Chapter 34 - 12th Peonies (2)

Artha's mauve eyes flickering at that, his hand by his side clenched until it turned white, Kyzen could recognize the change of air leaking through his body as he stared at Artha in disbelief.

"It's a request. However, if you meddle too much it would not be long for me to state my title as Crown Prince in front of you."

"Artha!"

He finds himself standing in the middle of the road staring into space while the girl in front of him waves at him several times, in an attempt to wake him up from whatever dimension he had drowned into. Noticing he had returned, she reached out for his hand and pulled him away. This time, she didn't slip out easily like last time.

12th Peonies is a park filled with 12 statues which represent each generation's first daughter of Qye, the one creature who holds the entire abilities within her body and maintains order and prevents war by being kept inside the Suttern's clutch. The 12th Peonies was constructed in the second year of the Lantern Festival, after much consideration from officials.

They were all placed strategically facing the palace in Ivarny, the Capital City of Qye,  in circular shape. Many believed they were placed as such so that the entire future generation of the Royal family remembers their sacrifices for peace within Qye.

All wearing simple satin ankle length dresses holding blooming peonies. Their pupils are carved out and placed with gems that take great resemblances to when they were still alive. Their first name is engraved on the stone beneath their feet in cursive beautiful letters, each holding their own realistic expression.

One thing in particular is the 12th Peonies. The current Queen of Suttern's statue isn't present within the circle shape, instead one small square stone erected in the middle of the circle, with not a statue of a body but scattered blooming peonies without a name. Two of the petals embedded with gem which rumoured to be the colour that resembles her pupils, though many pity its weak ability to duplicate the real ones.

Once Raiene takes a step inside, her eyes gleaming in astonishment, she tugs at Artha's hand and stops in front of one of the statues, reading aloud their names and two line descriptions of history written right below their names.

Raiene finds all details about Qye fascinating and mesmerising, which is why Ruby had frequently purchased history books about Qye especially for her. She had little understanding of what duty the first daughter of Qye held.

Each Fairy has at least one ability since birth, later on they will cultivate this power and use it in everyday life and assisting the Royal Family. However, it is different with the first daughter of Qye, as she is feared by many.

In each generation of Qye, the first daughters always hold entire abilities and have the power to overthrow a nation with a single flick of her finger. Despite having the least amount of population, the kingdom became revered and respected as one with power.

Thus the reason Suttern years ago had threatened and demanded the lives of the first daughter of Qye by creating a union of marriages without an heir. It is a known fact throughout the entire land, the small Kingdom of Qye's value lives and although they hold onto the strongest creature ever to exist, she couldn't use her power aimlessly. Usage of her power comes with consequences that drain her energy and may have grave impact on her health and life.

For years, Suttern promised to not wage war with Qye in condition for keeping the first daughter of Qye inside their own clutch, withered away without an heir inside the very castle that imprisoned them. Years passed, until this oath was broken. Rumours had spread that Elleryn of Qye had once stormed inside the Hall of Suttern demanding to be heard and threatened the lives of Ten Officials.

Raiene wasn't quite sure because many details within the book seem to skip over and there are parts that seem missing, but she did know the 12th Peonies represented the 12th generation of first daughters that had wasted their youth for the peaceful relations between Qye and Suttern.

The oath all ends with Elleryn Qye crowned as the current Queen of Suttern. The very reason behind this Lantern Festival.

The sun rises over the polished ivory sculptures, the lights reflected off the statues and grey stone path circling the park. Light wind blows over salty air and faint phrases of spell singing over from a few blocks away, presumably nymphs strengthening the spell. The park that once filled with murmurings, slowly silenced as creatures made their way closer towards the source of the sound.

Raiene was about to follow along when she caught Artha standing in the middle of the park. His head lowered with his eyes fixated on an empty statue. He stood still while creatures passed him by, once stiff and rigid posture seemed hunched over as his eyes that once filled with discipline had turned desolate. This view caught Raiene by surprise.

Feeling concerned by this, she took a step closer and lowered her gaze onto the empty statue, the 12th Peonies and current Queen of Suttern, Elleryn of Qye. 

Upon a closer look, the surface of the stone is engraved with her first name carved intricately beautiful, as two petals of peonies embedded with colourful gems, which is said to be close to her eyes colour as described below her name, while some creatures had left behind scattered peonies as a sign of respect.

"It's Queen Elleryn," came a whisper by her side. Raising her gaze, she found Artha staring into space instead of the stone like before, but now she caught his pained expression. 

"She helped a child and left behind her own children," Raiene could faintly hear scorn lacing through his voice. Examining his side profile, she is aware that Artha is upset and feeling dejected, although she wasn't sure what could possibly have caused it. Thinking over his words, she fidget on the spot by his side for a while before raising her head once again. 

"Perhaps she understands?"

Artha raised his gaze and found Raiene standing beside him, "Perhaps she helped the child to ease the mother and her own mind," Raiene couldn't put together her words properly, but there's a strange urge within her to voice out those words for Artha. Sometimes a few words could turn once dark vision and unveil a clear path for them. That's what Raiene wanted to do for Artha. 

"She understands the feeling of possibly losing a child and decides to help her, don't you think that's possible?"

Artha had once questioned himself and those around him. 

Why would she leave behind her children and risk her own life to save others, what could possibly become so important than spending her time and growing up with her own children that she chose to wither away inside a room, breathing for us to see but dying in our hearts?

Many couldn't answer his questions, some other time he happened to overheard creatures chattering about his mother's origin, fairy. A fairy from Qye nonetheless. Qye values life. Kindest and selfless of them all. It is in their nature to offer their hand, even if tattered and smeared with their own blood. 

Overtime, he came to believe it.