Devastating Reality

"Such a sweetheart you are, Miss Kari…" A kind elderly woman watched as Kari helped her move into her new house in the village. The elderly woman's name was Linf, and she was simply planning to visit her family who lived inside the Kingdom's main city. "That's alright now, I can organize the rest." Linf carefully began opening the smaller boxes and brought things out. Kari nodded and left, returning to her home inside the village. Inside, she only uses it as a cover to live near the kingdom, as most without much importance do. This was just a cover to help minimize any attention drawn to Kari and her mission. Occasionally, she made her way to the city and visited the kingdom's yearly celebrations to make sure she was near the royal family to gain connections. Her long pink hair definitely set off murmurs, yet she was made into such a model for it. She almost strayed away from the mission, gaining fame and money, until she was invited to a ball at the royal palace. "Miss, you were invited by the queen as an offer to become the prince's betrothed!" Kari's messenger alerted her of the note that just came in. To Kari this was an outrageous offer, and yet it would also bring her closer to the prince. With this in mind, she prepared herself to later join the ball. 

Many of Kari's maids helped make her gorgeous, adding to the natural pink in her hair and eyes. Her gown was all white with a hint of pink lacing all around. It sparkled in the light from the multiple chandeliers and eyes quickly glanced toward her stride. The grace she had while entering simply allured everyone, even the royal family who sat from afar. Kari subtly glanced to the prince who shared the same look to her, and she gently bowed, continuing her walk across the ballroom. "Miss Kari, wonderful to see you hear!" The sweet elderly woman from before had come up to her, wearing a rather lavish but simple dress. "My, you look gorgeous." She smiled and gently grabbed her hand, guiding Kari over to the table she was sitting at. "Let me introduce you…" Kari stood there as Linf gestured around the table full of soft-looking elderly women. As she named each off, Kari noticed Prince Osamu walking nearby and her eyes slowly glide to him. She could tell he was leaving to the garden. Her body moved without thought as she followed him outside the ballroom. Although before she could get to the exit, a man with fiery red hair and eyes seemed to block her path. "Following the prince?" He leaned into Kari's face as she backed away and kept her eyes on Osamu who was walking out of her reach. She attempted to walk around him, but the man moved in sync. "Ah-a-a." He shook his finger, against her pursuit. He held a grin on his face. "Miss Kari, you wouldn't happen to have a certain interest in the prince, would you?" Kari looked down and noticed that the man was wearing a quite interesting style of formal clothing, much like pirates. Kari raised a brow and gently shook her head, looking up at the unknown man. "I just so happen to be invited by the queen herself, she insists I am to be betrothed with the prince. Now, if you will excuse me…" Kari walked around and continued toward the prince, leaving the man in slight shock. Although, before Kari could get to the prince, she was frozen in her tracks. There seemed to be a hooded man draped under a long dark cape, hovering over the bloodied body on the ground, the prince. It was too dark to see his features that well, but his shimmering purple eyes were lit by the moonlight. Kari stopped breathing, her eyes watching the man pull out a dagger from his back. He noticed Her standing there and simply gave off a satisfied stretched-out grin. The hooded man speedily ran off as he quickly heard the people gathering. Kari was trembling and others behind slowly walked near the exit in curiosity, especially the red-haired man from before. They wondered why she was simply standing there, and each who saw yelped, screaming in agony. "The prince! Oh…!" A woman screeched out just before fainting into her husband's arms. Chaos reigned over those who bore witness at such a scene. There was no more of that hooded man, he vanished just before any guards could spot him. Assassinated, it was declared that the prince was a main target, and next would be the rest of the royal family. 

