The first rays of light steadily probe into the east window of Gala's room, gradually illuminating the room in warm golden hues. Gala's eyes slowly opened and yawned, shifting to a more comfortable position before grabbing the blanket and snuggling beneath it. The slow embers of fire from the fireplace die down, and the freezing temperatures send shivers down her spine.
The memory of yesterday's conversation with Elderifrey jolted her awake. She sat up in her bed and rested her back against the soft pillow. The golden rays strike the window bars, casting a dark shadow on her glum expression.
She decided to get out of bed and put on a thick brown robe over her linen undergarments. She was dressed warmly in thick white gloves and black winter boots. She's going out for a morning walk.
Her boots clattered against the floor that echoed throughout the dim corridor, but Gala did not mind as she was alone except for a few cat-winged and dog-winged creatures she spotted in some corners sleeping soundly. She treaded a familiar hallway when Alvaro accompanied her to her room yesterday. 'Ugh, yesterday.', she thought frustratedly.
Two fayes stood guard at the massive double doors leading to the Grand Hall. "Good morning," Gala said in her usual cheerful, sweet voice, and the fayes couldn't help but smile back.
"Good morning as well, young lady. You're up too early.", one of the older fayes commented.
Gala nodded, a smile never leaving her lips. "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go for a walk," Gala explained as she pushed the right door open.
The faye on her right helped her push the door open. Gala walked past them towards the empty grand hall. Gala was still descending the stairwell when she heard the faye yell softly. "Make sure you don't get lost."
Gala turned to them and bowed slightly. "I will."
She is now making her way out to the courtyard, surprised at how well she remembers the route. She glanced willfully at the statue of the Neighfrey on top of the pool fountain. Gala could not help but chuckle at the pun. The fayes just added 'frey' after the sound it makes and called it a day.
A cold breeze swept through, making the girl shiver. She clutched her robe as she opened the inner gate wall as quietly as she could. Gala moved past the snoring fayes beside the wall as they all snuggled together. Gala could not help but feel bad for them; they were out all night in the freezing cold.
--
Gala wandered down the icy path, her eyes darting around. The fayes she saw on the road were dwindling as she moved further away from the market towns. The road was lined with arrays of quaint and irregular stone houses, the glow of the torch visible through their grimy windows.
Gala couldn't help but make comparisons between the fayes' houses and the modern houses she saw in town back home. However, theirs resembles these houses in some ways, and that makes Gala a little bit homesick.
"Hello," she said softly as she passed an old faye couple sitting on a wood trunk with a steaming clay mug in their hands. They were dressed in bright green robes.
The couple just waved their hands at her and Gala proceeded towards the barn that she could finally spot. She skidded enthusiastically when she was a few meters away from it. Gala can now hear the neighs from the Neighfrey.
Fortunately, there were no fayes inside the barn. Her mouth was gaping open at the realization that there was a bit of magic going on in there. From the outside view, it was relatively small but surprisingly spacious that a mansion could be put inside.
"Wow, so this is magic," she exclaimed, ecstatic at witnessing such a subtle display of magic.
When she had finished marveling, she went further in to search for Neighfrey's stable. She hurriedly went towards it, gaping at the sleeping beasts.
"So you have come, young one."
A gruff voice startled Gala out of her wits, her hands cupping her chest.
She turned to a white Neighfrey with black eyes staring at her. "Oh dear heavens, you surprised me!" Gala blurted out as she tried to regain her composure. The Neighfrey unfolded its hooves and rose up in splendor that astounds Gala. The beast was both marvelous and daunting at the same time.
"Apologies, young one, this being do not intend to scare you."
Gala heard a faint chuckle from the creature, which made Gala cringe as it sounded weird to her.
"What's troubling you, young one?"
Gala approached the creature and reached out for its snout. Her fingers raked through its silky mane. Gala's delicate hands were soft against its bushy hair. "I no longer recognize myself; I wasn't the Gala three days ago," Gala sighed. Its fur vibrates against her. Gala mumbled as she moved her head closer to the creature's snout, "Elderifrey told me that I might be Aelfrey's whisperer, but I don't think I am; I'm only human, you know?"
