Chapter 790 |
Seven days. In Sol’s old world, it was said that God had created the universe in seven days. In the current verse he got isekaid into, Sol finished his ritual to become a King in seven days.
As such, seven days were certainly enough time for many things to happen. Perhaps a bit too many things.
Seven days were enough for even the dead to rebel— a notion so ridiculous that anyone would find it ludicrous. Yet, as ludicrous as it may sound, it was the truth,
It was certainly a harsh lesson Sol was learning now. Fate has its wondrous ways of torturing him in every turn, in the most unexpected ways, it seems.
“So… What is happening exactly?”
“Hehehe~! Ask me! Beg me! Bribe me! And I shall answer!”
Sol gave a deadpan look as he observed the overexcited fairy swishing around playfully.
He was half of the mind to just swat her to the ground to teach her a lesson. But Sol understood that she was having some harmless fun, at his expense, of course.
The mischievous fairy was none other than Scheherazade. The Wish Fairy. She was Isis’ first friend, and despite her diminutive appearance, she had been instrumental in the success of all Sol’s rituals thus far.
Each time, she risked her very existence to push him through every impossible and insurmountable hurdle, paving his path forward. Of course, she had not been alone in her mystical endeavours. Skuld, Urd, and Verdandi, the three Norns, were also essential to his continuing success.
But the weight of their contributions and the meaning behind them was different. The three sisters were King and Demigod-ranked beings. Skuld, in particular, was an obsessed Titan who was in love with Sol from another separate timeline. Her feelings were so intense that they transmitted over timelines to the current her.
Scheherazade, on the other hand, was a normal being in comparison. She liked Sol as a person, but more as a friend. She was innocent but not stupid, and she lacked the madness that inhabited most of Sol’s women.
“Hehehe, this is so funny!”
She was a friend.
“You should look at the face you’re making right now!”
A dear friend.
“Pfft! You wanna know where Isis is? I don’t know! Tehe ~ ouf!!”
A good friend who still needed some smacking to set her head straight.
The air escaped the fairy’s lungs as Sol grasped her tightly in his hand. His movement had been too fast for her to react. She was slightly taller than when Sol first met her, but still small enough that her entire torso fit in his hand with only her legs and head poking out.
“I am going to ask nicely. You know well, I can easily find Isis. But this isn’t the problem. So I repeat… What is happening exactly?”
After leaving the dimension and dealing with some things he needed to do, Sol immediately tried to seek out Isis.
It did not take long for him to realize that she was trying to hide from him.
All the people in the Tower knew, without a shadow of doubt, that hiding from the current Sol was an impossibility.
Sol had enough wherewithal to understand that Isis was not so much trying to hide as just sending a sort of message with her silence and absence. Thus, rather than finding her directly, he sought out the fairy for answers.
“Now talk,” Sol ordered, his voice stern and deep.
“Heh, I am caught by a big pervert Dragon! Help!”
The maids, busying themselves with their routine work, ducked their heads to hide the laughter threatening to escape from their lips.
Even though they all knew that Sol did not even need to make an effort to potentially squeeze her to death, the fairy showed absolutely no fear, and they understood why.
She knew well that Sol would sooner cut his own hand than hurt the little bundle of mischief.
The fairy’s position was no different from that of an untouchable mascot in this country. There were even serious talks of adding fairy wings to the new flag that was being drafted.
Sol had given her near absolute immunity, no matter what pranks she played on just about anyone.
Thankfully, her pranks were mostly harmless. But they were influential. Already, many nobles and the maids of the Tower of Babel made sure to avoid her. If they could not do that, they at least made sure to avoid provoking her in any way, shape, or form.
Sol tightened his grip just enough to make his point without actually hurting the small fairy. “Scheherazade…” There was a note of warning in his voice now. Sol was being serious.
The fairy’s playful expression flickered for just a moment before she sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine! You’re no fun anymore, you know that? The old Sol would have at least reacted when I called him a pervert.”
“The old Sol didn’t have to deal with fallen gods, ascending goddesses, and dimensional maintenance,” Sol deadpanned, voice incredibly dry and humorless. “Now talk.”
Scheherazade squirmed in his grip until he loosened it enough for her to sit properly in his palm. She crossed her tiny legs and looked up at him with an expression that was far too knowing for someone her size.
“Isis isn’t mad at you, if that’s what you’re worried about,” the fairy began. “She’s just… dealing with something.”
“What something?”
“The undead kind of something.”
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Sol’s expression darkened immediately. “Explain.”
Scheherazade waved her tiny hands quickly. “No, no! Not like that! I mean, Nefertiti became a King rank and all that, and Isis has been feeling kinda down ever since.”
