Chapter 20: the past

I am not shocked anymore, it seems people know more about me than I do about myself. It is kind of enlightening, I guess. I smile slowly because those words comfort me in a way. My adoptive family does not have to worry about my fund to the school anymore. They did a lot to raise me as a decent human being. I hope I can give them back something. 

"That's a relief," I say, looking at him. 

"You can come sit beside me if you like," I say. 

He sits beside me. The room is filled with silence, it is not awkward. It is as if we are speaking in silence. He is still worried, but he looks cute when he is troubled with something. 

I wonder what Chelsea is up-to, but there is something I am more curious about. If this is the place I was born, my parents should be here. 

"Where are my parents?" I ask him. He does not answer and stands up. 

"Follow me," he says, looking at me. 

I follow him, we enter a dark hallway. 

"Would like to switch on the lights here?" He asked, waiting for my permission. It is as if he has provided me full authority to this new place that he brought me to. 

"Yes, of course," I say, I always like the light. Even in darkness, there is light. He switches on the lights, but I would prefer to say artificial white lights with a tint of yellow. The hallway began to sparkle. It looks beautiful, but I a bit dusty. 

It looks similar to "my" bedroom; it is as if they have stopped in time altogether. I wonder where my parents are. They cannot live in such a way, can they? I do not know, but if babies were to resemble their parents, they would not be able to. 

I am a product of them, and I will not be able to unless forced under circumstances. Carlen stops and looks back at me. His eyes look more worried than ever. 

"I do not think it is a good idea for you to visit them at this hour," he says. 

"I do not care, I have had enough of things happen to me today, this will not hurt me anymore," I say. 

It is true. The amount of things that occurred today, I cannot even count. This thing will only add up to it. I am a person who will take the entire blow in a day, and heal up than wait for each day. If I take each day to find out more about myself, I am afraid it will take forever to heal from it. 

I know there are many more things I have to learn, and knowing the backstory of "me" or the "character" I am supposed to play will help with my "role" here. 

There are no pre-written novels that I read because this is a story of mine just in a different world. However, I remember one thing. 

The literature class seems to be exactly like the backstory of the place, Velmoria. Carlen lets out a sigh and walks. 

I never saw him giving out a sight. What could be waiting for me? While we are walking, there are no pictures on the walls. It looks like a palace, but as if it is left out to die. 

I have read multiple webcomics about royalties, they are always decorated with pictures and fancy things. However, except for the artificial lights, there are not many things to take into account. The hallway is sparkling due to its efforts of glossy cel, and internal reflections. 

While I am walking with Carlen, he slows his pace to match mine. 

"I have a question. The literature tale we are reading is similar to this place. Is there a reason?" I ask. 

"It is the backstory of Velmoria and describes some of the incidents. It is prescribed for this year to help you understand more about Velmoria, however, the story isn't the same and remains open-ended. The reality is different from the original text, you will soon find out about that," he says. 

Right now I feel Carlen is an NPC character of the game giving me information to understand the world. Anyway, it is funny; he is not a talker. Seeing him this way helps both of us. 

"I see, but why do you not want me to see my parents?" I ask. 

"Well because they are cursed, and are not in the right state of mind. I should better explain this before you see them," he says looking at me. 

I swallow a breath.

"Go on," I say. 

"When you went into different realms, there was someone from the enemy nation who also went into different realms. My guess is it was Chelsea based on her acts. While you healed your empire and your subjects, Chelsea cursed your parents. Of course, both of you did not know about it that time, it was fate," he says and takes a breath. 

"The curse tormented your parents, and they knew that it would slowly drive them mad. That time, they made a pact with our dukedom. The pact says that the entire empire belongs to my dukedom if, in the future, the ruling king and queen become unable to rule, and till the princess returns. They also added that my family looks out for you. It was difficult for the high priest to locate your exact place. From the time you were found, our family has been looking out for you to protect you." He says. 

He looks at me as if waiting for my reaction, but what am I supposed to say? If I say out all my thoughts, it might just be utter nonsense. All I want to do is to see my parents, I know they are not in the best condition. I can interpret it based on the place I am starring at. I assume that hough his family is looking out for the empire, they have not touched the palace. 

They kept it as it was and cleaned it. About the pictures, they took the permission, and sold them out. It is pretty easy to understand because there was a way, and the aftermath of a war is worse than the war itself. 

It makes us question: Is war worth it?

"Thank you," I say. 

That is all I could say. 

However, I knew there was more to the story.

-Thanks for reading-