(THIS CHAPTER IS A REWRITE)
Sitting in the middle of a vast yard were two children; a boy and a girl, their gazes fixated on the myriad of scattered dots that shone from the dark, yet colorful sky.
They chattered, their voices louder than the gentle breeze that blew through. Though, it seemed like the brunette did more of the talking than the silver-haired boy.
As a lone shooting star zoomed past, she turned to him and popped the question–"Let's be friends." she offered, her smile bigger and brighter than the brilliant stars.
The boy was taken aback, until he asked–"Why?"
She looked up, tapping her chin in thought. "You don't seem to have friends, you seem pretty fun to be around too."
He followed suit, his gaze set on the pattern of stars that made a heart.. At last, he nodded.
…
A violet pair of eyes slowly opened, taking in its surroundings; to her left, red and thick curtains hung up by thin, white pillars attached to the wall. To her right, a large acacia dressing table accompanied by a large rectangular mirror with a golden frame. The walls were just as white, accompanied by patterns of golden lines, even the huge doors shared the same design.
She sat up, her red and thick comforter rustling. A yawn escaped her mouth as she stretched her arms up and arched forward.
A knock emitted across the door, creaking open right after. She turned to the direction of the door and noticed a blonde man, his eyes as violet as grapes. "Oh.. Damon."
He folded his arms, a noticeable frown in his face. "Meredith, the summit's about to start in twenty minutes! Get your ass moving!" he demanded, walking over to pull her by the arm.
Her eyes widened, a frown forming as well. "H–Hey!? I'm your older sister, treat me with respect, you doofus!" she pulled her arm away.
"Yeah, older by three minutes, but that doesn't matter!" He walked to the closet that blended with the design, opening it and pulling out some clothes. "Where's your uniform!?"
A plethora of clothes flew to the floor–gowns, undergarments.. A blush spread across her face, forcing her to get up and push him away from the closet. "What's your deal!? I can prepare myself on my own, so scram!" she pointed at the exit. He left, much to his puff.
A sharp sigh escaped her mouth, looking around at the mess he made. As much as I want to clean it, I have to prepare already. She grabbed a towel from the closet, walking to the bathroom door that blended with the design as well.
.
It took her fifteen minutes until she came out of the bathroom, her body covered by her academy uniform. She wore the hat that came with it as well–violet blue with a golden ribbon on the side.
She observed herself with intent, most especially her hair. My hair's grown long, this is what Sévir would like, right? She lightly tugged down her combed bangs which spanned to her bridge, then turned around and looked back, the remainder of her hair spanning down to her waist.
Her observation left a smile on her face. Alas, she had to leave for the summit.
…
"Meredith." said a man who knelt to the child's level, his soft violet gaze endearing.
"Yes, Papa?" Meredith replied, her voice high-pitched.
Her father glanced at the two behind them–a long-haired man with golden eyes, and his son the same age as her. "This might take some time to understand," he glanced back at her, "starting today, you'll be engaged with Sévir." he held her hands, caressing them with his thumbs.
She raised a brow, confused. "Engaged? What's that?"
"In other words, you two are vowed to marry in a few years."
"..Marry..?" her eyes widened as much as her mouth, her cheeks reddening in joy. "So that means, I'll be with Sévir forever!?" her voice rose in excitement.
Her father nodded. Her eyes filled itself with sparkles as she ran up to Sévir with a big grin, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "Did you hear that, Sévir!? You'll get to play with me forever!!"
The latter was silent, but hugged her back with a small smile on his face.
The joyful air left smiles on each and every person in the room, but only because they didn't know it was short-lived.
…
"Meredith.."
"Meredith!" said Damon, his elbow nudging hers.
She looked around and blinked a few times, recognizing her location–a huge round table, its sections occupied by specific numbers of students in different uniforms. Beside her were the long and blonde-haired–Noelle Trysta, and beside her was her blonde twin–Damon Galena. To his right were four other schoolmates.
She cleared her throat. "I apologize. What were we on about again?" she stood straight, her forearms resting on the table. She heard Damon's sharp and annoyed sigh, yet she paid no mind to it.
A long ponytailed and black-haired man with sharp red eyes stood up, revealing his majority black with some white and gold uniform and a paper in hand. "I repeat; as the Third Undefeated–the Secretary to the First Undefeated, what does the Stepan Capital Academy have in store for the upcoming tournament?"
She stood up, straightening her skirt. "For the upcoming tournament, we plan to keep things generally the same–although to increase the stakes, we would like to add a new match within the Man Against Beast matches."
He raised a brow. "That is?"
"One For All: a Man Against Beast match where all academy representatives participate and fight against a Magic Beast together–of course, the beast will have to be powerful to increase said stakes and entertainment."
