Bright Darkness

The night's getting darker and people are starting to wane. As Caelum notice it's getting colder and colder, he immediately send the children to the house Thera bought for them.

The young lads offer him a hot drink to subdue even the little cold crawling to his body. He didn't expect the inside would be a lot of different outside because when he first see the front of this house; doors, windows and even the canopy are damage but in the inside, it's all looks new and luxurious for a young to afford.

Walls, tables, everything are made from fine woods and the atmosphere inside it is comforting, perhaps it's because of the fireplace which is better than what they have at the abandoned church.

The prince sip to his warm drink while still looking around. Thinking how the girl who have a lousy attitude and great skills at bowing could buy such house. "Where's Thera?", he asked then turned to look at Chira's brother who's cooking a soup.

The lad taste it first before answering. "I don't know. We're together this morning and she joined us to sail but after this noon, we never see her again nor she come to see us.", he said sounding disappointed.

"It's not strange. You said she's not from here, right? What if she go back to her own town?", Caelum asked. Sipping again.

Chira's brother mulled as if he's reminiscing everything happened before Thera disappeared. "Nah! I'm sure there's more into it. And she's not that kind of person who would go whenever she want without informing anyone of us.", he answered with full of certainty.

Caelum just nodded. "Then you think there's something happen to her?"

"Nah! That girl is crazily strong like she can even lift a whole big shits. Maybe she got some business to attend to. Let's not worry about her.", the lad turned his back to Caelum and then pour all his attention to the delicious thing he's making.

The silence start as the cold drizzle begin. The prince felt it's a bad idea to stay there any longer and he's worried that his right hand will find out that he's missing, again. He said his farewell to the children and instantly find a carriage to the ballroom. As he board the carriage, he heard the talking coachmen beside him outside.

"Ain't you heard any of the chaos earlier? Heard it's a woman they're chasin'", an old man's voice was evident to Caelum's ears.

"Nah! I saw how that person almost killed one of the hunters. A woman can't do that.", the other man answered with amusement.

"How can ya' say that, ay?", the old man asked garbly.

"Women are weak. My wife can't even lift a barrel!", he said with a laughter.

"Oh! That's right! That's right! My wife is also feeble and it's making me annoyed everytime I'm at home. She's almost useless, ay!"

Caelum shows a great grimace. His feelings might be unreasonable for someone who also treat women as a toys, but insulting them in their own weaknesses aren't acceptable for his principles. A loud strong kick inside the carriage interrupted the old men's dialogue, making them stop and got irritated for the passenger who just got board.

"Oi! The heck is your problem, HA?!", the old man bellowed. He forcefully open the door of the carriage and saw how the young lad's unbothered by his rage. "Did you just kick my carriage? HA?! Do you think you can afford it lik—"

"I can.", Caelum said haughty making the coachman angrier. When he's about the talk, the prince interrupted him with petrifying gaze. "I can also cut your throat and make your life miserable."

"HA?!! Who are you talking to, ay, young lad? You didn't even know m—", his eyes widened in panic as he saw the blue gem with engraved name of this prince he's talking to.

Caelum hide his identity and get off to the carriage because of the impoverished attitude of this old man. "Being an old with such attitude makes life useless.", he said before the man recovered from his shocked. He looked at him sharply before leaving.

He decided to just buy a horse to go back to the ballroom. Outside the mansion, he saw the other footmen panicking. As he got closer he asked them like he didn't sneak out from the party. "Did something happened again?", all their gaze is now in Caelum's who's still wearing a commoner's clothes. They didn't answer because of how he dress. "Oh, here!", he showed them his identification just like how the knights let him enter.

"Apology for our rudeness, Prince Caelum! We didn't recognize you.", they bowed with panicked. "W-We actually got scolded because of what happened earlier today and... got kicked out.", his voice is full of disappointment.

Caelum got confused because of the unfair outcomes of this events. "I...", he doesn't know what to respond. Being a prince from another Kingdom and intervene to other land's affair could be a start of a conflict.

