"Because I love you.. Anasta-chan Drizzie-chan.."
She smiled.
"The true spirit of hard work and determination to walk through the trail. I had never helped, you in your training nor have I appreciated your progress. But, remember you have proved that, hard work beats the talent, when talent doesn't work hard, by defeating these fairies who had underestimated you, very badly... And, that's the reason....I give you this Grim-Tale book, that I have bought along with me on my previous reincarnation from The Other World. Use it wisely..."
She said when Prince Zeno suddenly rushes up towards our direction after finally managing the terrible situation around us.
"Lady Rottenstein..." he called in a panicked voice as he abruptly knelt down before us.
My mother looked up wearing a puzzled expression on her face. "Anastasia.. Who is this, handsome young, gentleman..? " she asked softly.
"He is the Young Prince of Fairytale, Mother..." I explained.
"The Prince... A.. C-Charming..? B-But... But.. The story plot.. W-Wasn't he supposed to be with Cinder.."
"N-No..mother.. He is his little step brother. The second prince.. "
"I am Prince Zenon Altizer Charming, the second prince of Fairytale..Milady..And, I am currently courting for your daughter.. " He introduced
himself as my mother's eyes widened in surprise.
I blushed quickly. "You don't have to say that.."
"Prince Zenon.." She seemed to mumble to herself as though she seemed to remember something.
"Prince Zenon Charming...? I can't believe..it.. She..she.. actually.. remembered our promise... " My mother smiled gently and slowly held Prince Zeno's hands..
"Your Majesty..." She whispered. "..I leave you, my daughters. Please take care of them for me.."
"Of course.. Milady.. "
And, with that her body suddenly broke into millions of multi colored sparkles as a gentle grin hung over her lips.
Her translucent soul stood before us waving it's hand, softly and flew along with the wind completely disappearing from our sight.
***
The clouds darkened and a gust of wind blew indicating a sign of a thunderstorm as the two sisters of the Rottenstein family sat down on the grass side-by-side mourning for their deceased mother.
My mother hates me. She always did. Didn't she..? She was a selfish woman who never cared about her daughters. She was extremely partial to her step daughter and poured all her love towards the man who never cared about us. She was a perfect queen. So powerful and alone that no one could dare to get close to her.
That's how, I tried to convince my soul as it grieves for it's lost mother. Prince Zeno sat down with us. No one uttered a word. The incident was still a great shock for everyone around the house that everything still looked so surreal.
But, even though.. no matter what happened...
The truth lied crystal clear. I bit my lips hard as the emotions overwhelmed inside of me.
My mother did love us, enough to sacrifice her own life for the sake of her daughters.
My.. Entire Life.. Now, that I think about.. was just an illusion. I always have pride about how, by being a Nobel, I can easily decipher the true feelings of people around me.. But.. B-But.. I bit my lips.
I am still such a child. I have never been able to read the heart my mother. I was so stupid! I know, my mother has a hard time expressing her feelings.. I know, she went through a lot, after our relatives and my father abandoned us. And, I knew it... I just knew it!..
But, yet. I never tried to understand her. I was so selfish and narrow minded. I am the worst daughter ever!
I bit my lips. They hurt. They hurt very much. But, I mustn't cry. I can't dishonor my mother anymore. And.. I bit my lips again. My.. Sobbing.. Sister..how will she.. feel.. If I cry.. won't she feel discouraged too...
But, the burden in my heart.. is so.. Heavy.. I can't hold them.. in anymore...
I know, my relatives would soon take us in, along with our properties, after this. Our relatives.. who never cared about us.. would suddenly shower their plastic love..
I bit my lips, the tears are almost wreaking and clouding my sight...
But, no-no-no.. I will.. must stay strong.
I cannot cry! If I do, I will lose the upper hand of being the owner's elder daughter.
I MUSTN'T CRY!
But, my eyes burned and my lips hurt by biting them and trying to hold in my tears for too long. My lips hurt.
But, then the tears were welling up more and more inside bloated eyes, so I can't lose control.
My body was trembling in weakness of my mind's internal pressure. And, My lips hurt as though blood is gonna explode from them!.. I-I feel so weak.. My body.. It's burning. But.. Even so.. I mustn't.. I just... mustn't...
I bit my lips.
It was just so hard to control the tears. Too hard. Too painful.
And yet, I bit them again, utterly determined.
But...still.. I cannot let my tears be spilled. Tears are a definition of a weak and feeble woman, yearning for protection.. And, I am not weak! I cannot be weak! For the sake of my mother and my sister. I must be strong.. I must hold them in..
I bit my lips.
I WILL NOT CRY. I WILL NOT STAY WEAK!
My mind voice declared loud!
.
.
.
And, that's when, I suddenly felt a warm yet soft and gentle embrace slowly encapsulate me into his arms.
"P-Prince.. Zenon..!? W-What ..are you doing.. Everyone is watching us..!? " I stammered caught in both surprise and bafflement.
I tried pulling away.
It is wrong. He mustn't do this.. He's a Prince! And,.. And, I am just an ordinary Nobel..
"Prince.. Z-Zeno.. P-Please pull out.. This.. c-could endanger your position and start weird rumors!" I cried.
But, he just pulled me closer to his body.
Nahh, this can't be happening.. Why is he doing like this..? His position.. is in a threat because of this gesture towards a normal girl..And.. Prince Zenon...him hugging me like this out of no where.. just makes me wanna.."hmph"..
I bit my lips again. But, they unfortunately exploded and blood instantly poured out of my lips and soaked on Prince Zeno's white shirt.
"No-No.. P-Prince Zeno..! Your dress! It's becoming dirty.. Please pull off! I beg you.. I don't want you to suffer because of me! ..please.."
I literally begged and start squirming forcing out the hug
when he suddenly kissed my neck abruptly sending my body in shivers.
"Psst.. Still worried about others, when you are damn hurt yourself.. You are acting too tough again, princess... And, it literally pains me to see you like this.. "
I abruptly stopped squirming and stood still, frozen.
"I know, you refuse to be called as a weak woman.. " he said softly almost in a whisper gently stroking my back as though he was caressing a scared kitten.
"But.." He whispered. "Sometimes.. It's better to let the ground know your tears and share your burden.. "
"....."
Enormous tears slowly leaked down from my blotted red eyes. And, My dry cheeks instantly became wet as a soft whimper escaped my lips.
"Hmmp.." I cried as the prince pulled me more closer. "Yeah.. That's it..Good girl.. You can cry when you are sad. Don't worry, I will always lead you a shoulder to cry on, .. Anasta-chan .. " he whispered when more tears flooded out of my eyes and..
I cried.