MIZAK'S POV
"Announce me as his friend, Lord Mizak Melvor from Alririt Kingdom, the son of Lord Melvor," I instructed.
The guards exchanged a brief look, then one of them entered the manor and returned after a while.
He gestured to the other guards, and they opened the gate for me to enter.
I was awed by the vastness of the land. If I had not seen a palace before, I would have mistaken this for an imperial residence.
I followed the guard to where he was leading me. As we walked, I spotted a girl swinging on a rope. It was Elley, and I waved at her, but she scowled. I realized I had made a mistake.
I continued to walk with the guard until we reached a certain field.
From a distance, I saw a man from behind, wearing only his trousers and boots, as he practiced his swordsmanship. There were guards standing far from him, watching him attentively.
His hair was black and of medium length. His build was similar to someone I knew. And it was...
"Young master, this is the person," the guard said.
He stopped his training and sheathed his sword as he turned to face me with a smile. He handed his sword to a guard. His eyes were black and his hair was black, but it was still Teri.
I looked at his fingers and there were no red threads on them. And I think he recognized me.
He smirked, "Well, well, well, who do we have here?"
I smiled, so he knew it was me. But how did he know it was me just from my name, without hearing me speak? Anyone could be Mizak Melvor. My smile faded.
"Another suitor," he said with a smirk, as he placed his hands on his hips and examined me from head to toe.
I furrowed my eyebrows, "Another suitor?" I repeated.
"I have heard a lot from my sister's suitors, but this?
I was curious to see the person who lied about being a friend of mine, just so he could win my trust and get close to my sister," he said, as he took his tunic from one of the guards.
"Even if you haven't seen me before, how can you not tell I'm Mizak Melvor from my voice? You used to do that," I said, confused. Did he lose his memory of me?
"Aren't you pathetic, Lord..." he said, trying to remember my name.
"Mizak Melvor," I said.
"Oh yes, Mizak Melvor.
You know, I could have still let you into the manor, even if you didn't lie. You didn't have to lie," Teri said.
I scoffed, "You have it all wrong, Teri," I said.
He raised an eyebrow, "Teri? Hmm, you really want to pull this off by speaking like we're very close," he chuckled lightly and nodded.
"You have a handsome face and a good body, but I don't know much about your background.
Which of my older sisters pleases your eyes, Lady Selina or Lady Darlene?" he asked, as he walked and I walked beside him.
I shook my head, "It's not what you think, I came for you, Teri," I said.
He stopped walking and frowned, as he looked at me, "That's your preference? Is that what happens in Alririt Kingdom?"
I didn't understand what he meant, and when I did, I wiped my face, "You've got it all wrong, Teri," I said with frustration.
I haven't been here for long, and I'm already stressed.
He chuckled, "I was just pulling your legs," he said, as we continued walking.
"So why do you look for me?" he asked.
"We have to go, we have to leave this place with me," I said, as I glanced at him.
"You're saying we should elope?" he asked, as he stopped walking.
I need someone to save me now. I don't think I have ever been stressed this much.
"Hey, Teri, this is a dream. Everything you see is not real, it's all in your head and it's devouring your soul. It's killing you, Teri.
Your little sister, Elley, is waiting for you on the other side. What do you expect Elley to do when you're gone?" I asked, as I looked at him, and it seemed he didn't care about anything I said.
He stared at me, bewildered, "What a strange man."
I gripped his hand, "Do you really believe this is true?
The only people in your family who are surely alive are Elley and Darlene. The Ereen Manor was destroyed years ago, and I'm sure it doesn't look like this now.
You suffered a lot with your sister, Elley.
This is an illusion, Teri," I said, as I stared into his eyes, hoping he would believe me. But he looked at me blankly, as if I was a stranger.
He tore his gaze away from mine, and his expression was unreadable.
"The guards will escort you to the guest chamber. Have a good day," he said, as he glanced at me one last time and walked away.
************************************
I paced back and forth in the guest chamber, restless and anxious. It was already night, and I was wasting time. Who knows how much time Teri and I had left?
The guards blocked the door, preventing me from going out. They were not only at the door, but at every corner of the chamber outside.
And I had been thinking. Would Teri wake up just because I told him to? It was not that easy, was it?
I should have asked Lord Hoself more clearly.
"The young master summons you," a guard said, as he entered my chamber.
I followed the guard to a field in the manor. I could hear the sound of instruments and the sight of people dancing.
I was in a field surrounded by green grass and colorful flowers. The air was fresh and fragrant, and the moon was shining brightly. The servants held lanterns, illuminating the scene. I heard music playing and laughter echoing. I saw four ladies dancing, their dresses swirling and their hair flowing. They looked happy and carefree.
I recognized two of them as Elley and Darlene. I wondered who the other two were. I guessed they were their mother and Selina.
I looked around and saw Teri sitting on a bench, watching the ladies with a smile on his face. He looked peaceful and relaxed, as if he had no worries in the world. He seemed to be unaware of my presence.
I had never seen him smile like that before.
I felt a pang of fear. I knew that this was not real, that this was a trap set by the illusionist. I knew that the beautiful devourer was slowly eating away Teri's soul, and that I had to act fast.
Elley looked like her father. I couldn't tell if Darlene looked more like her father or mother. And as for Teri and Selina, they were the spitting image of their mother, Lady Ari.
Teri turned to me and motioned me to sit with him.
I walked and sat with him.
"You said that you are my friend from the other side, so let me ask you this, Mizak.
Was I ever this happy on the other side?" he asked, as he watched his sisters and mother dance.
I glanced at him, "I... don't know."
"Yes or no, Mizak," he said, as he stared at me.
I hesitated before I answered, "No."
"Then seeing me happy, don't you like it?
Do you want me to go back to who I was? The Teri you know? Can't you see I'm happy, Mizak?" he asked.
I looked at him with concern, "Seeing you happy is good, but this is an illusion. This illusion is killing you, and Elley awaits you.
You will be happy when you go back with me, I know," I said.
"And how do you know?" he asked.
************************************
Teri and mizak was still unconscious as prince Ivive,elley,lady melovine,lord Hoself and his wife was still in the chamber waiting for them to wake up.
"My lord,we have a problem",a guard said as he entered inside the chamber panting.