The Trip of Isolé

The swift air blew through her hair, and it was like the wind was whispering some secret only for her to listen. Ekera Village is small, but it's abundant in rivers and greenery at every sight. Adelaide ran off on the fields with her dress dancing in sync with the breeze and without an inch of care how people may have perceived her. She needed this; she needed this freedom, and even if it was a brief one––It would be worthwhile and memorable. Cion offered her freshly picked apples; they were crisp and sweet, and the honey-like flavor would give her nostalgia. 

After their rendevous in the Village, Hanna keeps talking about Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, even after they arrive near the final destination of the trip. She got a lot of talking. Even the most unbothered and cold Cion just groaned by listening to her. 

"Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake is the legend of a Swan Queen and her love for the Prince. It's like Claude Monet's painting in real life, My Lady. The lake is just captivating~" Hanna would always remind Adelaide. The lady would also be so curious about these places that for people to sing praises of its scenery would be worth its name. Every bump of the carriage made her head spin dizzy, but they were getting closer to the famous lake. 

As Adelaide gazed at the breathtaking view before her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The scene was nothing short of majestic, with its rolling hills, lush greenery, and clear blue sky stretching out as far as the eye could see—just as the lake reflected the beauty of its color. With each passing moment, she scrutinized every detail, from the way the sunlight danced across the landscape to the gentle flutter of a butterfly's attachments. As she took it all in, a wave of relief washed over her as if the beauty of the scene had lifted a weight off her shoulders and carried it away on the wind.

"Here we are, Lady Adelaide—the renowned Swan Lake. We have to pay a hefty fare to enjoy the privileges fully,"

The carriage came to a halt at the entrance of the grand gate, and several intricate sculpted dancing cherubs were on display adorning more of the lake. A statue of angels floating in the lake, hands stretched out welcoming poor souls and forgiving them. A ballet performer dressed up in feathers, entertaining at the inside gates while the sight of park-like amusement sparked some joy in her. The gates are also packed with merchants selling furs and jacket souvenirs on her left were vendors selling handmade sculptures and foods. It's just like in the Capital, a merchant's haven, they all flocked with extravagant goods that are too good to be true. They all sell statues of saints and beads that hold spiritual 

"Good day, My Lady. The entrance fee costs fifteen thalers for each person; servants or aides are not exceptions to the prices." A servant greeted them in a monotone. "Hand over my pouch," Adelaide said, signaling it to be given. "Here are forty-five thalers," she added and dropped the coins. The guards wore iron-clad pf blue hues in touch with the aesthetics of the lake itself, it wasn't intimidating. 

She sat on the empty bench and stared at the swans just scattering every place. It was her first time seeing one. A white-feathered creature with a yellow triangular thing, which is their nose, and their mates would form hearts with one another. A courtship ritual, one of the staff said so cheerily. There were also inspiring artists standing near the shade, holding palette plates that featured different colors of paint while capturing the beauty of swans intertwining with each other.

Adelaide looks at the lake. The swans are graceful, and most people are feeding them off with bread crumbs. She was too relieved that her mind wandered again to the Debutante Ball, It's almost near but this year It's held by the royals on the same day as her birthday and the public proposal for eternally whole riches and power, that is. She would be soon Officially Fiance and the future Crowned Princess. 

She wondered, would those swans still be pure and committed to one other just like her and the Crown Prince?

"These silver furs are said to be from magical beasts hidden in the mountains of Isolé." The staff added. The mention of the Isolé Mountains piqued Adelaide's interest to listen more.

"I heard wearing those furs of enchanted beasts, A man who ever lay hands on those selkie-like creatures are to be married. That fur is their only ticket of fleeing after all." 

So a fur to held in captive. A terrifying kind of love, the force will to submit to others. She shuddered and recoiled at the thought of it. Disgustingly unpleasant to hear, but then again, it's still the same as for the aristocrats in the society. Adelaide looked afar, far from her distance were swans mingling in the lake while some were being fed by the noblemen. Pure white creatures poised, spreading wings as it about to fly elsewhere. However, one swan had Adelaide's eye for a while.

Adelaide was sitting on a bench in the park, enjoying the peace of the day. She glanced over towards the lake and noticed something odd. A swan was hiding in a nearby bush, but it wasn't just any swan. The swan had a regal appearance with jewelry adorned on its head and feathers that were grayish with a golden tip at the end. It seemed so fancy and out of place for a bird in a public lake.

As she continued to watch, the swan appeared to be looking at each person in the park. It seemed to be scrutinizing them one by one. When it caught Adelaide's eye, she couldn't help but stare back. The swan's eyes were so striking, that they almost looked human. She was transfixed by the swan's gaze, but suddenly it took off in a flash, leaving Adelaide bewildered.

She still couldn't believe what she had just seen. The swan's sudden flight had left her feeling a little unsettled. Nevertheless, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about that swan.

"What a weird swan." She stares as the swan flocks in the sky.

