The blood flowed out of the wound on his forehead towards his eyes and hung onto those beautiful lashes, fighting a losing battle with gravity. He closed his eyes in pain and they dripped onto my cheeks. I could feel his breath getting fainter, but he refused to move. That was when I knew the meaning of regret.
- The Brown Book
It's been a few days since Leo had left on 'The Artemis' with a few of his trusted soldiers and Aegeus. Jason had not managed to get away from his room since that particular day. An excited Alec had narrated the entire incident to his siblings and Epione was furious. She had been found muttering about the ' silly prince ' who wasted her precious antidote and time. She had gone into his residence and issued an ultimatum. That had led to another verbal fight between Lieutenant Andreas and Princess Epione. Jason had rested on the bed with an innocent expression, as meek as a lamb.
Celosia had stayed in her room without a single complaint. To say that Epione was surprised would be the understatement of the centuary. Celosia just smiled at her little sister's unbelieving expression and obediently ate the bitter pills. She often encouraged Epione to talk about Jason, in a not-so-obvious manner. But the most she could know from the very ruffled Epione was that Jason was healing well. Epione was more vocal about the 'barbarian' beside a well mannered gentleman like the Crown Prince. Celosia found herself chuckling at the narration and had to often disguise it by pretending to cough. Her little sister was the one with a cool head, being a doctor, she had always handled everything in a calm manner and with a reassuring smile. Except now. Celosia was dying to meet this 'barbarian'.
Except when she was lost in the thoughts about Jason, she wondered about her dreams. They had not surfaced for a few days. She wondered why. The reason why she had decided to stay put in her room was to heal as soon as possible. She wants to pay a visit to the pond that Thea had found accidentally in the forest. Oh, the sweet Thea. She visited her big sister with a bouquet of flowers everyday and chatted one to dozen about whatever that had caught her fancy that day.
" Sia, I've come. "
Celosia turned towards the sound of that voice and saw Epione walking towards her. Celosia, as usual, was standing at the windows; staring at the mysterious forest. She was wearing a pale pink chiton and her hair was let loose. Those dark brown curls lay against her slim body and fluttered in the wind, akin to the floating seaweeds brought onto the shore by the ever consistent waves. Her bronze complexion had mellowed since her 'imprisonment' in her chambers and had regained a rosy hue.
" Hello, Ms. News-bearer! What do you have to report today? " Celosia asked with a grin.
Epione snorted and sat on the window sill. " The Crown Prince had a message from his father. Something about someone's arrival. Papa and Mama had a meeting with the Crown Prince and that 'barbarian' . He seemed too happy for words when I visited him afterwards. His smile stretched from one ear to the other. "
" Didn't you ask him about the source of his happiness? " Celosia's curiosity was piqued.
" Of course, I did. All he said was, 'You will know. I hope you won't refuse.' What is that supposed to mean? " Epione looked at Celosia quizzically.
" I..I don't have any idea. " Celosia stuttered. Her face had gone all pale. The ever twinkling eyes had lost their lustre and emanated gloom.
" Are you alright? Oh, No! Were you not resting enough? " Epione lead Celosia towards the bed and made her lay down. " Talk to me, sis. Are you feeling better? "
" Yes, dear. I'm alright. I just felt dizzy for a while. It may have been because I haven't been eating well these days. Rest assured, I will have some food and I'll be back to normal."
" I'll ask the maids to bring you a platter of fruits. I will see you tomorrow. " Epione made sure that Celosia had settled well and left.
Celosia lay with her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. Her eyes were not seeing the intricate artwork that had been etched onto the ceiling years ago. All her thoughts were centered on those two sentences: 'You will know. I hope you won't refuse.' The maids came in after a few minutes and left the platter of fruits, finely cut up, on the table. Celosia seemed to be unaware of her surroundings, lost in her misery.
' He is happy. He received a message from his father. If my memory serves me right, he had requested for an audience with Papa right after he was patched up by Epione. Was it to seek his permission? Maybe he had sent a message to his father to seek his permission, too. His father has agreed! That is the reason for his happiness! Am I not supposed to be happy? But why am I unable to feel even an ounce of happiness? The Crown Prince of the Isles Of Apollo wants to marry my little sister! Isn't it the best possible outcome for her, him and our countries? Yes, yes....but why do I feel an acute pain? ' Celosia sat up and buried her head in her hands.
' What's happening to me? No! I have to control myself. The convoy of the Isles Of Apollo, along with the King may arrive soon. I believe that's the reason why he hasn't told her yet, of his love for her. He may have planned a sweet and beautiful proposal for Epione. Yes, that's how it must be. She had mentioned about how considerate he is towards her. How stupid of me! I should have sensed it sooner. '
She stood up and started to change her clothes. She donned the short, black low-gridled chiton and secured the two swords at her hip. She used a bright red string to tie the ends of her hair together, after braiding the whole length it. The braid was then coiled and secured at her nape using a black cloth. She donned a dark-as-midnight coloured veil, which successfully left her nose and mouth covered. Her obsidian eyes scanned her figure in the mirror and was satisfied with the outcome. She left the room swiftly with the help of the makeshift cloth ladder that she had set up years ago.
She made her way stealthily to the stable that held her beloved horse, Pegasus. " Shhh... Hello, my darling! Let's go for an adventure. " Celosia whispered to the excited animal who had started to neigh loudly with affection as soon it saw her. Pegasus had been her companion since its birth. His mother was a mare at the Royal stables. When Pegasus was a colt, he had been highly unruly. Only with Celosia, who was fifteen years old then, was the colt docile. She could even feed him apples from her palm. He was her friend and companion since the day they met. He was officially presented to her on her eighteenth birthday. Originally, the King had planned to present him to the Crown Prince, Leo. But, one could only lead the horse to the water, not force it to drink it. Pegasus favoured Celosia. And that decided the matter for once and for all.
Celosia led Pegasus towards the forbidden forest. She didn't dare to ride him, in fear of discovery. The sun had long been absent from the horizon, in preparation for the Moon to take its stage. The small black figure looked around and made sure that they were alone. Celosia, along with Pegasus walked the path that had flowers blooming on both sides. The garden below the chambers of Celosia had all sorts of beautiful flower-bearing plants. The night was diffused with the fragrance emanating from those flowers. She held the mane of Pegasus and absently walked towards the exit of the garden. A wall made of shrubs separated the Forbidden Forest from Celosia's personal courtyard and garden.
Once they crossed the boundary, she mounted the majestic beast and galloped into the forest, unaware of how it would turn out to be the first of the nights of revelations.
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Copyright@2021 by Mila Alaia
All rights reserved
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