The summoning had been a success. When she first witnessed the being that had emerged from the light, Boundless joy filled Liliana's heart . At long last, her greatest wish will be granted.
The Great Spirit was beautiful beyond words, though learning it was a male came as a great shock. He was tall and lean, lacking excessive fat or defined muscles. His skin was as white as marble, and she could tell by sight alone that its smoothness surpassed hers. His hair reached down to his shoulders, its color matching the darkest of nights. Then there were his eyes.
His eyes were like two pools of ink, filled with infinite darkness that threatened to swallow all light. When she looked into them, heat spread over her face, to the point that she wanted to cover it with both hands.
No man had made her blush since the time she was ten. Thankfully, she had trained hard and learned to control her expressions. Her determination overcame all her other emotions, and thus she was able to voice her wish.
The wait that followed was unlike anything she had experienced before. Minutes passed as the great spirit contemplated her wish, and the fear that he might refuse to grant it pulled on her nerves.
"Liliana Aveline Goldlance."
At the mention of her name, Liliana's heart almost leaped out of her chest. She quickly went and knelt in front of the Great Spirit. Rosalia and Daphne followed.
"I have considered your wish, and I have arrived at a decision." The great spirit said. "Unfortunately, I am unable to grant you the power you seek."
Despair struck, and Liliana looked up with a start, blood draining her face.
"However," before she could say a word, the Great Spirit spoke again. "I can elevate your growth, supplement it so you would rise to the heights you seek."
"Great Spirit… I…"
"There is no glory to be claimed from a battle won by another's power. No honor to be gained. If you wish to see your people rise, you have to carve the path yourself. If that is the path you wish to walk, then I shall provide my assistance. Anything beyond that has too steep a price for a mortal such as yourself to pay."
Liliana listened attentively, clinging on to each word in search of hope. The message reached her loud and clear, and with it came a wave of shame.
In her desperation, she had sought that forbidden spell. She had called for the spirits wishing they would take away her weakness and grant her power—the power to bring down those who for laughed as she fell.
But it was as the spirit said. Is there any honor to be gained from a battle won with someone else's strength?
"Your wisdom has enlightened me, O Great Spirit." She said, lowering her head once more. She had found her conviction. "I wish to carve a path with my own hands. Please grant me your assistance."
"Very well." The great spirit nodded. His lips curved into a smile, and she felt her heart skip a beat. "Then, shall we discuss the price?"
Liliana opened her mouth to respond, but words betrayed her, and her mind went blank.
"The… price?"
"That is correct. Surely you did not expect your wish to be granted for free?"
"I…"
A price. Of course. Everything came at a price. She was aware of that much when she steeled her resolve to call the spirits. Though it had wavered, that resolve still remained. Closing her eyes, Liliana drew in a deep breath.
"If it is to reclaim what we have lost." Raising her gaze, she met the spirit's dark eyes. "Then I am prepared to offer my soul."
No sooner had she said the words than the smile vanished from the Great Spirit's face. Fear gripped Liliana as she realized she might have offended him, and for a moment, she believed her soul to be far from sufficient.
"I have no use for human souls." He said, momentarily relieving her fear.
But if her soul wasn't the price he seeks, then what could it be?
"Great spirit, please forgive my ignorance." She said. "What I meant to say is… if it is within my means, then I am willing to pay any price."
"... very well."
The silence lingered as the great spirit seemed to contemplate something. Liliana's anxiousness continued to rise, and in her mind, she went over everything the great spirit might demand from her. Nothing could have prepared her for the answer, however.
"In that case, then you shall become my wife."
"... eh?"
It was the dead of the night, and there was no sound that might have caused her to mishear. Despite that, Liliana couldn't believe her own ears.
"Hm? What is it, Liliana Aveline Goldlance?" The Great Spirit narrowed his eyes at her. "Is my price beyond your means? Or do you mean to say I am unfit to be your husband?"
"That's not…"
Liliana was utterly confused. She knew the price would be steep. She knew the spirit might demand something precious to her, or something she couldn't afford to give. Never did it occur to her that he would ask for her hand in marriage.
As she stared at him, his words repeated in her mind. The last one sparked a vivid fantasy, and as she lost herself in it, her face bloomed into a bright shade of read. Her rising heat helped bring her back to reality, and she rushed to hide her shameful expression.
Sadly, the beating of her heart was far too loud for her to hear her own thoughts, and before she could silence it, the Great Spirit spoke again.
"Very well." With those words, the Great Spirit stood up. "You are a woman of noble birth. I understand you might not have a say in whom you marry."
The truth was that, until he mentioned it, Liliana did not even begin to consider the implications. To nobles, marriage was a means to form and strengthen alliances. As her house continues to fall, marriage offers poured in from those who wish to take advantage of the situation. All it would take is for her mother to give in to the pressure, and she would be made to marry one of those who wish to witness her family devoured.
Liliana did not want that. If she had to choose between one of those deceitful opportunists and the beautiful Great Spirit, then-
"If that is the case, then I shall prove it to you."
Looking up, Liliana found the Great Spirit standing in front of her. He held her gaze for a moment then turned to her right, looking at Daphne.
"Bring me something sharp. A knife would do."
Daphne's eyes widened slightly, but she was quick to regain her composure. Not budging from where she knelt, she reached under her cloak and produced a small dagger.
"Let us call it a trial." The Great Spirit said, studying the blade before pressing its sharp tip to his right index finger. "I will give you a taste of my power. If by the end of it you are still unconvinced, then we shall part ways and forget all about this meeting. However…"
Seeing a crimson drop form, Liliana panicked as she realized that he had cut himself. The Great Spirit seemed unperturbed. Lowering the knife, he once again held her gaze.
"If you still wish to receive my blessing thereafter, you must offer yourself as my bride." He glanced at Daphne, then at Rosalia. "The offer extends to the both of you."
A trial to see whether she wants to have her wish granted or not. When she considered the terms, Liliana couldn't help but see how generous the Great Spirit was being. That drew her mind in a certain direction once more, and she began to wonder if the Great Spirit's desire to have her as his wife was the reason he answered her call from the start.
Forcefully pulling herself away from those thoughts, Liliana glanced at her friends, checking for their opinions. The two were likely to follow in her footsteps, so she was going to be deciding for all three of them. She took a moment, considered everything. In the end, the choice was obvious.
"I humbly accept your offer."
"A wise decision." Nodding, he extended his hand to her. "Open your mouth,"
Liliana did a he said, and the great spirit let a single crimson drop fall into her mouth. Though he hadn't said anything, she had a feeling that she has to swallow the drop to receive the blessing. Nothing seemed to change at first, but a few seconds later, a strange sensation spread to every spec of her body.