“What’s wrong?” Ace came to my side and studied me. “I thought that you would be...happy?”
I looked up at Ace, my lips tried moving and forming the right words out. “She’s...I…” I turned my attention back to Stella, who seemed uncomfortable whenever I looked at her. My heartache especially when she tried to hide behind the queen. “She’s different...she’s...older.” I muttered as I pictured what Stella looked like the last time I saw her.
My legs began to move all on their own. Viex jumped onto my shoulder while Custard simply walked with me as I approached her.
Queen Siera moved to the side so I would be able to see her. “Go on, child.” She gently pushed Stella towards me. Stella hesitated for a bit, but came to face me later on.
“Stella?” I managed to speak her name even though my lips were shaking with nervousness. “It’s me. Amy.”
Stella opened her mouth and hesitated. Her eyebrows drew back as she contemplated her words as if she was afraid to offend me. “You’re the princess, right? I’m so sorry, your highness, I mean no disrespect, but I think you have the wrong girl. I don’t have a sister.”
“W-What?” My throat was getting clogged as I fought off the emotions that were started to surface. Instead, I lowered myself until I can see her at eye level. “Stella, please don’t joke.” My fingers shook as I placed them on her shoulders. “Listen, I know that I may have a lot of lapses, and judging by your appearance, I may have been gone for a really long time.” I blinked fast. “But please, don’t tell me that you have forgotten about me. Stella, please. It’s Amy. Short for my second name Amber. You used to call me that because you had a hard time saying Rose.”
Stella stiffened under my touch. She gave me a sad look, removed my hands from her shoulder, and bowed regretfully. “Princess Rose, I deeply apologize. I never lie and I will not start lying just to comfort someone. I am an only child.” She started moving back and face the elf queen. “Your highness, may I go and visit Leo?”
I felt Queen Siera giving me a look, but I was too stunned at what I just heard that I was staring into an empty space. “Alright.” I heard her say before the door closes.
And she was gone. Even though she’s here, she was still gone. To her, I never existed. I fell on my knees and felt Viex whipping away the silent tears that fell down my cheeks. Custard whimpered and tried to get my attention, but I just sat there. Looking at the ground.
And then, very slowly, I began to cry.
I pulled Viex and Custard into a hug as I continued to express my emotions through tears. I saw someone sitting crossed-legged in front of me. It was Ace. “She...She doesn’t even know that I exist.” I tried to laugh as a joke but I just ended up crying instead.
Ace didn’t say a word. He just nodded.
“She bowed to me like I really am a princess. She was afraid of me. Me, her older sister! Why’d she do that!?” Still, Ace didn’t say anything, he just listened. “I stayed in this world to protect her. But I just endangered her instead. And now, she doesn’t..!” I bit my lips and buried my face into Custard’s fur. “I’m sorry. I must sound like I am being ungrateful, even though you risked your life to save her.”
“You risk King Ferius’s life when I came to save her you mean.” He corrected me.
My eyes were wet with tears, but I still gave him a look. “I never knew you can say something so shameless.”
“It’s a fact.” He says it with confidence.
“Do you know why she must have forgotten about me? Just how much time has passed between this realm and my world?”
Ace shook his head. “I heard a brief explanation from Eltur and Darem. They called the queen immediately when they noticed that she doesn’t know you or even remember you. Queen Elizabeth has no idea of the reason as well, which means that it wasn’t her who erased your sister’s memory. Also, she did mention once that time can be unpredictable.”
My fingers curled into fists. “If it wasn’t my aunt then it was him wasn’t it? King Ferius.” I spoke his name with such hatred and malice, that I felt Custard almost shifting because of my anger.
Ace noticed Custard's fur changing for a brief moment before looking at me. “Why does he take such a form? And how can he morph when you’re not around?”
“That’s...can we discuss that for another time?” I said. “Right right, I am too angry at King Ferius. All I want to think right now is to cut his head off.”
“Don’t you go getting ideas for revenge.” Ace warned me. “I fought that man and believe me when I say that you can’t even hold a candle to him. You’ll be dead before you can even throw your whip.”
