Echo Of Dreams: Legacy Of The Past

Episode 2

I am walking with slipping steps on the path towards my shop, clutching the old, some parts already torn and yellowed pages of Luminara, also known as "Light Bringer". The bell that rang as I pushed the door of the small shop has a happy tone today. Out of breath, I step behind the wide mahogany counter and, on my tiptoes, carefully lower the book I keep in the third compartment from the left on the top shelf. I absentmindedly run my fingers over the flower emitting a ray of light on the old leather-bound cover.

Luminara is the oldest known book about an ancient belief that has become an old tale told to children at bedtime. According to this old belief, Theolaras walked in our lands long before the seven kingdoms took the form we know today. The duty of these beings, who are believed to have been sent to the seven kingdoms by the gods and to be the "Hand of the Gods", was to ensure order and peace in our world. Each known Theolara has different powers, and although these powers and the number of Theolaras vary in each story, eleven Theolaras are mentioned in the songs of the most famous bards. I love this old story. When I was a little girl, when my father came home in the evenings, I would pretend not to be able to sleep so that he could put me to sleep with these stories, and after I was old enough to read it myself, he continued to tell these stories every bedtime for many years. After he died suddenly a year ago, I started running this old bookstore that he loved so much. Since I had been helping my father in the bookstore for many years, it was not a very difficult job.

While I absently examine the old book on the wide mahogany counter and prepare my materials to restore the missing pages, I hear the sound of the bell ringing cheerfully for the second time today. I like to give customers time to explore the inside before dealing with them. As I'm about to return to my own business, I see a red cloak with gold and black silk embroidery peeking out from between the shelves. There's something about this image that bothers me. Among the seven kingdoms, Novalda is a neighboring kingdom adjacent to Eldoria, a seaside kingdom. Although it is a kingdom with high cliffs and endless green forests, it is connected to the sea on one side, and the weather is generally not suitable for such a thick cape. On the other hand, in a quiet part of Novalda, far from the royal square, I don't think there would be many people who would pay for a cloak embroidered with exquisite gold threads, which was obviously worth a small fortune. Even though I try to follow this stranger who caught my attention from behind the counter, I can't find any trace of his presence. As I curiously lean over the counter to my waist and look through the bookcases deep inside, I jump out of my skin at the sound coming from in front of me.

"What are we looking at?" The beauty of Mia, standing cheerfully and with an attractive smile, looking in the direction I was looking at a second ago, was not unnoticeable; With her honey-colored wavy hair falling on her forehead and her thin facial features, she was as admirable as a fragrant spring breeze.

As I jump, I knock over the book I left open and my stool, which is made of leather the same color as Mia's cloak. I was surprised at how quietly he moved; As I bounce and try to keep my balance, he reaches out and grabs my arm, giggling with satisfaction at his rescue.

Years after my mother's death, my father married another woman; With this marriage, Mia was born. As loveable as Mia was, her mother was equally insufferable. Still, it was harder for me to completely hate her for giving birth to my little brother.

Ignoring Mia's question, "What do you want again?" I said.

He shrugs. "Nothing, I was just around to save you in case you got into trouble, I guess I'm glad I did." He gives a small bow as if he's finished his little show.

I roll my eyes audibly. "If you hadn't been sneaking around, I wouldn't have needed rescuing." I lift the stool behind the counter and start collecting the scattered book pages.

"If I had left you with that goofy look on your face, you'd be sitting on your butt right now." Mia said.

When I look up, I see him watching me with an amused expression. While I try to remain serious and not laugh, I turn my head back to the pages on the floor to avoid looking at his face.

Mia takes a deep breath, clears her throat, remains silent for a few seconds as if unsure of how to proceed, then says, "I'm sorry, really. Let me help." she said. Without giving me a chance to say anything, he quickly came to where I was and leaned next to me; I could tell from his excited state that he was about to ask for something.

He paused from gnawing his lips with his teeth and said, "Well, I learned that in a week's time, the prince will announce his engagement at the first autumn ball in the palace, and the public who received an invitation can also attend." she said.

I looked at him curiously and said, "Yes?" I said.

"Just understand, I'll come too, Lya. Please." Eyes

Her skin was glowing with anticipation. "Since you helped the palace clerks with their book restoration, you will receive an invitation, I'm sure of it."

Even though I hated to offend Mia, I didn't believe that such an invitation could really come to someone as insignificant as me. Even if he came, we would need dresses suitable for the palace to attend the ball. Speaking of dresses, the cloak on Mia catches my attention again. "Nice cloak," I say with a suggestive look. "I wonder where it came from, I hope you didn't make a bad deal again."

Mia smiles proudly and says, "I traded it for a little souvenir."

I let out a small scream, "Amelia!" How can anyone still believe in such charlatans? You can't get involved in any exchange that has even a little bit of magic in it. The last time he tried to make such a purchase, he lost his voice in a mirror; To get his voice back, I had to make a deal that was even more frustrating than before. I wonder what memory he gave? "We agreed you wouldn't make trades like that again." I say.

She waves her hand as if I'm getting caught up in unnecessary details and continues talking excitedly, "Lya! Stop worrying. Trust me, you won't believe your eyes when you see the things I bought, this time I'm the one who wins. We'll be the most beautiful girls of the Fall Ball." As if to soften my reaction, he increases his excitement and starts clapping his hands.

Even though I didn't want to, his enthusiasm was contagious, and I start giggling as he comes laughing and wraps his arms around me so I can't move. If Mia is right and the invitation actually comes, I'm daydreaming about what the fall prom (or any prom) might be like.