All of the things that we needed were bought—from the sheets, curtains, kitchen utensils, food, and Gus' clothes. It was nice that our palace became lively and beautiful, especially the olive tree in the garden.
"Why are you just standing there?"
"Gus!" I exclaimed. "I'm just admiring the palace. It changed in a short span of time."
"If you have money and enough manpower you can change anything you want."
I stared at the window and replied, "Should we hire some servants? Also, we should buy Colt a companion."
"There's no need to hire servants. We shouldn't just let someone we don't trust in our palace."
I suddenly get to thinking about Gus' answer. So, he had trust issues towards others. No wonder he was unfriendly at first. "Are we an exception?"
Gus blushed. "Yeah...to some extent."
I laughed. "You're funny when you're shy." I leaned towards him and looked closely into his eyes. "Wh-what?! You're too close!"
"Gus," I called. "You can't remember faces. Am I right?"
"What are you talking about?! I don't know what you're saying!" Gus said, furiously.
I touched a sensitive topic. Well, it was not just being curious. Rather a concern to a friend. "I noticed it when we had our second visit here. I thought you're just confused to not recognize our faces but it seems that every time you meet people, even us, you get confused. Especially at that time in the capital, I tried to test you. I stood in front of you, I never spoke, then you just passed over me. You couldn't recognize faces."
"So, what if it's true? Are you going to stay away from me because I'm cursed?!"
I could see and feel the anger and sadness of Gus as he said those words. Hearing what he said it seemed like he was treated badly in his life. Was that why he was alone when we first met him? The reason he was here in the abandoned palace? I couldn't process all the questions that kept coming in my mind. Hah! His situation was worse than I thought. "I can't deny the fact that you might be cursed."
"You are the same with all of the people I met." Gus' eyes reddened as he suppressed his tears.
"Hey, don't cry!" I said, panicked. "We're not abandoning you. Even if you're cursed or not. Even if you can't remember our faces. We won't leave you. No matter what."
"Why? Why are you going to such an extent for me?"
I smiled. "Because you're Augustus. That's why I want to understand your fears and demons—the state of you."
"You're out of your mind."
"What?" I asked as I missed the words he said.
"I said you're crazy!"
Before I could reply to Gus, Papa, who was at the entrance gate, suddenly called us to inform us that we were ready to go.
Gus grabbed my hand. "Let's go. Atlas is waiting for us."
Calling me crazy all of the sudden then grabbing my hand. I couldn't understand you at all, Gus.
***
Southville Cafe
We had arrived at the cafe where Halley, Max, and Elliot were waiting. Papa left Colt outside the shop as we entered. I could see Halley wave enthusiastically at me, and his brother smiling like an angel as always.
"Brielle! What took you so long? I've been waiting for ages!" complained Halley.
"I'm sorry. We were busy organizing the palace," I replied.
Max responded, "You should ask for our help. It will be done before you know it."
"You don't have to. Besides, we were done in renovating the palace," I assured. Max and Elliot stared at Gus as it was their first time meeting him. "He is my friend, Augustus, and he lives with us in the palace. And Gus, they are Eliot, Halley's brother, and Max."
Elliot forced smiled at Gus. However, Gus didn't smile back instead he glared at him. What's wrong with these two?
"Why are there so many people in the capital?" asked Papa, staring at the window.
Max suddenly leaned closed and whisper, "I heard that the emperor will officially announce Lady Oriana as a member of Imperial Family."
Elliot added, "Duke Cohan seems to spread the news about Lady Oriana to add pressure to the emperor to make a royal announcement."
"But she has the same eyes of the emperor and hair of the empress. Is there any problem in proclaiming she is a part of Imperial Family?" asked Halley.
"She's hiding behind the mask," Papa and Gus spoke.
"What do you mean?" Max asked.
"You're too young to understand," Papa teased.
"How did the princess die? And how come she came back to life?" I asked. It was the part that I was curious about. Confusing. Very confusing. The almighty Imperial Family, the greatest among the all, let the princess die. What was the reason?
"To save one's life, they let someone die. She, who died, carried the burden of not being able to begin life," Elliot answered.
To save one's life, they let someone die.
To save one's life, they let someone die.
To save one's life, they let someone die.
His answer echoed to my ears.
She was sacrificed.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The loud sound of drums was heard throughout the capital. Everyone gathered at the capital's plaza where the emperor would announce Lady Oriana as a member of the Imperial Family. Hence, we decided to go as well to witness the royal announcement.
