Continuing the chapter...
Selena: Only in my country can you find the tree that bears fruit with a mix of gold and silver colors, which is said in legends to heal any illness or curse. *looks at Zilpher*
Zilpher: ...
Selena: I also know that I am the so-called "key" you need to achieve your desires in life. (But I don't understand why I am considered the key to everything. All I know is that it's connected to something that happened to me in the past that I can no longer remember.)
Zilpher: You are right about everything you said.
Selena: Now, I will provide everything you need in exchange for your assistance in our battles and information regarding various types of powers and monsters.
Zilpher *approaches Selena and whispers* I know you have power, so why do you need information about various kinds of power and don't you already have a library? *steps back*
Selena: To expand my knowledge about magic and to strengthen myself to defeat the monsters. (I know that I can learn new things from this powerful country to eliminate all the monsters in this world. And perhaps I will discover something related to what happened to me before.)
Zilpher: Why? Can't you defeat them using your country's technology?
Selena: We can, but I know there are many other types of monsters we haven't faced yet, waiting for the right time to attack us and other places. There is also what is called a "crisis" occurring everywhere except in your country, which remains strong and stable. So, please help us and teach us how to be orderly and prosperous again, Your Highness. *stands and bows*
Zilpher *stands up*
And approaches Selena...
Zilpher *whispers to Selena* Alright, I agree to provide all the information you need about various types of powers and monsters in exchange for what you promised to give me. But if you want us to help in the war against the monsters and form an alliance between our two countries, you will first have to marry me and stay here with me alone for five months.
Selena: ...
Zilpher: Do you agree? *holds Selena's shoulders*
Selena: I agree. *determined*
Zilpher: Our wedding will take place tomorrow noon!
Selena (Tomorrow already?!) ...
Zilpher: After that, I will arrange for our countries to form an alliance! *smiles menacingly*
Selena: And you will also provide the other things I need?
Zilpher: Yes, that will follow.
Selena: Thank you very much, Your Highness. *bows*
Zilpher: Alright, go rest and eat well, Sel. *smiles and closes the door*
Selena: ...
In the King's room...
By the mirror...
As the attendants were preparing the King...
Soldier: Do you really need to marry that lowly Duchess, Your Highness?
Zilpher: Yes.
"Zip!!, Zip!!!!"
[Let's rewind to the past]
When Zilpher was four years old...
Zilpher *gets off the train* Incredible, why did Mother send me here to study when I could have studied in our own country?! (Sigh... This must be another punishment for my misdeeds.)
He remembered that...
He had burned the curtains, poured milk on the plants, released their pet lions and tigers in the garden, and more...
Attendants: Aahhhh!!!!
Zilpher: Sigh... and they even put me on a rickety train *shakes off his clothes* (Sigh... I'm a foreigner in this country again.)
Zilpher entered his school. He then went to his classroom and introduced himself.
Zilpher: Hi, I'm Zilpher Farley from...
Then, their class began...
Ms. Elona: Now, who knows what the white roses symbolize for us?
Zilpher raised his hand...
Ms. Elona: Yes, Zilpher.
Zilpher: It symbolizes peace and tranquility, which can be likened to the breeze, the sound of peaceful nature, the color of the skies, and the symbolism of the "dove" that calms a troubled mind when you touch and smell the white roses.
Ms. Elona: Correct, that is your answer.
Then, someone else raised their hand, with curly and long hair that could be compared to the beautiful hair of benevolent mermaids, colored purple like the amethyst gemstone. Their blue eyes were like the peaceful and stormy ocean.
Ms. Elona: It seems Selena has an answer too. *smiles*
Zilpher: !!!! (It looks like our teacher favors this child, but...)
Selena *stands up*
Zilpher (No one has ever defeated me, so her answer might still be better than mine.)
Ms. Elona: Let's hear the answer from Miss De Lolce. *smiles again*
Selena: Besides what he said *briefly looks at Zilpher's face*
Zilpher *blushes slightly* (Her face is so beautiful, so fair!)
Selena: It also symbolizes youth, innocence, truth, and purity of people with clean and good hearts, as well as new hope and beginnings, early love, and lifelong loyalty to loved ones and cherished people.
Zilpher: ???
Ms. Elona: How did you come to that conclusion, Selena?
Selena: Just as Mr. Farley mentioned, they are similar to the symbolism of a bird where, before there is peace and tranquility, there must first be turmoil, right?!
Selena elaborated further...
Selena: Which stems from new beginnings.
Zilpher *amazed*
Selena: Isn't it also pleasant to see the color white?
Zilpher (Yes.)
Selena explained it further using flowery and poetic words.
Zilpher: !!! *surprised* (How can there be someone better than me?)
Selena: And just like what happened in the life of Princess Callista of Cordophia back then... if you know her and have read her biography in the libraries...
Zilpher (Oh yes, how did I forget to mention that?!)
Selena: Even though Princess Callista was a princess, it did not prevent her from helping the poor and those in need of justice. Fearlessly, she overthrew her father for the wrongs and evil he was doing in their land. She also fought for her love with a gardener named Martin, so now a wealthy person and a poor person can marry and love each other. This shows that she was raised well by Yaya Tora, who had a pure heart, or she possessed all the good qualities comparable to the personalities of angels in the sky. Above all, she loved wearing white clothes and her favorite flower was the "white rose," which is why it was chosen as the national flower for weddings. In short, to honor Princess Callista's good deeds throughout the world while she was alive.
Everyone present clapped and was amazed by her intelligence.
Zilpher (It looks like there's finally someone who can match me) Finally, someone who can stand up to me *whispers and smiles slightly*
Selena *sits down*
Ms. Elona: Your answer is brilliant and beautiful, Selena! *very impressed*
After the class...
Zilpher *watches Selena as she leaves and walks* (I want to get to know her better)
So whenever Selena was discussed among her classmates, he always listened in secret.
In the cafeteria...
There were two students talking about Selena...
Classmate 1: Yes, Selena really loves to read novels full of mystery.
Classmate 2: In fact, I saw her yesterday at the store...
Zilpher *listening in secretly* (Should I give her Detective Sherlock Holmes books for Christmas?) Hmmm...
And that's when Zilpher began to like Selena...
And whenever he heard bad things about Selena or saw her being picked on, he secretly retaliated...
In the school bathroom...
Boy: Who threw my bag into the toilet?! *angry and shouting*
Zilpher secretly laughs.
Until one day...
He saw Selena walking down the street with a boy who had long, blue hair and green eyes, so he hid behind a tree.
Zilpher: Hhmmppphhh!!! (We even have somewhat similar eye colors!)
Selena: Thanks again for the handkerchief you gave me yesterday when I was crying. Here is your handkerchief *hands the handkerchief to her companion*
Zilpher: !!!! (Selena cried yesterday??!! But why?!) *worried about Selena*
??? *accepts the handkerchief* It's nothing, miss. You know it's my job to protect and make you happy, hehe! *smiles and scratches his head*
Selena *blushes and smiles*
Zilpher: !!!! (Selena blushed?!) Don't tell me you like that boy?! *annoyed* Tsskkk!!!! *bites his lip*
After the two left, Zilpher went home feeling sad, asking himself:
"Why him, why did you fall for him and not me? Why not me??!!! What does he have that I don't?!"
That evening...
In Zilpher's room...
Zilpher *sits on his bed* .... *looks out the window* Is there no hope for me, Selena?