One Drop Essense of Gods

2. The Goodbye They Never Had. #1

Getting her hair dressed kind of reminds Yvanna, she was also sitting like this back on the day of the accident, also looking at her face in the mirror while watching Mina do the makeup inside the bus. It was the last day of London shoot, everyone was excited. If only there weren’t such accident, they will move to Morocco in the next three days.

            That day some anxieties risen unseen, but nobody able to read it out loud. Even Lyn seemed unlike her usual self.

            Seeing the image of Lyn watching her gotten away made Yvanna’s heart ached again. Isse told her that she’s alive. Whether it’s true or not, after all what happened, Yvanna choose to believe. But thinking what would happen to her in the world back there is killing her inside.

            What if she can’t go back? What if she died here? She might not feel anything by then, but Lyn will definitely cry so hard and blamed herself, even though Yvanna was the one who insisted to do it without stunt.

‘Ah! I’m going crazy!’

There, her eyes were just flickering again like an electric short. This is not the first time, but it still feels weird seeing herself in the mirror while it’s not her face whom she sees. And those eyes, just how her limited human thought could even see it as a real thing? She thought.

If only she landed in this body without the start-up packs of the common knowledge, she would’ve really died from the shock the first time she saw that eyes aglow. Even so, she must say it is very beautiful when it shines. Like a northern light, a nebula—well, the whole universe. That’s how it called, eye of the universe.

            If it seen very closely, the pretty tiny particles in the iris are actually really moving in a very-very slow motion. They’re floating, and tensed when she got tensed too. Depend on her heartbeat. Like an LED lights, they could be dim or bright, reflecting on her life forces.

            The fact that Yvanna was actually fascinated by this beauty ruined every possible idea that she, and the princess ever met before. This is another thing Yvanna should take; if it’s still her delusion, this body, she never created it.

            Her mind is her magical lab of her dream world. The place where she brews every each of her magical journeys.

There are cases in the back of her mind that stored many of figures she created as for whom she wanted to be in her dream, and there are as well as shelves that stored many of places for her to go. Then again, a dream or not, she has never thought of creating the other version of her, or―according to the princess―a twin sister.

            If she follows her sense, they should’ve been two different people from two different worlds. But, aside to their hair colour, which Yvanna’s are very blonde―a typical of an Icelandic beauty―while the princess’ is godly paler like a fairy, the other body features are identical. Only, Yvanna’s eyes were never aglow, and she should’ve really be grateful for that. Else, she would’ve been exiled from the earth on the day she was born.

            “Alright. All done, milady. Shall we go now?”

   Layla’s voice brings Yvanna back again―back to see herself in the mirror. ‘This princess… she really didn’t seem like someone who likes making enemies. She’s so delicate, and sweet for any eyes to see. Who would think that her bloods were made of thick hatreds and frustration?’

***

Yvanna following Layla making a rather long trip to the royal dining hall, where she will have breakfast with the king of Elea, the princess’ brother.

What kind of person the king is, Yvanna already knows, since it’s already there, in her mind. Also his appearance, habits and how he usually treats the princess. But their relationship was complicated.

What Yvanna knows, King Elion was very fond to his sister, and the princess was very spoiled .Yet lately, there was something going on between them which makes Yvanna wary, because it’s not in the memories.

***

At the balcony, a set of fancy breakfast was arranged. Yvanna breaths deeply. Savouring the beautiful view of the city down in a far. She wish she could go there for real, now that she’s here.

‘I want to taste it; the tea, and their breads…’

She knew the Capital City of Elea for it was the place she’s been going in and out in her dream, but that’s that. She never encounters something that extended her knowledge beyond Atherre’s existence and its history. Thanks to the princess’ memories, now she has many details of it in the back of her mind, since she’s occupying her body.

Seeing all these reminded her. She has known this world ever since she was a child, as it was the place for her to go whenever she felt like avoiding reality. Now here is reality.

What else the universe has been keeping? She wonders. The dream was once simply her escape, but it turned out nothing as simple as how it sounds. Never. And never had it crossed her mind that it was actually the key of the unexpected door.’

***

“My princess, his highness is still caught in some matters. The messenger told me that his highness would like you to start without him.” Says a maid who just came.

            “Well, that cannot be helped then?” Yvanna smiles wryly. The longer she waits, the longer the anxiety tortures her. But perhaps the king is giving her times to prepare, she thought.

            “Is the dish not to your liking, milady? You ate so little lately. Shall we prepare another kind?” Asks Cecil, the other princess’ lady-in-waiting. But Yvanna has always been in a strict diet all the times, naturally she’d only ate her portion.

“It’s fine. But, I wonder if we have orange juice?”

            “Juice?” Cecil and Layla glances to each other almost at the same time. Both are wearing the same confused face.

“Well, the extract of oranges. I’d like to drink it, if possible?”

            “Ah… I see.” Layla then made a cue again, and the maids over there immediately go to fetch it. “But… what language juice is, milady?”

            Oh! “Did I said juice?” Now Yvanna looked confused. Layla then glances to Cecil, and then the both nodded.

