"If I could go back in time, I'd rather close my eyes to unsee everything. Because the pain I felt that moment scarred my soul. It has always remained in my mind, haunting me in my darkest nights."
The young girl listened as the woman ran her fingers to the girl's hair while reading her favorite book. It wasn't a book supposed to be read to a child, but the young girl insisted. She had been curious what was her mother's favorite book all about. She had a brilliant mind and didn't want to limit her knowledge. After all, it was better for her to broaden her perspective in life so she could use it in the future.
"Do you agree with her, Mother? If you were in her shoes would you want the same?" the young girl asked, talking about the last part her mother had read.
The woman smiled. "Yes, sweetheart. That's why if you see something bad you should do what I've always told you, understand?"
"I understand, Mother. If I see something bad, I will close my eyes so it won't remain in my heart."
"Good girl." The woman closed the book and kissed the girl's forehead. "That is enough for tonight. Now close your eyes, my princess."
The young girl closed her eyes.
But she didn't feel any comfort. Instead she felt as though she was being sucked to an endless darkness. She felt drowning, suffocated.
Emery's heart was beating erratically when she woke up. Another nightmare, she thought. She looked at her room and saw almost everything had gone frozen. It was always the case when she was having nightmares. She couldn't control herself leaving her power on the loose.
Her gaze drifted to who was sitting by her side.
"I felt the palace getting colder again that's why I came to check on you," Eloise said thoughtfully. Her room was far from Emery's but in their family, Eloise was the most sensitive to cold. She could barely manage the winter season even with thick quilts.
"Were you truly worried about me or were you worried you couldn't sleep?"
Eloise tried to hide a smile. "Both?"
Emery shook her head. "I'm fine now. Go back to your room."
"It's true. I was worried. What are your nightmares about this time?"
Although Emery knew her sister was a brilliant child, she was only ten. She was a kid who had yet to see the cruelty of the world. She didn't want to take her innocence at a young age by telling her how dark her nightmare was. She also didn't want her to ask questions if she would tell her the truth.
"Nothing very bad. It was only about Shadow," Emery said, referring to the dog she raised when she was a kid. He died of old age several years after.
"Why don't you try raising a dog again?"
Emery shook her head. She didn't need anything that would only stay for a short time. Attachment will only lead to heartbreak. She didn't need that.
The next morning, Amadeus called for a royal meeting again. Yesterday, the meeting ended when Lanver asked for a little time to think about his decision. They only gave them a night that's why they were gathered now to hear what he had to say.
Everyone was already present in the long table except for one.
"Where is Dimitri?" Weston asked Eloise because her room was just beside Dimitri's.
"Did he go out last night?" Lucius asked. With him busy assisting Amadeus in their kingdom's affairs, he didn't have time to note his brother's whereabouts.
Emery turned to the royal family's chamberlain. "Stuart?"
Stuart felt his pulse racing. "Your Highness… I think Prince Dimitri did go out last night. His horse is missing in the stable. I apologize, Your Majesty. I've reminded His Highness to not leave the palace last night but…"
Amadeus waved his two fingers in the air. Stuart let out a sigh of relief and stepped back.
Amadeus had known his every sibling's character. It took him years to soften Emery as she was as hard as stone. But although she appeared heartless in the eyes of many, he knew her by heart. And there was Dimitri, the hardest one to tame. That sibling of him was giving him the most headache. Whatever Dimitri wanted, he would always get. Lucius was the calmest among them, the most disciplined. Weston was wicked at times but bearable. And of course, the innocent Eloise who was enough to lighten his mood.
"I guess he has another business to take care of, so let's just proceed without him," Amadeus said.
Lanver, who was observing the Von Rellis siblings, thought that there was something about them he couldn't pinpoint. Amadeus was very calm, Emery seemed like a stone in her seat, Lucius looked so serious and formal as if he was taking everything professionally, Weston looked a little playful, and there was Eloise who loved smiling most of the time. Lanver couldn't say that they were synchronized but even so, they seemed to fit perfectly in the picture as if he could feel their invisible bond just by watching their little moves.
"I don't think this meeting is necessary, anyway. Why did we even give him time to think when we have decided to make him do it by force?" Emery said.
Today, Lanver noticed her lips were colored with rouge and her hair was tied up, making her look a little more evil than she looked yesterday. She stood out in that table regardless. Or was it just there was no one to compare her with?
"Still, it is better if we do this way. Courtesy, Emery," Amadeus reminded her.
Lanver set his thoughts straight and looked at the King. He had thought about this last night. It seemed pretty convincing that the prophecy they were talking about was true, which meant they really needed the barrier to protect their people. Truth was, he didn't have the least bit of idea how to help, but like they said, it could be learned. So fine. He will try. After all, there was nothing for him to lose.
Besides, there was another reason why he chose to stay. He wanted to know how his nightmares and that girl in his dreams were connected to him. There must be a reason behind all of that.
"I've made a decision," Lanver spoke.