((A/N: This resumes with Aerra's POV))
In my mind's eye, everything is flooding back.
I can see the chains they created to bind me.
They carefully locked the cuffs by my ankle and made damn sure I can never unleash hell back to them.
They are scared of me.
Scared I would hunt them all like the insects they are.
And they left me there to die, left all alone in a deep dark hole under the waters while they revel with the glory of their King that saved them.
But I never died.
I refuse to die.
I'll turn the tide one day.
But there are days when I prayed and hope for these horrors to end. No gods —nor goddesses listened.
But something else heard me.
Water poured and began to fill my lungs. The suffocating feeling filled me. Drowning in a cold and icy grave inside my own body, a cage I cannot yet escape. I clawed at my neck and reached out up above. I can only watch the last bubbles of air exhaust out of me as I screamed.
****
"I'm here... it's alright. It's alright. Slowly now, breath. You can do it. You can breath, see?"
I gasped and the sensation of air filling both lobes of my lungs awakened me back to reality.
I wearingly opened my eyes to the familiar view of a blue canopy that welcomed my sight.
I tried to focus at the flickering light emanating from the lamp beside me, gleaming in a hazy soft light as I try to clear the nerves that clouded my thoughts.
I took another deep breath and it felt like it's my first time to breath again. I swallowed a lump in my throat. My mouth feels dry.
And then a face of a guy slides to my field of vision. I focused my gaze at him. "Eriol?" I mumbled. Even talking proved challenging.
"Yeah, it's me. You're fine. I'm here now. You're safe. Just breath."
My senses began to sink back in. The warm touch of his gentle hand that caresses my head. The comfortingly soft duvet of my bed. The lulling silence in the room. And the careful sounds of my breathing.
I began to relax. "Why are you here?"
But I swallowed my own question back to my throat as I realized I was back inside my bedroom.
Odd, wasn't I trapped with Aeron inside a... what was that place again?
—a dungeon.
I tried to recall the events before I blacked out.
I remember being with Aeron. I remember him trip and stumbled down to the ground and we noticed huge and thick chains at the floor.
I tried to touch it but then it went flaring hot, it scalded the tips of my fingers and then I...
I believe, I passed out after that.
"Eriol?" I turned to him as he kept patting my head. I found my hand locked fingers with his free hand. He gently squeezes when I look up at him. A source of security.
"Are you okay now? You we're having a nightmare."
"Ah. Oh..." That makes sense.
It felt so real.
"But its over now."
Somehow, his words feels comforting. I can feel his warmth around me while he lie on his one side, with an elbow that carries his weight as I curled by his chest. My cheeks began to feel hot. I want to push him away all out from embarrassment but the sound of his beating heart next to my ear felt rather calming.
"I'm... okay now" I mumbled but somehow, the dream left me feeling rather raw. My limbs limp.
I watch his hands release my own. "Good." He moves and goes to sit by the edge of my bed. "I just... suddenly sensed you were in distress so I came barging in through the windows, I hope you don't mind." He grins, pointing at the broken iron frame and scattered pieces of shattered glass on the floor, leaving a gaping hole on the wall where a window should have been. Curtains ripped out in shreds. Rather than call it barging in, it seems like he stormed like a bomb at my window to get in.
"Stay here, I'll fetch you a drink"
"It's alright" I murmured, carrying myself to sit upright. I don't want to bother him more than I should. "No, need!"
"Well then, I better go before Darion sees me in here. I'm sick of that old man's preaching about visiting in a Lady's room."
"Are you sure you're okay?" He insisted for the last time.
I nodded, beaming at him. "Yup!"
"Okay" He stood up and flashed a satisfied smile. "See you around!"
"Eri, wait!"
Eriol pauses midway to turn his head over his shoulder. His eyes watching me. That half smile still plastered on his face.
"Thank you" I fidgeted my fingers together.
