Little Pink Starfish

When they arrived at the sanctum, Lu, Popo, and the attending priests were waiting under the scorching sun, drenched in sweat. As Nyne stepped down from the palanquin, they prostrated and greeted him with the utmost courtesy. With a gesture, Nyne told them to rise, and Lu quickly approached.

“Lord Nyne!”

Like a puppy seeing its master after a long absence, Lu hovered near, beaming. When Nyne patted his head, it seemed Lu might wag an invisible tail.

“The sanctum was so lonely and empty without you, Lord Nyne. Without fanning you, I thought my arm muscles would melt away!”

Nyne chuckled at the exaggerated complaint. Though Yiwu looked like he’d overheard something he shouldn’t have, Lu didn’t even glance at him. His eagerness to see Nyne was genuine.

Just as they were entering, Nyne paused.

“…What’s all this?”

“Oh! They’re gifts from Lord Amon to you, Lord Nyne.”

Everything they had seen in the grand corridor three days prior—the sculptures, the jewelry—had now been moved into Nyne’s sanctum. The artisans had apparently worked fast; the jewelry had already been adjusted to fit Nyne’s measurements.

Nyne’s gaze settled on the slightly shortened snake-themed jewelry.

“Shall I place the sculptures in the garden, Lord Nyne? It would look like you’re walking through the greenery—quite a sight.”

Nyne looked displeased. Honestly, he didn’t like the idea of sculptures of his own likeness, even if they were displayed in the High Temple or across Trastasa. While nobles often displayed art of themselves in their homes, Nyne had no desire to admire himself to that extent. He had deliberately kept such sculptures out of his sanctum.

“Put the statues of me and the portraits in the treasury. The animal sculptures… yes, those would look fine in the garden.”

Though disappointed, Lu answered obediently. He then turned to admire the jewelry with a blissful look and instructed the servants to bring the jewelry boxes. As he placed each item inside, Lu looked visibly happy—so much so that Nyne couldn’t help but feel content as well.

When Nyne stretched out on a long bench, Lu rushed over, leaving the jewelry behind, and knelt at his feet. The priests took over the task of moving the rest.

“Shall I give you a massage, Lord Nyne? You seem tired.”

“Go ahead.”

Though he’d already had one in Amon’s sanctum, Nyne didn’t want to disappoint Lu, so he agreed. The priests brought hot towels and fragrant oils. Lu dismissed them and personally attended to Nyne with glee, gently removing his clothes and jewelry, wiping him down with the hot towel. Nyne blinked lazily.

Lu really is quite possessive…

But that possessiveness came with loyalty and devotion. Nyne knew Lu put effort into maintaining his favor, so he didn’t dislike his impudence.

As Lu massaged him with practiced hands, he asked brightly, “Lord Nyne, the belt is finally finished. Would you like to see it?”

“…Belt? What belt?”

Nyne asked, puzzled. Lu hesitated, then casually continued as he rubbed oil over Nyne’s skin.

“It’s a belt generously adorned with emeralds and topaz. Each metal link is intricately engraved with lions.”

Lions? Nyne frowned. Most of his jewelry featured birds, fish, flowers, or fruits. Lions, snakes, crocodiles—those were more fitting for Amon’s adornments. Probably the work of some eccentric artisan.

“Not now. I’ll look at it later.”

“Yes, Lord Nyne.”

He just wanted to sleep while being massaged. Listening to the soft friction sounds as Lu diligently worked, Nyne’s eyelids began to droop.

Just as he was drifting off, a hushed conversation reached his ears, pulling him back from sleep.

“…What’s going on?”

Thinking he had fallen asleep, Lu had finished the massage and was now sitting at his feet, quietly munching on nuts. Startled, he coughed. Popo answered in his place.

“A Lesha came by requesting an audience, but we told them it was your nap time and turned them away, Sha Nyne.”

A Lesha? Who would come looking for me? A face briefly surfaced in Nyne’s mind but quickly faded. The pull of sleep was stronger. After a yawn, Nyne rolled over and fell back into slumber.

A week of lazing in bed shook off the lingering haze of the last ritual. Nyne regained his usual energy and spent peaceful days exploring his sanctum.

Though not quite as vast as Amon’s, his sanctum was still enormous—big enough to house thousands, yet it existed solely for one being.

An oasis and fountain, stables of rare animals, a blooming garden, various pools, a theater with singers and dancers always on standby, and a garden akin to a small forest.

Dozens of rooms filled with thousands of garments, a treasure vault overflowing with gold and jewels, a library stocked with rare texts, an armory of practical and elegant weapons, and a kitchen brimming with fresh ingredients.

All of it was for Nyne, and the place functioned around his divine status. A whole day could easily pass just walking from one corner to the next.

Today, Nyne’s steps brought him to the stables. There were separate enclosures for deer, crocodiles, snakes, and others—but Nyne most favored the leopard enclosure.

Surrounded by high fences and stone walls, the floor was paved for easy cleaning. Artificial bushes and trees were placed in ceramic pots, and a stream trickled through the enclosure—a space designed for cleanliness and the comfort of its fierce inhabitants.

Even before they entered, Lu was clearly nervous. Just as the priest reached for the gate, Nyne teased,

“Lu, want to wait here if you’re scared?”

“Scared? Not at all! They’re just oversized cats.”

Unlike usual—when he would beg to go see the deer or birds—Lu was putting on a brave face in front of the stoic warrior priest, Yiwu.

As the priest opened the gate, Lu visibly flinched and edged behind Nyne. Nyne pretended not to notice and stepped inside.

Trainers, who had been cleaning the floor, prostrated themselves at Nyne’s approach. With a gesture, he allowed them to rise.

“How is Nafa doing?”

“Very well, Sha. She eats and sleeps without any issues.”

Just then, golden eyes gleamed between the brush. Lu swallowed hard and stepped back. Yiwu and Seinka Hoan took a step forward, hands already resting on their blades. Nyne didn’t notice, instead greeting warmly:

“Nafa, come here.”

The great cat padded silently out of the brush. Her breathing was a low rumble, and her bared teeth were fearsome, but Nyne showed no fear.

The large leopard circled him once, brushing against his legs. Lu silently leapt back in alarm.

After circling, Nafa flopped over beside Nyne, exposing her belly and purring playfully.

Nyne crouched to stroke the warm, soft fur, and she let out a deep, contented purr.

Though raised by humans from cubhood, Nafa had the temper of a wild animal. She wouldn’t even glance at dead food and often bared her teeth at the trainers. One priest had even been badly injured after approaching her carelessly.

Yet with Nyne, she was always docile. From their first meeting, she had strangely cowered before him, flattening her ears and whining—only to become affectionate once he offered her food.

The priests claimed she recognized divine presence, but Nyne thought the trainers had cleverly used his scent in her early handling.

“There, there, good girl. My pretty kitty.”

While enjoying his touch, Nafa suddenly pressed her head into his chest. Apparently trying to be affectionate, she nearly knocked him off balance.

“Apologies, Sha!”

Yiwu quickly steadied Nyne and apologized for touching him without permission. Nyne said it was fine, but noted with some curiosity how Yiwu had recently felt closer than before.

The priests, quick to sense the mood, brought over plush cushions. Nyne sat, letting Nafa nuzzle him while offering her treats.

She glared at the people around Nyne with clear displeasure but eagerly accepted snacks from his hand.

While enjoying time with the enormous feline, a priest approached and whispered something to Popo. With a grave nod, Popo turned to Nyne to relay the message.