Silence.
The rest of the carriage ride was spent with the occasional cough or sniffle (all on my part, that is. I don't strike lady Yves as the type to even hiccup), conversation long gone. Every now and then I opened my mouth, words on the tip of my tongue just begging to be said. But the daggers she stared at me almost instantly had me stopping before I could even start. My, was this girl scary.
But perhaps I should've just bit the bullet and asked where we were going. When we didn't pass by the familiar large valley and green fields leading to the overseer's temple, I realised a little too late we were headed somewhere else. Oh god, is this where I die? Is the princess going to dump my body?
Just as I'm about to ask I instantly falter.
Following the princess' gaze outside the window I feel my eyes widen. For a moment it looked like we were going to crash right into possibly the largest tree I'd ever seen. The tree towered over us tenfold, unusually thick and tall. Shrubbery surrounded it so heavily I find myself jumping as realisation hits right at me.
"What.. What are they doing, we're heading straight for the tree!" I all but shout incredulously, pointing at the object in question aggressively. Sparing a glance at the princess' face I'm caught by further surprise when she doesn't even flinch.
Are these people crazy?!
Just as I'm about to poke my head out the window and call out to somebody-- anybody!-- I'm stopped.
I manage to make it half the distance to the window before a hand places itself on my forearm and tugs me back, so hard I collide against their body. A quiet wheeze leaves my lips when I fall into Yves' lap, my head briefly knocking against hers for the slightest of seconds. Before I can dwell too much on the ache in the back of my head, the feeling of her long arm now wrapped around my waist, her breath against my ear when she calls out a "Get off me!"-- I find my eyes squinting shut tightly as I brace myself for impact when the front of the carriage finally collides with the tree.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Nothing. I open my eyes. I can't believe it.
It's like the world seems to blur over. Like a camera lens shifting out of focus, like a motion blur on film when it pauses just at the second the main character moves. When I don't feel the carriage shake and crash against the tree but rather feel us go through it, my breath catches in the back of my throat. The world comes back into focus and we're no longer in the forest, no longer mere feet away from the tree. My mind is quick to catch up as I take in where we are now; horses pulling the carriage over a bridge separating us from a large body of water. So incredibly taken aback, I spare a glance behind the carriage and feel my eyes widen impossibly further.
In a formation of two straight rows, palace guards (at least sixteen of them) on their horses seem to morph through an invisible barrier-- the same one we came through. The barrier ripples as face after face emerge from its mysterious depths. The bridge we're travelling across seems to break off just at the edge of the barrier, but the further away we get I watch as the bridge slowly starts disappearing. I connect the dots. It must appear when it is needed then leaves when it isn't.
I couldn't wrap my head around it. It's a fantasy. It can't be real. It shouldn't be real.
But then I turn back around to face the front of the carriage.
The further we travel down the bridge the easier I could see, the more clear everything became like a masterpiece in a world so bland. We were approaching a sort of island, rain forest like trees as big as the one we morphed through framing its outskirts. But that wasn't what caught my attention, no. Incredibly large statues frame the edges of the island, at least eight of them, none the same. I couldn't make out their features but there was no denying how intimated I felt just looking at them. They were large and mighty, made from what looked like chiselled sandstone. They looked strikingly familiar to the statue in the university back home--
"She's a goddess."
Heejin's voice distracts me from my thoughts instantly.
"Huh?"
"That statue. She's a goddess. It's been here for a while, actually. Couldn't tell for the life of me who it is though." She admits with a thoughtful hum.
I look up from the podium and to the statue. In its chiselled glory I couldn't make out any distinct facial features. It looked like a faceless sculpture but for some reason I can't shake the uneasiness in my body as I meet where its eyes are suppose to be. It sent a chill down my spine which has me shivering. I tear my gaze away.
Gods.
The next thing my eyes are drawn to when the carriage completely crosses the bridge and the horses reigns are pulled on is a sort of courtyard. It looked like a village, brick and stone houses every which way, ant-like figures (slowly becoming clearer the closer we get) mingling about cobblestone streets. The village seems to go for miles, people walking out and about. But there was no mistaking the way they stopped and stared, pointing at the carriage almost excitedly. Then it dawns on me. This is the Kingdom. The palace folk, her people.
