Her thumb brushed against the pendant, its lavender hue quietly sparkling in innocence. Her past self invaded her mind, seemingly afloat lost and directionless as if distancing itself from her, slowly but surely. Staring at her new self in the mirror that was gifted with emerald eyes and light blonde hair, the memories were gradually beginning to fade away her existence as Vivia.
Vivia Mariel.
What color did her hair shimmer in the wind and the sun? How did her melodious laughter lift the beauty in her expressions? How did her lavender eyes see the world before her? What did she look like after dancing tirelessly and knocking every breath out of her chest? What arguments did she make while bargaining the wits out of the shopkeepers in Stras?
Those memories now evaded Vivia as a long shadow now loomed over her past identity, consuming it to nothingness. Vivia Mariel was simply left as a speck in the dust who lived once upon a time and died like many others with unfulfilled dreams and wishes.
Yet as the lavender pendant's gleam met her emerald eyes, the long shadow feasting upon her past seemed to contract just a little. The fading memories slowly washed up to the shore once again.
Amidst Clairette Emberlain's identity as the royal princess, she now remembered that she was Vivia Mariel too. Her body might be buried under the soil turning into bones and dust, but her soul was still alive and breathing.
Tears slipped down her cheeks despite trying her best to hold herself back from breaking down. She trembled, her voice becoming unsteady.
"Sa-saying a simple thank you feels too ignorant…"
Zerath gently brushed her tears away.
"I told you before, didn't I? You're Clairette Emberlain for the whole world. But to me, you'll always be Vivia. I'll never forget who you truly are, and I won't let you forget it either."
His words shook her like a sweet melody. "You took so much risk just to give me this pendant?"
"Apologies that it took some time. But it doesn't matter. I would've broken through the Human Realm too if I had to. I swore I'd not let you leave without pinning the Lavender Vow on your neck."
Her eyes blossomed with an enchanting smile. "Is that the name of this jewel?"
"Yes," he tenderly caressed her cheek, his gaze softening upon watching her eyes shine like two beautiful stars.
"Sir Irlas was very kind in helping me make the right choice."
Upon seeing her confusion, he smiled. "The same jeweler from whom you bought the Golden Tranquil."
"Ah! The one who duped me with-"
She pinched her lips shut immediately, not wanting to mention about the Moonflame Opal anymore, which might probably host a vengeful spirit or misfortune, which consequently could earn her quite a bit of scolding from him.
"Duped?" He blinked.
"*Ahem* I-I mean duped me into buying the brooch at an exorbitant price. My commoner soul is still not used to the royalty's expense range."
Zerath laughed. He tugged at the pendant once.
"But unlike the presents others gave you, this isn't my farewell present. Lavender Vow is how I reinforce that I'd fulfill my promise to you, Vivia. No matter how many setbacks I face like today, they'd never stop me. I'd weather every storm that comes my way, and in the end, our future would be just like what we have dreamed of."
As a fresh wave of tears threatened to spill out, her head dropped to his chest, embracing him with a firm promise. Soaking in the warmth and assurance of his words, she silently vowed to herself that just like him, she wouldn't stop at anything to realize their love.
Zerath's chin rested upon her shoulder, gingerly leaning over her head. "The Lavender Vow would also not make you forget me."
"You think I'll forget you?"
He released a sigh. "I heard that the Human Realm's noblemen are not so bad either. What if you meet a man whose eyes appease you more than mine? I need some reassurance."
Vivia looked up from his chest, arching her brow. "So the handsome and confident Crown Prince can get insecure too?"
He lightly scratched his chin. "At times, I feel there're men more upright and nobler than me who could sweep you off your feet. Compared to them, I can be a little…cunning and manipulative."
She frowned, pinching his cheeks till they ached a little. "Can cunning and manipulative men be so adorable?"
"I'm adorable?" His ears perked up.
"Too adorable to forget. So you needn't worry that I'd be swayed by another man."
A glint of sly flickered across his eyes, and he ever so lightly pushed her back against the cushion. His tall frame towered over, pinning her between his arms.
"And that's how I've successfully manipulated Lady Vivia to think of only me," he whispered, keeping the barest distance between their lips.
Her mischievous gaze met his cunning irises as she pressed her index finger on the golden brooch.
"I wonder who manipulated whom first."
A faint twitch tugged at his brow, and a long sigh dragged out of his lips as he buried his face in his palm.
"It's impossible to win against you."
