Chapter 2: Chapter 2
This is the land of freedom that is composed of four countries, the north, south, east and west where Nexus act as the city capital found at the center. It is also known as the central palace. They are responsible for the maintenance of peace in each country known as the government. They send members of the council called as elders to represent them in each country that served as advisers to the Royals.
Before I met Antoneth, I've live my life as a marionette. Being born as part of the Royal family have its own downside. I could be the next in line from my father that's why everyone treats me differently. I've been surrounded by servants day and night. Servants I was constantly reminded not to trust. My father used to be by my side when I was little but when I start to resemble my mom he suddenly keep his distance. Since then I seldom see him in his office. I've come to believed this would be my life forever but something in me doesn't want to. I want to live my life. I want to exist for myself and not for the government. I hate to see myself following orders from the elders just like the king if ever I claim the throne someday. I'm sick and tired of this empty feeling in my heart, so I planned to end it as soon as I see an opportunity to do it.
The day before my sixteenth birthday I was given a freedom to be on my own for a day to enjoy myself alone for it would be my last day as an ordinary princess for I will be proclaimed as the crown princess on my birthday. My mother died giving birth to me and my father failed to remarry and produced an heir to be the next in line as the king for sixteen years. I the only child would be proclaimed as the crown princess who would be the future queen of our country. I don't want it. I don't want to live in this world full of lies. As the servants stopped from following me. They all bow and said "Have a great time your majesty."
"I will." I replied and turn to walk my way towards the forest to wander. I walk and look around me. Taking my time to enjoy every step of the way as I'm about to end everything once and for all. I walk and walk my way towards the cliff. When I reach the peak I look down and see nothing but water. That's perfect. I took a deep breath and turn around before I let myself fall from the cliff as I looked at the clear sky above where everything seems like a slow-mo. I feel lighter as the cold wind embraces my body I spread my arms wide open and close my eyes as I took one last breath before my body hit the cold water. I open my eyes and see bubbles floating as i go deeper in the water. Then I saw a blurry Image making its way towards me. It's has a faint amber stone color I wished to see longer but everything starts to fade away.
I can feel the cold breeze of the wind from my cheeks as we move so fast. I sense that I'm being carried somewhere by something so big and fluffy. I want to open my eyes but I couldn't. I don't feel good. It's very cold I'm shivering. I open my eyes and saw a different ceiling from my room. It's so worn-out. There are holes on it. I looked at my side and saw a fireplace with a stove pot that's oozing some great smell. I sit and heard my stomach growl.
"You must be hungry." a woman said from outside. Who could it be? Is it a terrorist? Where am I? Wait a minute. Think! Odella! think! So before you got here you...Huh.. So this person saved my life. "I'm sorry if I scared you." She said as she approach me. She is very tall and beautiful. She has pale skin and bluish eyes. She's wearing a navy blue shirt with black corset belt, black tights and brown leader boots. She has a long blond hair that she tie like a pony tail with a black ribbon. "My name is Antoneth and you are?"
"I'm Odella. Do you mind if I ask a question?" I said and then my stomach growl for the second time.
"Sure, perhaps after supper. " She said. I changed into my short sleeves sundress that are now dry before we shared a meal together with her father. It was a very warm home. How I wish my home is warm like this. The night is getting darker and I need to go home. Antoneth offered to escort me on my way home. As we walk towards the path to the palace I keep having glances at her.
"Uhm, can we stop for a moment?" I said. She turn to face me
"Oh yeah, you have something to ask. What is it?"
"I've been bothered since the time I saw you." I said as she listen carefully. "Why is that you keep emitting an amber stone aura through your body? And why is it different from your father" I asked. She widen her eyes and she became guarded.
"Are you from the central capital?" She asked as she move a step back.
"No. Why?" I asked. "Do I look like someone who would come from Nexus?" I said with my arms crossed. "They are the type of people who wore All black garments from head to toe that barely seen in daytime." For real?
"Please excuse me for my rudeness." She said. "The truth is I've been hiding from them for ages. I'm an Orphan. I lost my family when I was young and I was adopted. That explain why my father and I have different werewolf aura." She said to me.
"What do you mean by werewolf aura?" I asked.
"Every werewolf have their own aura. The color depends on what pack you belong to. Only the elders could see the aura we are emitting and I never would have imagine that you can see auras." She frowned.
"Me too. This is the first time I ever saw an aura." I said. Is this a curse or a gift?
"Unless you're part of..." She grasp and looked at me. "Is Lady Ceraphim your mother?" She asked.
"How do you know my mother?" I asked. She kneel with her right knee and placed her left hand on her heart.
"My queen." She said. "I've been waiting for your return."
"What are you talking about?" I said. "Do you know that I'll be the crown princess tomorrow?"
"Perhaps you lost your memories during your deep slumber." She said and stand up straight in front of me. "I'll never loose you again my queen." She smile.
"What are you talking about?" I asked. "You're scaring me."
"Now is not the right time and place to tell you everything my queen. You'll eventually get back your memories on your own time. I hope to see you soon My Queen Allessa." She said. I step back from her. This is too much for me to handle. This is crazy.
"Stop this nonsense Antoneth. This is not funny." I said in a very serious voice.
"Novak!" She called. "You know what you have to do."
Something hit me so softly and I'm feeling dizzy. Everything's blurry. I heard Antoneth calling my name and I open my eyes.
"What happen?" I asked.
"You suddenly feel dizzy and asked if we could stop for a moment." She said. She seems worried.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine. So where were we?"
"I've explained that you had a unique ability to see werewolves aura. That is quite a gift you got there."
"I agree." I said and looked at the sky. It's pretty late I have to go. "Uhm, I think you can go now. I'm fine from here."
"I don't think I could do that princess Odella." She said.