For a moment he parted his lips open. Hesitated. Closed them back. His smile never left his lips, masking the split second he wanted to say something. But I notice it. A shift of mood around him seems off. His smile never reaches his eyes this time.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." He says in a grin.
This guy seems like he hoarded all the laughs inside of his head just to keep smiling no matter what.
Like a madness he buried under his skin for so many years just to be able to look happy or satisfied all the time.
It makes me wonder what can make him cry.
Or what other horrors have he seen that he hides it all behind that crooked facade.
I know this sounds weird...
But I sudden feel like I want to break him.
...and see the real emotions he's hiding behind those sneers and mischievous grins.
I want him to be honest.
Suddenly, wind bursted asunder from all directions that got me shutting my eyes close.
When I opened them back, Eriol's gone.
I just took another breath and crawled to the edge of my bed. I tried to level my head. The effect of the dream is still surfacing. Although I want to try to recall that nightmare and comprehend what it was about, the raw nerves that keeps me dazed stopped me. I guess I will have to try some other time.
I wonder how did I end up in here though.
How did we got back?
I rubbed at my eyes.
And how long have I been out?
Hold on—
Is Aeron safe?!
I bolted up to the door and opened it.
To my surprise, Aeron has been standing in front of it. He looked at me surprise; it seems to me he was just about to knock.
"You're awake! Just in time too!"
I studied him from head to toe. He was really dressed to kill. His hair has been carefully brushed all the way to the back of his head but few stubborn curls has escaped and dangles freely before his eyes. That gave him a rather rugged charming look. He wears a white suit with one blue draped cloth across with few insignia pinned by his chest that bears the emblem of our Dukedom and his status as the heir. A pair of simple epaulettes are worn by as well that I recognize as a ceremonial garment for royalties and events like these.
"Wow. You look... really good, brother!" I uttered, and I really damn mean it.
His curly white hair and blue eyes has never been so tantalizing. More dashing than I ever seen him with.
Hard to believe he was that adorable short-tempered brother I grew up with.
He really aged up.
I sighed at my own pensive thoughts.
I watch his cheek turn mildly red at my remark. "Well—! Ahem. You need to prepare. The guests have already arrived."
Oh right, I almost forgot about the birthday banquet. But more importantly, this will be the party where we'll both be introduced to the society for the first time. And especially —it's the party where Aeron will walk out as the young Lord of Greenrun, rightful heir to the Dukedom.
And few noble Houses from the Seven Kingdoms will arrive because of our family's affiliation to the High Throne, regardless of this land's independency.
Aeron hauls a sigh, "This will be our first big social event. I hope I don't mess it up."
I shook my head, "You'll do good. You have been handling conversations with other people very well lately! You're amazing with all our morning lectures and you've been doing great with all the kinds of trainings both physical and with your magic as well so I'm sure these will be a cinch to you!" I stepped forward and poked at some of his insignias. "Besides, you have friends to rely on. There's Levi and Eriol when you need help later!"
He took a deep breath and manage to smile sheepishly, "You forgetting the most important thing"
"I have?" I tapped at my chin. "Mama and Papa are also there to support you—?"
He scrunched his brows, "No, dimwit. Forget it!" He fumed, rubbing at his nape and looked away, "You're going to watch too, right?"
"Of course!"
I wonder what he's talking about though. Watch what exactly?
He sweeps his eyes at me, "Good. That's all I needed to hear..."
And then there was silence.
I guess that's all.
I tilted to my side, "Well I better go and prepare." I said as he nods, reluctantly. I made a full turn to walk back in. But I felt a hand tagging at my wrist, keeping me in place.
I glared at Aeron, "What now? I need to get changed for the party"
"Just give me a sec!" he grumbles.
I sighed and turned to face him again. He never released my wrist, he just looked down but I can see how beet red his face is. "It's our birthday..." he began. I waited for him to finish. "Well... my gift" he murmured, almost eating his words.
"Oh! I get it. You have a gift for me?"
