sunlight beams shone in every corner of the mansion, the conversation of the maids and servants are barely audible. The smell of different cuisine wafts around the kitchen while the others keep checking with the preparations.
"Are the Imperial Princes joining in?" one maid asked when they passed by a room wherein the two princes stays. Until now they haven't gone back to the palace and even though he say they will leave the very next day, they didn't.
"yes, since it is Young Miss' birthday," one maid answered and cleaned the windows. Yessenia who happened to hear this behind the corner has a wide smirk on her face.
That kind of smirk is what puts Wren in edges. The cause of that smirk is simply something she thought of what to do with Wren and Zairon. It is evident that Yessenia is their number 1 fan in the mansion and she supports them will all of her might. It is still unknown why she likes them together.
But her maid, Anna, had an idea and It may be after she read a fairytale about a prince and a young girl who fell in love, of course the boy doesn't love the girl at first. But in the end he fell.
The story resembles Wren and Zairon making her their cupid.
Of course Wren has no idea about this, "the problem is Caesar and that damned knight" she gritted her teeth after reminiscing the moments she tried to put Wren and the prince together.
If not Caesar ruining her plans, there is Cervi who was there, getting Zairon's attention. Although Cervi is not affected by Zairon's obvious hatred towards him.
"tsk, I have to do something," she mumbled, unaware of two people approaching her behind. Cold hands hold her shoulders, sending shivers to her body. She immediately thought of the ghosts she heard from the maids.
Yessenia turned around to see Astreia and Azi with snow dust on their shoulders, which explains why they were cold. Yessenia on the other hand is frustrated with it.
"what are you doing here, Yessenia?" Astreia asks as she looks around, assuming she was playing hide-and-seek with the maids who were busy cleaning the hallways.
she groaned, thinking that after escaping Anna she then encountered these two kids and thought of not wanting to babysit them. She then turned around and started to walk away. Barely stopping when the kids say, "we can help you with that,"
"you just want to separate brother Caesar and Cervi to Wren, right?"
She's surprised to hear from Astreia– that she knows what she needs. Then again, what can these kids do—actually, she remembered how Caesar can't ignore the little ones despite his busy schedule. Maybe these kids can really make Caesar occupied by a day and her only problem would be Cervi.
Astreia is weirded out by how Yessenia looks now especially since she was grinning widely and laughing to herself.
Wren who just came out of her room found them outside, she winced when she saw how Yessenia looked and turned around. Not bothered to greet them, "Your cousins sure are lively," Boaife said, referring to Yessenia.
"my body shivers." she whispered, unknown what Yessenia prepared for them.
---------------------------------------------------
"achooo" I can't help but to sneeze once again. Ever since I woke up I have had a runny nose and I kept sneezing.
"Boaife increase the heat," I said, feeling cold. I'm in front of the fireplace and rubbing my hands while Boaife is behind me.
"..." she looks at me after increasing the heat. Today is my birthday and I have no plans of going out. I will just eat and rest since I am feeling extremely sleepy.
The door opens, I saw Cervi enter and he noticed us sitting on the fireplace.
"master you look pale," he said which Boaife agrees on, "right? Why don't you rest today, Wren?"
My brows furrowed as I looked at her. She really does look concerned and there is no hint of sarcasm in her words.
I did not notice how close Cervi was to me as he put his palm on my forehead and said, "it seems you caught a cold, master"
"Get a rest Wren," Boaife added. How unlucky to be sick on my birthday and it is so unexpected to see Boaife being concerned. I guess she still has heart.
"I looked like a heartless spirit to you."
Well, yes, she really does look like-- the sound of the door flung loudly in my room. Just when I am going to sleep.
"WRRREEENNN HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" I stared at Laxus and Yessenia's synchronization in greeting me. My head throbs at how their voices rang inside.
Yessenia stared at Cervi whose hand is still in my forehead. Ah, she might think of something weird. I pushed the hand away and said, "This... Anyway, why are you here..."
"Wren is he more good-looking than the prince?" I sigh, not having the energy to reply, "she has a cold," thanks Boaife for this.
I stood up, although my sight is a bit hazy. "she really does not look good,"
"then please do not annoy me. Cervi escort them outside," I said and laid myself on my bed and sigh. I really have a cold.
My hot breath as my dizziness took over. I will sleep for a while. I might recover if I just slept.
"Your mother is here,"
"hmmm," I do not hear what they were talking about. I let myself drift into dreamland.
*****
My eyes keep closing then open, whenever I open my eyes it feels like I'm being sucked in by an unknown force. It also feels heavy, this is my first time being sick in this world.
hurried footsteps passed me as the smell of something nostalgic made my eyes shot open. Suddenly, I'm inside in an unfamiliar room. It is small, my head throbs as I look around. Then, a little girl appeared in front of me, removing her shoes as soon as she entered the room. She's holding a paper in her hands as she runs inside, it is obvious in her face that she is excited to show it.
"Mama!" she called as she peeks in every corner, a woman comes out from the door, banging it with force. The kid was shocked, but she moved forward with a small smile.
"..." the woman looks at her, but those eyes are somehow different. There is no warmth in it. It's like she's looking at something she hates to see.
"Mama! Look at this, I got..." the paper in her hands soon vanished, it was in the hands of the woman as she stared at it before tearing it apart in front of the kid.
even I can't help but to feel surprised at this action. When I looked at the kid; she was already on the verge of tears as her mother spoke with an indifferent tone, "is this it? Your cousins have higher scores than you. How will you have a scholarship if your grades are like this?"
