Eldera Akademus

chapter 4

Eldera’s world was vast. It was divided into seven states: Natusa, Hydorra, Fiura, Ettera, Luxera, Dearca, and Spiraria. Where each state was governed by four families. Similar to Spiraria, where we are now and where my father manages the south side. Nerteros Spiraria. There was an Eldera council in Luxera, and Kristel has no idea why that council was created. Also, on the eastern side of Luxera stands the Eldera Akademus or Eldera Academy. The only academy in the world. She knows nothing about that school except the part where everyone wants to study there, especially the special ones, those who have power and abilities.

In fact, she has had no intention of enrolling in that school since she was a kid. Kristel did not see herself in this world and still felt that she didn’t belong here, just like her mother did. Maybe Mama also felt that way when she fell in love with the king and realized that she had made a massive mistake. That might be the reason why in her dreams, she saw her in tears and in sadness.

Earlier, Jhensy questioned her about where they were going. Kristel has now quietly complied with him. Traces on his face, the wonder of what she thought, why they came here?

The two passed many houses and walked for about half an hour. Sweat was condensing in the heat of the day, and hearing the song of the birds along with the rustling of the leaves of the trees. Ahead, Kristel saw an oversized house made of stone, and the roof was made of Ekidro leaf, used as the roof of the homes of the lower classes. Not far away, she saw a young woman hanging up clothes and the familiar hymn she sang. Her hair was long and white, and it was braided. She was a few inches shorter and a few pounds lighter than Kristel, with brown skin. She was dressed in a crimson long-sleeved gown.

The lady stopped what she was doing and looked in their direction. Her eyes widened slightly, and her face reacted in disbelief. In words, the lady uttered in her mouth, Kristel’s name. And rushed at her and her face was full of joy. Kristel waved at her as she approached with her smile showing her teeth.

Gosh! How I miss her and this home, Kristel said in her thought. (edited)

Kristel almost fell when the lady hugged her tightly, and she struggled with the hug she gave her as though she was squeezing her alive.

“Kristel! You are here! You are here!” the lady chimed.

"A-as-tra!" Kristel said after taking a deep breath. The hug was so tight that she thought Astra would break her bones.

Kristel heard Jhensy’s weak laugh behind them. Astra let go of the hug, grabbed both her shoulders and looked at her intently from head to toe and back to her face.

“Is this you, Kristel?”

How incredible does she think I look? Kristel thought. If Astra looked at her like she was not Kristel.

“Yes, who am I? Another creature?” Kristel rolled her eyes.

Astra smiled at Kristel with her teeth and cupped her face in her soft hands.

“You’re so beautiful. Your cheeks are not chubby now. Your eyes are a brighter blue, and your nose is thin and long. You have grown into a beautiful woman. Your hair is long and straight now. And look at you. You’re taller than me now,” Astra exclaimed, still in disbelief.

“Everything changes, as if you grow more beautiful. What you change is the same for me,” Kristel explained and took Astra’s hand in her face, and pressed it in front of her near the chest.

If the star was shining, so were Kristel’s eyes staring at Astra. Jhensy disappeared when Kristel noticed he was not there. Maybe he was in their house.

“I’m craving a Carama, Astra,” Kristel’s muttered, pouting, and she frowned for a moment when Astra laughed.

“I believe that’s what’s causing your eyes to twinkle. You really came here for my mother’s Carama. “

“Yes, another reason is that. I want to see you, your Mama, and Carama,” Kristel said, beaming.

Astra removed Kristel’s hand from her grip, grabbed her right hand, and gently pulled her toward the house. Carama was a type of food made by the mother of Jhensy and Astra, Mrs. Laira. It was made of wheat mixed with three kinds of fruit, like a fruit cake, and for Kristel, it was the sweetest savory thing in her life. She was used to coming to their home every day for it.

After Kristel entered the front door, the house looked exactly the same. Nothing had changed in the previous ten years for Kristel. The smell of freshly cooked Carama greeted her as a welcome home. Astra laughed when she heard the sound of Kristel’s stomach growling.

“Our princess doesn’t look hungry,” suddenly said the elderly woman who showed up at the kitchen’s door.

Her black hair was tied, and she wore a long loose dress. Though Jhensy inherited her mother’s complexion.

“Aunt Laira,” Kristel greeted with her wide smile and hugged her.

