Chapter 6. The walk

I woke up when the blue moon was lighting the library hall. Fresh sea breeze swayed the light curtains.

Feeling a little bit discouraged I sighed: 'Ahhhh...I am still here.' I got up from the floor, grabbed the book and headed off to the exit. Is this thing working at all?

I glanced at the library once again. Large bookcases stuffed to the brim with all that nonsense: Home-knitting, Rice cakes recipes, Worm hunting from A to Z, Toilet paper origami and so on. Yeah...Such sophisticated writing and such an absurd filling! The magic world without magic simply becomes boring.

And then it hit me - why I realized just now that I am reading all these nonsense!!! I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT! I AM KEEPING THIS BOOK NO MATTER WHAT!

I took Worm hunting from the rack and carefully hided Mirioki guide in it. I left the library and was surprised to see a sleeping maid before the doors of the library. She was awakened by the creak from the closing doors. Suddenly the maid tumbled to the floor kneeling before me all in tears:

'Forgive me, my lady, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to sleep, I just…'

Gosh… That king and his song or whatever do deserve some humanity lesson! I'm itching to start a fight!

I leaned to the maid comforting her as much as I could:

'Don't apologize. It's alright. Please, get up. From now on you don't need to kneel, use honorifics or be scared of me. I am your friend, I am just like you! We are equal human beings after all!'

'Oh no my lady! You can't say such things! You will be punished for not obeying the king's law!'

'What law?'

'Please miss, you'll get us in trouble …

'I won't tell anyone. Trust me!'

'I'm so sorry. I can't speak with a noble any longer… Just follow me.'

'I just want to know why…'

But she didn't say anything and led the way to my chambers.

Lo and behold! From the first time of being here my dissatisfaction revealed itself! Who makes such idiotic laws? Rhetorical question of course..!

The next morning I woke up in a hope to see the snow before my window but it was still warm sunny morning without any signs of cold and fog: 'Aww, such a lovely weather! I wish Aunty could enjoy it with me!'

After the breakfast I took advantage of this beautiful day, excused myself and while everybody else was busy, escaped and headed to the beach along with the book and the contract papers. I spent about 3 hours to walk as far as possible from the castle and find deserted area on the shore of the sea. But it was worth the effort.

How wonderful! Seems nasty castle is left out of reach now!

All alone and barefoot I was walking on the sandy beach and enjoying myself. The sea was calm and quiet so that I could discern every detail of my gorgeous dress through the reflection on the crystal clear sea aqua. It must be snowing again at home... And the weather in here feels so comfy and pleasant... My heart is melting. To be honest, a part of me is still glad about being in this peculiar place. I can't understand what in particular in this place makes me happy: summer warmth, the sea, food or probably it is something more than that. There is something in the air that attracts my soul every minute more and more. I can sense someone's plea. It evokes me, beckons and calls out for me. Its silent voice awakens my consciousness, gives life and makes me feel valuable. I feel that there is something more in my existence than what I have already become. That I am more than just Ann, much more than that! I can feel it!

I feel like I have to stay, even like I want to stay here! Like I found my lost home, like I found my place... I feel like I don't wanna leave...

Clenched my hand into a fist I thought: undoubtedly, this place is charming but I can't allow myself to succumb to calls... No! There is no any luxurious life that can stop me from going home! I need to be beside my Aunty!

I chose a nice place on the warm stone. And, apparently, the first thing I did was reading the contract:

REPLACEMENT CONTRACT

Date: 212 year from The Fall, 21st Sun Day.

Between:

His Royal Highness Prince Eathon Rains of the Earthland, His Royal Highness The Prince of four joined Kingdoms, His Royal Highness The Prince of The Land of Rains, His Royal Highness The Prince of Agnia Terra, His Royal Highness The Prince of The Holy Grounds of Red Rose, His Royal Highness The Prince of The Kingdom of Emerald.

(The Employer)

Of the First Part

AND

Annabelle Jones

(The Employee)

Of the Second Part

The Employer desires to employ the Employee and Employee has agreed to accept and enter such employment upon the terms and conditions set out in thus agreement.

The issue of the contract:

Employee grants the right to their life in exchange for the life of the Employer in order to maintain the equilibrium between the worlds. Any violations will lead to magical punishment. The punishment is chosen by the magical laws.

Now therefore the parties hereby agree as follows:

1) To keep the contract a secret. By that implies the fact that the second party is strictly forbidden to speak or disclose by any means any information concerning the issue. In violation the second party will be sentenced to transformation.

