9 Chapter 9

I didn't remember how the day ended, but I woke up the next morning. Winter became the same as him after he recovered. But, somehow in my mind I know we both have this little secret to keep. I didn't expect this cute side of him. I'm so happy.

"Your smile is so irritating," he said

"Hate all you want, I have this wonderful dream," I said and giggled

After I finished my chores, I left first. I sent food to Papa Bear and then greeted Leaf and Life who were on their daily fight routine. Life hid at my back while Leaf will yell at him.

"Be a man, don't hide on girl's back!" she shouted

Heat pulled me away to their fight and greeted me with his smile.

"Good morning, my beautiful disciple. I hope you won't say no" he said

"The other day I've been in an emergency so please forgive me, Master," I said

"Day? Oh really? I thought I didn't saw you in two weeks" he said

"Two weeks?" I asked

"Don't mind me, our timeline is different," he said

"Then you'll sooner leave this place? I hope you enjoyed my company" I said

"I want to stay if you stay here too" he teased

"Master, we are both villagers here. I have to leave soon too. Why can't we keep in touch once we leave this place" I suggested

"Really? Then I will find you" he said

"Then maybe, I am married if you see me next time" I replied

"Married?" I asked

"I am engaged with a man in the real world," I told him

"Then I must hurry and save you in despair," he said

"It's fine. He's kind and noble" I said

"Oh? You met him?" he asked

"No, I was told so. He is a son of some well -known family and a close relative of the king in my world. He's a shut-in child too like me, so I think we shared a similarity. I met his parents and they were so kind. They visit me two times a week and help me send some food I cooked for him. They said he loves it. With that, I believe we have our mutual understanding." I elaborated

"Just that and you know him better? What if they are fooling you? What if he abuses you?" he said

"My father will protect me. Don't worry, he won't make me marry someone I do not want" I responded

"Then that's good for you! If you don't want to marry him, I'll be there to marry you! You know my real-world family is quite known too." he smiled

"Eh? Haha! Master, what about Sunlight?" I asked

"Sunlight is the real villager in the Summer area and not me. We, as the representatives can have the freedom to choose when will we leave this place. So if you leave here, I can be with you" he said

"Don't say that Master. You'll hurt her feelings" I said

"But she made things clear that we shouldn't make any closure because she'll leave me soon" he explained

"People's mind can change by the time," I said

We had more chats and enjoyed each one's company. Master Heat is so kind and funny that I'll never lose conversation when I chat with him. If Winter can be like this, maybe I would wish that he is the man I would marry in real life. Frankly speaking, Heat is almost a girl's dream man. He's handsome, warm, funny and he made things easier for everyone. You'll never be bored with him. He's gentle as Autumn too, if I didn't saw the other side of Autumn maybe he'll be my first crush. But, Life said Autumn is not bad and he cared for me like my big brother. I'm now happy with our relationship as brother and sister.

"Winter, I'm home!" I shouted

"What's with the noise?" he asked as he dried his hair

"Why did you wear a wet shirt! Change clothes now, you'll catch cold" I said

"Now? In front of you?" he asked

"Yes... I mean no! You jerk! How dare you call me a decadent woman when you're selling your body?" I shouted and he laughed

I turned my back and looked at him when my mind realized what I heard. He laughed. I pulled him.

"Did I hear it wrongly? Or I heard you laugh?" I asked

"Is that how you excuse yourself to see my body again? You know that I can show it to you because you're my wife here, right?" he teased

"Get inside! I hate you" I said and I laughed

As he changed clothes, I heard a knock on the door, so I entertained my visitor. I saw Life outside.

"Huhu! Wind! It's so cold here! Probably Leaf won't think I'm here" he cried and hugged me

"Wind, who's that?" Winter asked

"BROTHER COLD! She stole my Leaf! She stole her!" he shouted and hugged me tighter

Winter pulled me on his side and faced Life.

"Who stole who?" I asked

"This is what happened. Leaf and I fought in the same place and the same time as expected in our daily routine life. My leaf so loves me that she's worried if I hurt myself when I picked the broken bowl. Then again, she yelled her love..."