"PRINCE CAELUM!", a loud shout with atrocious tone came from the left side of the man who's riding a horse wearing commoner's clothes. He dismount the horse right away, afraid of being pulled by the rage of his right-hand. The lady who just came smiled as she noticed the footmen's presence. "Prince Caelum, what are you doing here in the cold outside?", she sounded processional but her eyes are piercing Caelums soul. He gulp, hoping another chaos or person will save him.

AT THE CENTER part of the forest at the right side of the town, there is this castle hidden in the deep darkness. Filled with scream and obtestation of different voices from each cell. It's not an ordinary luxurious houses the Royals have, it is where every prisoner get punished or die hopelessly. In a dungeon distance by the other convict, there is this petite young lad downcast in his knee. Fighting the cold by hugging himself and crying like a child.

"LET GO OF ME YOU FUCKERS!", the hallway was filled with a lady's voice, struggling over something. When this lad heard it, he instantly see what's happening. Afraid that something is happening to the girl.

The grip of him in the bars tighten when he saw how these knights tossed the lady like she's an object. They immediately locked her inside a dungeon in front of his cell. As the lady saw him, he instantly sit down and pretend he didn't see anything, afraid that he might offend her or makes her think he's useless.

"Don't look at me with such pity. Am' not that feeble, ya' know!", the lad got surprised by how she speak that got his attention. When the knights left, she talked like a normal person who doesn't got in any trouble. "Now, now! That's a great expression rather than the first.", she sprawled in the cold floor of the cell. Facing the man in front of her. "Bet you're also a highly class of a person. Mhm?", the lady asked when the the man doesn't answer any of her talkings.

He think before answering her. "You are—", he was interrupted when she instantly talk.

"Oh, oh! People call me Thera.", she said with such liveliness, as if not aware of what situation she has.

"I-I mean you're right, by saying I'm someone who have title.", the young man said then look at his fingers.

Thera scratch her head because of the little embarrassment she felt. "Oh, sorry! Hahaha. I got carried away.", the exuding liveliness from this lady comforts the terrified lad in front of her.

As he heard her laughter, he smiled because he felt a warmness inside his heart, helping him to lessen the shaking of his hand. "I'm Sidus.", he introduced himself that makes Thera smiled. "I-I actually got here beca—"

"No need to tell me. You aren't comfortable talking about it, ain't yah? You look like a noble and am' sure we will see each other outside. Anyway, I can talk about the reason why am' here, do ya' wanna know?", she asked like they known each other for a long time.

Sidus, who's on the other side of the dungeon, sit comfortably, still hugging himself to lessen the cold he's feeling. "I am.", he answered with enthusiasm that makes Thera excited.

She first breathe as a preparation. "I have this shitty parents who's going to be the end of me. Welp, they want me to do something I don't like so I ran away but ya' know, money can do anything. When they brought me here, do ya' know what I did?", she asked to thrilled Sidus who immediately shake his head. "Ha-ha! I ran away again. I found children who's living on an abandoned church and ended up like that because of shitty nobles. We got along and I sold my things just to buy them a proper house. And then this knights found me and brought me here. Do ya' know how?", Sidus shrugged. "Great question! Great question! They threatened me using a child, saying they will toss her if I didn't come. Ya' think am' stupid? For believing them? Well, when I ran, they really tossed her in the lake, leaving me a choice to save her and got captured. Those shitty knights!", she narrate with hand gestures and facial expressions, making Sidus laughed because of her strange attitude. "Oi! What's funny?", Thera was confused with Sidus response.

"It's just that, the way you told me the story is... unique.", the young man said while the back of his hand is in his mouth. Laughing with such grace and manner.

"Eh???? It's normal, ya' know!", she doesn't even remember how the life inside of nobility are different from folks at the town.

"No... It doesn't."

"For such a noble, guess it doesn't but... I can't talk normally like a gentle lady. Sucks!"

"How... come?"

"Well, I just can't 'cause it's sounds weird."

Their little dialogue interrupted when the main gate of the hallway of their dungeon open with a loud displeasing sound created by the door. Thera immediately lay down and pretend to be asleep making Sidus hide from the darkness just like what the lady instructed him using her hands.

