Hope?

EVIE

'How could it be possible?' Evie muttered to herself as she gazed outside one of the Palace windows.

It was already the next day. The sky was as clear as crystal, without even a form of a cloud that day. There were a few Ornises flying with their passengers on their backs.

They were lucky that even though they were birds, they knew where they were headed, unlike her and Joyce.

Evie put her hands on the gold window sill and tried to peek as high above as she could. 'Where is that hole?'

It is not the first time that they have traveled that path since they have a branch in Hawaii. What unusual thing happened that day?

Being reminded of the unusual, she recalled how King Adamos appeared like he was forming the hole in the sky by 'himself'.

She imagined that there were royal servants with telescopes who were around, waiting for a signal from his hand, so they could use their machinery to his desired command.

But the way he demonstrated it, it looked like he was showing that it was coming from him, like a psycho.

"I guess no one's really perfect," Evie concluded as she walked along the hallways.

She has already asked the servants if they have phones or internet connections. But they said that they don't.

Now she was planning to check the map of Edin which the servant said is in the library.

"Oh, I didn't know you were here. Where are you going?" Joyce showed up out of nowhere and greeted her. She was still sleeping when she left her.

Evie was about to make an excuse as she didn't want to be bothered. But Joyce followed her everywhere she went so she just took her with her.

She must have been so fed up with Evie's quietness that she started chatting with one of the maids.

"So does the duke of Athesus have a girlfriend? I mean does he have a fiance?" she inquired with her eyes wide in excitement to know the answer.

The maid pressed her lips as if she didn't want to reply. But she eventually did, as Joyce didn't stop asking her.

"No, my lady. He had one before, but it didn't work out."

"Oh, why not? I think he's a good man."

"His parents did not approve of her."

"Oh, that's too bad. But he's a good son to obey the wishes of his parents at his age," Joyce blurted unconsciously as she put her arms over her chest.

Evie who couldn't help but overhear their conversation nodded her head unconsciously, 'She was right. It's hard to be a good one especially if your parents don't know what's best for the family.'

The image of her father crossed her mind. But she immediately shoved it away,

The door to the library opened and as soon as they stepped inside, Evie almost forgot why they were there for a few seconds.

It seemed to be like an endless hallway as shelves and shelves of books lined the whole room as far as her eyes could see.

"This is just so awesome! If I am just a bookworm, I feel like I'm in paradise. But I'm not," Joyce blurted out, giggling, making those who are reading quietly glance their way.

One of them is the Duchess of Miteia, who immediately went back to the book she was reading as soon as she saw them.

"It's okay! Enjoy your reading time!" Joyce apologized with a lot of bows and a wide smile on her face.

Meanwhile, Evie's forehead furrowed as she noticed something different in the readers.

They looked like they were researching for their performance in a play because they were wearing different animal costumes.

One looks like a cat. The other is an owl. And another looks like a squirrel.

'These people are as weird as their King,' Evie couldn't help but mutter as she diverted her attention to look for the map.

"Evie, come. I think I know where it is," Joyce whispered to her and pulled her into the Western part of the library.

True enough a huge holographic map was on the wall. And the wall is approximately 100 feet!

"Isn't it fantastic? Edin is so out of this world." Joyce whispered with a bubbly voice as she admired the high-tech map.

It seemed to be like a huge telescope from the top view, as you can see the Kingdom of Edin in detail.

However, Evie was not at all happy.

Her eyes immediately darted to the edges of the map, looking for something familiar. But there were only islands with unknown names.

Joyce seemed to see it too as she asked, "Have you read about the Country of Delpheze somewhere?"

Delpheze was the island on the left edge of the map.

Evie shook her head as she heaved out a sigh.

"You cannot travel back to Singapore through natural means, my ladies."

A voice spoke from behind them, making them jump up in surprise.

"Your Imperial Highness!" Joyce immediately made a formal bow, followed by Evie.

They must be so engrossed with the map that they weren't aware that the Emperor was already behind them.

"I can help you get back," the Emperor offered and gave them a warm smile, making Joyce shake her in delight.

"Can you hear that, Evie? I knew it. There is a way!"

Evie was not saying anything. But she felt like something was off. She knew that the Emperor had the means to get them back. But why did he just offer help now?

Just as she thought, the Emperor spoke again, "But it depends on Lady Evie, if she wants to."

Evie stiffened, grounded on her feet.

—---------------------------------------------

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.