Chapter 35 - Star (1)

Perhaps he should accept the fact his own mother chose the continuation of the lives of another instead of living with her own family. 

However, it is the first time for Artha to think it over from her own perspective, of her own decision on why she takes that path. Reasons for why things happen the way it happens, although the words Raen had blurted out isn't the actual truth. Artha felt like a cold basin of water washed over him, extinguishing the flame of hatred that had gobbled him up. For once, he felt like a great amount of load had lifted off his back.

Perhaps.

Perhaps she has her own reason. 

And that fact alone changed almost everything for Artha. 

Artha turned around and faced Raen, she clasped her fingers and closed both her eyes, murmuring in soft voice with deep concentration and solemnity.

"Please wake up as soon as possible, Your Majesty. Your children have been waiting for so long. They've been worried sick because of you, everyone is worried. The next time we set the lantern, instead of wishing for you to wake up, we will wish for your healthy and happy life with your family," Raen opened her eyes and smiled at Artha.

Her brown eyes glistening under the sun in assurance, vibrant and free, beautiful to behold. Artha could feel how her smile had taken over and warmed his entire being, though her appearance alone could blind him into a daze, he still looked at her. 

For fear of her disappearing out of reach and he has to wake up from reality, a reality where she doesn't exist. 

"Thank you."

Thank you for coming to my life. 

Artha whispered. She happened to be distracted by a group of dancers coming over to the park, as her smile turned more dazzling than before and she started to tug at his hand.

There were about a dozen creatures forming circles around the park, singing praises and prayers while slowly dancing to the soft rhythm a creature from one corner had played with his string instruments. Raiene tug hard at Artha, noticing how he didn't budge even a single step, she decides to leave him alone and follow the last creature and try to copy his dance. 

From time to time, she will face Artha standing by the side of the road, locking her eyes onto her, although she will always wave at him and shout for him to come, he never shifts from where he stood. Raiene decided to leave him there after making funny faces at him, she danced and sang along to the words the creatures had said, although to be honest, she could only understand about a word or two. 

It was a beautiful day for her. Truthfully, Raiene had given up on ever remembering this beautiful chance encounter and perhaps if she happened to retrieve this memory somehow, she would cherish it and probably laugh while reminiscing over the few details. 

However, right at this moment, she could feel slight regret washing over her, a slight pang of pain starting to take over her heart. Feeling short of breath, Raiene turned her head around and found Artha still standing there, she didn't know whether it was just an illusion but she caught him smiling at her at that moment.

Deciding to believe that illusion for this one time, she thinks to herself.

I'm glad I came.

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Silly how time passed through like sand between fingers, despite how desperate a soul wanted to possess more than what they are given. Just as dusk comes down through the horizon as the last sun's rays depart from the entire street and path as it is replaced with the presence of streetlights. The crowds still merrily dance through different rhythms each ten minutes while different flocks of creatures come and go through the entire park.

Raiene was still elated, despite spending almost the entire day on the same corner of 12th Peonies. Every time she caught something new, her eyes would involuntarily stay fixated upon it, whether it's a thing or creatures. Thankfully, Artha had patiently stayed by her side and answered her questions whenever she saw something that she had never seen before.

For instance, the time when she happens to witness a dwarf holding with his two hands what appears to be a sphere of orbs the size of his own head, glowing conspicuously bright red. 

Artha had explained the orbs within his hold is one of many orbs that acts as a carrier for creatures who frequently move around. The red glowing colour indicated that it is securely locked and could only be opened with the voice of one who possessed it, once opened the colour will reduce and will turn invisible excluding the owner. 

Another time, when she previously caught sight of several nymphs soaking wet from their head to toe, barefooted with their clothes stuck on their skin, leaving behind a wet footprint on the stone path. Artha had mentioned that water nymphs like them, especially sea water, would venture to the land for a nice cup of tea before returning by sunset.

Fortunately, Artha never asked why she wasn't aware of this fact before. Raiene was afraid Artha would ask her questions she couldn't answer.

Where exactly does she come from?

Why has she never visited Qye before?

Why does she seem to possess very little knowledge of creatures? 

What exactly happened for her to stay inside the Wasteland?

Raiene was scared that she had to lie in front of him once again, for her to be free of any possibility of him doubting her presence inside Qye. She was afraid. Which caused Raiene's heart to palpitate in quick motion when Artha muttered beside her.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Her eyes blink twice at that, before she nodded her head.

His dark eyes staring at her wrist for a considerable amount of time before it stared at her eyes, she had noticed his eyes seemed to lock onto her wrist for a good amount of time since. He seems reluctant to voice his question out as his eyes shake and eyebrows furrowed, creating wrinkles on his smooth pale forehead. Raiene was about to reach out her fingers when he cast his sight upon her once again.

"Do you have a ring?"

Flustered, her light brown eyes widened in surprise, she was thinking of the plausible reason on why he suddenly asks her this type of question when he once again asks.

"Or a bracelet?"

She was confused by Artha's question. However, she can't find it within herself to question him, when his eyes are locked onto her face and concentrating on each expression she makes. Thinking it over, she replied in the end.

"I did once, it's a ring."

Errian Ring still counts as a ring, right?

Although its use is to fabricate scent around a creature body for a limited time, even though the only one who can see its appearance when used is only her, its shape and placement on her fingers still count as a ring, right?

Once she murmured her answer, Artha's expression turned devastated for once, though in second it turned into relief. She finds this type of appearance from him quite baffling.

"So you're not betrothed now?"