Chapter 16. The Everlasting Past

CYRUS

A feeling of embarrassment begins to creep into me, for I am reduced to a lesser human in her presence. Gracefully, she begins to make her way up the steps of the platform, an aura of majesty following her every stride. My legs weaken as she draws closer, and the musky scent of her perfume begins to seep into my nostrils.

“Oh, Great Princess, it is an honor to finally be graced with your presence in my lifetime.” Assar proceeds to prostrate before her. I can tell his newly found charisma is largely due to the excitement lacing the idea of becoming the richest merchant in the region.

She waves her black-gloved hands at him, bidding him to rise, but he insists on lying on the ground until one of the guards pulls him up to his knees.

I quickly steal a glance at Nabu, who, at this point, is the only one who is not kneeling or bowing in reverence to the princess. A rare puzzled expression is visibly plastered on her face. Perhaps because this is beyond our i