'What the hell was that?'
Siv takes fast angry steps to her room. She indulges in the bath that Veda had prepared, trying to calm her nerves down. Unfortunately, Gary's kiss is all she can think about. She thought they were friends.
'Why would he kiss me and ruin it?'
"Ugh, idiot."
"My lady, are you alright?" Veda asks.
"Yes, I am fine."
"My lady, should you start getting ready? Her Grace said she will wait for you for breakfast."
Siv sighs.
She is not sure she wants to see her grandmother right now. After the disaster yesterday, she is not really sure whether she is on her side or just looking out for the family's interest.
"Yes, let's do that."
After Veda helps her get ready, Siv drags her feet to the dining hall. She finds the duchess already sitting at the head of the table.
"Good day, Your Grace," Siv greets with a curtsy.
"Haven't we already spoken about how you should address me?"
"Ah, yes. My apologies."
"Have a seat." Siv obeys. "How is your new room?"
"Quite comfortable, thank you for asking."
The duchess waits for the servants to bring out the food to the table and pour the freshly brewed tea. They all leave the room after that. She elegantly takes a few sips before she looks at her granddaughter.
"How was training?" Siv blushes when she remembers Gary's kiss.
"It went well."
"Gary is one of the best warriors in the kingdom, so take advantage of his teaching."
"I will do my best, grandmother."
"Good. Now, about dinner yesterday, what are your thoughts?" Thyra asks.
"The information you have shared was quite shocking to me." Siv answers after a while.
"Which is normal, I presume."
'Umm why is this woman emotionless. Does she even understand the things that she revealed last night?'
"I am wondering about what you think of what I asked of Brandt." Thyra puts her cup on the saucer. "Do you still want to marry him?"
"Would you still want to marry him, if you were me?" Siv asks.
"My dear, do you understand the importance of your decision?"
"Of course I do."
"I doubt it."
"Then, would you like to enlighten me, grandmother?" Siv's sarcasm does not go without notice.
"Well, the first thing you need to understand is that you have royal blood running through your veins, that makes you one of the descendants of the first queen."
"Just like you are, but you didn't become queen."
"Because I was not the chosen one." Thyra explains. "That mark on you is proof that you are."
"Chosen for what?"
"To be queen of Pyama."
"And I have to marry Brandt in order to do that?"
"Yes, that is one of the options."
"What about choosing a different option, then?" Siv is getting irritated by the conversation.
"The other option would be to go to war with Pyama, dear." Thyra's answer makes Siv go silent for a long time.
'This is a lot of freaking pressure.'
"You are my granddaughter, and unlike that ungrateful father of yours, I will support whatever decision you make." The duchess' expression becomes a bit softer. "I just thought you might want to know the consequences of that decision before making it."
"I see."
"How about you take your time thinking about it before giving me an answer?"
"I would like that, thank you."
"Adequate."
"May I be excused, please?"
"Of course, dear."
Siv spends the rest of the day in bed. Her scrambled thoughts bother her all afternoon. She does not even notice that it is already dark outside. She lies on her side and stares at the moonlight sneaking through the window. For some reason, the silence is bothering her. She feels so lonely, just like when she was Gene. The conversation with her grandmother still rings in her mind, but she does not want to think about it any longer. She is also still annoyed with Gary.
'He better explain himself tomorrow, jerk.'
Suddenly a bright light appears in her room making her jump out of her bed.
"Lady Siv."
"Colby?" Siv squints her eyes. "Colby is that you?"
"My lady." Siv smiles and rushes to him but freezes when she can finally see him clearly.
Colby is on his knees, his face is black and blue with a few cuts here and there, he looks like he has been through hell and back.
"My lady, I don't have much time." Siv takes a few steps and kneels in front one him, she tries to caress his face but her hand goes right through him.
"What the?"
"I'm just projecting myself, I am not really here."
"Who did this to you?"
"It is not important, they will find me soon."
"Who?"
"Listen to me, you can't trust anyone." Colby turns around as if he has heard a sound. "They are trying to give you a potion, to make you disappear."
"What?"
"I don't know what it is, but don't take anything from anyone and be careful with what you eat." Colby looks back again. "They are here."
"Who? Colby where are you?"
"The Grand Mage figured that I was keeping watch on him, I have been in the red room for weeks."
"In Bluevale?"
"Yes, but don't worry about me-" Colby lets out a loud cry of agony.
"Oh my God, Colby" His shirt starts turning red from the blood coming out of his side, but Siv can't see who is with him. She tries to touch him again, but he is just air. Tears of frustration and helplessness start pouring from her eyes. "I am going to come save you, Colby."
"Worry about yourself." Colby grunts between gritted teeth. "Don't do anything stupid." Colby falls to the floor as if someone has just punched him. "Be safe." He says before disappearing.
"Colby!" Siv stays on the floor for a while just crying over the state her friend is in.
'It is my fault that he is being tortured like that.'
More tears fall on the floor as Siv fights the pain in her chest. She needs to do something about it. She can't just leave him there, her friend, her sorcerer. She slams her fist on the floor.
"I will find a way, Colby. I will save you."