Chapter 30 - Memory (2)

Tracing memories is one of Fairy abilities. They could trace their own and other creatures, exchanging their own energy for split seconds or hours of past memories. So never get caught lying in front of them or they could mark you as liars.

One of the many things humans shouldn't ever do.

-Excerpt from 'The Essential Book of Human Survival'.

Jonathan Lorth.

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Ruby was trying to mix a few ingredients to fix Raiene's Errian Ring when suddenly the front door was pushed open, Raiene had walked inside with eyes lit up while her face glowed from happiness.

"What is it?"

Ruby knows Raiene's personality, though her smile always painted her face, her eyes had always shown different emotions. Inside Arrenquile, being labelled as a freak since birth had affected the girl. Despite staying out of politics, status or anyone's favor, she still received torture and accusations from the Royal Family.

For once, her smile was breathtaking and mesmerising to see.

"Nothing," the girl said and started walking upstairs.

The night engulfed as dark glittering skies filled with stars painted the horizon, the sound of wind fluttered through the night, concealed once bright and traces of sun.  Her mind right now still wanders off to that time a few moments ago, when Artha scoops her body and flies towards the sky with ease.

Those black wings fluttered, showing its power amidst the descent sun and blowing wind.

How she wished time would stop.

Giggling, Raiene covers her blushing face. Her heart beats fast from recalling the short and blissful memories. She couldn't hide the happiness that overflows inside her heart from what she experienced today.

She felt normal for once, an average creature spending her time within the crowds and happily wandering around without having to face endless stares from her surroundings.

It's a good memory, one she wanted to cherish even after returning back to Arrenquile. 

Once again Ruby's words hit her hard, feeling depressed about the fact that she will one day forget ever meeting Artha. Biting her lips, she stands up from the bed and descends down the stairs, gathering her sudden decision and determination, she finds Ruby still occupied with mixing a few ingredients.

"What is it?"

Feeling the stare directed at her, Ruby asked without even lifting her head. Her gem-like eyes still scrutinise the notes she previously had written down when strengthening the ring.

Raiene takes a step closer and plays with a few empty cups scattered around the table, eyes trailing around at the work Ruby is currently focusing on and then abruptly stops at her face.

"Just say it. I won't bite you. As you are probably aware, I'm on a different type of diet, human wasn't on my list of dishes to savour on," Ruby stated, letting out a smirk right at the girl and chuckling lightly, witnessing the way Raiene pouted her cherry lips and scrunched up her brows.

"I'm not playing around."

Ruby nodded her head, this time she didn't look up at Raiene, eyes searching for one particular herb. Finding it missing, she turned around and headed towards a shelf filled with colourful bottles.

"This potion. Is there a way for me to retrieve my memories later on?"

Her voice filled with uncertainties, Ruby wasn't even sure whether she heard Raiene clearly judging by the way her voice went quiet each word she let out. This question had caused Ruby to cease her movement for a moment, she turned around and crossed her arms, eyes staring at Raiene with a questioning gaze, demanding an explanation and plausible reason for this question to be even uttered.

Feeling nervous by those stares, Raiene averted her previous gaze into the floor, "I just became a little curious, that's all." She mutters under her breath, "you once said that this potion was used on Vampires before and after knowing its dangerous side effect, they immediately stopped consuming it. I just want to know whether they could get their memories in the end."

The words easily flowed out of her mouth. She was more baffled by the fact that she could manage to face Ruby with calm rather than be shocked at her abilities of spouting out lies in front of her.

Ruby starts to seriously think it over, finding Raiene's unusual question as one of her curiosity about creatures acting up again.

"Vampires value strong relationships and bonds, they are creatures who are full of grudge and pay debt to the tiniest bit. Memories are considered very important for them. It is hard for them to live on knowing there's part of their memories wiped out because of this potion."

Ruby turned around, retrieved a few bottles and walked towards the table filled with other ingredients and a large wooden bowl.

"I've heard once, witches had created a particular spell or concoction to fill out Vampire erased memories. Though in the end, they couldn't fully remember every memory under the influence of Lurra potion. Resulting in this potion's existence to fade over decades, but research is still conducted and allowed for a few individuals and groups."

Ruby raised her head and faced Raiene, staring straight at her.

"So to answer your previous question. No, I do not know a way to retrieve your lost memories once the effect of Lurra potion runs out."

Before going downstairs, she had held onto about fifty percent of possibilities, this percentage of wanting to still be able to keep her precious memories she made today, though inside she had doubt clouding her mind regarding this percentage.

However, now Ruby words have hit her with reality that she should accept. 

She will have to forget everything. 

"I understand," her eyes turned hazy as a force smile graced her lips.

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Soren paces a few times inside the library, his eyes would sometimes quickly wander off to the large open window, where the Royal Prince Kyzen is currently playing a game of chess by himself. Though Soren doubts whether the royal is playing around or having a vital game of chess with a spirit.

However, Soren actually focuses on the main entrance to the palace. He could catch a small glimpse of the gate,  where sound of arrival or depart of Qye's Royal Family would erupted once the stationed personnel witness a tiny glimpse of a carriage bearing Royal crest of Qye.

He was thoroughly tricked by Prince Alron, the royal had instructed him to clean the stable and prepare a few Suttern's famous cuisine for dinner, Prince Alron had said it was one of traditions inside Qye. Believing those statements, Soren spent four hours preparing the most famous delicacies from Suttern. However, he only questioned everything when it came to cleaning the stables.

What does the polished condition of Qye's stables have anything to do with preparing Suttern cuisine?

Why should he be the one to clean it when Qye's have their own servant?

Feeling as if getting hit on his head, he realises something is wrong and quickly searches all possible space inside the palace, including the library only to find it all empty of the royal presence. Soren knew he would be punished once the Crown Prince arrives, he could only hope he could salvage it all and be able to keep his life at the very least.

"Nonsense."

Startled, Soren stopped and gaze at the Royal Prince, his eyes scrunched up in confusion as his slender and pale fingers begin to tap the table in repeated motion, his eyes stares off in daze, seemingly in disbelief, though Soren wasn't sure what it was all about.

"Layer of protection?"

He muttered under his breath, perplexed about the whole situation. Soren never witnesses the one before him hold such expression, the usual calm and collected Royal Prince who seems too idle and free, holds an expression of fully puzzled and worried, as if someone had the audacity to pull his chair right when he was about to take a seat on.

Soren could feel shiver when all of a sudden, the prince began to smirk and let out a chuckle as his eyes turned dark for a split of a second before turning back to its original lush green.

"Interesting."

Soren felt terrified and was about to turn around when the Royal Prince added.

"Hey. You should go now. My little sister and beloved nephews will arrive in ten minutes."

Not daring to delay one bit, Soren bowed respectfully and rushed out of the library, straight to the main gate.

Meanwhile, Kyzen moves his chess piece and smiles at the empty chair in front of him. His eyes turned solemn and sighed deeply.

"What brings you here, sister."

His eyes turned a degree cold as his mouth let out a disbelief chuckle.

"Ah, of course, precisely, Queen of Suttern."