Shadow Over the Heavenly Throne

The sun rose slowly, casting a delicate golden glow over the palace. The first rays of light filtered through the heavy curtains of the royal chambers, illuminating the lavishly decorated interiors. In one of these rooms, nestled in soft bedding, Sylphia slept. However, her slumber did not last long. The quiet sound of a door opening signaled the start of the day.

"Your Highness, it's time to wake up," came Selene's calm yet firm voice.

Sylphia turned onto her side, squeezing her eyes shut as if trying to savor the warmth of her bed for just a moment longer. But she knew she couldn’t avoid her duties forever.

"I'm getting up..." she murmured sleepily, opening her eyes.

Without unnecessary words, Selene proceeded with the morning routine. She prepared warm water for Sylphia to wash her face and laid out the carefully chosen attire for the young princess. Sylphia sat up sluggishly, yawning, before allowing her attendant to assist her. As her hands touched the cool water, the refreshing sensation quickly chased away the remnants of sleep.

"Do you have anything important planned for today?" Selene asked while helping her into an elegant yet comfortable dress.

"Aside from my usual Qi absorption training, I’d like to spend some time in the gardens," Sylphia replied, adjusting her short, pale hair. "I haven’t seen Mom in days."

Selene offered no comment, merely nodding before opening the door for her. Sylphia stepped out, leaving the cold palace walls behind.

**

The royal gardens brimmed with life. Sunlight danced on the leaves of towering trees, and the gentle scent of blooming flowers filled the air. Amidst the idyllic scenery, seated at a small table, was the Queen, engrossed in a book. Beside her, a porcelain plate held a piece of cake, while a steaming cup of tea completed the picture of royal elegance.

The moment Sylphia spotted her mother, she quickened her pace. Soon, she reached her side and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around her. Veynessa looked at her with mild surprise but did not pull away. Instead, she gently ran her fingers through Sylphia’s hair.

"Did you miss me?" she asked softly.

"A little," Sylphia admitted, settling into the seat across from her. "You look tired. Was the trip long?"

"Nothing I didn’t anticipate," Veynessa answered, taking a sip of her tea. "And you? How have you spent these past few days without me?"

"Not very excitingly," Sylphia sighed. "Training, studying, some time in the gardens... but it's not the same when you're not around."

Veynessa smiled faintly and reached for her cake, breaking off a small piece.

"Then perhaps I should travel more often if my absence makes you appreciate me more."

"Mother!" Sylphia huffed in mock indignation, though a hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

The Queen chuckled softly, then regarded her daughter with a trace of curiosity.

"But you didn't come just to ask about my trip, did you?"

Sylphia hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage and meeting her mother's gaze.

"I want to know more about... him."

Veynessa's hand momentarily froze before she set her cup down. A shadow of contemplation crossed her face, as if she were weighing how much to reveal.

"So you’ve been eavesdropping on adult conversations," she commented, mildly amused.

"Everyone in the palace talks about him, but no one gives any real details," Sylphia countered with a hint of stubbornness. "All I know is that our family remains on top because of him. But who is he?"

Veynessa sighed, as though debating whether this was the right time for such a discussion. After a pause, she finally spoke.

"He is the shadow behind the throne," she said slowly. "He is the one who created our royal lineage. He is our ancestor, the first and most powerful among us—an entity that shaped our bloodline and secured our place at the pinnacle of power. His presence alone deters even the mightiest sects, and his influence still lingers over this world. Without him, our dynasty, our rule... would not exist. There is no one alive who can match him."

Sylphia listened intently, but her eyes filled with even more questions.

"Then why does no one speak of him openly? If he’s so powerful, why doesn’t he rule directly?"

Veynessa studied her carefully.

"Because he has no need for power. He is not a king. He is a force beyond all of this. And though he may not always be seen, his presence still looms over the world."

A chill ran down Sylphia’s spine. Whatever that meant, one thing was certain—this world was far more complex than she had imagined.

"Where exactly is he?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

Veynessa regarded her with a calculating expression, as if considering how much she should disclose.

"Our stronghold is divided into three distinct domains," she began. "The first is the dimension where the palace resides—the center of daily life for the royal family. This is the place you know best. The second dimension is our treasury, accessible only to a select few—you cannot enter it without the proper authority. And the third..." She paused, carefully choosing her words. "The third belongs to him. That is where he exists."

