"What should I do now? Do I still have choices? I don't even know how to go back. Was it really better to proceed? I don't know," I said into the void.
"A lot has happened since I arrived in this place. It has only been two days, but it feels like a year already," I said to no one in particular.
"Princesses don't climb trees, but Siarah does. You both have the same mannerisms and even emotions," Lily said, but I ignored her.
I have the necklace with me, but I still don't wear it. I don't know why, but I don't want to right now. I want to be alone for a while, but it seems unlikely because Lily is following me.
"I don't have parents anymore. I'm used to being alone, and maybe because of that... I'm not fond of expressing emotions," I said.
"Don't you have any friends?" she asked.
I sat on a branch of a tree behind the palace. In front of me, I could only see the surrounding gate. The gate was too high, even higher than the tree.
"I do, but I don't fully trust them because I don't want them to get involved in the darkness I'm experiencing," I answered her question.
"Siarah doesn't have any friends. She doesn't consider me a friend either, and I understand her. She's always alone, and now, it's only now that I'm talking to her like this, but there's something different about her. Even so, Siarah will remain Siarah."
"Who wouldn't be alone in a place like this? It's like being in a prison. Even I, surrounded by beauty and perfection, it's still not enough because of that giant gate," I said.
"You're right... that's why Siarah disobeys the Queen and King. She often goes out without permission. I couldn't read her mind back then. I don't stop her from what she does. I just silently watch over her, and if she's okay, that's enough for me."
I fixed my dress. I'm not used to wearing this kind of attire, but I have no choice.
"In your opinion, Lily... can I successfully continue Siarah's life? I don't know anything, and I don't really believe in powers. I was just a normal person, and—" She interrupted me.
"No matter what you say or think, you can't do anything. You're here, and you don't have any other choice."
I fell silent and focused on what was in front of me, where I could see more trees. Silence prevailed in the surroundings.
I looked at my hand when I felt something there. I saw the necklace with a pendant symbolizing the sun that I was holding. Then, I looked at Lily.
"I won't be able to accompany you to the school you're heading to; my service ends here. Beloved Princess, I hope... that your future will be successful. I will remain in Siarah's memory, and you will remember me too because now, you and Siarah are one."
I was about to speak when I noticed Lily gradually fading away.
"W-Wait, are you leaving? Where are you going? Won't I see you anymore?" I asked one after another. She smiled.
"Let destiny decide if we will meet again," were Lily's final words before she completely vanished.
"Your Highness..."
"Oh, damn!" I exclaimed loudly upon hearing a voice from somewhere. I lowered my gaze and saw Amer beneath the tree.
"The time has come for you to leave for school. It's earlier than usual because it's the order from the higher authorities of the school. The carriage is waiting outside the palace, and your belongings are prepared."
I blinked several times in response to what he said.
"I-Immediately?"
---
I sat silently inside the luxurious carriage that would take me to school. There was a driver, and as expected, a horse was pulling the carriage.
I didn't bid farewell to the Queen and King because they said they would also visit the school, and it seems they're busy.
I remained silently gazing at the necklace Lily had given me. Do I still have a choice?
I slowly adjusted the necklace and was about to put it on when the carriage suddenly stopped. I instinctively gripped the seat, narrowly avoiding falling off.
"Oh damn it, sir! Please drive more carefully! I don't want to die yet, even though I don't understand what's happening to me right now!" I shouted.
"I apologize, but we have arrived," the driver said with fear, it seemed.
I sighed.
"Give me a little time. I will come out later," I said softly.
"O-Okay, Your Highness."
I shook my head. I felt sorry for him. I was just really caught off guard.
I immediately wore the necklace and sensed myself. I saw the necklace light up. After a few moments, the light disappeared. I blinked in surprise when the necklace suddenly vanished from my neck.
Is that it?
"Your Highness, the vehicle that will pick you up is waiting for you," I heard a voice say from outside the carriage.
Since the carriage was closed, no one could see me or what I was doing inside.
I was about to step out when my head suddenly throbbed. In a few moments, I saw images and gradually felt Siarah's presence and thoughts entering me.
"Your Highness?"
I snapped back to reality.
I composed myself before finally stepping out of the carriage. I was greeted by a man wearing a white tuxedo and pants.
A Liero—what they call carriage drivers in this world.
I blinked several times. I gradually began to see Siarah's memories and learn the knowledge that I needed to know.
I started walking towards a bus. I also saw beings around my age waiting to board the bus.
Now, I understand.
There are five kingdoms in this world. Each Princess and Prince are expected to possess powers that can be used to combat the evil beings called Wizards and Witches.
The school we are going to is a school for beings blessed with abilities. It's not just for Princesses or Princes; there are other beings as well, and they are trained to fight.
"What is your name and which kingdom are you from?" asked a bus Liero.
"I am Siarah from the kingdom of Yrena," I said seriously and coldly.
The kingdom of Yrena—the lowest among the five kingdoms.
Everyone was expecting nothing from this palace, and Siarah grew up knowing that. Since she was aware, her goal has always been to show and let everyone know that the Kingdom of Yrena has value.
The other palaces have abandoned this palace, so the King and Queen of Yrena also didn't take care of its people properly. The Yrena kingdom lacked support and its village was insufficiently taken care of, but the King and Queen remained silent to avoid conflicts. It could lead to chaos if they force the other kingdoms to support Yrena.
Siarah grew up aware of this and she also grew up without trust, especially in her parents who did nothing but remain silent. Her two eyes witnessed how her people suffered in their village, but she couldn't do anything about it because she was just a display princess to others.
I thought losing parents was painful, but it's even more painful when you have parents who don't care. They only care when something bad happens to you.
I felt Siarah's emotions from her memories, and it was extremely painful. She was a sensitive person, but no one knew about it except her. She hides her emotions with her cold, serious attitude, behavior, and aura.
