70 Hello, Aiven, My Old Friend

"This is..." Father mumbled as he reads my plan, which I called, 'Uncle's Gateway to Hell.'

Kai was behind him, reading with his brows furrowed as if he was reading some symbols that he doesn't understand while mother was just drinking her tea peacefully.

Father might've talked to her yesterday to calm her down.

"Well, the only problem is that, whether or not the whole council will cooperate. It is true that even a single council's disapproval will easily lead everyone to death." Kai said as he narrows his eyes while thinking.

"This is a great plan, Meteor, but this isn't as easy as writing A B C's, there are a lot of surprises that you may not be ready for," Father said as he gave me back the paper.

"I know, but we have to try, or at least start something. And I just realize that we have the upper hand," I said with a bright proud smile but the father doesn't seem so amused.

"I know, Meteor, with the other kingdoms at hand, we are much powerful than him. But you might have forgotten how much strings are tied around his fingers. With just a single flick, he can burn the whole kingdom down or worse, the whole world."

I felt my jaw clenching, "I know. That's why we have to get the Protection Council on our side. If they don't follow King Sorin, there wouldn't be any disaster even if he orders it."

I was also afraid that at first, I was afraid for the people who will get hurt. But fear is what King Sorin uses to have everyone on their knees. Only fools who also want power are the only ones we have to be afraid of since they can spread the fire faster.

"Amy, my darling," Mother softly called, "Can we talk later? I have to show you something that will be useful in the future," she said and smiled at me.

"Eh, I want to know that too," Kai said with his jealous expression.

"Alright, let's meet in Amy's room, later."

Father looked so serious, he was tapping the table with his finger as if he didn't hear us. His gaze was set in a different world, something he can see with his imagination.

I can't imagine how devastated he was when he was caught, I'm sure he wanted to go back to our normal life in the human world so much.

"Alright, I guess the best bet we have is to follow your plan, Meteor. It is true that King Sorin's playing puppet and the best way to stop that is to cut the strings. Present this to the Akhad, if he agrees along with the others, Kai and I can help to stop the other councils in telling the King about our plan."

I nodded and gave them a confident smile. Father, Mother, and Kai...

They are the thing that matters most. If I manage to keep them safe, as well as the kingdom, I can go back to Forest.

I do not want to waste any more time, because the longer King Sorin reigns, the more people will suffer.

As I was about to get desserts in the afternoon, my mother and Kai arrived.

Everyone left my room, even Gerald by the order of Mother. The moment the door closed, she began speaking.

"This is an ancient spell taught to the next King or Queen during their early age. Since Sorin wasn't the original heir, he wasn't able to know about this."

Mother was whispering while holding Kai's and my hand tightly as if someone's standing behind us and listening.

She let go of my hand and showed her palm, after chanting a few words, a majestic teardrop-like fire appeared above it. It was glowing in the hues of orange, red, and blue.

"This is what we call The Sun's Tear, it is used to heal any type of wound, create or bring back life."

Kai and I stared at the Sun's Tear for a while then suddenly, Mother closed her hand and it disappeared.

"I used it to remove that ugly scar on my arm. Since it was a simple scar it didn't affect my health at all."

Kai and I looked at each other. That's why the scar on her arm which I saw in the picture was gone, but what did she mean by her health not getting affected?

"What do you mean, Mother?" Kai whispered.

"As always, everything has a price. If you heal a simple wound - a cut, a scrape, it will not affect you at all. But if it was a large wound, you might fall sick for a while. While bringing a dead person back to life will dreadfully lessen your health to the point of even dying," she sighed and held our hand again, "While creating a new life or world will definitely cost your life."

I furrowed, "Creating a new life... a world?"

She smiled at me and shrugged, "I only heard a story about it, but they said, we were once humans who were blest by the gods. The one who created our world was our ancestor. That's why we are the first kingdom. That ancestor created life in a different world — this world."

"That's why some of us look like humans, right?" Kai excitedly commented.

Kai kept on telling more reasons supporting Mother's story about us originally coming from the human world, while I was thinking about the Sun's Tears.

"Mother what was the chant you used again? Can we try it?" I said with a smile on my face, showing her my interest in the spell.

After a few failed attempts of correctly pronouncing the chant, Kai and I managed to say it right. And there, in front of us, on top of our palms, were The Sun's Tear floating.

It felt warm and surprisingly heavy.

"You should only use it when you need it most, alright? And remember, you don't have to use it anyway if you don't need it. Some powers can be kept hidden and unused." Mother caressed both my and Kai's cheek as she looks at our successful Sun's Tears.

Create a new world in exchange for your life... wouldn't it be sad since you won't be able to see it anyway? It's just like cooking but you weren't able to eat or getting a zero from an assignment you did overnight.

It's devastating.

It has been a week since I sent the plan to Akhad, but he hasn't replied. I guess he was not caught since if he was, I'm pretty sure King Sorin would be running to us with his petty ass and threatening or ending us. But the whole kingdom has been peaceful, except for the failure of the Alpha Kingdom in taking the Echo Kingdom.

