Chapter 36 - Star (2)

It takes a few minutes for Raiene to register every word Artha had blurted out, it takes a few more minutes to believe her own hearing or sight is currently still working properly, as there was perhaps a slight chance she was put on a spell without her even being aware of.

Artha inspected the way Raen's face washed blank with confusion, as if the words Artha had said was a foreign native language that needed more than intelligence for her to decipher and comprehend. Every muscle of her body froze, her widened eyes started to blink rapidly as if chased by a madman and locked onto him.

She incredulously shouted. "What!"

"You didn't know?"

There were slight expectations within his voice, one that Raiene couldn't understand completely. However, she nodded her head in reply to his question. 

Artha nodded his head, "Nothing."

Raiene was about to ask him what his question had truly implied. When his hand reached out in front of her. Under the warmth of the sun ray's that were about to be pulled by the ocean, his pale skin gleaming in dazzling lights, a few locks of silver hair covered his once mauve orbs, the colour of obsidian had occupied those eyes she had become familiar with.

There were moments where she wanted to ask why his eyes colour changed like that, what could possibly have caused it and why did he show to her those soft mauve eyes inside the forest that time. 

She wanted to know everything about this guard before her, but deep inside she knows it's all useless, for everything will be erased within her mind tomorrow. Right when the nymph sings. Everything she knows of this man will turn to dust tomorrow and she will come to this place engraving new memories onto her head.

"Can you dance with me?"

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He reached out his hand and Raiene couldn't find it in herself to hold back her tears. A few droplets slide down her cheeks before she promptly wipes it away with the back of her hand. Surprised by her sudden tears, Artha turned still. Although his eyes rapidly examined her from head to toe for possible cause of her tears.

"Can we meet again tomorrow?"

This time, Artha's the one who stared in consternation at her. Although not much can be distinguished by his cold stature, she still stared fixedly at him and continued.

"By the lake, no, that lake was forbidden, right. By the flower field, I remember the way, right after sunrise, can you come and meet me tomorrow?"

Raiene was blinded by guilt, thoughts that she will leave this place and memories behind and the fact that he will be the only one who remembers everything bringing forth great anguish she couldn't bear. Despite the numerous excuses she had held onto and believed as the right choice and decision, she couldn't continue lying to him.

At least not when tomorrow comes and she will forget everything. Within one second, she decided she will at least disclose everything to him, excluding the part of her being human. She will explain everything about Errian Ring, her real name and her desire to continue being his friend.

Are we even friends?

"You see. Tomorrow is my birthday. The first day of the Lantern Festival happens to be my birthday. I know everyone is going to spend three days praying for Queen Elleryn and I know I shouldn't be selfish in celebrating my birthday. But there's something I want you to know. I want you to know the truth. I shouldn't lie to you, but I did and it's eating me up. So can we please meet tomorrow. It's my wish, can you at least do that for me?"

Her eyes frantically searched Artha's response, clutching onto something she wasn't sure of. Deep inside she wasn't aware of these feelings that started creeping up her throat, consuming her entire body. Relief washed over her once Artha reached out to both of her hands and replied.

"Sure. I will come," he stared down at Raiene for a few seconds before the corner of his lips raised in a soft smile, right before her eyes in full view with not a single trick possibly playing within her mind as he murmured before her.

"There's something I want to say as well."

Witnessing the way Raen trembles in front of him had pulled up his own pile of explanations he should have disclosed in front of her. Although he is aware of her questioning gaze upon his eye colour, he had chosen to stay silent unless she voiced out her questions. He was ready for it.

He wasn't expecting her to turn like this. If she decides to tell him the truth, he will also tell his own truth to her. He is the Crown Prince of Suttern, son of Queen Elleryn, part Fairy and Werewolf. The highest of its kind. The one who holds the colour of destruction.

He will tell her everything. If at that time, she still smiles at him like before. There will be nothing he wishes for.

"So then, can I have this dance?"

The soft melodies of string instruments played through the park, the once crowded and bustling place has turned considerably vacant with a few creatures dancing slowly to soothing sound. She nodded eagerly and smiled up at him.

That night, the two of them danced under the sky. For once, forgetting the consequences of an unknown future, letting themselves flow within the sound of music and dazzling light of night. For once, letting time pass by the two of them like sand between their fingers and not once bother to possess more than what they are given. 

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Ruby was taking a few sips of coffee in her living room after struggling with rummaging through pile after pile of books. Although she admired her own determination and perseverance in learning and solving problems in regards to potion and herbs, she was still required to write down in detail the ingredients and instructions for later use, taking into account the aspect of her unreliable memories. 

As an individual who embraced her irresistible nature of procrastination, Ruby never put a single thought on organising her written journal. She had become comfortable with relying on her goldfish memory, sometimes she was even baffled by her own capabilities when she ended up getting satisfying results on her meticulous crucial research. 

Magic does do wonders.

Although Errian Ring isn't a complicated spell to mix and she had become used to creating one for Raiene and Estalle, the precise enchantment she had written before happened to reside inside her hut encircled by thickets of Tirren Forest. 

So now doing it without any proper assurance at the back of her hand has caused great discomfort, her hand clenched from time to time to make sure once again that her journal is not within her palm. At the moment she is fighting back the sleepiness that is trying to consume her. 

Ruby decides to take another sip of coffee when the clear sound of footsteps come through the door and the girl absentmindedly saunters up the stairs, her back disappearing along the way.

It would be a lie if Ruby wasn't curious about her experience so far, the girl had returned with such an apparent radiant smile. To be honest, Ruby was itching to march upstairs and asked why she was behaving out of herself, in particular when she wanted to dress up or that time when she wanted to retrieve her memories once the Lurra potion effect runs out. 

Ruby's imagination has come up with a few possible scenarios and reasons behind her behaviour, one that involved Raiene coming across a creature and somehow connected right at first sight. Although her list of imagination didn't include the possibilities of a chance encounter involving a Qye's guard or Raiene breaking strict rules about hunting territory. She would definitely faint if the true identity of the guard ever came to light. Ruby would have to consider moving out of her cottage and reside somewhere else.

However, the girl seems reluctant to share anything, so Ruby lets her be. Besides, Raiene will definitely consult with her if anything happens beyond her control, so believing everything is okay, Ruby decides to stay ignorant. 

Standing up from her cushy couch, she stretches her arms for a few good minutes, letting out a heavy guttural sound resembling a big cat after taking an entire day of rest. She slapped both her cheeks before screaming at the tops of her lungs. 

"I can do this!"

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

A true bond will bring both joy and sadness. It takes time but not many can endure through it all.

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

Jonathan Lorth.