Rea was surprised to wake up the next morning feeling well rested. She hadn't had a good sleep in months. She was glad that she hadn't been woken up by her nightmares again. Rea went to her window and pulled away the curtains.
The sun was already high up in the sky, the harbour, and the village busy with people. It was almost noon. She had so much work to do. However, Tivon took his time to visit her, she couldn't just ignore that. Rea sighed. No work today. You can catch up tomorrow.
She went to her wardrobe and picked up some trousers and a beige shirt and got dressed. She sat by the mirror and looked at herself. Her more defined cheekbones and her collarbone stood out on her pale skin. Rea knew she wasn't eating much, but with all the work she needed to do, she simply forgot. Rea started untangling her hair. She never had maidens taking care of her. Even at Lucine she refused to have them. She only let Ivan do her hair. But Ivan was away, so a simple braid would do for today.
When she finished, Rea hurried down to the dining room, expecting to see Elias and Tivon already awake. The servants were just preparing the table for breakfast.
"Princess Rea?" She bowed down. "We're not finished yet-"
"Did Elias and Tivon have breakfast already?"
"No, Your Majesty. We were waiting for all of you. I believe they are still asleep." Of course, sighed Rea. "We'll prepare the table in no time. I can send someone to wake up the pri-"
"No need to. I'll do it. We'll join you in no time." She hurried out of the room and up to Tivon's bedroom. All they do is sleep. She came to the door and noticed it was unlocked. She was about to just knock on the door and wake them up gently when an idea struck her. She couldn't miss the opportunity.
She slammed the door open and shouted. "Good morning you two sleepy heads!"
Tivon and Elias jerked out of bed, Elias already grabbing his knives. Rea went to the window and opened the curtains, blinding them both. Elias covered his head with a pillow and groaned. Rea opened the window, letting in the salty breeze from the sea. "It's already noon, and we have so much catching up to do."
Elias mumbled something under the pillow.
"What did he say?"
Tivon sat up and went through his messy hair. "Five more minutes."
Rea let out a puff. "Pirates."
Elias threw the pillow into her, but she caught it in time. "It's Captain."
Rea rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She sat by the window and closed her hands on her chest. "They're already preparing us 'late' breakfast. So, get your butts out of the bed."
Elias sat up and went to the table and picked up his coat. A gust of wind went through his hair. He looked towards the sea, his expression suddenly worried.
"What is it?"
Elias brushed his fingers against the tattoo on his wrist. "I'll need to go."
Tivon joined them. "Already? But it's been only two days."
"You can hear the sea? I thought Cornelis was just messing with me." Said Rea.
Elias ignored her and looked at Tivon. "She needs me." Tivon frowned. "But she didn't say when." Tivon looked at them with a smile. "I take it, I have to be on The Rose Sparrow by sunset."
Rea took both of their hands and smiled. "Then let's not waste any more time."
After they've eaten, they've decided to take a walk down the forest to a hidden lagoon. The servants packed them lunch and they headed off.
"If we took the horses we'd be already at the beach." Complained Rea.
"I had enough horses for this year."
"Unlike someone, I like riding horses. Walking is just boring."
"It's not boring. And it's good for you."
Tivon looked over his shoulder. "Elias is right."
"Right?" She crossed her arms. "Since when did you start to side with him."
Tivon gave her the side eye. Men. Rea sighed and hurried after them. Even though Elias and Tivon were flirting with each other most of the time, she enjoyed their company. They made her forget about her work and responsibilities. It was just like a year ago, them alone in the forest, yet this time they didn't have to worry about anyone killing them.
They've reached the shore of the lagoon after an hour of walk. They ate, skipped rocks into the sea, laid in the sand, talk about their lives and everything that happened in the past year. It was almost autumn, but the sun was still warm.
Tivon took off his boots, rolled up his trousers and walked into the sea, looking under his feet for seashells. Elias sat beside Rea. "Did you sleep well?"
Rea nodded quietly, looking at Tivon. "You?"
"Mostly."
She hugged her knees to her chest. "How is he doing? I know he's not telling me everything. He never liked telling me about his problems."
"He's managing." He sighed. "As one could."
"He looks happier, even if he's still hiding his worries." She nudged Elias in the shoulder. "Thank you."
"Why are thanking me?"
"For saving him. Making him happier."
Elias looked at Tivon. Rea could see the slight blush colouring his cheeks. "I did the least."
"But it was still enough."
"Well, don't get all the credits to me. You helped him too. You were there for him at his worst."
Rea looked down at the sand. But I still couldn't ease his pain. She only smiled briefly. "Yeah..."
Elias stood up and removed his boots. He nodded towards the sea. "Are you coming?"
"No, the water is too cold already."
"Suit yourself." He ran off to Tivon, wrapping his arms around him and kissing him on the cheek. Rea smiled. She couldn't help but to feel a bit jealous. Not because she had feelings for Tivon. She realized that she never felt anything romantic towards him. Those feelings were only forced upon her. Elias picked Tivon up, carrying him over the sea. She was rather jealous of them. Them being together. Happy.
She felt bad for feeling this was. Tivon and Elias deserved this. They had to go through too much. They deserved to be happy. She only hoped one day, she would be happy too.
"Why are you here all alone?"
Rea's heart almost stopped beating as Cornelis sat beside her. "Cornelis!? Gosh, where did you come from?"
"From the forest path."
"I know that I just- Ah, forget it." Rea looked at her. Cornelis looked so young, the same age as her and Tivon, but she always talked like she had already lived hundreds of years. Despite that Rea was sure she had never met her before, she looked familiar to her. She had seen her golden eyes before. But where?
Cornelis looked in front of her. "Shouldn't Elias be going?"
"You can hear the sea too?"
Cornelis nodded. "Sometimes. And when I ask, it responds."
"He said he'll go when the sun sets. We just wanted to spend some time together before that."
Cornelis only nodded slightly. Silence fell between them, only laughter and the sea hitting the shores could be heard. "Do you miss Elysis?" Asked Cornelis.
Rea's eyes widened. Elysis. She hadn't heard her aunt's name in years. Nobody talked about her much and after her death, it was like she never existed. Elysis. She had to repeat her name in her head again just to make sure it was real. She looked at Cornelis, sun shining on her dark umber skin.
"How do you know her?"
"We were... You could say we were friends when we were little."
"What?! Why hasn't she ever told me? Why haven't you told me?"
Cornelis sighed. "We always saw each other away from the castle. A lot had happened between us. And I know that after her death and even before nobody talked about her much."
"It was like she never existed." Rea hugged her arms. "I miss her. I still see her dead body in my dreams. I never understood why..."
"Because she was different." Interrupted Cornelis. She looked at her. "Rea, she was-"
Elias splashed Rea with water.
"Elias!?"
"We'll need to go. Sun is already setting, and Dorea is already getting on my nerve."
She frowned at him. "You could've just said it. You didn't have to get me wet."
"I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty." He offered her his hand.
Rea took it and he pulled her on her feet. Rea looked at Cornelis. "You were trying to tell me something." She eyed Elias. "Before someone interrupted you."
"It can wait." She stood up and turned to the forest. "Come, we need to go."
Elias and Tivon picked up the empty basket and followed her. Rea watched them, especially Cornelis. How did she know Elysis? She never knew her aunt was going outside to see her. Why did she never tell me about Cornelis? She knew that Elysis was mysterious and that she kept most of her stuff a secret. That's why she liked being with her, but that she knew Cornelis?
She figured that there were more secrets to her aunt that she knew of.