78 Serve Or Be Dead

I was about to tell Gerald what I dreamt about but I was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was father and Kai.

Gerald left us to talk which was a bit peculiar since he never leaves me, even though I'm with my family. I just let him be and listened to what my father has to say.

Kai looked at me and made a funny face which irritated me, but also made me feel a bit better.

"Father was able to talk to the ex-residencia, they agreed to meet tonight," Kai said as he sat on the couch and put his feet on the coffee table.

"Put your feet down," I said as I point on the floor.

Kai just folded his lips and shook his head and then proceeded to close his eyes.

"Let him be, Meteor, we're up all night because of the ex-residencia," Father said softly.

He put his arms around my shoulder and pats my back, "Some of the ex-residencias told me that they've met you," he said as we sat on the other couch facing Kai.

"They did? When?"

Father sighed, "It may have been when you're still staying in the Gathrin Kingdom."

I went silent for a minute. Another memory I can't remember showed up. Now I'm curious about what I have been doing in the past.

"Will it disrupt our alliance with them?" I bit my lip as I stare at my father in fear, but he shook his head and smiled.

"No, they said you helped one of them. So it's all good, don't worry. But we may have a problem," he rests his elbow on his knees and stared outside the window.

"They want to take revenge on the Delta Kingdom, I told them this isn't what we're planning but they'll only help us if we let them do what they want."

Why would they want revenge against the Delta Kingdom? Did something awful happen between them? But I can't let that happen, Princess Tellusia's on our side too.

"But I just had a talk with Prince Marin, he said they'll help us," I furrowed my brows as I think about what should we do.

"Prince Marin of Beta Kingdom? How did he get here?"

I shrugged, "I don't really know. But they man earlier, the one who looked like an officer from the Beta Kingdom, that was him."

Father suddenly straightened his back and terror plastered across his face, "This is bad," he murmured then he stood up.

"Father?" I whispered as he starts walking across the room back and forth, "Why?"

"Meteor, I'm sure King Sorin knows it's not his officer from the Beta Kingdom. You know he can detect foreign powers when it arrives in his kingdom."

I suddenly felt my chest beating so loud that I can already hear my heart. Kai was sleeping soundly on the couch, like an innocent tired child. I began to feel fear not only for my safety but as well as Prince Marin's and for my family.

"What should we do?" I asked my father who stopped walking and is now gazing at me.

"Tell them he just asked about King Sorin's plans, that will be believable since he knows a lot of people are against him now."

I nodded with his suggestion, "All right, I know he's stupid enough to believe it if I tell him those words."

My father nodded, then he clicked his fingers, "I almost forgot, the Foxtrot Kingdom sent a letter. They're telling us that they will lend a hand if we need it."

My lips suddenly curved into a wide smile, "Is this real? Everyone's on our side, Father."

He nodded, "I know, Meteor. But you know that it only makes things better, we don't know what King Sorin is really thinking or planning. You only know the general things, he doesn't tell you the specifics. That means he's not trusting you even though he thinks you're being manipulated."

I sighed. He's right.

"For now, be careful. They might be suspecting you now that Prince Marin managed to enter while pretending to be an officer."

Those words were followed by silence. My father and I dove into our minds, worrying about things that may occur after this day. Kai was still sleeping softly.

I can hear his breath and his long exhales as if he's unloading his baggage with every breath he takes.

But then we heard a knock, "Your highness," Gerald's voice was muffled by the door, then he opened it and entered.

"I heard the King will return tomorrow morning, they said he has an urgent matter to attend in the castle," Gerald looked tired enough from the lack of sleep, but he looks worse than earlier.

His eyes were like slowly sinking into his skull, his lips were pale, and his brows were stuck with a frown.

"Are you alright?" I asked him but he didn't answer my question.

"I'm afraid you have to prepare what to tell him to excuse the presence of the impostor in your room, Your Highness."

I nodded. "It's fine, Gerald. I'll handle it, please take a rest."

I went to him but he stepped back and stared at me, as if he's about to do something dangerous, but not for me, but for himself. After a quick glance, he opened the door and left.

"Father," I called, "Gerald seems weird. Is he sick?"

"It's already weird enough that he's helping us, Meteor. Since I got here, he always sticks by Sorin's side. He never left. But when he got assigned to guard you, he slowly changed. He stopped looking at the King's sight, then he began guarding you properly and kindly."

I stare at the door, what is he going to do? What's Gerald's plan?

"Anyway, prepare tonight, we'll meet you outside," Father went to the door and glanced back, "Let Kai sleep here for a while. Let him rest."

I was about to let my father go, but I remembered my dream.

"Father, wait," I said and went to follow him, "Can I ask you about our ancestors? You know, the first ones here."

He looked at me with squinted eyes, as if he's looking at someone insane.

"I dreamed earlier and I saw them," I started to not lose his attention, "I saw my great-great-great-grandfather. The one who made this world?"

He looked away then he closed the door behind me, "Let's talk with your mother. She's the one who's good with this."

When we arrived at their room, I saw my mother sewing a dress.

The sunlight was hitting her warm-colored hair, it lighted the whole room in red. It's as if the room was on fire.

"Your daughter dreamt about something," Father said as he gave my mother a peck on her cheek as a greeting.

"Really?" Mother's sweet voice echoed in the room as she looks at me, "What is it about, my Amy?"

I told her everything, not leaving a single fragment out as she combs my hair while I sat on the floor while she sits on the couch.

"I see," she whispers, "You've met him then. I thought he'll never show himself to you."

"Who is it?" Father asked as he sits beside mother.

"Our ancestor," she answered, "Well, you see. He's cursed by the gods because he made a world for himself."

I tried to look at her, but she made my head turn around, "He's supposed to be reincarnated until he finally gives his life for something selfless. Along with that, he's only to serve the leader of the Alpha Kingdom, his very own empire."

"What happens if he doesn't serve the leader?" I suddenly asked.

"He'll die, but it's not the end. He'll get reincarnated again."

"Isn't that tiring?" I asked again, "But what do you mean he gives his life for something selfless?"

"I don't know, my darling," Mother whispered as she ties my hair.

Father sighed, "He created this world, which means he's powerful. Can he stop Sorin?"

"Weren't you listening?" Mother laughed, "He'll die if he doesn't serve King Sorin."

As I listen to my parents tease each other, I suddenly put the puzzles together. I remembered moments that I've heard.

It all fits one person.

Gerald.

He's my ancestor. He's the one who made this world. He's the very first person who got here. He's the source of everything.