“Aren’t you the one who said that I risked his life when I sent you after him? Why does it sound like you are wary of him now?”
Silence.
“You know,” Ace got up and dusted the back of his pants. “You should go to your sister instead of crying pettily with that raccoon eyes of yours.”
“But she doesn’t even have any memory of me!”
“Then make a new one! A good f*cking new one that can surpass the old ones. The both of you are in a magical realm, right? Surely that would count as something coming from that blant world of yours. Go show off your magic trick or whatever.” He says before grabbing my arms and hauling me up. He started dragging me towards the door. “I need some rest and you are disturbing me.”
“Wait...Ace?” I gasped when he threw me out of the room.
“Goodbye!” He says before slamming the door shut.
I placed Custard back on the ground as I placed my hands on my hips. Unbelievable. Why do people like to kick me out of the room all the time?!
This is really starting to offend me.
The door suddenly opened. Ace threw something at my face before he shut it back again.
I grabbed the thing that was blocking my face only to see that it was a handkerchief. “WIPE THAT...WATER OFF OF YOUR FACE BEFORE YOU GO AND SEE YOUR SISTER!” He screamed.
“YOU COULD HAVE HANDED IT TO ME LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!” I yelled back and glared at the door.
“I AM A PRINCE! I DO WHAT I WANT! GET LOST!”
“AND I AM A PRINCESS!” I retorted back. “I HAVE MY RIGHTS!”
‘Master? Master!’ I looked down at Custard. He was pointing at another elf who was standing there, baffled and confused at the exchange that he just saw. When he noticed me looking at him, he immediately bowed.
“Your highness, I apologize. I was just passing by. I did not mean to eavesdrop.”
“It’s fine! There really was nothing important to be discussed with.” I used the handkerchief and wiped my face clean. “I do need a favor from you though.”
“What is it, your highness?”
“Can you take me to see where they took the little blonde girl that was with Queen Siera?”
“Of course, your highness. Right this way.” The elf attendant proceeded to show me the way out of the castle. According to him, the two of them were in the backyard garden of the palace as the young boy seemed more comfortable when he’s out of the castle.
That statement alone made me wary. Young boy? What young boy?
‘I can smell them.’ Custard says and started running off the moment that we were out and into the backyard. He ran past the elf attendance, which startled him.
“Sorry about that. I think I can take it from here. Thank you!” I apologize to him again before running off to follow Custard.
‘Honestly.’ Viex said as he jumped on my shoulder. ‘That kid has no manners.’
I know that Viex has always been very strict with Custard since the little wolf is my main spirit.But I really feel like Viex just wanted him to be capable of protecting me, I guess. And right now, I can feel a bit of respect coming from him and towards Custard.
Whatever happened out there, Custard must have done something impressive for Viex to acknowledge him. I hope that they will lessen their quarrels from now on.
We were soon coming to a clearing where a natural spring was located. Custard slowed down enough for me to grab him and immediately hide behind a tree. I don’t know what pushed me to hide, but I was pretty sure I saw Stella with a young boy just now.
I frowned and started to peak. They seemed like they were talking. But what were they talking about?
‘Viex, you’re familiar with them, right? Go and join those two.’
‘Princess, you’re not trying to use me to eavesdrop, right?’ Viex asked suspiciously. ‘Why can’t you just go and join them?’
‘Whaaaat? Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.’ I scoffed before I grabbed Viex and placed him on the ground. ‘Now go, Viex go!’
‘Go, Viex, go!’ Custard chanted with me.
Viex gave us both one last annoyed look before he marched towards the two. Stella was the first one to see him. She smiled brightly before coming down and picking him up. Immediately, I tapped into Viex’s hearing to hear what they were talking about. “Hello, Viex. It’s nice to see you again.”
‘That makes one of us.’ Viex made the unnecessary remark that seemingly made the young boy laugh.
I frowned and focused my attention on the kid. He looked no older than Stella. He was a very pale and thin kid. His hair was a black shaggy mess and his eyes, although red, were seemingly soft and harmless. They were warm.