"You're bothering yourself with normal things, young one," the Neighfrey observed, his eyes glinting with compassion as he looked into her.
Gala straightened up and sighed. "What do you mean?"
The beast moved away from her, circling the stable. "It is only natural for us to discover new things about ourselves; awakened abilities or newfound wisdom that weren't there before, though, I must admit that what's happening to you right now is incomprehensible; but, cheer up, young one, for you will eventually seek the answers you search for."
That made Gala loosened up a bit. She finally flashed a genuine smile.
"I knew that I'm going to find you in here." Gala blinked, hearing the familiar voice behind her.
"Alvaro!" She gawked at him nervously. She hopes she's not in trouble for sneaking away from the palace.
The man slowly walked towards her with his usual nonchalance, making Gala wonder if he sleeps with the same expression too. Gala noticed that Alvaro wasn't carrying any weapons right now.
"I'm sorry for sneaking out. I just really need to let out something." she began when he finally approached her. "I promise, this won't happen again," She said sheepishly to the man, whose expression remained unchanged until she gestured a peace sign at him, causing the man's expression to change to confusion.
"What is that? Don't tell me you're planning a rebellion against Aelfrey?" Alvaro asked dubiously, grabbing her hand in a tight grip.
She grimaced, "Hey, that hurts!" Alvaro noticed her already bluish hand and immediately freed it from his grip.
"My apologies," he said shortly, glancing a worried look on her hand.
Gala was cupping her right hand away from Alvaro's sight and then rolled her eyes at him. "Will you calm down? I'm not planning anything, and I'm not stupid enough to go against a kingdom alone." Gala ranted. Her expression was annoyed but actually amused at the fact that Alvaro mistook her 'peace sign' for a rebellion. Oh, the irony!
And there's no way she's going to tell him the truth as her little revenge for his rudeness to her. Gala can't help but laugh at her naughty plan.
"You're playing on the man's emotions, young one."
Gala could not believe that the Neighfrey could read her mind as well. "I don't know if the deities or Dylareia taught you about this, but it is plain rude to invade someone's mind." Gala scolded the creature, to which it replied, "Apologies for my intrusion, young one. This being can't help but be amused at your relationship."
Gala's face distorted in confusion as she stared at the creature, while Alvaro stared blankly. "What relationship?" Gala scoffed. "No way, ever. No offense, but you won't catch me falling for an impertinent guy."
Alvaro blinked. "Are you both talking about me?"
"Of course not!" Gala replied defensively.
The Neighfrey dissolved into laughter, and Gala could only stare at it unbelievably. Never in her life did she imagine a day like this would come, a monstrous winged-horse laughing! If it was her mom, she'd sure faint on the spot.
Gala eyed the creature playfully. "Don't laugh again, it is so bizarre to see a laughing horse," she joked. The Neighfrey had probably perceived the playfulness in her tone, seeing that it was not offended.
"Jokes aside, don't be too sure about it, young one. The future is full of uncertainties. Who knows, you might end up falling for the man you swore not to, and fate has a way of playing tricks on you."
The lively atmosphere quickly turned deadpan. Gala sensed that the Neighfrey's words were a double-edged sword, and that he was referring not only to her remark to Alvaro, but also to her future in Aelfrey.
By impulse, she reached out to the creature and snuggled beneath his mane. "Hoshwa, dhrum namae khlruhm," Gala whispered breathlessly.
"Sacheverell, khäremluash" The creature stared into her with intense eyes.
Gala smiled. "Sacheverell," she whispered. "A name worthy of such grandeur; I will remember your words."
"I don't know, but I hate it when you speak in Aeyalafreyn. It makes me look stupid for not grasping anything." Alvaro finally commented.
Gala let out a teasing laugh. "Pity, I love it when you're confused and clueless as hell."