The birds were chirping: singing to queens' ears while those adults sip the earl tea and politely talk. Meanwhile, two little girls were laughing trying to catch the blue butterfly with their bare hands. The blonde girl, Angelica is very heartwarming and popular that everyone adores her like an Angel and not-so-silver haired girl, Dahlia is very intelligent and attractive however she is a bit cold than her best friend.
The butterfly kept flying all around until the girls got tired and stumbled upon the grass like sea stars. "Too bad, we can't get it…" Dahlia pouted. Angelica looked at the one year older princess next to her, "hey! We will catch up with luck when it comes back! Yah! Don't give up, Lia!"
Dahlia sits up slowly and smiled softly, "ah, ah, ah!" She was gonna say something, "I a- ahhh… ahh…" her nose wiggled because it is a sign that she needs to sneeze, "ah choo!" Dahlia sneezes cutely. Angelica pulled out the fabric to cleanse the girl's clean nose, "bless you!"
Angelica feels her heart racing she always wondered how it felt to be with her best friend more than just a friend. She knew her friend so well since Dahlia was 12 and Angelica was 11. Kids always remained curious to get the kiss without any questions which are what Angelica wants to know how it feels.
Dahlia seems too busy to catch Angelica's long stare…
"DAHLIA! WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Oh, there they are!"
The Queens ran to help their daughter to stand up, "my baby, are you okay?"
"I'm okay!" Angelica said, "but… is Dahlia okay?"
They all noticed Dahlia's eyes were a bit watery and the nose is quite uncomfortable as if one of the nose holes shut so she won't breathe nor blow properly. Dahlia's mother looked up at the tree, "oh dear! The pollen tree, that explains why she has a bad reaction when she's under the tree…"
"I am… okay!" Dahlia cleared her throat and inhaled the fresh air, four of them walking to the foundation to meet their husband aka the father. Dahlia observed her stepfather, she doesn't like him. No one noticed her behavior when she saw her stepfather in front of her; He was kissing her mother's lips sweetly. The princess narrowed the corner of her eyes to see Angelica was completely spoiled by her parents. Angelica's laughter echoed in everyone's ears and that made Dahlia feel insecure inside but also smiled because she knows she was lucky to have her as a friend and Angelica deserves it so much better than Dahlia in her thoughts… No one pays attention to her, Dahlia secretly sneaks out because a lot of attention goes to her friend Angelica.
Everyone finally stopped cooing Angelica's precious reaction, they all realized they lost Dahlia for the third time. The sky slowly turns into a gray gloomy day and the wind whistles as everyone wonders where did Dahlia go this time?
The two families have to split, Angelica's family has to go home and another will go out to find their daughter.
a 12 years old girl showed up at the cemetery and looked around with an emotionless look; her lips straightened and the direction she remembered where to go… The grass is almost dry since it's Fall season and quietly walks away from the grave not to bother dead ones respectfully until she saw the craved grave with her father's name:
'Henry O' Lee'
And the photo on the sculpture grave:
The face seems very ageless and flawless, the eyes are Asian almond-shaped, and the background is red which represents good luck. He was wearing the elegant monarch clothes that made him look so prideful and wealthy that everyone loves him as a ruler.
"Daddy…" Dahlia sat in front of the grave and hugged her knees, "I miss you… are you here?"
No answer but the breeze whistled through the ears, "right… even if you're not here… I don't like mom's ugly boyfriend… he killed you, right? I have a feeling that he might do something to me too…" she whispered while looking around to see no one was around.
The gray clouds turned a bit black, "without her knowing nor me… I know he will take me away from my Angel… what am I gonna do?" She pouted and the tears rolled down her cheeks, "I want you here…" her hair moved by air that was telling her to stand up. She cluelessly did and noticed the grave glow golden than the spirit appeared above, "don't you cry, my pretty princess… I missed being with you but remember, I'm with you from above… okay?"
Dahlia was damned to see the spirit appearing to talk to her, "dad?"
"It's me… I know I won't come back but please… listen to me," the spirit's hands gently placed on the little girl's shoulders then he kneeled lower to meet Dahlia's height, "you have to run… What you feel is right, he will do something… I wish I could do something but you know I was not strong enough to beat him but…" the voice softened the daughter's heart and the hand adjusted the hair behind the ear.
"You are stronger than all of us, you're the most beautiful girl who will become a real woman that people should bow down to, someday." Henry smiled sweetly. Dahlia smiled with tears shedding, "y-you think so?"
"Angelica loves you too, I know that… your mom too… especially me, you were the one who I always dreamed of wanting to have you in my life. Remember again, be strong and don't forget I love you… Run as far as you can till you think it is right to start a riot against him, I know you." He chuckled quietly. The 12 years old girl nodded, "got it! I love you too, daddy."
"Good, be yourself… my time is up, be safe and I'll be with you. May I and your ancestors be with you." Henry kissed her forehead and then vanished.
The hands clenched fists and she stood there hearing the announcement through the speaker from the specific building that was speaking, "the temperature is gonna drop than usual, rainy for several hours, please go home and be safe! The rain will pour heavily and it is highly possible for us to experience the storm tonight! Go home again and be safe! We will announce the further details."
Dahlia finally got out of that spooky place and adjusted her black and pink fabric dress to run with her black boots. She ran all over to her castle and panting heavily once she entered,
The queen appeared, "where were you?!" She ran to hug Dahlia and checked to see no injuries or damage.
"Mom… I'm fine, I went to my favorite place to collect those flowers, look!" She showed the Queen not so dried flowers which she normally does as her collection plus she's interested in magic and plants.
"Ah! You silly girl, go to your room and rest for tonight."
"Got it, mommy!" Dahlia kissed her mother's cheek and left for her room. She placed the plants on the desk and sat on the bed, "run… but to where…?" She thoughts.
Someone knocked on the door, "come in!"
The maid comes in with a pale on her face and hurriedly closes the door behind her quietly.
Dahlia could tell this is not good…
"What happened?"
After a question was asked, the maid handed the princess a letter and a few papers and newspapers and that got Dahlia's heart sunk while looking at the headline…
"Oh no…"