Sol’s tension eased slightly, but his concern remained, going up a notch even. “Down how?”
The fairy’s usual playfulness faded as she spoke more seriously, worry lacing her tone. “She’s been wondering about her purpose, you know? Where she fits in all of this kind of thing, Everyone around her keeps getting stronger, keeps achieving these incredible things. Lilith is working on her territory, Medea is already at the peak of King rank, and even Nefertiti broke through recently.”
“And Isis feels left behind.” It was strange. The feeling of inferiority was one that many of his less talented women had faced multiple times. But it was truly hard to imagine Isis feeling the same. She was perhaps the most talented being, bar himself, that he had ever met.
“Not exactly left behind. More like… uncertain.” Scheherazade floated up from his palm, hovering at eye level. “She’s been hesitant about her own path forward. Going further would mean confronting certain things. Her father, for one. And other stuff that, well, she needs to tell you herself. It’s not my place to say.”
Sol was quiet for a moment, processing. He wanted to argue with that logic. He knew that when he asked Isis to walk the path of Death, she had been hesitant. Though he had told her that there was nothing to fear as she would become the god of death in his dimension, clearly not all her fears had been resolved with his assurance, and she only agreed to help him stabilize his ritual.
“What else?” He asked.
“Honestly?” The fairy shrugged her tiny shoulders. “I think she’s just pouting a bit and wants some comfort and understanding. You know how Isis is. She doesn’t make a big fuss. She might throw some tantrums, but usually never for long. She just quietly withdraws and deals with things on her own.”
Sol’s expression softened as understanding washed over him. He thought back over the past seven days in the outside world and the weeks since the war, when she became the Horseman of Death. He’d been so focused on his wedding with Medea and then their honeymoon, so caught up in dimensional shenanigans and political meetings that he had forgotten the most important duty of his life.
Taking care of people he loved and who loved him just as much, if not more.
Isis had always been the most mentally stable woman in his relationships. She never demanded attention, never caused drama, never put herself first. She did not walk the path of servitude like Nefertiti. But in her own way, she had always put Sol’s well-being and happiness first. In a sense, it was to a worrying degree even.
And because of that, unconsciously, he had taken her for granted. The worst mistake he could have made as her partner.
He had neglected his lover.
Not intentionally, not maliciously, of course. He would never do that even if he had to destroy his own being. Nevertheless, he had slacked off when it came to taking care of her emotional needs precisely because she never made a fuss about them.
“I’m a fucking idiot,” Sol muttered, chastising himself for his error.
“Well, yes, but we already knew that,” Scheherazade said with a hint of her usual playfulness returning. “The important thing is what you’re going to do about it.”
Sol was already moving. “Where is she?” He knew but still asked. This was the least amount of courtesy he could give to his lover.
“Her private quarters. She is not hiding exactly, more like giving you space to come find her when you are ready.” The fairy landed back on his shoulder. “Just… be gentle with her, okay? She’s been bottling things up.”
“You know me.”
“I do.” She giggled before flying away. Playful as she was, she would never interrupt this critical moment between them.
The corridors of the Tower were quiet as Sol made his way to Isis’ quarters. A few maids saw him and wisely chose not to interrupt, recognizing the determined look on his face immediately.
When he reached her door, he did not knock. He simply opened it and walked in with long, determined strides.
Isis was sitting by the window, looking out over the capital. Her black hair caught the afternoon light, and she was still as beautiful as ever. But there was a slump to her shoulders, a tiredness in her posture that had nothing to do with physical exhaustion.
“I know you’re there,” she said without turning around. Her voice was soft, lacking its usual warmth. “Scheherazade told you, didn’t she?”
“She did.”
“I’m fine, Sol. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Isis.” Sol walked over and sat down beside her. “Look at me.”
She hesitated for a moment before turning to face him. Her blue eyes held a sadness he had never seen in her before. She usually kept her vulnerable side hidden from him; he had seen them before, soothed her through them, but the sadness she radiated now was new and deeply concerning, needing his immediate attention.
“I’m sorry,” Sol said simply, his voice both serious and sincere.
Isis blinked in surprise. “For what?”
“For neglecting you. For taking you for granted.” He took her hand in his. “You’re always so stable, so supportive, so understanding. And because of that, I unconsciously assumed you didn’t need as much attention or care as the others. That was wrong of me.”
“Sol, I don’t want to be a burden…”
“You’re not a burden. You never could be, silly.” He squeezed her hand gently. “But you do deserve attention. You deserve to have your concerns addressed, your feelings validated. Just because you don’t make a scene doesn’t mean your needs are any less important.”