“You’ve really grown, dear princess.” She gently patted Kristel’s back. The warmth of her hug from before was the same. She smelled like fruit, so sweet and so lovely.

Kristel broke the embrace. “How are you? It’s been a long time since I last saw you.”

Aunt Laira invited her to sit in their small living room with two long wooden chairs.

“I’ll prepare the Princess’s Carama first,” Astra said kindly and sauntered to the kitchen.

“We’re fine, as usual, except that Jhensy is in the kingdom, serving the king. I still sell the fruits that we grow.”

“Is your store still in the city?” Kristel asked.

Suddenly, the aura of Aunt Laira’s face changed that replaced with sadness. Why is that? Kristel thought.

“I sold the store and was able to save so Jhensy could study.” Aunt Laira smiled genuinely, and that made Kristel smile too.

Kristel rested her hand on Laira’s right hand on her lap. She felt Aunt Laira’s rough hands on her no hardworking hand in her hands that worked hard for her children. She gently tapped Kristel’s hand with her left.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a little bit, and I’ll be able to raise money for my son to study at Eldera Akademus. Please don’t tell my son about it,” Aunt Laira begged at the end.

Will I tell her about what I asked my father for? What about Jhensy’s studies at Eldera Akademus? I have to ask for Jhensy’s opinion, or it would be better for Jhensy to tell her mother, Kristel thought.

“You can count on me for that,” Kristel said reassuringly.

After she had finished the Camara, Jhensy, and Kristel bid their goodbye to his family. A tight hug was given by the two of them before they left. Jhensy remained quiet until they arrived in the town’s city.

Kristel poked him with her forefinger. He looked at her with questioning eyes.

“Why are you quiet? Did you tell your mother you were going to Eldera Akademus?”

“No,” he replied simply. Kristel thought he had told his mother.

“Why?”

“I’ll just go with you, and I know that if the princess is okay, you will also return to the mortal world,” he reasoned.

Didn’t Kristel’s father say something about the thing she was asking for him? Apparently not, because if it were, this man would not have thought of it.

“Okay,” Kristel just said, shrugging her shoulders.

Kristel will tell him after all of this is done.

When she arrived at the train station, she told him she would buy some things, and Jhensy nodded for approval.

Kristel looked around at the nearby market at the station. There were many people everywhere, and some of them bumped into her. And the noise of the voices of shoppers and buyer cacophony.

She entered the clothing store and was greeted by an elderly, chubby man.

“Good morning, Ma’am. What do you need?” His polite voice.

“I need some clothes,” Kristel answered and passed him; then she grabbed the stacked display of dresses placed in a metal wardrobe that looked like a hanger but in the shape of an inverted T with a small curved C as its hook.

What should I buy? Kristel tapped her right cheek using her right pointer finger. The clothing store was dim. The man was at the counter reading a newspaper, and she couldn’t decide what to choose, it was all so lovely. Should she get them all?

Afterward, Kristel immediately approached Jhensy, who was waiting for her in the waiting area of the train station. Many were waiting for the next train.

“Has the Princess arrived yet?” Kristel asked when she got closer to him.

“She had just arrived, and there she was, five meters from us.”

Kristel followed the direction of his gaze and saw a beautiful lady. She had the same complexion as her skin, but her wavy hair was blonde. She’s wearing a thick coat and a brown hat on her head. She has no companion. She seems to be just an ordinary creature among the people here. She’s holding her baggage in her left hand, looking ahead.

“Are we alike?” Kristel asked out of her mind.

“No, it’s like you’re not siblings except for the color of your skin,” Jhensy whispered as Kristel was the only one who could hear him.

“Right?” Kristel said in bitterness.

She thought her half-sister looked at the two of them precisely like siblings. Aunt Cara said that she looked more like her mother, so what her aunt said was true.

And her gaze shifted to the train that had stopped. They will travel a long distance, passing through two states before arriving in Luxera. People rushed in, and Katlyn went to the train’s entrance.

Kristel followed Jhensy and handed their tickets to the man guarding the train’s entrance. Katlyn sat on the other side of the train, and Kristel on the other side. She was waiting for Jhensy, and why did he take so long to be here? The train was large. Near the window, Kristel sat on the left side, looking at the vast forest.

She can’t help but worry because, at any time, someone can take her sister. Will she be able to fulfill her father’s request?