I had almost lost my control there…
A sudden movement from the carriage jolted them wide awake.
"It's finally out!" Coachman Arcus rejoiced.
Elvin's frustrated voice roared simultaneously from afar. "What a nuisance it was!"
"They're back! You should leave quickly," Her heart had almost dropped to the depths with their return.
Zerath nodded. He knew time was running out, yet he remained still.
"Zerath, quick-"
He pulled her face towards him, fondly sealing a firm kiss on her forehead.
"I might've failed today in securing our engagement, but I won't give up, Vivia. I want you to trust me. I don't know how and when, but I will make it happen. I'll make you my bride one day for sure."
Ah…
At that moment, the inevitable truth she had already known only became clearer and brighter to her - how utterly pointless it was for Zerath to feel insecure about himself. Witnessing his golden orbs filled with love, longing and resolution, it was impossible for her to ever be swayed by another man.
She closed her eyes, the lingering warmth of his kiss steeling her determination. "Yes, Zerath. I won't ever give up on us either. I'll only be your bride."
As his warmth faded away, her eyelids fluttered open to see Zerath nowhere. An immense longing bore a painful hole in her heart. Barely only a few moments had passed since he was gone, yet she already missed his presence dearly. She bit down on her lip, letting her tears flow freely for one last time.
The storm of Elvin's fury tore the peaceful silence apart, and the faint smell of blood in the air that followed after him pinched her brows together. Traces of crimson spots were smudged across Elvin's coat and shirt which indicated some degree of violence and battle he would have gotten roped into.
"What a pain dealing with those damned beasts…" he muttered to nobody in particular.
Beside him, Aeren quietly returned to his seat, unruffled and stoic. Similar residue of blood also smeared his coat like his brother's.
Were there wild beasts roaming around for real? Zerath said the howls were a farce though, she wondered.
Out of nowhere, Aeren's voice disrupted her thoughts. "Since when were you wearing that pendant chain?"
Damn it! I thought it'd go unnoticed, Vivia cursed.
"What? This pendant? It was always there from the beginning."
"No, it wasn't. Your neck was bare this whole time. Right, Brother?"
Elvin glared. "I don't know, and I don't care. I just want to get out of this damn forest. Xaviston, Arcus! Get going already!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Vivia assumed that would be the end of it, yet the look in Aeren's eyes hinted that he was far from convinced. She quickly rested her head against the window, acting drowsy and sleepy.
Just feign ignorance and everything will be fine!
—
Zerath watched Emberlain's carriage take off to exit the Realm of Harmony. In the forest's tranquil silence, he breathed in the cool air, staying back as if Vivia would come rushing back into his embrace at any moment. But it was only a wishful dream.
Releasing a soft breath, he made his way back to his stallion when a stir in the air paused his steps abruptly. His eyes narrowed, and the tips of his ears perked up, concentrating on the faint echoes of the fading creaking noises. His hand rushed to hold the hilt of his sword as he noiselessly followed in the direction. Then drifted a musty iron scent to his nostrils, heightening his senses to an all-time high.
Blood?
His pace quickened without the haste of making his presence known, but what he witnessed stumbled him back a step in utter horror.
The esteemed Order and Minister of Knowledge, Malphas, lay motionless on the dirt-grit ground in a pool of his own blood. He was clutching onto his chest, willing himself to suck in every mouthful of air that he could to stay alive.
Zerath could barely process the sight of a bloody Malphas before him, but forcing those questions away, he rushed to his side at once.
"Sir Malphas!"
A deep, vicious stab wound on his abdomen oozed a stream of blood that kept pooling beneath him.
"Sir Malphas, keep up with me. Don't close your eyes! You've to stay awake at all costs! I'll take you to Sir Doloros right away. Who…who did this to you!?" He urgently pressed his palm on his wound to halt the further blood flow.
Malphas coughed and choked, struggling to keep his eyes open. Uttering even a single word was pure torture he wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy. Blurrily recognizing Zerath, his body flailed in desperation as if he were his last hope. Despite his trying attempts, lips could sputter only a few fragmented words.
"...an…man! He was…a hu…man-"
His excruciating efforts only led him to his inevitable fate. With a last gasp of air, Malphas's body fell limp, holding its silence forever.
Zerath stared at his lifeless face hard, his own countenance white with disbelief.
What…was he saying?
Hu…man? Was he saying a human killed him?
But the only humans who passed through here just now were…
* * * * *
Volume 1: A sapling in the ash
FINISH!