            “Well… it’s English. A language use in a country called England―and in some other countries too, I believe. You see, it’s in the book I’ve been reading recently.” Yvanna lies.

            Layla searches her mind. “…I don’t remember there really is a county called so, though?”

            “Because it is indeed not here. It’s so far away―or maybe not. I don’t know. But it was there, for sure. It’s a beautiful country. Big, and very beautiful, with very advanced technology and society.”

            “More beautiful and bigger than Elea?”

            “They do have many tall buildings and it bright at night. I think it’s beautiful.” Yvanna smiles again, keeping the sadness away as it came nearing when the night view from her penthouse flashing in her mind.

            She used to sit there, by the huge window-wall, enjoying the view of the sparkling city with a wine, and the vague sounds of the busy traffics from down there. It kind of relaxing and it was something rare for her. 

            Thinking of it made her realize, she never thought that she’d be this sentimental about a place she called it home since she left that place empty most of the time, and only stayed there when she had a chance. She never even knows that it has a deep meaning behind, until she realized how much she misses it right now.

            “What so amusing for you to make such funny smile, sister. Won’t you share it with me?” Says Elion who just appeared like a ghost.

Everyone salutes. They are all—except Yvanna. She then hurriedly, and awkwardly stood on her feet at that very second, and greets her so-called king brother whose according to Yvanna, is a perfect boyfriend material.

Who doesn’t mesmerized by a man with power such a king who is only in his early thirties, and possessed the same hair colour and angelic face as the princess?

Yvanna recognized him at one glance―and of course, his sudden appearance got Yvanna startled. But, Elion indeed rarely made a prior notices when it comes to the princess. This is his palace, and she’s his sister. He can go whenever he pleases. Yet this time, he has a reason.

*

            Elion joining Yvanna with a smile which seen half wary-half excited, but behind all those, there hides sadness and regrets. “I was happy when I heard that you finally awake sister, but seeing you acting like this making me nervous.”

“Well….”

“Well, you’re too thin, though I expected that.” Elion glances to Yvanna’s plate for a second, then back to her again. “Something sweet, perhaps?”

            This breakfast is the king’s trial. Yvanna knew Elion is testing her somehow, but she never had a mind to deceive anyone, especially the king himself. So there, she lets him see through her true self.

            “I’m not really hungry.” She says.

            Elion seem satisfied with how Yvanna reacting. “Fine. I will not argue with such thing.” he smiles again. “How is your body? Feeling any better now?”

            “Yes. I think so. Master Lance said this―I mean, my body is almost fully recovered. Only there’s a little problem with my life forces.”

            “…That is still a good news.” Elion sighs. Comparing the painstaking things that has been happening lately. He then took out a pretty golden bangle from his outer, and put it around her wrist. “Here. A little apology for coming back late.”

            It was belongs to their mother―Elea’s former Queen. Yvanna knew it, yet not sure how to react, so she just gladly admires it and say thanks. Elion seem a little disappointed. Yvanna wonders why.

***

            The breakfast went quite well, since Elion keeps things low, and act as If there is nothing. He didn’t even mention a single thing that related to the matter, and just make some light conversation with the sister and observed her.

            There are some different between the two, of course―but it won’t be too much problem since they are all just a small thing. He thought, even a wild beast can be tame. But it did pique his curiosity, seeing how Yvanna is actually being very calm.

            “I will spend some of these days here, so we can celebrate your birthday although it’s late. Do you have anything in mind?”

            It almost slipped from Yvanna’s lips that she actually wish to go to Aeltyre, but she hakes head in the end. Good that she did that, for the offer was actually a test as well. 

Elion chuckles. “You’re being too quiet, Anna. It made me anxious. Very well, if you had nothing in mind, shall we have a ride, then? It has been so long since we do that, hasn’t it?”

“Ah, right.” Yvanna smiles, hiding the unknown fears that starts sparks inside.

“Then, rest for a while. I will come to fetch you when it’s time.” Elion kisses her forehead before he left, and it unfolds another memories.

***

Elion frowned all the way back to his study, as a memory from one of the old days came to his mind. It was a year ago, in their last breakfast together before he went to Syrh, he found his sister didn’t wear the bangle.            She said she lost it while she cherished it the most, that it never left her wrist

He didn’t believe it at first, since the bangle was belongs to their mother. But turned out, she didn’t lie.

Aeltyre send it back just recently, along with words of condolences for the princess’ death― while the others showing gratitude for the mercy the gods has shown, that the princess survived the black desert for three days without food and water is a miracle.

---

It was on the ground when I went back. I thought the princess dropped it. I should’ve returned it soon, but I guess it won’t be urgently needed as there will be no burial, is it?

Our deep condolence for Elea. The god’s light guide her soul, and the prayers be her guard.

                                                                                                Belian Seir.

---

Anyone can deceived the world, but nothing can be hidden from the emperor. The word may really a sincere sympathy, but the bangle is a warning. Since the fact is the princess still alive, the empire will likely demands them to hands the princess soon.