I don't know what I want in this world yet. I don't know what I want to achieve. Everything that just happened, flowed like water that fell to the lowest place. I don't care how I die, sooner or later it doesn't matter. But I can't die now. There are still a lot of things bothering my head. I have to survive until the end to find my purpose in life and at the same time unravel the mystery that I have started.
I woke up a few hours ago gazing forward, observing a room all red with the sun shining like a golden reflection. I can smell the soft, vanilla-like scent wafting in as I shake off the thick red blanket. I sat down slowly, treading the floor covered with a red velvet carpet. Beside my bed, there is a unique round lamp that shines a soft yellowish color, illuminating the glass of water placed there. I gulped down my own saliva, not daring to drink it for fear that I would pass out again. I still remember very well my previous encounter with the white cat demon at that time, then flashes of memory that made my body feel hot again. I can't let that demon man drug me like that again. I have to play it safe from now on.
The soft creak of the door was heard. I'm still sitting waiting for who will come in. The male cat demon smiled, bowed to me and approached me. "You finally woke up, Your Majesty."
I said nothing. He handed me a glass of mineral water beside the table. I still didn't budge. "Please drink first, Your Majesty. I will explain to you slowly."
I drank half of the water, said nothing and pretended to be a statue. The man whose name I don't know was standing in front of me, watching me staring blankly in all directions like an idiot. "This may sound crazy to you, Your Majesty. But you are my Lord."
I turned to him, demanding an explanation. The boy crouched down, he looked into my eyes. "I waited for Your Majesty for millions of years."
I don't believe it, but I'm trying to deceive. "Then why can't I remember?"
"His Majesty lost his memory due to the war over the Red Territory."
"What is Red territory?"
"This place is Red territory, Your Majesty."
Let's remember that the world behind the big yellow tree back then was the Red Territory.
"You said I was your Master, right?"
He nodded.
I smile. "Then what was my name before?"
He was silent for a moment, his eyes darting everywhere. I'm one hundred percent sure he cheated. "Your Highness Mauve."
"Who's Mauve?"
"That's the name of His Majesty."
I'm touched to hear that. Let's have fun for a while before we trick each other and play strategy. "Nice name. Then, yourself. What's your name?"
The man lowered his head, he knelt down politely. I wonder why he's behaving like that while a few seconds ago dared to look at me. "My name is Ruel, Your Highness."
I smiled, immediately lifted his chin with my forefinger, while Ruel gave me a confused look. "Since you insist on calling me Your Highness, then I have no other choice but to admit it, right?" I chuckled a little, so happy to find an interesting game before death awaits. "From now on, you must submit to me, Ruel."
Ruel lowered his head, he knelt down. "With pleasure, Your Majesty. My life and death are yours."
"Good."
I don't know if my choice is right to take advantage of this, but I need an alliance to break all this madness. I'll give my all even if it means annihilating myself.
—Ordinary Visage—
The Red Territory is a comfortable place if I'm being honest. This place is a vast forest with trees with red-yellow leaves with a slight greenish tint. The scent of vanilla never leaves the sense of smell. Ruel points out a large castle that has no inhabitants, saying that it's all mine. The big lake that is not far from the castle is also said to be mine. All these things are mine he says. I was speechless and had to enjoy everything, busy figuring out how to get back to Samu and meet Kaltain the Bastard to discuss this deal. I have chosen to stay here for several days, looking for opportunities to see if there are things that can be used. But if all this were really mine, then I could be a very rich man. Unfortunately I don't want to admit this because in this world everything is a deception.
"Why isn't there anyone here but you and me?"
Ruel was surprised at my question but he swallowed hard and let out a soft sigh. "This place was made especially for Your Highness. There is no one other than Your Highness here."
This is weird. "Who made this place anyway?"
"Your Majesty himself."
"Then where did you come from if not from here?" I asked, noticing Ruel's even movements, locking my gaze with his bloodshot eyes. "You didn't just appear, did you? Where did you come from? And where did I come from?"
"Your Majesty, let me tell you slowly," he said, holding out his hand. I just looked at his hand and walked away while still demanding an explanation. "Once upon a time, an outcast Goddess fell into the Land of Orpheus. She is the Phoenix Goddess who has full power over the power of fire in all parts of Orpheus. She founded a magnificent and majestic kingdom, but unfortunately the kingdom collapsed because of the invasion from the kingdom of Samu."
"Who is the Phoenix Goddess?"
"That's Your Majesty."
"Then, how could I forget all those important things?"
"That question is only known to the Samu Kingdom side, Your Highness." Ruel took me to look at the lake which reflects the cool evening light. Fallen red leaves fall until they get stuck in my hair. "I'm sure one of them must have done something to His Highness first."
I listened to his words slowly, at the same time connecting the tangled red threads that I tried to fix one by one. Northern Goddess. King Samu. Red Territory. Phoenix Goddess. What is actually the conflict in this world?
"Why did the Samu Kingdom invade the Phoenix Goddess Kingdom?"
"Because the King wants to master His Majesty's power," said Ruel. He looked down, then looked at me determinedly. His hands clenched after taking a leaf from my hair. "All these years I was a spy in the Kingdom of Samu. How happy I was to meet Your Highness that day. I waited for Your Highness that long."
I said nothing. Kaltain's departure for more than two weeks turned out to provide new space for problems to enter my messy life. I'm feeling a bit lost on what to do, but I think it's best if I stay here until I scrape out all the remaining information.
"How can you think I'm your master? You might be wrong, Ruel."
Ruel shook his head. "I have never mistaken Your Majesty," he said. He looked above my head. "I can see the aura that Your Highness has. I share the same blood with Your Highness."
I frowned. Ruel didn't say anything. He scraped his hand with his long fingernails, then a sudden heat was felt in the exact same spot as Ruel. Ruel didn't react, only his hands were bleeding. He really is like a statue that has no emotions.
"Stop!" I said. Ruel immediately bandaged his hands with the white ribbon around his waist, instantly my hands felt better like before. I was silent for a few moments, analyzing everything quickly. Honestly, this is all too fast for me, and I'm getting more and more clueless.
"Are you willing to answer all my questions, Ruel?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
I looked at him doubtfully, before finally speaking softly.
Am I the Goddess of the North in question, Ruel? []