The First Syldine

18 - Fate is it?

I didn’t pass out, like I thought I would. We kept in silence, in the middle of my destroyed house, Prince Rage let me use his thighs as a pillow so I can rest.

“Reinforcements from the capital and Ignisen arrived.” he started telling me things.

But I am not interested in anything. My heart is still aching because of my mother’s death. And also my concern is about what he saw, my Undine’s tail, my mana being formed by two element powers, me being wasted and drowning into my curse.

The pain in my thigh, around my Undine’s mark is heating up, making my skin around it glow in light blue color.

“We will head back after you gain your strength again.” he whispered to me.

“And have me executed publicly?” I asked him, without laughing, giggling, or any hint that it is a joke.

“Why would I do such thing to you?” he stared at me for long.

“I am forbidden in any place here in Retheale. You saw my true form already. Start playing dumb!” I shouted at him and got up from lying down.

“And so am I.” as I stared back at him with confusion, he removed his shirt, showing two birthmarks, on each side of his chest.

“A rock and a flame?!” I said in shock.

“Gnomander in short.” he answered and I dropped my jaw in awe.

So you’re the one the book says?!” I showed him the book I got from his father’s palace.

“And you’re the one with a pair of wings and tail.” he had me there.

I didn’t actually pay an attention the first time I read it. All I thought is that what’s written were based in someone’s imagination, a fantasy for children.

“And you’re the one we were looking for!” he grabbed my hands.

His warmth says it all, how glad he is, his hopes soaring high, his eyes are shining like he found the greatest treasure of Retheale.

“Father has been looking for King Anvindr’s daughter ever since I was a child.” he started saying.

“What? King Anvindr’s daughter?” I asked.

“That’s you! My father and your father both fell for our mothers, first princesses from Hydreid and Terranova when they were attending Erutain back in the days.” he answered.

Now questions are flooding me.

My father is King Anvindr, and my mother is a princess?

“Your mother’s name is Talise, right?” I nodded in response.

“You’re really the one!” he was almost shouting.

He hugged me so tight that made me hard to breathe a little, but then I heard him sobbing.

“All I thought Father was only making excuses for me being a Gnomander, avoiding my execution, saying I was born for a great purpose. I didn’t believe in him, I wanted my execution to happen on my next birthday. I feel so bad for the ones who died just because they had more than one element power in them.” he told me as tears are owing down his face.

“I already gave up looking for the Syldine, but here you are, in front of me! With me.” he added.

Still my mind is floating in numbers of questions. I am having a hard time to process all of it. Not after my Mother died right before my eyes.

“I know you’re having a hard time to understand what I am saying. But rest assured, nothing will happen to you, I will protect you Naia.” he gave me a reassuring smile, but it is a sad one also.

I closed my eyes, and tears are starting to run down my cheeks again. I tried to stop it, what I am feeling but I felt Prince Rage’s hand on top of my head, making feel that it is fine to cry.

“It’s alright. No one can see you except for me. Cry it out.” as he was talking I already let myself to drown in tears again.

Mother was all that I have, after my father died. I treasured her more than breaking the curse. I only wanted to break free so I can live more years with her. But if I have known that it would only cause this havoc on us, I would have chosen to stay here in our tree top, and spend the rest of my days with my Mother, with her stories, singing, cooking and more.

Prince Rage was brushing my hair, and my tears started to dry up.

“I am feeling sleepy, how about you?” I asked him.

“Leave all things to me, take rest and do not worry anymore.” he answered.

I nodded at him and closed my eyes.

“I am sorry if I failed to protect your mother.” he said with a low, apologetic, sad tone.

I reached for his hand and held it.

“None of it was your fault. It is all on me.” I answered him.

“I will help you find whoever did that.” he replied and I went back on trying to sleep.

“You have so many things to tell me your highness.” I said with my eyes closed.

“I know.” with that everything fell into solitude.

I found myself standing in the abandoned house where I found King Anvindr’s letter, my father I mean. It is different from that day that I almost didn’t recognize it, if it wasn’t for the crest of Sylphs on its wooden door. It looks like newly built and painted, as if a newlywed will move into it today.

“It is so wonderful An!” I heard my mother’s familiar voice and turned around to see her, looking so young and happy.

Her light blue hair with some braids on the upper part, making it look like she’s wearing a crown, pinned with freshly picked daises, her favorite, that’s swaying in every move she makes, her azure colored eyes that reflects the euphoria she’s probably feeling inside her heart, and her favorite white dress with a big sapphire stone in the chest line, and of course, she’s wandering around with her feet bare.

Mother isn’t used in wearing any footwear as she loved transforming and swimming in any bodies of water she will see, not to mention that she loves playing under the rain too.

“Go inside and everything is even more beautiful.” a deep voice answered her.

I think I have heard it somewhere.

“Aerisse, we have arrived to your new home.” he was talking to a baby he’s carrying in his arms.

I walked towards them, only to see myself as an infant, with both of my Sylph and Undine’s marks are glowing in bright green and blue colors.

I stared at King Anvindr, he has this body with toned muscles, pair of hands that seems to be rough, because of training and fighting I suppose. He has his long green hair that drops to hi broad shoulders. Some if it is formed into a bun, and he’s wearing the same diadem I saw inside the house. If it is not for his diadem he will pass to look like an ordinary fairy, a Stoiche perhaps.

“You’re the best An!” my mother came out running towards him.

She hugged him, placing me, my infant self in between them.

When was the last time I saw Mother smiling this big? I forgot. Or maybe she never did? After my father died.

“We will keep Aerisse safe here.” King Anvindr’s voice sounded serious.

“Will your sister stop pursuing us?” Mother asked with worry.

“I will give up the throne to her, she will be a crowned queen soon.” Father answered and my mother hugged him again.

“Do you think it will satisfy her? What if she reports us? For having a daughter and continuing this forbidden love?” Mother asked again.

“I will bargain with her. Don’t worry, I will make everything fine.” Father said.

“Sorry for making you sacrifice everything.” she uttered as she started crying.

“It’s not your fault, it is not a sacrifice too. It is my choice, to be with you and our daughter. These are all my decision Lise, and you sacrificed a lot too.” he wiped my mother’s tears before kissing her on the lips.

I covered my eyes in shock. Yet I took a peak by seeing through the gaps of my fingers. They really look like a contented couple.

“Lise, is that where Mother got my fake surname?” I asked myself.

Mother’s face became sad all of a sudden.

“Do you think she’s really the one? I don’t want her to be executed someday.” Mother got me from Father’s arms and hugged me tightly.

“I have confirmed it with Agni and Sequoia. Their son is the Gnomander, as the prophecy says.” Father answered. Pride is evident in his voice.

“But I don’t want Naia to suffer in the battle. They might make her a sacrificial lamb!” Mother started crying again.

“That is why we will train her, all of our powers and knowledge will be passed to her. She will be the mightiest fairy alongside with Rage.” Father answered and he hugged my mother in response.

“You have to believe in the prophecy. It is not only for us, but also for Retheale. For Aerisse’s sake too.” Father added and Mother stopped in crying.

I heard my infant self’s giggles and the two of them started laughing too.

“Naia Aerisse Airylisia.” Mother said as she plays with my tiny fingers.

“A perfect name for our child, Retheale’s hope.” Father replied with happiness.