I felt the bus move as I took a seat inside.
There are five kingdoms, and there are six of us here on the bus. Three girls, including myself, and three boys. I'm seeing them for the first time, and it seems Siarah doesn't know them either. All of her memories were just about the palace and books. She reads a lot, so she knows many things.
I looked at each of my companions on the bus. I was sitting at the back, so I could clearly see them. They are all wearing royal clothes, and there are symbols engraved on their seats—the symbols of each palace.
I have no choice for now. I must live as Siarah and gain more knowledge about things around me.
Now that I know—no. Now that Siarah's memories are within me, I felt like she was me or I was her. I have no other option but to continue her will.
I may not have anything to lose as Elena, but Siarah has a lot of things to lose if she doesn't continue living. I really hate responsibility, but I have no choice now.
"This is my first time stepping out of the palace! For almost eighteen years! Finally! What do you think, big brother? Have you been to school before? Is it beautiful there?" a girl happily asked the guy beside her. They were both Eldians, and I think they're siblings.
Eldians are the most powerful among all the palaces here—followed by Serians, Cepry, Herera, and lastly, Yrena.
"I heard that it was good there. What do you think? Since from now on, we have to gather like this, how about introducing each other?" I heard another guy say. He had the symbol of a Serian.
"I'm Avery, and this is my brother Levi. We are from the Eldian palace. I hope you get used to my brother, who doesn't care about the world," the girl who spoke earlier introduced herself.
"I am Kaleb or Kal for short, from Serian," the guy who spoke earlier said, confirming my assumption that he was indeed a Serian.
Siarah studied a lot about the five palaces, so I know. She did self-study, and I'm glad to know that she doesn't easily forget. Since she was smart, am I also like that now?
"I am Niko from Herera palace," said a somewhat arrogant guy.
I didn't think that I could hang out with them.
"I'm Callie from Cepry. It's nice to meet you all," a shy girl said. She has this angelic aura, but it's more intimidating than a dark aura.
Silence filled the bus. After a moment, I saw the three of them, except for Levi and Callie, look at me. Callie's attention was on Levi.
"What about you? What's your name?" Avery asked.
"I'm Siarah from the palace of Yrena. Nice to meet you," I said as calmly as I could, but I didn't know... my voice still sounded cold. It wasn't that bad, but it seems like I inherited Siarah's aura, presence, and attitude.
"Woah. Did you just speak New English? Bravo! I didn't expect that," Niko exclaimed in surprise.
"Even though I'm from Yrena, there are still a lot of things you didn't know," I said seriously.
Old English was their first language, and learning New English was difficult for them. Luckily, I know it. Siarah didn't know how to speak New English. It's also a good thing that their languages are Old English and New English, not Spanish or anything else.
"Impressive."
I looked at Kaleb. Is that a compliment or an insult?
I turned my gaze to Avery when I saw her looking at me. Kaleb and Niko were looking forward, but Avery kept staring at me.
"That's cool. Gosh, how to be you?" Avery asked in a daze while staring at me.
"You shouldn't hope to be like me," the words escaped my lips.
I turned my attention to the window of the bus and entertained myself by looking at the passing trees.
I should be shocked and should scream at everything that's happening, but I've lost the strength to be overwhelmed. I can't understand myself, especially now.
I felt like I was Siarah, I felt every bit of her emotions from her memories, but... I was still Elena and I would always be. Siarah's memories have entered my mind, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten who I really am.
I never believed in magic and fictional things, but... would I still not believe now?
---
"WELCOME, new students! I am glad and lucky to have you all here in this school. You can call me 'Mr. Fred,' the Dean of the school, and it was my pleasure to accompany you all here. You are the Royalties, and you were expected to have special treatments, but we have to be fair to our students. Since we expect you to be the best here, you will be automatically enrolled in the first class. Is that okay with all of you?" the Dean greeted us.
"Well, that's good to hear. We will also do our best, Dean. It would also be our pleasure to be a part of your first class. Thank you," Kaleb said. He seems nice.
"Okay, good. Miss Selia will escort you to your dormitory. You have been informed, right? You will be staying together, six of you in one dorm, but it's a special room. It's big enough for all of you," the Dean said with a smile.
"Really?! Thank you for that, Dean! I can't wait to explore this school!" Avery exclaimed happily.
"What do you think, Siarah?" I looked at my arm when Avery grabbed it. Does she already like me? I'm not that bad to push her away. She reminded me of Angel.
"Uhm, we should rest first since we can explore the school anytime," I said. My voice remained serious. I must try to change it.
"Exactly! You should rest for now. All your belongings are already in your dorm. It was nice to meet you again, Royalties," the Dean said.
Miss Selia eventually led us to our dorm.
I can say that the school is extremely huge. I already expected it when we entered.
"We have the dorm side and school side. You won't see any students here because classes just started. Your class will start tomorrow. On the school side, we have the battle field, the classrooms, the cafeteria, the gymnasium, and the activity corner. There are a lot of things here, but each of your rooms has a book. Just read that book, and you will find information about this school," Miss Selia explained as we walked.
Avery kept looking around while still holding onto my arm.
"You were here to train physically and to bring out your abilities. Any questions?"
We stopped when she stopped and looked at us.
"I guess none. Feel at home here. Rest well, everyone."
After saying that, she walked away. We were left standing by a door, perhaps the dorm entrance. Is that it?
I glanced at my hand when I felt something there. It was a key.
"Wow, that's cool!" I heard Niko say.
I saw Kaleb using his key to open the door. I think we all have a duplicate key for this dorm.
Avery let go of my arm and quickly entered the dorm. The others followed, and I was the last one.
I guess I really have to go with the flow. I just hope... my life won't be miserable here.