2) The right to terminate this agreement applies to the Earthland born successor only. Other figures are deprived of the termination right.

The magical contract shall enter into force upon the handshake between parties and will have its value until termination. The magical contract can't be seen or read by the third parties by any means.

/Signed by both parties/

Why on Earth I have signed this thing!? I am doomed! He purposely did it so that I couldn't terminate the contract or even asked for help... So now he is enjoying my stolen life somewhere on Earth while I am trying to figure out what the heck is going on with his kingdom! It's clearly that he ruined all relationships in his own world and now he wants to start over in mine! That tricky devil! Ohh I can't find any words...!

In such extent he is never going back...And I am left all alone here... I can't even do anything!

I looked at the sea. For the first time in my life I felt so hopeless. I wanted to cry but the very thought of giving up made me even more angry. From now on, nothing will stop me from my way! I will come home!

Therefore I pulled out the book on the cover of which was said Mirioki or Miracles. I practiced almost the rest of the day and learned about different interesting magic abilities. For example, the skill that helps you to learn by heart anything from the first look is ACTUALLY SO HANDY CONSIDERING MY TERM EXAMS! With the fast-speed learning ability I acquired every single skill of that book. Well, now I know what it takes to be a walking encyclopedia. I practiced the ability of how to inspire love, to speak animal language. Also I know how to become invisible and heal minor wounds. I wanted to practice more but it was late already. Mirioki is really easy to notice in the darkness from the distance. I have to be cautious as I don't want to be caught.

I hid the book in my dress and settled in the sand. I treasure each and every minute of staying under the sunlight. The sun was setting down the horizon. And in its rays the azure of sea seemed more vivid than usual. I pensively was looking at the marvelous picture of that immense sea which before this day I could see only on the images... I wonder why it still hasn't revealed itself... I glanced at my left arm. I practiced every skill and there is nothing in here. And how come I can use any type and any ability without any sign..? It clearly says that person is born with only one type of power unless that Idara –thing. Idara usually stands for two or more exceptionally three abilities but not all four types! What is wrong with me? What is exactly Idara? Am I even more dangerous than usual Idara?

I closed my eyes and murmured: 'Maybe I just don't belong here and that's all... I don't deserve Mirioki power... Maybe it is just a dream... very protracted dream from which I can't wake up…'

Someone's calming response made me open my eyes at once: 'Do you know that only a pure soul born in the Earthland can obtain that power of yours?'

I jumped in a fright and started to stare at the water: 'Whhhat? Who, who are you? Show yourself!'

A white head appeared in the surface of the depth of the ocean: 'I am sorry if I scared you... Observing how you're using Mirioki just mesmerized my feelings... It has been a long time since I saw a Mirioker. My name is Martin.'

'A dolphin? - YES, I CAN UNDERSTAND ANIMALS NOW TOO!

The white dolphin swam closer to me and I saw the entire his beautiful body: 'Well, yes! I just wanted to say that you definitely are Idara.'

'Oh.. I see... How do you know that? I am Ann by the way.'

'A pleasure to meet you Miss Ann – the Mirioki possessor! It was before the Great War and the Fall when I got acquainted with Idara. He was a Great Wizard too! He saved my life... Unlike you he could use only three Mirioki but he still was the most powerful Mirioker in all the land! He taught me that only pure heart with the Earthland origins can receive such Idara power as a gift from the sky!'

'But I wasn't born in the Earthland! I can't be Idara! I just want to come back home! Probably you could help me? I have to come back home!'

'I am not sure what's wrong with your Mimark and I can't take you home. But here is my advice: try to find the Greatest Wizard. He will help you. His name is Grey!

'Grey? Where do I find him?'

'The sun is down, my time is up. If they come to you - use your Miracles! It was nice to see it again! Thank you, Miss Ann! Take care and stay under the sunlight!'

'Wait!?Who is coming? What should I do then??! '

But Martin has already dived into the blue stain and everything that I could catch from his rapid leaving was: 'Shine like a star, be who you are!'

I repeated his words to remember: 'Shine like a star, be who you are' - Weird wish. Is this another spell or what? And he didn't tell me who was coming... I raised my head. The first stars started to spring in the evening firmament. Grey... Where do I find you?

To describe subsequent course of events was pointless. It's obvious that I came 'home' around two o'clock in the morning or so. And about my walking under the moon found out the whole castle due to the fact of my lasting absence. The king himself scolded me to insanities for about two hours. For you see, the next heir's fiancee is "in no position to walk along by herself!" How that was even allowed…so on and so on... and now I am grounded to palace life for the rest of my days.