothing.

He smiled casually without care, without worries as I stood at the edge of the cliff.

There was a time when I found that carefree smile of his so beautifully handsome.

But...

The image of my father’s deathly still body lying on the floor and his pool of blood…

My jaws tightened as rage overtook my senses of logic.

He came a step closer with eyes of mockery laughing at my bitter tragedy. He delighted in the idea of holding me to shame, of killing me in front of the masses.

I took a step back.

Sands and stones rolled down the cliff.

I closed my eyes and threw myself away.

His hand did not reach me; all I saw was a black shadow flying above the blue sky.

Somewhere, the crow’s cries echoed.

*

*

*

A few months ago, the topic of engagement in Sumeros became a wild talk amongst its citizens.

Sumeros, a trading hub, had long been at the center of repeated invasions and retreats by many countries and thus’ resulting in a place full of culture and products as rich and complex as history itself.

From a peacock’s tails, fruits imported from the south, spices originating from the east, pink salt, colorful tiles, glasses, to gold masks with rainbow tinted hues that lightens under the sun…

Sumero’s market was filled with a variety of items found all over the world.

Before the engagement, the Hessus House was boiling in tumultuous busyness.

A flurry of gifts…

A merry laughter…

And there was Leila who looked at the mirror as she had a pleasant conversation with the maids. Her face was veiled, her lower half covered.

She was Leila Hessus.

Her family, Hessus, was a long-standing house that stood firmly despite Sumeros’s turbulent history

There was a saying… ‘The king of Sumeros changes, but the Hessus will remain.’ The Hessus House was of a deep, enormous background.

Unlike the maids who predicted their engagement, Leila held no expectations of her future together with Sheemon until it was publicly decided.

It felt like a dream… a passing dream that could end at any moment.

Ten years had already passed since she met him.

Sheemon was an orphan who lost his parents at an early age when the Luminite forced seized and captured Sumeros years ago. Leila, who chanced upon him, asked her father to care for him. They had lived under the same roof since then.

Sheemon grew up a beautiful man, his eye-catching look bewitching the women of Sumeros. Often, they would dream of him in their sleep for they knew he was out of reach. Sumeros’s women knew the relationship between Leila and Sheemon was close so they gave up.

And Leila herself had long held Sheemon in her mind.

Senia, a maid who looked at the items that arrived for the engagement ceremony, lifted up a red-glazed bottle

It held a deep meaning that Leila would gift Sheemon, her lover, a fragrant perfume

In Sumeros, it was a tradition for a man and woman to gift their dearest love a perfume. It held the meaning of, ‘I feel you even when I close my eyes and can no longer hear.’

It was a popular choice of gift among nobles to share the scent as their lovers.

Leila’s ears turned red at Senia’s comment.

She tried not to show her excitement, but was it a failure? No, she hid it well. If she showed her excited thoughts, she’d only look like an immature fool counting every minute and second ‘till the day of her engagement.

Senia knows her too much.

Leila went downstairs with her gift in hand.

Sheemon, who sat in the office handling the House of Hessus’s documents, looked up. He recognized Leila, her beloved, and rose from his seat with a grin and came out to greet her.

Sheemon tilted his head slightly and looked at her in the eyes. His chocolate-colored hair glittered like gold in the sun while his warm eyes welcomed her.

The loving look in Sheemon’s eyes was sweet that Leila’s heart pounded. How could she not like him? He was perfect in every way.

Leila handed the perfume and gave it to Sheemon who was surprised at the unexpected gift.

He smiled.

He leaned over, soft lips touching the back of her hands.

The little contact caused her to twinge all over. She’s sure her face was flushed a rosy wine.

Leila turned around hurriedly and waved her hand without taking her eyes off Sheemon.

Sheemon’s eyes widened and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.

Led by Sheemon’s tugging, she was pulled into his warm embrace. When she looked up, Sheemon, who had his arms around her waist, smiled and pointed to the pillar Leila almost ran to.

Sheemon gave a loving smile and rubbed her head.

Sheemon clasped her hand and spoke in a sly manner. Leila burst out in laughter.

*

*

*

The day of the wedding.

A white dress showing of its subtle beauty with its carved patterns and pearl-like decorations… a white flower crown contrasting her soft red hair… and a diamond-studded veil over her face.

Leila stares in the mirror.

Half of her face was covered, as always.

At Senia’s urging, Leila took her eyes off the mirror and went out into the hallway.

It was a clear and sunny day, as if blessing a wedding ceremony that would soon take place. The sound of music finding from afar mixed with voices of excitement and tension.

Happy days seemed near in Leila’s future.

Meanwhile, a lovely girl ran over.

Sarah Hessus… she had rosy hair as bright as the sun. She was the youngest member of the House of Hessus and Leila’s half-sister. Sarah, rumored to be the most beautiful woman in Sumeros, followed Leila around meticulously despite having different mothers.

Sarah clasped Leila’s hand tightly and sent her a good luck charm

while Leila smiled

A white dress made of quality fabric and pearl ornaments gleamed luminously. The smaller details were slightly different, but the clothes worn were similar nonetheless as if their matching had been deliberate.

Sarah smiled broadly.

Leila grew ashamed of her thoughts.

Was this a coincidence?

It seemed cold for Sarah to do such a thing, but Leila could not be angry at her sister’s loving smile, so she put her thoughts aside as if nothing had happened. This was her day and she’d not allow any trivial matters ruin her mood.

Sarah pulled Leila’s arms and headed to the garden, the place the wedding ceremony was held.

***

The ceremony proceeded unhitched and without problem.

Sheemon knelt before Leila and kissed the back of her hand. She could smell his scent. It was the perfume she gifted him. A blush rose to her cheeks as Sheemon stood up and hugged her while confessing softly in her ear that he had put on the perfume she gave him.

Congratulatory greetings poured out one after another as the newly-wedded couple stood side by side.

The House of Hessus’ vast garden was crowded with Sumerian natives and folks belonging to reputable houses. Their wedding ceremony had become a social and political arena with so many people from different backgrounds attending.

Meanwhile, some whispered antagonistically regarding the marriage with Leila Hessus.

The eldest daughter of the House of Hessus was married off to an orphan. In terms of status, they saw the marriage a disgrace.

The chattering voices grew smaller as they turned their heads to Leila Hessus and looked at the veil wrapped around her lower face.

They recalled the memories of their surprised look at the time when Leila Hessus’ veil had been accidentally removed. Her cheeks and lips looked mangled and deformed as if it had been melted by lava… it was a hideous face they could not bear to look and so they swiftly shut their eyes tight or turned their head away. A child was present, too, and burst into tears calling Leila Hessus a monster. She in return quickly fled the scene. That memory imprinted in their mind would never be forgotten. Were it not for her status, she’d have been stoned to death. It was a good thing Leila Hessus was born into a powerful family

They clicked their tongue and shook their head. No one, no one except Sheemon.

The eyes of the gossiper turned to Sarah. She was beautiful and pleasing to the eye. The beautiful Sarah was surrounded by dozens of lovestruck young men. And unlike Leila, Sarah received numerous numbers of suitors asking for her hand in marriage. It was rightfully so. She was the second most beautiful woman in Sumeros. Her status as the child of Hessus blossomed like a precious gem.

She wore a dress similar to Leila and played the part as the main character of the wedding ceremony.

Sarah Hessus was much more beautiful than scarred Leila Hessus.