Later that evening, the rest of the ball was shut down due to the prince's death. Kari made her way back to the cottage she lived inside the village outside the city. It was obviously frightening, but she persisted and took the chance to use an artifact to travel back in time. The garden, the ballroom, even in the most unexpected areas of the kingdom, there was no end to the death of Prince Osamu. Kari was drained, but she did not simply give up, time and time again, she went back. "Miss Kari, thank you again, such a sweetheart." Linf spoke these words in multiple ways. She made Kari realize the loop she had stuck herself inside. "…" Kari gently placed the boxes down and stared at the brazen ground. She stood outside as the sun sprinkled through the trees of the village. "Lady Linf, what would you do if you'd been told to solve an impossible situation?" Her weary eyes dragged themselves to meet Linf's, with a hint of desperation. Linf seemed confused by this, and she slightly tilted her head. "My… what an interesting question…" She closed her eyes for a moment until opening her mouth and letting off a soft smile. "For an answer, there is nothing. If it is impossible, why shove an attempt?" Kari's eyes narrowly looked into hers as she continued. "Change the way you plan to 'solve' such a situation, maybe a different mindset may come in handy." She clicked her tongue and strode over to the light small boxes. "I hope whatever is troubling you may pass, Miss Kari, thank you for the help." She lightly nodded her head and went inside. Kari later on returned to the heavenly realms in search of her brother, one of the cleverest people she knew. "Save the prince…? You mean the one mother was fond of before she took us in?" Jolen watched Kari nod in response, and he laughed. "What do you expect me to say? That prince means nothing to me." Kari turned to the side and sighed, walking away. "Where are you going?" Jolen slightly let off an annoyed tone. Kari stopped and Lilly stood after following behind. Her body barely faced him as she returned words. "I apologize for asking for something that means so little to you. I will be out to see Jilliace instead." The fading footsteps left the realm as the portal guided Kari out. 

"Jilliace, Sister." Kari turned to her, sitting across the table for tea once more. "Kari, I do not have the abilities to assist you. I am sorry." Jilliace gently shook her head, placing down the teacup in hand. Kari let out a soft sigh and stood from the table. Jilliace subtly shot her head up, looking at her. "Have you already tried with Jolen…?" She calmly rose from her seat and swayed over to her. The two of them both know that Jolen is never the best option, but he might as well be better than nothing. "He already declined, telling me that it was nothing of his problem." Then a sudden sound of soft cracking could be heard in the distance. The sisters turned to see their brother walking in through a portal. Kari looked to him, confused but also slightly hopeful. "I may be able to help you. Since you are technically breaking the laws of the second council's heavenly realm, you need a cover." Jolen took spaced steps, slowly walking closer. "I can hide you from their radar until you manage to finish this mission of yours. That is all." Jolen gave Kari a soft glare, even with a hint of remorse behind it. He crossed his arms and then looked off to the side, staring at the field of sunflowers, confirming that they were inside Kari's realm. Although it was not clearly shown, Kari's eyes lit up and a smile slightly creased the corners of her mouth. "Thank you, Brother." 

Then she finally departed off, returning to her mission. The same cottage, the same village, the same kingdom, Kari went back to start again. Even after countless attempts, Kari was near frustration. She sat in her small cottage and rummaged through her books and scrolls. Each from Karia's old office with all the information needed. There was everything, but nothing helped to prevent the prince's death. Once she'd seen each way his death is played out, she keeps a record in a journal. This was inside a rose embroidered journal; the cover having been made of leather. Kari's craftmanship was decent enough to match her mother's. Over such a long period of time, Kari hadn't been able to come in contact with Queen Hyrestia. There was something wrong going on, but she continued. Along with the passing failed attempts, Kari's patience felt tested. Such trifling matters ate away at her soul, weaking her will to follow the mission. Spending multiple nights alone in the cottage, she was practically cut off from the heavily realms just as Jolen made sure of. Weeks turned into months; months turned into years. There was the same resolve, one death after another, to give up. Kari sat at the edge of her bed, contemplating on what to do next. "Mother, I am so sorry, but I cannot do this…" She held back tears, pain built up in her unfulfilled heart. "… I have failed you…" There was nothing more she felt there was needed to be done, wrenched and devastated. She was weak and finally broke out into tears, quietly crying in solace.