I look at the ripped papers on the ground, her grades are high. She only got 5 mistakes over 30 items.
"study more." she said before turning around. She finally sniffled, seeing it made my heart throb painfully as I scanned the area.
the kid then stood up and looked at me with tears in her eyes, slightly stuttering while asking me, "is it not enough?"
this is still a dream right? Do I see myself now? Yes, the kid in front of me is my past self. The moment I realized that this is me is when I recognized the paper, which I saw when I summoned Boaife for the first time.
That feeling that whatever I did is not enough, seeing it in a different perspective. I have definitely been a pitiful child in the past.
"... you don't need..." before I could finish what I'm saying. The ground shakes wildly as it splits in half, below is shining bright and I close my eyes.
the shouts of people awakened me. I soon came to realize that I'm in the body of a woman I do not recognize. There are no mirrors in the room nor other people. Speaking of, this room has an intricate and royal interior. It is night time based on how the sky lit the room, the sound of cackling of burning wood as the shouts outside become louder.
my heart is pounding loudly now as I have a vague sense of what is this. I decided to check it by going to the window, as soon as I stepped closer to it, I saw how the place was being swallowed by fire.
This... I cannot be mistaken, this must be the scene where the rebellion started and where my family is annihilated.
'behind her was her lover who was soaked in blood as he dragged his sword on the ground, making noise that made Wren flinch and dropped on the ground with tears. The way he looked at her now is different yesterday as he said ...'
"you must be missing your family now," I quickly turned around only to see Zairon with cold and emotionless eyes gazing right at me. A black smoke is oozing in him as he points his sword at my neck.
his cold voice rang once again in my ears, "hmm... do not worry. You will see them soon."
His eyes are literally showing how he enjoys this, I mustered my courage and asked, "are all my family dead?"
He tilts his head playfully as he smiles with no warmth, "unfortunately, there are some who had escaped, but I will kill them right after you."
all of the sudden, the blade gleamed under the moonlight as it slashed my neck, blood splattered on the ground as I choke blood.
"D-did you love me?" I was surprised how weakly that phrase came out of my mouth. This line was the original Wren will say to Zairon before she drew her last breath. Seeing how Zairon's mood shifts into more darker as the shadows behind him grow larger and larger until it filled the room.
A mirthful laugh came out from him and said in contempt, "If I loved you, you will not be in this situation," he said as he leaned in and whispered, "besides, you are a thorn for me." I feel my cheeks became wet. Unconsciously I cried and saw his red eyes dance in satisfaction before he turned his back.
through my blurry sight, I watch him gone as I fade into deep sleep.
*****
When I opened my eyes, I was in the room. My cheeks are wet, I bet I cried in my sleep as I dream those... Huh?
"Prince Zairon?" I called as I saw him peacefully sleeping beside my bed.
"he visited you and insisted on staying here," I am surprised at what Boaife said as I stared at Zairon's profile.
"Are you... fine?" she suddenly asked and I nodded as an answer.
"yes..."
"whatever troubles you, you can tell me. I am your companion till you die, meaning you are not alone anymore,"
I smiled at Boaife. Yes, some things have changed and are different from the main course of the novel. Suddenly, Zairon moved as his eyes turned to me, "You are awake" he said to me
"Yes, your highness. Thank you for..." he then shove a small gift to my hands, "Happy Birthday."
wow, I cannot believe he gave me a gift... I smiled. This is really different from the dream.
"Thank you," his face suddenly flush red as he hastily turned away, "take care of yourself alright?"
"yes, yes, Prince Zairon." I said laughing as I opened the gift.
It was a jeweled hair accessory. "I found it on our way here." he said.
"It is pretty. I will treasure this, your highness"
"what is this romantic atmosphere? damn it. Kid get out. Wren will fix herself for dinner."
Boaife is acting like my maid today. Zairon left the room as the maids entered along with my mother who kept asking me.
tonight is where we will celebrate it. Both Yessenia and Laxus apologized with Lexus' instigating it as he held their heads down. The princes arrived at the dining area at that moment.
"Happy birthday!" Everyone greeted me then Noland came in with a grim expression, "Pardon me, Your Imperial Highness, Your Grace, The duke has returned."
we cannot understand why he was looking grim when the master of the mansion had returned, not until we heard some wheels screeching the floor.
everyone at that time stopped and looked at the door burst open, behind him was a mountain of things, gifts even as they are beautifully wrapped.
"Master! this is too much!" One knight said as they leaned on the door frame, panting.
Now, everyone understands why he was looking like that. IT IS EXCESSIVE GIFTS. I had the whole night unwrapping them as I thought of how much it costs.
But, that night, my heart felt warmer as I recalled the events. My mother is still alive and I have one more sister.
"..." I look at the window to see the moon glow brightly. I touched my neck as I remembered how the blade slashed it. Just what is that black smoke behind Zairon?
It feels... ominous.
---------------------------------------------------
the wind blows hard as the twigs and leaves dance in the air, a leaf landed on a small kid's head who was resting under the big tree. She grinned while hiding her body behind the tree as she was spotted by another girl.
the girl in the yellow dress ran and shouted, "Found You!"
her purple eyes sparkle more as she turned around, 2 years has passed and this year, Wren Vacarella turned 7 years old.