Damon's frown disappeared upon hearing her composure and errorless speech, a wave of relief gushing in.
She glanced at everyone. "I would like to know whether all of you agree with it?"
A black-haired woman raised her hand. She stood up upon Meredith's recognition.
She stood the same height as the black uniform student, her uniform as white as can be: her top, a white double-breasted lapel waistcoat that spanned high to the collar with golden buttons on opposite sides. Resting on her shoulder were golden epaulettes, and on her right sleeve, a purple armband with a white and stylized asterisk that widened at the ends.
"What do we do about your academy having the numerical advantage, will we only allow a select few?" asked the girl, her nonchalant voice coming to life in curiosity.
Meredith nodded. "We can discuss it further after everyone votes, Ms. Scriver." she glanced at everyone. "So, what will it be?"
…
Her violet eyes stared out the window of the horse-drawn carriage, observing the thick-clothed civilians walk by the road as snowfall made the ground whiter. Fortunately, the roads were cleared of them often.
(Sévir will be so happy with my gift!) she hugged the big and brown leather bag tight, Her smile faded away upon noticing the flag that appeared from the distance–up in the hill where the Dorens' palace resided.
(What? Why's there a Trystan emblem?) she raised a brow, confused. She turned to both the left window she leaned on and the right, noticing how often Trystan flags appeared, hung from tall houses–a plain golden flag with a black stylized dove in the middle, and beneath, the text "A C A O".
(ACAO.. That's the motto of the Trystas–"Aptitude Conquers All Obstacles".) she scratched her head. (Was there a transfer of power? Or are the Trystans handling the Magic Day event?)
.
At last, she arrived at her palace high up a lone mountain, just like the Stepan Capital Academy and the Royal Palace. A man who wore a black vest and white long-sleeved tunic, and a violet armband with the Galenas' white emblem, opened the door of the cart for her.
She stepped out, her eyes taking in the sheer view of the palace as her chest warmed up from sheer nostalgia. (Oh, how good it is to be back!) with resolution to enter, she did just that.
Right off the bat, she was bowed and greeted by lines of maids on both sides by the red carpet, her wave and smile serving as her reply. Up the stairs stood a brunette man and a blonde boy her age. The former's gaze met hers with warmth and joy, while the latter's was cold and annoyed.
"Oh Meredith, you've returned!" said the man who was their father, walking down the stairs as did Damon.
The father and daughter hugged each other as tight as they could, though they let go with dissatisfaction, knowing that such a brief hug wouldn't be enough to fill their lost time.
"Did you bring anything for us?" asked Damon, his tone as annoyed as ever.
She nodded with a smile. "Of course I brought gifts for you and Dad, even the maids, butlers and cooks! They're all in the carriage with labels."
"Oh, I have such a considerate daughter!" he clasped his hands, his smile growing every second, as opposed to Damon's frown.
She glanced at the window to the left. "Well, as much as I want to stay and chat, I'll have to go to my fiancé and drop him his gift!" sweetness came out of her voice; the thought of meeting Sévir after three years overfilling her with joy and excitement.
Her father's smile disappeared as quick as he got it, Damon looked away, his arms folded. "Oh.. About that.."
She raised a brow. "What? Is he not available? Did he go out of town?"
He looked down, biting his lip. "No, it's not that–" he glanced to his left, feeling Damon's tight grip on his arm.
"Dad, I'll say it." their father stood back while Damon faced her, his hands buried in his pockets.
Meredith's smile disappeared, her brows knitting as the air grew cold. "Hey.. What happened? Did something bad happen?"
"Meredith.." he held both her shoulders. "Uncle Zigo, Brother Dario, Orion, Rudo, Auntie Irene, Sévir, and Zephyr.." he shook his head, looking down. "They're dead."
Her eyes widened as much as her jaw dropped, the last two words echoing in her ears non-stop.
Her heart ceased to beat, her hands trembling and dropping the leather bag. (W–W–W–What?) "D–De–D–Dead..!?" her brows furrowed as she pushed him away. "DON'T JOKE LIKE THAT!" her voice echoed around the vast place,
"..I'm not joking! Three years ago, Emperor Bernard launched a coup d'état against them with the support of fellow noblemen and the masses!" he argued. "They were slaughtered, Meredith! Slaughte–"
A loud slap reverberated, his left cheek red and numb as she slapped him. Her frown was as deep as the trench, her gaze as piercing as a needle.
She grabbed the bag from the floor and marched away. Damon clicked his tongue and frowned. "FINE, SEE IT FOR YOURSELF!" he yelled, irritated.
.