He shook his head vigorously, "No, you're gift for me!"
I blinked my eyes. I never really prepared any. I wonder if he'll be upset if I said I got none. "I haven't prepared any because we went out today. Can you wait a little longer?" I did my best grin. "How about tomorrow?"
"I'll be taking it now" he demands, avoiding his eyes away from me.
"But I don't—!"
With one pull at my wrist, I stumbled straight to his arms. He wraps a hand around my waist. Another hand behind my head. Tightly yet carefully embracing me as if he's going to lose me.
—Huh?
Now I really wonder what happened back there in the dungeon after I blacked out.
Hm. But when was the last time I actually hugged him?
Ah.
When we were small.
He told me not to show my tears to anyone and I grabbed him because he was being so adorable. That was a surprise on his part.
And now, this one's on mine.
I guess we're even.
I wrapped my arms around him as well. His embrace tightens for a moment and then he lets me go.
As he pulls away, he rigidly straightened his back. "That's all. See you at the waiting room, sis!" He pats my shoulder. "Happy birthday to us!" And then he marches away like a robot.
I chuckled at the sight of him leave. I suppose with all the changes, no matter how old we are now nor how much he improved and matured, deep inside, he's still the Aeron I know.
Ah.
I forgot to ask how we got back!
Oh well, I thought as I watch him walk away yawning. I can just ask tomorrow.
The sooner this banquet starts the quicker it can be over —so we can all rest!
Today has been such a long day for the four of us.
••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••
The chambermaids soon arrived to help me get changed. But I had to calm them down first after seeing what happened to my windows. After few minutes of trying to explaining what happened, they finally yielded off from the topic, sufficed with the fact that I'm unharmed and began to wash and helped me get dressed.
I watch as our servants bows and cheerfully leave my room soon after, seeming so proud with the work they did on me. Such a bright bunch, I thought.
I walk towards the mirror and studied the reflection I see. I nodded in content with what I see, wearing a long elegant yet sharp looking dress that outlines my silhouette, draping down loosely just an inch high from the floor. Somehow, I look more mature now because of this white and blue dress they gave me. I expected a rather big fluffy dress with laces and ribbons like a walking cake but I suppose that's a little too much for me since I'm technically not that little anymore for those kind of stuff. I'm twelve now. And sadly, time is running by me. I should have made a progress with my real goal in avoiding my fate getting killed but here I am, hopeless and at lost. I shook the gloomy thoughts away and focused at the mirror.
I wore a matching blue heels that I honestly find difficulty walking around with because it's tad higher than my usual. I can see the embroidered emblem of Greenrun by my chest and a brooch where the crest of the royal family is seen. Sometimes I forget we are after all the first branch from the main house of the royal line of the High throne. All because of how peaceful and detach Greenrun is from the Seven Kingdoms, I barely feel our real status.
I stepped back and walked towards the windows. The sky is dark outside.
Hard to believe just this morning we were up and about travelling here and there just to apprehend few bandits.
I really want to ask Aeron what happened...
Suddenly, I sense someone coming.
I walked towards the door and opened it.
I saw Darion with that 'about to knock' gesture.
"Is it time?" I asked.
Darion nods, "Please follow me, miLady."
I agreed and closed the door behind me.
He led me through the hallways and corridors until we reach the doors to the waiting room that leads to the great banquet hall.
I halted as he did as well.
Darion turns around and spoke, "Before you go out there..." he paused and took something out.
"Happy Birthday, miLady" Darion says in a smile as he hands me a small box. He opens it for me and a pair of white gloves is seen.
Now that I think about it, I never worn any gloves for any of my dress before.
"Thank you, Darion!" I reached out and hugged him.
Darion has been our family Head Butler for years and despite his own busy schedule, he took it upon himself to wake me up every morning and tend to my needs, making sure all my morning rituals are done, even though my parents asked him way back after the tree incident I had when I was eight, he never ceased nor decided to assign somebody else on his stead even after I recovered. Up to now, he's still acting as my own personal butler.
