Chapter 1
Sometimes, life is cruel. It extends it fangs, and slowly traces your throat. And in a split second, without warning, it finishes you. Then you’re gone. Who will remember you then?
If someone does, they’ll soon think twice when they hear your name somewhere. They won’t weep, won’t beg for you to come back. They will not smile wistfully when they remember how, just a few days back, you meant the world to them. That’s all it is . . .
I was going to understand soon. I knew it. That’s what I’d been told since . . . so long back. That I was meant to serve the Queen Who Was Never Seen, with the most venomous and deadly snakes for hair.
My black gown felt light as I walked barefoot, feet warm from touching the scorching ground. Somewhere in the corner of my eye, I spotted a green haired creature. It let out a strange screech, and burst accross the garden, and I stared at it, bored but wishing that I could spreak to it. Like my father, and my sister and mother did. But if I could make wishes come true, I wouldn’t ever be this miserable. I wouldn’t be going to that dark place in two days when the sun sets, and I’d be a nineteen old.
I realized after a few seconds that I’d stopped walking. Someone grabbed hold of my hand, and then I was looking into green eyes which were the exact shade as the grass I was now stepping on.
“What’s so funny?” Reen asked, and I realized that I’d smiled after so long at the same time he did. But I wanted to revel in it, so smiling wider, I replied,
“Nothing.” I thought I did a good job at hiding my laugh. It wasn’t even that funny, but I suddenly wanted to laugh till my mouth hurt. But there was a rustle of leaves, and then a tall man in white clothes with absurd golden patterns on it stepped forward, frowning a little.
“Nascha, you’ve been told not to talk to strangers. What are you doing here?” He scolded. I gave him a blank stare, internally cursing at him.
“I don’t really think it should matter to you . . . Not when you have other important things to worry about.” Reen hid his laugh with a loud cough, but my father’s advisor’s eyes were still trained on me.
“What—” he started and I cut him off easily, brushing imaginary dust off my dress, my smile turned smug.
“Did they get that vase fixed?” I asked, and his face immediately blanched. “I guess not. I think the poor man who helped clean the mess didn’t deserve those whips . . . And I really need to help him.”
“N-No . . . you must respect me.” He cleared his throat. “I am your teacher.” His eyes sparked behind his glasses, which I suspected he really needed, considering any Natural had good eye sight.
“Oh really? I thought you just pretend teaching me to impress my father. You should just stop. You know he doesn’t really care about what I do.” My expression was cold now.
“Don’t you dare speak of your father like that.” He didn’t yell. He never did. His voice was always shaky, and whatever he spoke was whispered. Although I laughed at him, I had a little respect for him too. I just didn’t like showing it because he worked for my father and mother. It did seem like he did not care for others, but the day the man was whipped in his place, I was the only one who had seen him sweating while watching and healing the man with his magic, and made him forget. It wasn’t even his fault anyway. It was already cracked and he had accidentally touched it.
“See you later then . . . Reen.” I waved and gave him a weak smile. He didn’t reply, but stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. We stayed like that for a while, and Jediah, my teacher silently walked away, but kept an eye on me from afar, pretending to read a book, fixing his glasses once in a while an looking up discreetly.
“You know we won’t see each other for . . .” he paused, and I tried hard to swallow the lump in my throat. We wouldn’t see each other again. I tried to find comfort in the familiarity, perhaps the last of what I was going to have, and sighed.
“Promise that you won’t forget me. No matter what.” My voice was shaky, and suddenly I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, and running down freely. His grip on my waist tightened and I looked up to see that his eyes were red.
“I hate that this has to happen. I hate seeing you cry. They’ll all go to hell.” And then he cupped my cheek and stepped forward so that all I could see was him. His lips brushed my cheeks and lingered before he slowly withdrew, his eyes distant.
“I want to tell you not to go, but I know you have to.” He sighed when I gave him a sad smile. “But don’t get yourself in trouble.” I nodded and looked back to find Jediah now staring at us directly.
“I . . .” I didn’t want to go. But I continued, trying not to show how much this affected me even though he already knew, “See you later then.” I quickly turned and walked away from him. That was it, then.
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