And then I see it.
Quite a miles away from the courtyard and the village appears a grand castle hidden behind more of the rain forest. Two unmistakably large watch towers stand at the front of the castle, bright orbs of light contained at their tops and masking the valley over in an orange-ish hue. The same maroon sigil I saw on the end of the riders pole from when I awoke in the forest hangs clear on both tower, proud as it waves in the wind. The castle looked like a modernised, altered version of the taj mahal: cylindrical towers, white and sturdy. But this... it was completely unlike anything I'd seen before. It was bigger, ethereal... I truly had stepped into a fantasy.
It's magical. I could only begin to imagine what it looked like closer up.
I was too busy caught up in my thoughts, eyes wide and mouth hanging agape that I completely forgot the position I found myself in now. It wasn't until Yves' voice broke through the silence was I drawn back to reality.
"Get. Off. Of. Me."
I pale.
The arm wrapped around my waist seems to grip me so tight I feel a warm flush taking over my cheeks. I instantly stammer, pushing myself away from the girl and out of her lap. Stumbling over my words I shake my head repeatedly.
"I-I'm sorry! I just got scared! I-"
I'm cut off. Yves raises a hand which has me silencing instantly, my mouth zipping shut at the sudden motion. The carriage continues to move forward, now cutting across the courtyard and through the village, past the village-folk who holler out to the princess in cheers of joy from her being home so soon. But I can't pay it any mind, no. Not when Yves stares at me in this moment with that hard look in her eyes, deadly. For a second I could've sworn I saw her cheeks redden over, even slightly. Her lips part as she seems to mull over her words. But then she stops.
"Forget it."
Huh?
Yves lowers her hand and looks out the window once more, waving out to her people and giving them her undivided attention. All I could do was stare at her side profile, startled, embarrassed. I'd known the girl for less than half a day now-- hell, less than an hour and everything about her confused me already.
I'd almost completely forgot about the entire debacle with the barrier and the bridge until reality kicks in. My mind drifts away from the gorgeous brunette in front of me and instead trails back to what just happened-- trying desperately to make sense of this new turn of events. The temple... the royal home... the kingdom. For so long I thought I was going crazy. I couldn't believe it, I thought it was a figment of my imagination, that it was too fake-- too fantastical to be true. But now... I believe.
I wasn't sure how much time had passed with the newfound silence between us, the awkward energy still ringing through the air. So the minute the carriage finally stops and a guard opens the door for me and Yves, my thoughts are cut off instantly. I follow after the girl as she steps out, taking the hand held out for her so she doesn't trip. And then another guard comes, then another, and another three.
I furrow my eyebrows, asking the one question that has been on my mind since the moment I met her.
"Is it always like this for you? So.. guarded?"
Yves hums, ignoring the pointed eyes which snap in on us from the figures in question who overheard me. She spares me a second long glance and nods.
"Mother and Father do not wish for me to be alone. They are very protective."
Perhaps I should've held my tongue, my next question falling from my lips before I can fully consider it.
"Do you always talk like some old English monarch?"
"Excuse me? You are-"
Before Yves can finish she pauses when she notices I'm not paying attention. Not missing the frustrated grumble which leaves her lips I keep my eyes trained on the sight before me. If I thought the castle looked beautiful before, nothing could compare to now.
Standing so close in this moment I can't help but stare in awe. In this moment I realise no words are good enough to describe it. At least, none in my vocabulary.
I'm only torn from my thoughts when the girl suddenly walks away, leaving me behind to simply watch after her retreating figure. Yves quirks an eyebrow which has me fumbling over my words, not knowing what to say or do. She rolls her eyes and turns back around, resuming her pace.
"I'm not waiting for you to keep up."
All I can do is stare after her as she walks down the path towards the palace doors, guards holding their spears defensively in front of her like a rehearsed routine. In that moment she truly did look like a princess. Not the girl who flustered over when I fell in her lap, the girl who sassed me out only seconds before. She looked like a princess; fast in her strides, stray strands of hair falling from its place with the wind that carefully caresses against her skin, illuminated by the sun beating down at her. In that moment as she walks towards the castle doors, crown firm on her head, head held high-- I cant ignore the odd feeling in my chest.