Sylphia felt her heartbeat quicken. A place entirely dedicated to a being who shaped their lineage? A being whom even her mother spoke of with such gravity? Just how powerful was he?

Sylphia furrowed her brows, trying to grasp the meaning of those words.

"A separate dimension? How does that work?"

Veynessa took a sip of her tea before answering.

"Dimensions are spaces that exist parallel to one another, but they are separated from our world by barriers that only a few can cross. What we see is merely a fragment of reality. He... never resides here. His world is closed off to most people."

Sylphia listened with growing fascination. If he had a dimension entirely for himself, how powerful must he be to possess such a space? And if he had his own realm... did that mean they were also living in a separate reality? Her thoughts wandered, trying to comprehend the vastness of such a concept.

"Mom..." she started cautiously. "If our residence is also a separate dimension, does that mean we're cut off from the real world?"

Veynessa smiled softly, seeing the understanding in her daughter's eyes.

"Exactly. We are safe here, but at the same time, isolated. What people see as the royal palace is merely a facade—the true seat of our family exists beyond ordinary space and time."

"In time, you'll understand more," Veynessa added, closing the topic. "But for now... there's something I should tell you."

Sylphia looked at her questioningly.

"Starting today, you will have a personal attendant."

"What?" Sylphia frowned. "I don't need a personal attendant."

"Every great person needs someone by their side," Veynessa said calmly. "Even if you don’t understand it yet."

Sylphia wanted to argue, but seeing her mother’s expression, she swallowed her words and nodded in reluctant agreement. Veynessa gently stroked her head, smiling slightly.

"Good girl," she said softly.

After a moment, Sylphia lifted her gaze and cleared her throat.

"Mom... I've been reading the book you gave me, but there's still one thing I don’t fully understand. What is the difference between cultivation and Qi absorption?"

Veynessa raised an eyebrow, looking at her daughter with mild amusement.

"A good question," she said, placing her teacup back on its saucer. "Qi absorption is the process of drawing energy from the external world into your body. Anyone can do it, even ordinary people, if they are sensitive enough to Qi. It's the foundation, something that prepares the body and soul for cultivation. However, merely absorbing Qi does not make you a cultivator."

Sylphia frowned, trying to process her mother’s words.

"So cultivation is something more?"

"Yes," Veynessa confirmed. "Cultivation is the conscious transformation of that energy into strength, refining the body, mind, and spirit. It is a path that requires not only Qi but also understanding, control, and personal determination. This is why the Ascension Ritual is so important. Only then will your cultivation root awaken, allowing you to store Qi within yourself and enhance your abilities."

Sylphia nodded but still looked deep in thought.

"So for now, I can only absorb Qi, but I can't use it yet?"

"Exactly," Veynessa replied. "But how much you absorb now will determine the strength of your future growth."

"Imagine that your body is a vessel," she began explaining further, noticing that Sylphia was still pondering. "Qi absorption is like pouring water into that vessel. You can fill it, but if you don’t have the right shape and structure, all the water will spill out. Cultivation is the process of refining and strengthening the vessel so that it can not only hold more energy but also shape and direct it properly. Only then can Qi become true power."

"That’s why having a high-quality cultivation root is so important," Veynessa added. "It determines not only the amount and quality of Qi you can absorb but also how easily you can refine and shape it. The higher the root quality, the greater the potential to achieve true power."

"Right now, all you’re doing is absorbing Qi into your body, which makes you physically stronger," Veynessa continued. "However, you are not storing it. A cultivator not only absorbs Qi to strengthen their body but also retains it within themselves, creating reserves that can be used in battle. Only when you reach that stage will you be able to consciously control energy instead of just relying on the natural enhancements to your body."

Sylphia blinked, processing everything she had just heard. It was far more complex than she initially thought.

Before she could ask another question, the doors to the garden opened, and Selene stepped inside. She stopped a few steps away and gave a slight bow.

"Your Majesty, Lord Velren has come to see you."

Veynessa raised an eyebrow before rising from her seat and adjusting her gown. She glanced at Sylphia, who still looked lost in thought.

"It seems I must take my leave," she said, once again stroking her daughter's hair. "Continue your studies, Sylphia."

Sylphia nodded, watching as her mother slowly walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.