Unbecoming 04

The twilight sky glowed as auroras danced to the silent melody that the heavens played. Cailina looked around as the endless scenery engulfed her with a comforting air. Her feet firmed as she floated, and her dress flowed freely as if underwater.

Cailina gasped as she lifted her hand. She tried to reach out for something, but she immediately snapped her attention behind her as she heard the sound of shattering porcelain.

Gone was the sky beneath her feet, and was replaced by a marbled floor. She patted the sofa she was sitting at as everything happened before she could process it.

"Ah, you're here," a young man greeted her with a smile.

His snow-white hair cascaded until his waist as his robes fitted him perfectly. He offered tea at Cailina, there was no sign of any broken cups nor plates. 

"Now, tell me, what troubles you?" he asked as he sat.

Cailina blinked to reassure herself that she was only dreaming. Everything around her seemed familiar, but she couldn't seem to exactly tell why. 

A dream that she has long forgotten.

"I can't believe you are the silent one now," the young man sighed, "it's the same as always. If the rest found out you came here, you're dead."

None of the things the man said made sense to Cailina. She tried to focus her vision, but the blurred view gave her a headache.

Pain? 

She shouldn't be feeling anything. She must be dreaming, must dreams let you experience feeling?

Cailina looked outside the windows, even the action of her staring outside felt familiar. As time passed, she became more and more confused, lost, and empty. 

The young man clicked his tongue as he shook his head, "Why did you impede your own gift?"

She turned her attention to the ocean-eyed young man. His features were soft and refreshing, it was as if she would never get tired staring at him, and the longer she did, she seemed to be in a somewhat drunken state. 

Cailina took a last glance around her surroundings and stood as she spotted a door. She must get out of here. She wobbled her way to her only escape, but before she could grab the knob, her hand froze against her will.

She glared at the young man; her eyes glowed as she battled against his control. 

The young man laughed, "Are you certain that you wish to enter?"

His smile turned into something sinister, a pressure that she felt before. He caressed her cheek with his thumb, it was a light touch, but Cailina felt a shiver down her back. 

"Hyun…"

Cailina's lips quivered as she felt a tear fell down her face. She never thought that a random name would make her feel like she lost a close friend. She held his hand as another tear fell, and another until her silent cries turned to soft sobs.

The young man looked at Cailina, confused as to why she was weeping all of a sudden. He gently patted her back as she has always been easy with her tears. He sighed, he guessed that he put too much pressure on her to let her hidden memories open up. 

~

Cailina woke up with a gasp. She immediately felt her heart weighed her chest down as soon as she opened her eyes. She looked around, looking for signs that she was back from her former room, but to be disappointed that she was in the same bed she slept in.

She stretched her hands and stood. The moon was high up in the sky accompanied by the countless stars that glowed and glistened through the night. 

She made her way to her balcony as she basked under the moonlight, the soft breeze caressed her face. A simple gesture that comforted her. She felt alone and afraid.

Another stream of tears fell from her eyes. She stared at the unending teardrops that kept falling on her hand, they were warm. Cailina wiped her cheeks, but it did not stop her eyes from weeping on their own.

"Did I dream of something so tragic?" Cailina whispered to herself.

She looked up, her eyes welled up, and saw the pale moon. It comforted her that she and Aris were under the same moon.

Back at the fief, Aris stared at the moon with longing eyes. He greatly missed his Lady. He vividly remembered the day Cailina left the residence.

The worry in his heart never faded. He wanted to know if Cailina was eating well. If she made new friends and found people to be with. Perhaps, she found another puppy to keep.

The thought of another dog lingering around Cailina annoyed him. He clenched his fists; he promised to himself that when Cailina returned to him, he would be at the same status as her.

Aris snapped his attention to the bustling bush. He narrowed his eyes as a shadow emerged from the darkness. He relaxed his expression as it was someone he knew. 

"We need you back, my Lord," the shadow said, his head lowered to show respect to the long-lost heir, "there are struggles within the pack, I urge for your swift return."

Aris waved his hand, "Let them bite each other's heads off"

The shadow reached out but immediately retreated. Many innocents were suffering because there an unworthy leader stepped up and took power. The heir must take what was rightfully his.

"Rest your worries," Aris faced the shadow with a smile on his face, "I'm sure our beloved King would do something about it."

Gone was the soft puppy that Cailina knew. Aris had a hard time maintaining a pure façade in front of her, he massaged his chin with his fingers as he titled his head.

"The work would be easier if the bugs killed themselves, no?"

The shadow couldn't help but shiver at his master's countenance. He knew about the tragic past that Aris went through, it was only understandable that the heir became this way.

After all, the weak would not stand a chance in this world.