An eerie footsteps are becoming closer and closer making Sidus shiver from terrifying feeling crawling to his body.

"Look at her. Comfortably laying where she belongs. You are going to be the end of me, just like your mother. It's just a shame knowing I can't touch you. But remember, the most precious thing you have is now on my hands.", an atrocious voice coming from Thera's dungeon. Sidus heard everything, making him worried about the lady inside it. He stay stilled before the wicked lady leave.

Sidus come closer to the bars and loudly whispered. "Thera! Thera!", he said with such worry.

Thera get up aggressively. "That bitch is really testing me. She's now holding my grand-mama? What do she think I am? Tsk!", she complain, glaring at where the wicked lady passed.

"Are you okay?", Sidus asked, not knowing how to response to this lady's rant.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine! You're such a worrywart.", she said, her liveliness isn't even bothered by what happened, making the young man worry more. "That woman... she's great at talking but I can kill her in a second."

The prince was surprised by her casual threat. "Did... Did you got here...", he was afraid— afraid that this woman really killed someone.

Thera immediately shake her head. "Nah! I didn't kill anyone... They aren't worth my attention to begin with, ya' know?!", she said with a smile to be look approachable. A loud eerie sound begin again, but the foot steps are now different, she didn't move nor bothered but Sidus hide from the dark just to hid his terrified face.

It was a knight. A huge silver knight. It is carrying a tray with a black bowl and a glass of water. The silence is too loud that the only thing they hear was the knights iron armor. Thera didn't move nor talk when she saw the knight put her food in front of her. Her hands can go beyond the bars but the bowl can't. She frowned because of how cruel this people are. Leaving the tray outside Thera's dungeon, the knights left as is they are just animals who they all treated cruelly.

"Oi! Sidus! Did you eat?", Thera asked when she saw how Sidus hide himself from the darkness coming from his Dungeon's window. "This looks...", she taste it before continuing. "Well, they don't put poison or anything. It's all good.", putting the spoon back to where she got it.

The man she asked come closer to his cell's bar. "How cruel of them putting it outside your space.", Sidus said with appalled expression.

"What do you expect with those rubbish? Anyway, do you want some?", Thera asked, still not eating.

"But... It's yours. And we're too far to share."

"Mhmm... Wait, they didn't give you anything?"

Sidus halted. "... it's a punishment.", he said gently as if he doesn't want her to heard it.

"Damn those people!", Thera cursed making the prince surprised because he doesn't often hear anyone curse around him. "Well, then...", she stand up and pat her dress, getting rid of the dust from where she sat.

Sidus watch how she stretch and bend slightly to remove the stiffness she felt from sitting from quite a long time. He's still clueless of what she's doing. They might be surrounded by darkness but because of the moonlight, they could see each other's faces. Smiling, Thera let go of her bun hair, revealing her beautiful white hair that amazed Sidus from afar.

He doesn't seem to know what's she's planning to do. The cold bars between his hands are starting to warm because of his fast palpitations, he was scared that someone might come and caught Thera. She actually unlocking her dungeon with the small dagger she has from her hair and after a minute, she successfully removed it with a satisfaction evident from her face. Sidus arbitrarily close his eyes because of how she opened the door, afraid that it would produce a sound that might catch the knights attention.

"Hey, open your eyes. Don't worry, there's no one outside the main gate.", Thera said casually when she got closer to Sidus cell. She sprawled again before putting the food in front of him. "Here, eat this.", with aggressiveness and gust, she remove her cloak, putting it beside the tray. "Use it."

Sidus open his eyes and saw how Thera stand and walk to her cell again. He doesn't say anything because of how everything happened so fast and the unfamiliar feeling he's into are all vague. For him, accepting such things from a stranger is normal as a prince yet it makes him want to cry. How could this girl treat a stranger like him with such kindness?