"Now go. Young master Aeron is already inside. Whereas Lord Eriol and Lord Levi already joined the guests at the banquet"
I nodded, beamed at him and wore the gloves on.
Darion opens the door for me and bows his head. "I hope you enjoy your night, miLady"
I stepped inside and found myself in a small holding room where Aeron sat by in a couch. He stood up abruptly when he saw me. His eyes grew big as he studied me.
He turns his head away when I reached him and stood before him. "You... don't look bad" he concluded with face flushing red.
"Thanks, brother!" I beamed at him,
He looks at me and did a half smile.
One of the butler that stood by called our attention.
Aeron shrugs, "I guess it's time. Shall we?" He raises an arm at me. I wrapped a hand around it and nodded, "Let's go"
Another big door, different from where I came from, was opened by two guards that idly stood by it. The butler hands Aeron an elegant looking cane that has a blue crystal on top of it. I recognize the cane, it's our Papa's cane.
I turned to Aeron in surprise, "Papa said this symbolizes that I'm being recognized as the next acting Lord to this House. He gave it awhile ago. It's kinda bothersome to hold around but what can I do? This is a social event after all." Aeron explains, taking the cane with his free hand.
"I wasn't aware about such traditions though." I murmured as we began to walk towards the door.
"It's not anything grand. Papa just handed it over, that's all. After he found out my powers awakened, he was so ecstatic that he decided to give it now so I can hold on to it during the party."
I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at Aeron, "What did you say? You... YOUR POWERS AWAKENED?!" I gasped.
He nods, "I thought somebody already told you. I assumed so because awhile ago you said you will watch."
"I literally just woke up when we talked awhile ago. I didn't know!"
"I see. Well, Papa asked me to make a simple show for the guests." he grunted. "So I'm kinda nervous what to do. Anyway, you'll get to see it yourself. So make sure you watch!"
I nodded, "I will! After all, I'm really curious."
We continued walking once again.
"Ahhh~ Now I wish my own powers awaken!" I sighed out loud.
Aeron glances at me and then turns away, looking down at the floor.
"What?"
"I can just become strong for the both of us. You really don't need powers."
I frowned, "That's just being selfish, isn't it?"
"Wha—?! How is that being selfish?!? I'm just trying to prote—!" He pauses and glared at me. I can see his jaw tightening. "You're a dimwit." He concluded.
"Huh???"
He turns his head to the opposite direction, "A super hopeless dimwit!" he repeated.
I realized...
despite having a special bond with my twin brother, there are also times when I can't understand a single thing going on inside his head.
Soon we stepped by the door and idly waited.
The lights turned off and a ray of light blasted by, focusing at a corner where a royal court herald makes an entrance that brought the attention to him by all of the guests in the hall as he made his way across. They turned front to where he is as every guest in that room waited patiently while he take a stand by the foot of the stairs where we are suppose to climb down at his cue.
He stomps his foot down as he touched the podium that was placed there for him with his nose up high; he seems to bask in pride of his own job. He fixes the lapel of his coat in place, clears his throat, and took a deep and loud inhale that signals the beginning of his grand announcement of our arrival.
"Tonight, we celebrate the coming of age of the dearly beloved and respected twins of the esteemed Leingod Household!
It's in my greatest honor to present to you all the arrival of the celebrants:
Lady Aerrandria Leingod and the Young Lord, Aeron Leingod."
There was no clap, no music, just the silence that filled the entire halls as eyes were set to us as we stepped out of the door and began to climb down the grand staircase of the banquet halls.
With an arm wrapped around my brother's one arm, I slowly took careful steps down as I kept my head up high and eyes straight to the crowd.
Below the stairs, opposite to the royal court herald, our parents stood wearing a warm and pleased smile.
"I am literally shaking here" I whispered at Aeron. We were halfway the staircase.