The Imperial Family was standing on a high stage decorated with gold ornaments resembling a field of marigolds. All of the audiences were filled with excitement and curiosity as they waited, though they knew it was all about Oriana.
Silence.
The crowd became silent as the emperor stepped forward. His majesty was so noble and majestic. It was unrealistic to think that the man in front of me, standing above us, was the same man who saved me and let me and Papa live in his palace. "Every season the flowers bloom in joyful spring, the green trees dress in crystal beads, the leaves dance in the windy eld, and as the golden sun sits in the sky, we longed for someone's presence. Today, we are delighted to announce that there is possibility that the Goddess reborn our princess. The life once taken is now returned. I hope to see all of you treat Princess Oriana as what you treat the Royal Family until there is not yet confirmation from the Head Priest."
Clap.Clap.Clap.
The crowd celebrated as soon as the emperor ended his announcement. If Oriana was truly reborn by the Goddess, then the empire was blessed and favored by the Goddess. That was supposed to be the normal reaction. But why were the empress and princes not happy?
"What were you thinking?" Papa asked, flicking my forehead.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed. "Nothing. I was just listening to His Majesty."
All of the sudden, golden petals showered upon us in a warm summer wind. Everything looked magical—a scenario in a fairy book. In my place, at that current moment, I watched Oriana, smiling brightly, as she was caressed by the Imperial Family. The picture of them left a mark in my memory.
As I averted my eyes, I saw Head Priest Drystan afar, standing in the middle of the crowd. We locked eyes. There was warm sensation inside of me. My hands became cold. I took a deep breath as the time set free. Suddenly there was everything. I wanted to say something, to remember something, but a hand touched mine.
"Could you stop looking in that direction?" Eliot requested.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"...I don't like that look in your face. If by any chance you didn't close your eyes or look away—I thought you would break."
"...That's nonsense. You're just imagining things," I jokingly said. But, at that moment, I
knew…I feel…did I forget something? Or was it someone?
Papa held my hand and said, "Let's go home."
I held his hand tightly and nodded to go home. My mind was tired and confused thinking all of the things happened today.
"Yeah, let's go home," Gus mumbled. His ears and face were flushed. He was too shy so he turned his head on the side.
"You're too red!" teased Max.
Gus gave a dead stare to Max that made him shrink. I giggled. That was so Max.
I bid my goodbye to Max, Elliot, and Halley as we were about to home. Halley wanted us to stay longer however the sun was about to set. We went back to the restaurant to take Colt, and then we walked back on our way home. The bright warm tangerine rays of the sun hit our skin as we walked in silence, side by side. Beyond the horizon, I wondered what awaits me. The answers to the questions and confused thoughts of mine—Will it save me or break me?
As I was seeking for answers,
seasons were changed,
several years had passed.
We aged.
Memories were once filled again.
Yet, I was a hundred steps away from the answer.
***
"BRIELLE! HURRY WE WILL BE LATE!" screamed Halley.
"Don't yell at my daughter. Do you want to be kick out?!" threatened Papa.
"We are sorry, Sir Atlas," said Max. "Halley, lower down your voice. Okay?"
I could hear them in my bedroom. As usual, our palace was so lively. I wore my dress and tied my hair. Uhmm… my hair was kind of messy. Well, I guess that was okay.
"You tie your hair like a child," Gus teased.
He was standing at the door, smirking. I just smiled at him and sat down on the chair. Gus went behind me and brushed my hair. It became his habit for eight years. He was very gentle in taking care of me. I watched the reflection of Gus in the mirror. The eight years that had passed changed Gus so much, especially his appearance. He became taller, masculine, and more handsome. Perhaps, if he attended a banquet again, he would be the center of attraction of ladies.
"Stop staring at my face," he said, annoyed.
I laughed.
"It's done," he informed. "Don't do your hair by yourself. It's ugly."
"Hey! That was harsh thing to say," I complained.
"That was the truth," he smiled. "Let me do it. Okay?"
Hey.hey.hey. What was that smile all of the sudden? As I thought he would be the center of attraction of the ladies.
"Halley and Max are waiting outside. Let's hurry!" I exclaimed.
He extended his hand, and I held his hand.
I smiled.
He smiled.
The new chapter of my journey turned another page.