But then one of the guards turns around and motions towards me, his eyes, and then slices a finger over his neck. Caught red handed.
My eyes widen. I gulp down the ball which forms in my throat and stammer, stumbling after the girl in such a way that contrasts her pure elegance.
Princess; 2
Y/N; 0
So she wasn't joking after all.
I found I was given no time to explore the castle before we're lead by palace guards to one of the many outstretched hallway. Of course, I ogled at any chance I could get. The castle was beautiful, every one of its surfaces adorned in pure lavishness and riches. I remember we walked by the 'ball room' a few doors down-- at least that's what Yves told me. Well, if you'd consider mumbles and grumbles conversation that is.
I'm cut from my thoughts for the nth time when the guards suddenly disperse, placing themselves on either side of the long hall so only two remain. Before I can question it the answer seems to present itself to me.
At the very end of the hall is a large set of doors, mighty, a mixture between dark mahogany brown and metal. It's only until we're a mere foot away from it do I notice what looks like swans engraved across its surface. I turn towards Yves and point at one of them.
"What's with the swans?"
Yves hums and steps closer to the door.
"It is our House's sigil. It represents balance, divination. I saw this door once when I was a child and stumbled down here by accident. I remember telling mother I thought it was a travesty. Ugly. Seeing it now, though.. it's beautiful."
For a second it's almost like she forgot where she was. Yves raises a hand and traces her index finger over one of the many swans, taking it in with an almost reminiscent look glazing over in her eyes. I can only stare at her. Watch as her face contorts as a pleasant memory clearly takes over her, watch as her lips threaten to tilt up. It's in that moment I realise I want to see her smile.
Before anything else can be said, a hand suddenly places itself on my shoulder. Snapping out of whatever that was, I jump. A loud "GAH!" escapes my lips from the sudden motion. The minute I turn around and meet the eyes of the figure I feel my cheeks heat up, embarrassed.
"You came quick."
The overseer looks between us and offers a small bow, brushing off my surprise as if it never happened. But I don't miss the quirk of Yves' eyebrow nor the shake of her head from my moment of shock, suddenly cowering away under her gaze.
Nice one, Y/N.
(somehow she just went up a point and she didn't even have to say anything. princess; 3.)
Nonetheless, Yves returns the bow and levels the man with a questioning stare.
"With all due respect lord overseer, why are we here?"
The overseer nods his head, acknowledging her words. He walks between the two of us so he's standing before the centre of the door.
"There's something the two of you must see."
He raises his staff and presses its tip against the swan in the centre, the biggest one, right in its eye. Like clockwork everything changes. We all take a step back as we watch the scene play out before us; the door shifting and turning, the swan etchings on the door slithering around like snakes mechanically, clanking. Then it stops. It's like the door was unlocked as it opens by itself.
And I freeze.
The thick doors open fully so I can take in the room. Pillars frame the walls, more statues like the ones out-skirting the island guarding the podium in its centre. The podium... resting on the platform appears a big orb of light. A pure, red hot energy ball which crackles with electric currents. It seems to stare right back at us, tempting. It felt like my hands were heating up, sizzling, itching to hold it. It looked like a mini universe in the form of a ball as big as my two hands, moving by itself, sentient. The overseer leads us into the room so we're mere feet away from it, closer now. It's in this moment that I'm staring it down, eyes wide and mouth agape do I notice its shade of red; red like the eclipse, exactly like the colour of the moon when the car crashed.
When I lost dad.
I push this thought aside, at least for now.
I find it so hard to tear my eyes away, completely enthralled by it. I knew I wasn't the only one.
"The sphere..." Yves' words come out like a breathy whisper.
I felt like I was missing something. I find it within myself to look away from the orb and instead turn to the girl. Yves keeps her eyes drawn forward, only sparing me a quick glance when I tilt my head.
"What is it?"
Before she can answer the overseer beats her to it.