"How did you know I'm a princess?" I asked.
"You told me about it your majesty."
"I did?" When did I said that? It must be when we're talking about family matters earlier. How come I forgot that. "Anyway, I'm really fine from here."
"In that case, may I be your servant?" She asked sincerely. "I promise my loyalty only to you starting from today upto my next life." She said as she bow her head. This is the first time I see someone like this. I can feel her sincerity. I think there would be no harm in accepting her.
Since that day she dedicated herself as my loyal secretary. We became close. We smile and laugh together. She even help me on how I can be able to read auras. She became my first friend. I start to trust again because of her and the ill feeling from the people around me feels lighter than before. I thought it would last but then it didn't.
It was a dim morning. All of us were preparing for the festival when we saw her father waving on us to come closer. He looked troubled. I can see it. His sliver grey aura is wavering. Her father hug her tight as we come closer.
"Your majesty." He said and bow to me. He looked at Antoneth with his troubled eyes.
"What's the matter? Is there something wrong?" Asked Antoneth.
"I was chosen as a representative for the carnival." He said and released her. Antoneth's eyes widen. She's really shock about the news but her aura remain stable. Why is that? I'm kinda confuse.
"Why does it have to be you father? Your old and can't protect yourself unlike before." Her voice is a little husky.
"We can't do anything about it. We don't have the right to question the elders." He said and turn his face towards me. "Your majesty, will you please let me talk to my daughter privately?"
"Of course. Take your time." I said. They move far enough for me not to hear them. Thanks to my clear vision I can see them clearly. I see Antoneth's fear as they talk to each other yet she manage to give a wry smile. He would have been spared if Antoneth didn't become my servant and stayed hidden from the eyes of the elders.
A carnival is a game of life and death. It's either you win or you loose. It is being held every year in the annual anniversary of Nexus and I don't get the idea of having people fight for their life for the said anniversary. Every country has to give at least three representatives to go play at the carnival. It is compose of a human, a witch and a werewolf. They have to work as a team and when they win they'll be given the chance to see the head elder and they can choose whether to serve the central capital or be freed from slavery.
On the day of the carnival I had an endless workload that forbids me to watch the carnival. It could have been my first, if I had fixed my schedule ahead of time. Antoneth managed to go and watched her father but when she come back I saw sadness all over her face. I tried to approach her but she shove me away. She told me that she'll take a leave to mourn for her father and come back once things are settled but since then she became distant. I understand why she became like that and I feel sorry for her lost but this is a different matter. What does that letter have to make her like this? She turn to look at me. Her eyes are still in tears and from the look of her eyes I sense that it's not the right time to ask her.
"I'm sorry your majesty." She said with a horse voice. This is the first time I saw her cry like this. I know that she's crying but her aura remains the same and even brighter. This is confusing.
"I think you need some tissue." I help her to the chair and get some tissue from her belt bag and give it to her. "Here." She's wearing a simple off white long sleeves under her dark green shirt with black tights that's a little wet because of her tears. She blow her nose and sniff then turn to face me.
"Thanks." She said. She's a little calm now. I think she need some rest. She looks terrible. "I'm sorry that you see me like this."
"I will not ask you again but make sure not to worry me." I look at her seriously. "You need to take a rest." She definitely need it. "Go home for now. I can take care of it from here." I don't know if I can but this is the only thing I can do for her.
"Are you sure?" She asked frowning. She don't believe me and I can't blame her for that.
"Yes." I reassure her. I guess she knows me very well. I'm a little carefree when it comes to my duties because I always depend on her.
"How about the meeting?" She looked worried but I know I've got to do this. I don't know what's written on that letter though I really want to know but she should be the one to tell me when she's ready.
"I can handle it. Don't worry." I pat her shoulder thinking she'll trust me. She's worried about me but I think I'll be okay somehow. I just have to mingle a little. I don't think it'll make any harm.
"But." She said worriedly. Her eyes are still red from crying that hard and I felt that I made the right decision, though I'm not really confident about it.
"No more buts. That's an order." I warn. "Not because your my friend but as my servant I need you to be in your best condition." She never let me do something by myself and I understand her but this is a little different.
"I know princess Odella but are you really sure about this? I'll be okay. I should go with you." She insisted.
"Are you going against my order?" I raise my brow. "You heard me." She knew that I'm a little stubborn and I do admit it.
"I understand. Just call me whenever you need me." She can't win against my will but when it comes to my safety it's the other way.
"Sure." That's a fast one. I thought she'll keep insisting. I never thought she'll agree that fast because we often argue when I make her go home ahead of time before she end's her duty.
"I'll be there as soon as possible, you know that." Of course as always. Whenever or wherever I need her she's always there and never failed me yet I can sense some distance between us. She's keeping a lot things from me.
"Yes I do." But I don't think your on a stable condition right now. I don't think I'll call. "Come on let's go." I didn't tell her what I'm thinking because I don't want her to insist in going with me. She needs to go home.
"Fine." she said. "Thank you." She smiled a little. Her cheeks are a little red same as her eyes but much better that earlier. I never want to see her like that again.
"Don't mention it." This is the least I can do. I don't know how to comfort her. I'm not worthy as a friend. I hate myself for it. This is the second time I'm not able to do something for her. First was when her father died and this time I've done what I did before, letting her be alone for awhile. Before we part our ways she lent me her booklet then wave goodbye.
I jump on my bed as soon as I closed the door of my room. That was tiring. I kick my boots and feel the mattress. I yawn. I think I need a nap. I get the booklet and check the schedule. The meeting will start at ten. I glance at my watch. It's only four. I can take a nap first. I go underneath the sheets and close my eyes hoping not to dream that again.
TO BE CONTINUED
Weekly Power Status
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