"Cursed this stupid stairs. It's taking us forever in here." Aeron grumbled as low as he could. I could tell he hates the feeling that every eyes on this room is fixed at us and the longer we take our time climbing down, the longer the guests could study us and take notice of every detail we can offer their easy eyes, be it a good one or not.
"Almost there." I whispered back at him. "Look sharp, brother."
I glances at him and saw him looking down. "Keep your eyes straight!" I reminded him, nudging at him discreetly.
"Those damnable lights blasted at us is making it hard to see where we're going, darn it!" he murmured, grinding his teeth in annoyance.
I know what he means.
"Few more. Oh god, just a few more steps!" Aeron says impatiently.
"Shushhh!" I hissed at him
"Aaaand— finally! We made it." He hauls a sigh of relief as we took the final step that took us at the bottom of the staircase.
Papa and Mama walked towards us and took turns embracing us.
Papa took a deep breath and spoke, "Papa is so... so so proud for both of you!" he bit his lips, tears warning to bloom out of his eyes. "Very proud!" he whimpers.
"Papa, stop it. It's embarrassing!" I sighed
"Yeah, its just our 12th birthday." Aeron added, rolling his eyes.
"But still—!" He paused, sniffed,
and then finally he cracked and bawled, "YOU'RE BOTH SO BIG NOW!!! Papa is so proud!!!! But sad at the same time!!!"
Mama just sighed and gave us an apologetic smile. "Go ahead and lead the dance. I'll just take your father inside to help him calm down for a while" she instructed, with a hand rubbing gently at Papa's back as he cried.
I look around and notice lights are still blasted at us like spotlight. "I suppose we have to go, Aeron" I said, tapping at him.
Aeron turns around as our parents left, he narrows his eyes and peered through the brightness. "Oh right... the dance." he says as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, seeming to brace himself.
"Shall we?" He opens his eyes and smiled at me, reaching out an open hand.
I took that hand and nodded, smiling at him as he leaves the cane he was holding on to to one of our butlers. He then led me to the middle of the room, passing through countless guests as the light followed us.
I still feel anxious with all the eyes watching but honestly speaking, I wouldn't be this calm if Aeron's not here by my side.
Finally, Aeron halts and had me stand before him. He placed his hand on my waist as his other held my other hand in place.
On cue, music began to play.
One step forward, and then to one side,
One step next and then back.
I played the sequence inside my head, repeatedly.
"Now, you're the one looking down!" Aeron chuckled, I glared at him.
"Well sorry, I'm just trying to concentrate in praying to all the gods so I won't stumble and embarrass myself here!" I grumbled.
"Just relax and follow my lead." Aeron whispered as he took greater steps, "Look sharp! Straighten your back more and stop staring down, you dimwit!"
"What are you, my governess? Just keep dancing and I'll keep—!"
"Praying?" He supplied, rolling his eyes.
I glared at him for a moment, deadpan.
"Seems like the gods are listening. See? You're doing well!"
Ah.
He's right.
Without really thinking too much about the sequence of steps, my body just went moving on it's own.
"Now if only I can keep this up when I dance with the others"
"Yeah well...." Aeron frowns. "It can't be helped I suppose."
"I just really hope I don't step on anybody's feet tonight."
He chuckled, guiding me to spin in place and then places his hand back to my waist, resuming to sway in the beat of the music. "I'm sure people will be more than happy to dance with you even if you do that actually."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're seriously asking why? Look around."
I scout my eyes around discreetly. Nothing out of the ordinary. People are just watching as some people already joined us, dancing.
"I don't get it." I murmured, crunching my eyebrows.
"Dimwit" he just snickered. Took me for another spin and then we stopped. "Now, we're done!" Aeron says, as he steps away from me and makes a quick bow. I curtsied in reply.
"Wait, where are you going?" I asked Aeron as he began to walk away from me.
"–Letting you two dance" he answered, eyeing someone from behind me.
I turned around and realized Eriol is standing behind me.