She puts back the lock of her Dungeon and test the door if she can open it with bare hands. When she assured that no evidence can prove that she left her cell, she sprawled again and look at Sidus direction. He was just staring at the tray and cloak she left there. Silence is louder than the both of them. She doesn't know if she will talk or just wait for his response. A growl came from her stomach, screaming hunger but she just ignore it. Even surrounded by cold walls and drowning from hunger, she thinks about the children. 'Did they eat?' Hoping they feel the warmth coming from the fireplace she specifically made.

Her attention was caught by Sidus tears. It's scintillating through the help of the moonlight. His eyes are like a mirror of sadness and happiness, it was inexplicable. The atmosphere became colder— making Thera shiver. She doesn't know what happened to this young lad with petite body, beautiful face and gentle voice but it's painful for her to see his loneliness. She actually doesn't care about nobles but looking at this creature makes her think nobility aren't the problem, but the people who have those titles.

"Sidus?", she asked out of concern.

Everything happened started to dawned to Sidus. He instantly wipe his tears and smile when he looks at Thera. "I-Im sorry. I just missed my sister... she was actually the only person who showed me what kindness is.", he said while sniffling. "Can I ask?"

"You're already asking.", Thera said with playfulness.

Sidus laughed that helps him calm. "Why... Why do you do this?"

"Because you're a prince.", Thera said directly. She looked at Sidus expression but it never change— as if he knows the answer all along. "And you're an important part of your Kingdom.", she continue when he didn't talk. "I also met the Prince of Sapphire Kingdom. And he's quite a jerk who loves women as I do.", as she noticed that Sidus looked surprised, she continue to avoid another misunderstanding. "At first I didn't know it was him but... Damn! when we bought some clothes for him and for my friends, I accidentally saw his identity gem. I actually didn't care but, he got lost and I can't just leave him there, ya' know? Then that shit followed me everywhere I go and it sucks coz' he can cook. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, just like him, ugh! I really sucks at explaining, em' I? I saw you there watching me like a kid, pitying an adults misery and I talk to you 'cause of that. And when I saw yer' face because of the moon, I recognize you as a prince but don't know who. I help ya' 'coz I just felt it and don't ever think about anything, 'kay? Haaaa.", she exhaled because of her long explanation that doesn't makes any sense for her.

The prince didn't talk but he started to eat. He also wear the cloak that makes Thera calm and relieved because he understood her speech. After a minute, he halted and asked again. "Who are you, then? If you know me... and Prince Caelum."

"Mhmm. Great question! If you know the nameless princess, that's me.", she said casually but it choke Sidus from eating. "Oi? Oi? You okay there, man?"

He calm himself before answering. "You... You're a princess?", the shocked and embarrassment are combine from his tone.

Thera nodded. "Doesn't look like one, eh? Well, don't bother to know why.", she laughed. "Tomorrow night is the last day of the ball, right? We will see each other so don't be surprise."

"W-Why didn't you attend the other balls?"

"Not interested."

"B-But you're wearing a commone—"

"No explanation, but tomorrow I'll be there but, can ya' please don't tell anyone we met? It would be troublesome."

"Wait... How... O-Okay. I promise."

"Thanks! That's a great help. Anyways, don't forget to dance with me, 'kay? It would be fun."

"I-I'm not sure about... that."

"Oh? Why tho'?"

"Because people hate me and if you dan—"

"Will you be there?"

"O-Of course."

"Then dance with me. Or do you want me to ask you there? It looks cool. Hahaha!"

"No! O-Okay, I will ask you but don't do anything you're planning."

Thera laughed with liveliness and wickedness that echoes in the hallway. Sidus do not still believe that the princess everyone hating about is in front of him, laughing carelessly and comforting him in the most unacceptable way. He can't deny the beauty Thera have and the braveness he couldn't even scrounge. He realized that he's not the only one who was surrounded by the darkness even in the most fancy ballroom, there was also Thera who was criticize and hated by people's opinions because of her silence. Even he's in a dungeon— filled with coldness and eerie sound of gates, with cloak and a not so warm soup, being there with someone like Thera who never stops talking and normally cursing, for Sidus, he would prefer to be there for a long time rather than his Kingdom or any other places.