She ran, and ran, and ran with all energy she could muster, her teeth clenched and eyes narrowed. (He always goes too far with his unfunny jokes, I don't get how girls still fall for him!)
Drenched in sweat from sprinting down the streets, she stopped before a woman, panting. "M–Ma'am.."
The woman who held a basket of apples, grapes and bananas opened her mouth, unable to speak.
"Ma'am.." she stood straight and wiped the sweat off her face. "What happened in the past three years?"
"Oh, were you perhaps elsewhere when the coup d'état occured?" she hovered her free hand over her mouth. Meanwhile, Meredith's heart froze once again, her chests weighing down as if there were weights. "The Dorens were killed in the Royal Palace, Emperor Bernard Trysta led the overthrow.
Meredith nodded, a weak and insincere smile on her face. "T–Thank you.." she walked away, her thoughts mixed like a plethora of substances.
Refusing to believe, she asked more, and more, and more, only to be provided the same answer.
.
She treaded the path, her hand against the dark walls of a cemetery, she had went as far as other districts to ask, and the cemetery was the last.
She walked as her knees trembled, her will to walk or even stand growing fainter by the second.
Her breath shook as much as her shoulders, her mouth dryer and her hands number. She glanced around with wet, irritated eyes, her breath as visible as the flashbacks she garnered for Sévir and his family.
(Why..!? Why were all of them saying the same thing!?) she dropped to her knees, her legs no longer able to keep up.
The vivid images of her and Sévir filled with life and joy came upon in a blink of an eye as much as her tears gushing out.
(Sé–S–Sévir..) a painful scream escaped her mouth as soon as she punched the ground. She couldn't care about the stinging pain her knuckles felt, for it was nothing compared to the pain that tugged her heart like a leash.
The winter breeze has never been colder than this.
…
"Meredith.."
"Meredith!" said the voice of a girl, medium-pitched with a hint of maturity you'd hear from a princess.
Meredith blinked twice, her gaze landing on the former–her eyes as red as cherry. "P–Princess Trysta?"
Noelle sighed in disappointment. "You're dozing off again, what's on your mind?"
Meredith shook her head dismissively. "Pay no mind to it, Princess Trysta, I'm just tired."
Although curious, Noelle rested her case, leaning back as she gazed off the cart's right window of the horse-drawn carriage.
…
The room was as dark as night, the windows sealed and covered with barely any gaps for light.
In-between the room, a bed whose host buried herself in sheets and pillows, her eyes staring at nothingness.
The door opened, a man holding a lit up candle entered, his face expressing sorrow. Their gazes met–it was no other than her father.
"Oh Meredith.. Take a look at yourself, will you?" he put the candle down, opening the drawn curtains that radiated light from the sinking sun.
He pulled the sheets off of her, revealing her white blouse as ruffled as her bronze hair. She remained silent, her body hugged the pillow so tight, even it was suffocating.
"..What do you want?" she asked, her tone monotonous.
"Meredith, you mustn't be like this! You're just wasting your time being a mess."
She stood up, her frowning face a mess as well. "So what if I'm a mess??"
"You don't eat with us nor talk to us–you just confine yourself in this room! I know you're mourning over their deaths, but that shouldn't mean you should destroy yourself!" he argued, his voice stern.
She puffed and dropped back to bed, burying her face in a pillow. "I'm going to sleep, I'm still tired."
He released a sigh of resignation. "At least keep this candle with you." he said before he walked out of the bedroom.
The door shut, leaving Meredith to herself once more. She stared up the ceiling, an image of Sévir flashing before her eyes.
…
Her eyes opened, staring up at the white ceiling. She blinked a few times before the blurriness went away.
To her right, the curtains that covered nothing, for it was the middle of the night. To her left, a candle that dimly lit only a certain radius.
It's that dream again.. she sighed and rubbed her eyes. Sévir, I know you're somewhere out there.. Just where are you?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock in the door. "Come in!" she said, the door opening right after.
A man who held his own candle walked closer, the light revealing his brown skin covered by a white and buttoned tunic and a black coat. "Good evening, Her Grace, I sincerely apologize for disturbing you this late." his formal and medium-pitched voice hinted at him being around his 40s. He bowed before her, expressing his sincere apology.
She waved it off. "That's fine, I just woke up anyways. What brings you here, Farzan?"
He combed his black hair off his forehead that just barely covered his golden eyes that were as sharp as Sévir's. "I've come here to pass you a letter, Her Grace. I believe your elation will reach the sky once you read this." he passed her the scroll, bringing the candle closer for light.
A few seconds in, she found her hands trembling as she read further down, her falling tears marking the scroll.
"This is great.." her shaky voice uttered, a sealed smile curving up.