Emilia Vasiliki

My eyes felt heavy. I tried my best to open my eyelids and let my eyes wander around the open sky which has always been filled with stars. It was impossible. Impossible almost as if someone had glued my eyes shut. 'Mama?' oh I wanted to voice those words out. But it never escaped from my lips. Instead, I felt like I was being slaughtered. My body ached all over as if someone held me down with a firm grip that felt so tight, it might break my bones.

A light shake on my shoulder, and all of a sudden all of my senses were coming back to me. I smelled the burned black coal, the fragrance of my mother's scarf which she used to hide her face with. Then heard her screams. 'What is she screaming for? No, why is she screaming for? Did I not tell her about my opera classes again? Or maybe the ballerina classes which she loves.' No, she was screaming my name. ' GO AWAY! GET AWAY FROM MY CHILD. EMILIA RUN AWAY. RUN AWAY, VASILIKI AND NEVER COME BACK!'

I jolted from my dreams. I was sweating. I always did every time I took a nap in the burned house of my father's. It was always the same dream again and again. Yet I chose to come back here every weekend. I wanted to know why my mother was screaming. Why did she tell me to run away? Why was I suddenly called Vasiliki and not Baros? But I had changed my name to The Vasiliki anyway. It wasn't acceptable in the societies to take after the Maternal name. But then again, no one cared if I was accepted in the society or not. And I probably wasn't. I looked around before getting up from the one broken pillar. I sighed looking at the gloomy sky. It was winter and it snowed almost every day. I gathered the jar which was filled with water and another jar filled with honey.

"I should've picked up a few herbs instead of napping." I bit my lips. "Grandpa's going to be worried."

I sighed mentally before I started to walk towards my inn. 

"Grandpa, I am back!" I kept the jars on the table as I looked around the inn. Dead silence.

I nearly pouted knowing he must be at the farm. My eyes shifted towards the clock. 5 pm. 'I better get to him and bring him back.'

-

After a while of walking, I finally reached where my grandfather was. The Archon Garden. I let my eyes roam around the garden and soon I spotted a head full of black hair. I huffed out a breath and stomped in his way. My grandfather was only addressed as a grandfather because he was much younger than most of the other grandfathers I had seen.

"Vasilios! I think it's time for you to get home." I let out my voice as soon as I reached behind him. But, had I known I would have regretted coming here.

The black-haired man who I had addressed as Vasilios didn't look like Vasilios all of a sudden. He had already stopped whatever he was doing at the farm at dusk and faced me calmly.

Deep red eyes.

My eyes shot wide open as my hands made their way to my mouth. I had to cover them because I couldn't believe that I had entered the wrong territory. 

"L-Lord Archon..."

Lord Julian Archon, The next Duke of the Archon family and the Athen, Narin, and Sehara cities. Though I am pretty sure he will be working with the other 7 Dukes of the southern country. But wait, isn't he supposed to be in a war with the northern part till next Autumn?

I regained my senses once again and I immediately bowed towards him. 

"Apologies, my lord. I thought it was my grandfa-"

"Emilia?" my attention diverted to the familiar voice. "Grandfather!" I felt like I was brought back to life when I saw my grandfather.

"What are you doing here?" My grandfather hadn't noticed the Lord yet. "Oh? My Lord." My grandfather bowed down to him as well. And again put his attention on me.

"Did you do something to my Lord?" My eyes widened in disbelief. 'Shouldn't he ask if his lord had done something to me tho?'

"Grandpa-" my words halted as he spoke.

"Lord Vasilios, I had wanted to take a look at your harvest. I have to say, you have quite the skill to bloom flowers beautifully." His eyes motioned at me when he said flowers. I almost felt like my cheeks were set on fire.

"Gracious, my lord. But addressing me as 'my lord' is a bit too much. I am just a farmer at your grace." My chest almost ached at his remark.

"You were a lord before a farmer Vasilios. And one of the most honorable knights in Southern history. I could never make that mistake by addressing a legend as a farmer." Okay impressive enough.

"I am grateful, Your Grace." my eyes were glued at his kindness. He smiled at Grandfather and looked around the farm once again.

"What are these fruits called that you have been growing?" Archon asked almost pleased at the harvest.

"Strawberries my Lord. Once it grows properly, I'd like to have you taste some of these." My grandfather spoke.

"Of course. That would be a pleasure." He again looked at me. Almost eyeing me. I gulped at his intense gaze and hid myself behind my grandfather.

With a nod and a simple goodbye, Archon started to walk away while me and my grandfather picked out some flowers. I looked behind me, the way archon took to walk out. And he was already looking back at me. I blinked a few times before shifting my gaze away and helping my grandfather with the rest.

"You shouldn't come here, Emilia." My grandfather spoke.

"I came to find you, It was late and you weren't at the inn." I pouted as we held the flower basket while walking towards the inn.

"You will wait next time, or send Frizz to find me. Don't come here alone, my child." I nodded at his words. I knew if he didn't want me to do something there was a good reason.

"Should I send some flowers to the Queen's mansion tomorrow?" I said.

"Yes, take Fiona with you." I nodded again.

'Fiona...I wonder what she might be doing now.'