That eye. It was unsettling when she saw the swan, it had a human eye. She couldn't believe what she was seeing and wondered if she was dreaming. Maybe her exhaustion had caused her to experience some sort of delirium. Lost in thought, she trailed off, trying to make sense of the strange sight before her.

Deep at the highest top of the Isolé Mountains, it was windy and foggy, the mystic area full of uncertainty like the mysterious aura beneath its soil. As scary as it may sound masked with the beautiful alluring sights are just full of medicinal herbs, foods full of nutrients, and poisons as deadly as they could get. He heard the stories of the farmers of the villages that Isolé is a ferocious mountain that is home to spiritual beasts and monsters, too good because it's a deserted place for Doctor Ian and he thought that his business might be just flourishing with these exotic plants and more clients to attract like busy bees. He counted the golden ingots that would soon overflow his estate like a flowing river. 

Isole Mountain is high, just like his home in the east, it took him so much time to even get to the middle of the mountain. He could have just flown over at the mountain, but the distance that his wings could take is just a hundred meters. His wings are just pretty much useless in terms of flying also high in the sky. The Doctor could only sigh out of distress. 

The road is steep getting narrower at each step. Every rustle of the leaves gives a cold chill penetrating his skin. The pine trees hovered as more pink leaves started to go awry in the distance, and there were ashes of embers falling in the sky. Flowers emanate a soft hum like fairies trancing to come over and play until the bud's flower would suck a person's blood out. And when his hands touched the bark of blue-hued trees that looked like a burning flame, it became more alive as a fire. The rough and jagged surface of the bark felt like a thousand tiny needles piercing through his skin, causing his hands to almost gallop in pain. "ouch." He whined. 

Ian fumbled through his bag to pour ointment into his hand to stop the rashes on his palm he was able to stop it and he sighed in relief. Isole Mountains is indeed full of uncertainty. While he recovered from the gruesome pain in his palm, he heard water slushing and falling in the distance, and he started to get ready once again. He was parched and no food could help him to make him full, he couldn't even risk eating this fruit knowing full well it might be disguised as poison. He was surrounded by green bushes of blue and round fruits and the rancid smell became so prominent, that Ian could puke at any moment. A small spring was ahead of him, with a small waterfall that made the sight so fulfilling. "It's cold… I can't believe a spring exists here," it's pristine and bluish, the ferns so vibrant and the waterfall splattered gracefully making it cold. 

As he looked around, he realized that what he needed was some rest. He felt a strong pull towards the nearby spring, where he could take a deep, invigorating dip and let the cold water wash away his fatigue. He quickly stripped off his clothes, leaving only a thin layer of robes, and approached the spring slowly. As he entered the water, the coldness pierced his skin, causing him to shudder. But he was determined to relax and enjoy the soothing sensation that was slowly taking over his body.

He let himself float around in the spring, feeling the water all around him. The coolness of the water was refreshing, and he could feel his muscles begin to relax. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh of contentment. The sounds of nature around him were calming, and he could feel all his worries slipping away.

He's going to find some cure for Felix, he thought so relaxingly. He thought that he might be feeling guilty yet––it's only once after all. Give him a break! He spent the whole weeks going back and forth to the Eastern Estate and the West Estate with a hot air balloon commute while he also had to drown himself in ancient scrolls and books that may hold some knowledge that would make Felix free of the curse. "Should I begin searching for medicines or some ancient relic that may just free someone's curse? What is Corruption?" He asked himself out loud. Ian wondered that Corruption is humankind's disease however it's also a demon's instrument, but what is the cure of it? Death cannot be the only answer to it all. 

The man was visibly troubled, and it showed on his furrowed face. He seemed lost in thought, lost in his world. His body was relaxed, but his mind was occupied. Suddenly, a single, pristine white feather floated down from the sky and landed delicately on his face. He reached out to pick it up, examining every inch of it with great care. 

"You pervert! Give me back my feather!" A woman emerges in the lake grass, her ebony hair and olive skin is exposed to him. No, she was fully exposed to him, and his eyes and mouth gaped wide open in shock. She's naked. He thought his eyes deceived, maybe an all-powerful spirit played on his mind while he disrupted the spring's peace. After all, the forest is said to be the home of spirits and beasts, He tried to reassure himself. This is an illusion' he thought and closed his eyes once again. 

The woman's voice echoed through the clearing, her anger palpable. "Give me back my feather!" she shouted once again, her fury unfurling like a storm. Ian felt a chill run down his spine as he realized the woman was real. He covered his eyes with his hands, trying to block out the scene unfolding before him. He could hear her screaming, her voice piercing the serene silence of the forest. When he looked up again, he saw the bare woman standing away from him, her body covered by the tranquil cold waters of the spring. The floating leaves did little to hide her shame and fury, as her face remained red with anger. Even amid the peaceful surroundings, her rage was a force to be reckoned with.