The Lumen Princess

Chapter 6

“You’re unusually silent,” Jiro said.

It’s been a while simce Shana left the mansion and I just can’t get her crying face off my mind.

“It’s nothing,” I just told Jiro.

“It seems like we will have a hard time convincing the princess to come with us,” he said and I just sigh and didn’t answer him.

I was about to take a sip on my drink when he stop me. I glare at him but he is just grinning at me.

“I saw the way you look at the princess earlier. She’s beautiful, right?”

I frown.

“What are you saying? Nikki will surely kill you of she heard you.”

“Just answer me! She’s beautiful, right? Do you like her?”

I can feel my face burning. Is it because I’m already drunk? But I never get drunk!

“If the Prince heard you-”

“Oh! You do like her! Your face says it all!”

He just won’t stop with the teasing.

“Tss? Are you trying to make me laugh? Me? Liking that girl who is cold as ice? There’s no way!” I said and avoided his eyes.

“Then why are you so silent? And the way I see it, I know you’re thinking so much of what happened earlier.”

I sigh again.

“I was just thinking of what happened earlier before I brought Shana here,” I said and when I look at him, he’s grinning like an i***t again.

“You just told me you don’t like her but you keep thinking about her! Don’t lie to me and to yourself! What is it really?!”

I was about to punch him but stop when he raised his both hands as a sign of surrender.

“Sorry, sorry. I will listen,” he said and became serious.

“She said that the Dementor attacked Jillian,” I said and took a sip again on my drink. “That dark creature attacked her bestfriend, Jillian, first. She got its attention so it attacked her after. That’s when I came.”

“A dementor attacking a mortal?” Jiro asked to himself.

“Exactly. Why would a dementor attack a mortal? It’s something that never happened before,” I said.

“Have you told the Prince?”

I shook my head.

“I wanted to figure it out myself.”

“So did you figure out something?” he asked and I just cursed.

“Damn it! I can’t think of any reasons!”

“You should tell the prince.”

“Maybe the dementor attacked that girl because she has the princess’ scent.”

We almost jump to our seat when Elysse voice suddenly rang in our ears.

“Damn it Elysse! Are you trying to kill us for heart attack?!” Jiro said as he composed himself. Elysse just look at him before turning to me.

“They live in the same house. They’re also always together. She could have the same scent as Shanel or she got Shanel’s scent because of sticking around her,” Elysse said that made sense.

After that she just left us there.

“Tss. That girl is really weird but she’s always say the right. Still, she’s creepy. Just what the hell did the Prince saw in her to actually like her?” Jiro said and I just smiled.

“It also makes me wonder what did Nikki saw in you,” I said and he just glared at me that made me laugh.

“I am so not gonna help you with the princess,” he said.

“I never asked for your help. Now leave me alone.”

*

I went back to our old house. Not to train my matial arts but think about things.

I went inside my parents room and can’t help but smile. A sad smile.

Just like before, it still look the same. I didn’t put the house on sale so no one lives here anymore. Good thing, Jillian’s parents always ask for someone to clean up the house at least every month.

I look around and went inside the walk-in closet. Inside were my parents clothing.

I took one of my mother’s dress but frown when I notice something inside the closet.

I moved all the clothes on one side to see more of what’s in the back. There I saw a secret drawer. I opened it and saw a small box inside which I took.

I quickly went back to our apartment. I headed straight to my room. Jillian even called me but I chose to ignore her

I took the small box from my bag and was about to open it when Jillian suddenly came to my room.

I quickly return it inside my bag.

“Hey, what’s you problem? What did you do at Kyle’s house, huh? I didn’t even got thw chance to tell you the thing that I wanted to say. You just left me there!” she said. By the sound of her voice, I know that she’s really angry.

I walk towards her and hug her.

“Sorry na Jil. I totally forgot about you. Kyle introduce me to someone important,” I told her.

“And who is that?”

I sigh and look away.

“My twin brother.”

Her eyes widen in shock

“What? TWIN?!”

I nod at her.

“But how did that happen? You found your biological family?” sha asked.

“Kinda?” I said. We sat on my bed and I started telling her about what happen and the things about my real identity.

Surely, Shone and the others will get mad when they found out I told Jillian everything. But I can’t stand keeping a secret to her.

“Oh my god! I’m so happy for you,” she said while smiling in tears and even hug me.

“But then, your life is kinda complicated. Also, it’s hard to believe that magic and wizards are real. And what? You’re the only one who can save youe world?”

I sigh again and nod

“Also, I found something from our old house.”

I stand up and get the small box I took from our old house and showed it to her.

“What is that?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I didn’t open it yet.” I said. “Should I?”

She just shrugged her shoulders.

I opened the box and saw a letter with some pictures. I took the pictures first and look at them.

The first picture is when I was a baby. I was alone in the bed and peacefully sleeping. The next picture is I’m someone else. We were playing but as I look closer into it, it’s too little for a normal human.

“Shan? What is that?” Jillian asked and also take a look closer. “A dwarf?”

“I don’t know,” is the only thing I answered.

Almost every picture is the same and that creature is always with me.

Jillian took the letter and started reading it out loud.

“Shana,

At the time you’re reading this letter, maybe you already find out the truth about you. To know and take care of someone like you is really an honor to me and my wife. We may not be blood related but we love you so much and treated you as our own. I know someday, someone will knock into our door to take you away from us. Someone from your world.

As you grow up, it became harder and harder for us to protect you. There’s always someone out there who is after your life. But you’re always being protected by your guardian who is always with you. We never saw him in person but you can see him on the pictures that comes with this letter.

I only wish for one thing. Please take care of yourself and don’t let those devil rule your kingdom.

According to your biological mother, a lot of dark creatures will come after you on your 7th birthday. This is also the reason why I taught you and trained you with martial arts. A big responsibility is waiting for you there and the only thing we can advice you is that, follow what you think is right.

Don’t ever forget that we love you so much.”

I’m crying and so is Jil.

“You’re very lucky to have the Levin family with you. And your father is the one who taught you martial arts?”

“Yes. I couldn’t understand at first why I need to learn those things. Now I know why.”

We fell silent for a while.

“What are your plans?”

“The truth is I really don’t know, Jil. But after reading this letter, I know I can’t runaway from it anymore. I really need to face it,” I said.

“Are you coming with them?” she asked.

I look at her.

“I can’t leave you here,” I said and hug her and she hugged me back.

“You don’t have to worry about me. Just like what your father said, follow what you think is right.”

I look at her in the eyes.

“I don’t know but-”

“But?”

I sigh.

“There’s a part of me that says I need go with them but I don’t want to,” I told her.

We fell in silence for a minute.

“Well, think about that carefully. And by the way, Mom said that she will be preparing a party for the two of us. We should invite Kyle and his friends!”

I cringe

“That Gallens? Well his friends are alright. But Gallens?” I said with a frown.

“You’re really rude at Kyle. He’s not that bad.”

“No! He is that bad. I don’t like his guts and even just his presence. But if you want to, invite him because I will not do it.”

“Okay,”she said smiling. We said our goodnights before she walk out of my room.

2 days from now would be our birthday. I actually don’t want to celebrate it because that day is also the death anniversary of my foster parents. But it was also Jil’s birthday.

I look at the letter and the picture again.

Can I really leave this world?

—