Isis' eyes started to water. “Everyone keeps getting stronger. Lilith, Medea, and even Nefertiti now. And I’m just… here. Healing people, supporting from the background. I know that’s important, and I understand that I could become a King if I truly wanted to. But my fear and hesitation keep gnawing at me.”
She scratched her hair. “I have been stuck at the bottleneck of the Duke rank for years. When I met you, you were not even a Duke. Nefertiti, meanwhile, was a weak Duke. Now, both of you are very powerful Kings. But I have not particularly changed since then.”
“Is that what’s been bothering you?”
“Yes.” She looked down at their joined hands. “Going forward on my path means confronting things I’ve been avoiding. My father and his expectations, my own potential, and what it means to truly embrace my heritage rather than just using half of it. It’s scary. So damn scary, Sol.”
“You don’t have to do it alone,” Sol said. “I’ll be there with you. Whatever you need to face, we’ll face it together.”
“You have so much on your plate already…”
“And you’re part of what’s on that plate. A very, very important part, and I can’t stress that point enough.” Sol reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Isis, you’ve been my rock through so many difficult times. My first contract, my first true friend, and my lover. You matter. Not because of how strong you are or what rank you’ve reached, but because you’re you.”
A tear rolled down Isis' cheek. “I’ve just been feeling so uncertain lately. Like I’m drifting without a clear direction.”
“Then we’ll find that direction together.” Sol pulled her close, letting her rest her head against his shoulder. “And I promise, I won’t neglect you again. You deserve better than that.”
Isis wrapped her arms around him, snuggling as she finally let herself show him her fully vulnerable side. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. And I’m here now.” Sol held her tightly. “How about this? We spend the whole day together. Just you and me. We can talk about your path, about your father, about whatever you need to discuss. And if you just want to relax and not think about any of it, that’s fine too. I am here to keep you company.”
“But your responsibilities…”
“Can wait. Milia will handle things.” He said while inwardly apologizing to the maid and Clara. He would have to make it up to them for this, and he was going to do his damn best for that, but not now. Now, Isis needed him.
Sol tilted Isis’ chin up so she was looking at him right in the eyes. “You’re more important than any meeting or political maneuvering. Don’t ever doubt that. Not for a single second.”
Isis smiled for the first time since he had entered the room today. It was a small smile— fragile, yet oh so genuine. A smile that he had come to love. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me for doing what I should have been doing all along.”
She kissed him then, soft and sweet. When they pulled apart, some of the sadness had left her eyes.
“So,” Isis said, wiping at her tears. “Scheherazade told me about Freya and the baby situation.”
Sol groaned. “That fairy has the biggest mouth in the kingdom.”
He did not even need to guess how the fairy knew. She was so nosy that the little bundle of mischief had most likely directly talked about the matter with Freya herself.
“She’s just looking out for everyone. In her own chaotic way.” Isis' smile grew ever so slightly. “So… what do you have planned for you both?”
“A date. To be honest, Freya is a beautiful woman, and I certainly wouldn’t mind having a relationship with her. But a child is different. I need to know and understand her better. Not just as a reliable comrade but as a partner. A date is a good way to start.”
Sol ran a hand through his silver hair. “Though I’m not sure how dating works when you’re already married and have multiple lovers.”
He was truly starting to have slightly too many women.
“You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
They sat together by the window, watching the sun rise to the zenith over the capital. Sol kept his arm around Isis, and she leaned into him, finally allowing herself to just be held and comforted.
“I really am sorry,” Sol said again. “I should have noticed sooner.”
“You’re here now. That’s what matters.” Isis looked up at him. “And Sol? Thank you for not treating me like I’m being silly or childish.”
“Your feelings are never silly. And even if you were just pouting, as Scheherazade so elegantly put it, you’d have every right to.”
Isis puffed her cheeks. “I wasn’t pouting.”
“Maybe a little?”
“Okay, maybe a little.” She settled more comfortably against him. “It felt good to just let myself feel bad for a bit. I guess acting mature truly doesn’t suit me.”
“You can always do that with me. You don’t have to be strong all the time.”
As the sunset painted the sky in shades of orange and red, Sol held Isis close and silently vowed to be more attentive to her, to every one of his girls. She was right that she did not make any demands or cause drama. But that in no way meant that she did not deserve just as much care and attention as anyone else.
If anything, it meant she needed it more because she had never asked for it herself, and this went for all his women.
He was the one who chose to have an ever-expanding harem, and so it was his duty to bring happiness to all of them.
“Stay with me tonight?” Isis asked quietly.
“Of course.”
And so they remained by the window, two people finding comfort in each other’s presence as the day turned to night. There would be time for discussions about her path and her father later. For now, this was enough.
Sometimes, the best you could do for someone you loved… was simply be there for them. Nothing more, nothing less.