I narrowed my gaze at the boy. A good-looking kid. Very suspicious. I don’t like it.
“If that’s how you feel then what are you doing here, Viex?” The kid said while laughing. My eyes widened in the realization that he could understand what Viex was saying. Just who is this child?!
‘I…’ Viex tried to say something but I sent him a warning not to tell them that I was here. ‘I came here to tell you a message from Kaya.’
Upon hearing the name, the boy’s face fell. “He...he stayed didn’t he? He’s one of those spirits that are bound to one place.”
Viex nodded in confirmation. ‘He is. He told me to tell you to live well from now on. And for my master to vouch for your stay. This means that you won’t have to pretend to be someone you are not.’
Me? Vouch for him? Why? Is the kid a criminal!? My brows furrowed and I looked at Custard. The little wolf was as clueless as I was.
This became a sort of habit between the two of us ever since Viex arrived.
“But,” The young boy faltered and stared at the ground. “I am…”
In that instant, Stella placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder as if she was comforting him. Immediately, I found myself gripping on the tree’s trunk like my life depended on it as I watched them intently.
Who the hell is that kid!? Why is she holding him?! Are they close? Are they friends?!
‘Master? Are you okay?’ I felt Custard looking at me worriedly.
‘I don’t know, Custard. Who is that kid?’ I demanded. I was fighting the urge to run there myself and separated the two of them. But not yet. Not when I still have to built a new relationship with Stella.
‘I believe that is the Leo guy that sent you the letter. But I think he is a good guy. I saw him riding Midnight. He had Stella sit in front of him so he could support her. They look like a prince and a princess.’
“HE WHAT!?” I gasped when I realized that I just screamed.
“Who’s there?!” I heard the young boy yelling and saw him pulling Stella behind his back protectively.
Alright. That’s it!
I moved out of my hiding spot so I could face him. My hands were crossed over my chest as I glowered at him.
Leo saw me first before his eyes darted towards Custard. His eyes widened as if he just recognized me. Immediately, he bowed. “Princess Rose, I apologize. I didn’t realize that it was you.”
I was taken aback by how respectful this kid was. Great. Now how am I supposed to dislike him?!
“Oh um...Hi, yes. You may stop bowing now.” I said awkwardly. I cleared my throat. My eyes darted towards Stella, who was peeking behind Leo. “H-Hello there. I’m sorry that we have gotten off to a wrong start. May I formally introduce myself?” I was speaking nervously.
Leo nodded at Stella and moved back so I could see her. Stella gave Leo a glance before she looked right at me. With Viex in her hands, she nodded.
I felt happy as I gave her a short curtsy, the one that royals usually exchange with each other. Since I am royal, then so is she. “My name is Rosalie Amber Stan. I am a royal tamer.” I said and then gestured at Custard and Viex, who now came to my side. “These two are my contracted spirits.”
Stella’s eyes widened. “Stan?” She gasped. “We have the same family name? I’m Ste-”
“Stella Antoinette Stan.” I finished for her and smiled sadly. “I know.”
Her face fell guiltily. “You seem to be telling the truth. You even know my name. But why can’t I remember you even though you say that I am your sister? Were we separated at birth?”
“No. We grew up together.” I said. “Our guess is that the king must have done something to you when he brought you here.” At the mention of the King, I saw Leo flinching and gripping his arm tightly.
Stella places a hand on Leo’s shoulder, which made me twitch an eye, but stopped when she turned to look at me. Her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears that I automatically moved closer to her. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
I kneeled in front of her. “I will no longer force you to remember who I am. All I care about is that you’re safe. And if you want, maybe we can create new memories of us together?” I offered. To be frank, I wasn’t sure if she was willing to spend any time with me or even wants to do anything that includes me.
That was why I was thrilled when I saw the small smile that appeared on her face. “Yes.” She answered.
“That’s great.” I smiled before looking at Leo. He flinched under my gaze and widening Cheshire-cat smile. “Now, how about you tell me who your little friend is? After all, sisters should tell each other about their friends.”