"You asked me what we have that they don't. The sphere is our energy source. When I told you the Gods left us with resources to thrive I was being honest..." He trails off and meets my eyes this time. "It gives us our power, it's what makes sure we can stay safe and protected. It's what brought you to us."
I look back at the sphere as his words filter through my mind. It made sense. The barrier, magic... This sphere powered it all.
Suddenly the itching in my hands begins to burn brighter. Like I was meant to hold it. Like I was meant to be here in this moment, so close yet so far away. It was beautiful. Its red light ricochets off the statues surrounding it, blissful. The overseer continues his spiel.
"They want it. The north want the sphere and they will stop at nothing to get it. You must protect it, Y/N. You were chosen."
A chill runs down my spine. Perhaps it was just my imagination but his voice in this moment seems to deepen. I feel his eyes not once tear away from me, boring into the side of my face. Yves catches my attention once more when a low hum escapes her lips, watching from my peripheral as her eyebrows furrow.
"Excuse me, lord, but where is my part in this? You know I am busy."
The overseer purses his lips.
Uh oh.
I don't think I like the look of that. Something tells me I'm not the only one.
"Forgive me, princess, but that is why I've called you here. The prophecy has foretold Y/N but it has also spoke volumes in other ways."
Silence. Yves stares the overseer down waiting for him to elaborate. But at the pointed look he spares in my direction the girl seems to instantly catch on. She practically stomps her foot.
"Absolutely not!"
Confused, I look between the two of them.
"What's going on..?"
I dont miss the way Yves crosses her arms over her chest and seems to ignore my gaze, completely stubborn in her posture. I turn back to the overseer who stands firmly, gripping his staff. He blocks my vision from the sphere and speaks with finality.
"Jungeun and Hyejoo will train you. The princess will guide you."
Hearing the overseer confirm it seems to tick Yves off. But before she can say anything the man beats her to it.
"You must be ready when the time comes to defend us. You may leave."
Before I can fully process what was happening it was like an invisible force pushed us outside the room. It's almost like my body paralyses, my limbs stuck to my sides as I slide across the floor. The minute we're outside the room I rush to regather my bearings, stumbling over myself when the paralysis leaves my body. The last thing I see before the mechanical doors close is the overseer, one hand stretched out in front of him and somehow I knew it was him. He gives us one last glance before his eyes lock onto mine.
"The gods gave us this power but not all of them are on your side. Good luck."
I spare one last glance at the glowing sphere but before I can dwell much longer I'm left staring at the door, watching as the swans fit back into place as the etchings they were before. The overseers final words ring through my mind like a broken record as he locks himself away with the sphere, now alone with Yves. Silence follows after the firm 'clink!' of the door locking itself.
And then she groans.
"I can not believe this!"
Her on-and-off attitude has me rolling my eyes, shaking my head. I turn towards her and quirk an eyebrow.
"Sheesh you're not so hot yourself-"
"Don't you get it!?" She cuts me off so suddenly I don't expect it. For a moment I questioned what her parents would do if they saw her like this now, out of her 'perfect princess' etiquette.
"I do not have time for this!" She looks at me in this moment with her elegance from moments before seemingly gone altogether, her hand brought up to her face in a hard facepalm. She pinches the top of her nose, readying herself to rant a little more before she stops herself. Levelling me with one last glance, she shakes her head.
"I need to go."
She walks away. I watch after her as she leaves in the direction we came from. As if she pulled a complete one eighty she holds her head high, long forgotten guards following after her closely.
All I can do is stand still. All I can do is freeze, her and the overseers words fresh in my mind it felt like I was juggling too much all at once. My mind jumps from subject to subject, digging and pulling at the seams, trying desperately to understand everything that had happened in such a short amount of time. God, is that girl frustrating!
But, then my eyes draw back to the swan engraved door once more and suddenly the object in its confines is all I can think about. Its redness, the temptation, the greed. For a second I almost thanked the overseer. It was like being around that thing for even a second does damage, that being around it is just a beacon for danger. But I can't forget the aching in my fingertips, the burning ring on my finger from being just out of hands reach. It's all I can think about.
The sphere.
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