Prince Arias is pretty sure working hard in keeping his kingdom safe, how I wish I could help him.

However, I received news that the bride's trial for Prince Forest continued even though I was here. They said the kingdom's Great Holy Council insisted on continuing it since they already announced me as an enemy of the Kingdom.

I'm pretty sure I was never in good terms with Gathrin's Great Holy Council before, I can feel my heart beating fast as if I'm about to race down to hell and bring the demon back to the Great Holy Council.

"Your Highness?" Gerald called as I realized I was about to tear the book I was holding apart.

Poor book, I almost ended its life just because I'm no longer a bride candidate for Forest.

But still... it's making my chest grow heavy as my breathing felt suffocating.

"Have you received any reply from Akhad?" I asked as I bring the book back to the shelf.

"No, they seem to be busy because the King will be back within the week after its loss from the Echo Kingdom."

He'll be here again, that disgusting man. I took a deep breath, if I keep getting upset, it'll cloud my mind from thinking wisely.

"Alright... can you leave me for a while, Gerald? I'd like to sleep," I said as I massage my temples.

"Do you need a physician, Your Highness?" He said as he walks to the door.

"No," I forced a smile before I went to the bed, "Don't worry. I'm just tired."

Honestly, yes, I need someone, but not a physician. I need Forest. I need him.

I laid on my bed, with my arm over my face, covering my eyes. After a few deep breaths, I felt warm tears falling down my cheek. I found myself biting my lip as I suppress my cries.

Why, why does it have to be this way?

There are a lot of ways this world could've been, why does it have to be a messed up, dangerous, and a selfish world?

Why do I have to be... me? Why a princess of the enemy's kingdom? Why do I have a freak uncle?

I'm so tired.

"You don't have to bite your lip that hard, Meteor," I heard, making me pull myself and sit.

I saw Father watching beside me with a frown.

"When did you get here?" I asked.

He chuckled and wiped my tear on my cheek. His hand was rough but it was warm and comforting.

"Not too long before you started to cry." He softens his gaze and kissed my forehead, "You seem tired, Meteor."

I nodded, and before I knew it, I was crying so hard while holding unto my father. He just pats my back softly, not mentioning a word.

"Do you want to see him?" He said as I lay on my bed with my eyes closed.

My whole face felt numb and my eyes were puffy. Taking a sleep after a breakdown always felt the most relaxing thing to do.

"Who?" I asked.

"Prince Forest," Father chuckled as he tucks me in, and pulled the blanket over my shoulder.

"Yes."

"It's only a 10-second run. You can do it tonight. Just be careful when you come back."

I heard what he said, but I was slowly drifting into sleep before I can even reply. A 10-second run, huh?

And yes, now I'm running to the Gathrin Kingdom. The moment I woke up, I grabbed a map and cloak and snuck out. Father was right, they weren't able to sense me using my power since I used it before in the kingdom. I was able to run from the knights. It was tricky at first because it seems like they can notice me passing by, but they all shrugged it off.

Thanks to the map Kai lend me earlier, I know which way to go even though I've never been outside the Kingdom before.

It was then I noticed as I was passing by the village that there are really a lot of different species in this world, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. It looked like there isn't even a difference. They all get along together.

When I was nearing the Gathrin Kingdom, my head started to hurt. It felt as if needles were pricking my brain and I had to stop in front of a mansion. And unfortunately, it was the exact time someone came out of a carriage. A tall beautiful man with white hair and glowing red eyes.

I was stunned by his beauty that I fell silent and frozen for a while, but he seemed to be surprised to a point where his eyes seem to began tearing up.

"Master Aiven, welcome back--- Miss Amy?" A butler suddenly appeared, but his expression changed the same way the white-haired guy did.

"You're here..." The white haired guy said.

"Master Aiven, we have to get her inside now before someone sees her," the butler said.

But as the butler was about to walk to me, I unconciously mumbled a name.

"Aiven..." I whispered, then memories about the young white-haired man flowed like a river.

It was painful, and I suddenly felt my chest growing heavy as I look at Aiven. This man... he's my very first friend. He helped me out countless times. He never left me alone.

"When did your hair..."

I didn't listen to him and I just ran and gave him a tight embrace. I missed him. I miss my big brother.

"Amy..." Aiven whispered and patted my back.

How I wish I could continue being that stupid Amy before, the one who always runs away and makes mistakes and troubles.

I wish I could turn back time.

"Aiven, you stupid dog," I chuckled as I stare at him.

I wish I could go inside and meet the kids, but I have something to do. When this is all over, I can spend my whole day with them. But now, I have to see Forest.

Aiven seemed to notice that I am in a hurry, that's why he let me go.

"I hope you can tell me what happened, but go on, he needs to see you too," Aiven said as he held my arm softly.

"Aiven, be ready, I'm already on my plan in destroying King Sorin. I hope you can help me."

"Of course," Aiven smiled and stared at me, "I'm always here for you, Amy."

I nodded, as much as I want him to stay with the children, I also need him. With his strength, his help will mean a lot.

"I'll see you," I whispered before I ran towards the castle.

Forest... I'll be there. Just wait for me.