The Fragrance From The Past
1018 Words
“You have a magical voice. See you at the challenge.” The voice of the king called back from a distance. I wrinkled my face.
Staring at the lady beside me, “Who are you and what was that for?”
“I’m a princess
I have a bestie
I have we prince
Mummy is here
Daddy is here
We have beautiful kids;
and we are happy”
She rattled off in a coarse voice, my eyes popped.
“Serene!” I sputtered
“Lunar” She shrieked, longing plastered her eyes.
We covered ourselves in an inseparable embrace.
“It’s been ages” We chorused.
Nattering about our childhood song and experiences together, we chortled.
“How have you been?” I missed us, she grimaced.
“Your hair” She crooned, pouting lips as she ruffled it.
I lowered my face and tears gathered in my eyes.
She hugged me again.
“Why did you pull me out like that?” I asked.
“I didn’t like the way the king was looking at you. I had to look out for my brother” We both cracked into laughter.
“How is Leonard?”
“He’s fine, and at home. Would you like to come?”
“Sure: Not like I had anywhere to go” I blurted. We both chuckled.
We arrived at their mansion, a magnificent building, the tallest in the quarters.
My eyes travelled around the compound. Serene chuckled and pulled me inside.
Leonard was about to sip a glass of water but froze “Lunar” he shrieked.
I chortled, as excitement twinkled in his eyes.
He dropped the water glass on the ebony table at the centre of the sitting room and ran towards me, pulling me from the ground in ecstasy.
Few minutes later, we were seated at the dining, eating.
Leonard kept stealing glances at me. Clearing his throat he broke the silence.
“Selene and I were have been talking about you for a while now. There’s no way the singing challenge will be complete without you” He added, burying the spoon filled with boiled grains in his mouth.
“You need to prepare! The elites do not joke with this challenge. You will be given some treasures, an opportunity to make a wish that must be granted. You will become famous and mighty have to live in the palace for 1 year of which you have a choice to remain afterwards. Leonard jerked my hand softly.
It was amazing seeing someone genuinely excited for my success. I smirked.
“She won’t be going” Serene cuts in. Excusing herself from the dinning.
“Why” Leonard retorted. Standing up to meet her. “Weren’t you the one who have been harping on all the while about how she would defeat everyone in the competition, so why the sudden change now?”
She pouted her lips. “I don’t think it’s best she goes.” He took few steps forward.
“And I asked why?” Leonard, thundered, pulling her back.
Cold shivers ran down my spine. This is the last that I wanted: Breaking the peace between them.
“Do you want to go?” She looks at me.
I curled my lips, undecided.
She coughed a smile and walks away. Leonard followed after her, they stop at the hallway.
I hear them argue, I exhaled.
SERENE’S POV
My brother has been miserable all these years due to her disappearance. Now that she’s back, I will shield her from other threats.
I see him walk behind me, I stop and turn towards him, crossed arms.
“Lunar doesn’t look like she’s been happy. Why do you want to limit her from what she loves the most?”
“I’m doing this for you”
“What do you mean”
“We met the king earlier!”
“And—
“I didn’t like the way he looked at her”
“He’s over 60 for universe sake, and rumours are rife that he hasn’t been with any woman in ages”
“What if he wants to, now? What about other nobles and those annoying alpha males in the palace”?
I shook my head. “She’s not going” he heads for the door.
“Do you think preventing Lunar from being happy will make me feel better?” His words cuts me into two. Looking over my shoulders, froze.
“My love for her is a catalyst to push her so high even if I can’t reach her” I hear footsteps, that must be Lunar. I caught a glimpse of her rushing back to the dinning.
My heart stiffened. I’ve never seen my brother so passionate about anyone. He walks back to the dinning, I ran after him.
He takes his seat and continues his meal.
“You can go if you want” I say to her. I will gather more information about the challenge and keep you updated.
“I don’t want to go” Lunar blurted
“Why” Leonard and I chorused, widened eyes.
“Mother asked me to avoid the palace”
I exhaled. “The palace is not as bad as you think. Besides, you can always call on Leonard and I if you need anything.” I persuaded, Leonard nodded in approval.
“If you win, you could secure an apartment with your prize and invite your mother over or even wish for the king to give her a place in the palace” Leonard added.
Lunar bit her lips, panic dancing in her eyes. I wrapped her head in my chest.
***
Massaging Lunar’s feet, Leonard calls me from the hall way.
I let her feet rest gently as I headed for the hall way.
“What is it?” I asked
He stole a quick glance across the room and leaned towards my ears.
“I just found out that all participants will be screened to ensure there are humans. Anyone who fails the test will be killed”
I froze
- Writer