"Yell of love or your hallucinations of love?" I asked

Winter coughed forcing himself not to laugh to save his brother's face.

"And then?" he asked

"Suddenly, Rain came crying. She hugged my Leaf and said that her love didn't fade away. She asked Leaf to take her away" Life cried

"Is that true?" I asked

"Kidding!" Life laughed

"Do you want me to kick you out?" Winter asked

"Wait! Wait! Kidding aside, actually, I'm here to tell you something. Be careful with Sunlight and Heat. I think they're scheming something. I told the Master and didn't take action. I'm just here to play my part" he explained

"Scheme? Play? I don't understand you" I said

"Rain came to our house crying. She said that Autumn is cheating. I know Rain is a bit emotional, but I did jump to this conclusion. I noticed you and Heat get together well enough. Sunlight isn't loyal though. Now, they're scheming things to jumble the ladies of the seasons. It's a big disaster!" he said

"Tell me the information," Winter said and now serious

"Rain said that Sunlight is seducing Autumn and he is now caught in the trap. Leaf is smart. She deduced the situation and told me to run here. Heat didn't know that Leaf is the Lady and so, I came here running and seeking for Brother Winter's love. Now, all you have to do is play with them" Life explained

"Then why here? Why not run to Heat?" I asked

"Are you jealous?" Life asked as he embraced Winter's arm

"No way! I have my husband in the real world. You can have your WINTER" I said

Winter automatically removed Life's hands off him and sat beside me.

"So hard to get," Life said and sat in the stool

"It's will break the chain. How can I throw you there to get some information?" he asked

"Are saying that you will use Wind to get information on Heat?" Winter asked

"Yes? Leaf said, if it is Wind, Heat will surely open up. If it was me, it will never happen" Life answered

"Can you tell me how come Heat didn't know Leaf is a lady?" I asked

"Simple, Leaf love to wear men's clothes and she made me wore girl's clothes for 1 year that made Heat believe he is a man. Did you know I came here first than Heat? You know, brother Heat is brother Winter's twin but like brother Autumn, brother Heat came here last" Life said

"The more you say things, the more I didn't understand," I said

"It's like this, brother Winter lived here when he was 10 years old until now. I came here one month later than brother Autumn, then Heat was the last one to be invited" he added

"You are his brother, how come he didn't know?" I asked

"Oh? It is because I am an illegitimate child and brother Heat never lived on our parents' house" he said

"Your family tree is complicated," I said

"No, my mother is so kind. When my real mother left me to sell me, my mother adopted me. Father is kind too, he immediately admits his mistake as he saw me. Then, my father explained what happened and my mother accepted me wholeheartedly. Speaking of... Brother Winter, how come you are in my childhood when you lived here almost half of your life?" he asked

"I am the invitation," he said blankly

"You are what?" I asked

"I have the power to invite people I wanted and had more special treatment than all of you. I am one of the first villagers. Autumn is just the second generation" he explained

"Cool!" we said in response

"Now you've sent the message, you may leave," Winter said

"No, I'll stay here for some time. I will study Wind's way of living so I can enter Summer area" he said

"I thought you should be running to the Summer area now?" I asked

"No way I will send you away! Brother Cold will be mad at me and kill me while you're not here" he said

"Good thing that you know" Winter whispered

"Hey, he's your little brother, how can you be so sadist?" I asked him

"My Wind, so sweet!" Life cried and a punch sent him flying on his stool

For the past few days, Life secretly followed me. I knew because wherever he goes, Winter will pop up somewhere. I continued meeting with Heat. I am curious why Sunlight suddenly went to Autumn? I don't think it's some ploy. Sunlight never had these special eyes with Autumn and she's happy about Rain and Autumn. I believe that Rain and Sunlight had some misunderstandings before that's why Rain always cried to Autumn. But, they are best friends. I just can't believe that Sunlight can do that. Truly, I am not familiar with Sunlight, but I know she will never do such a thing.

"Master, did Sunlight return?" I asked

"Why are you talking about that woman?" he irritatingly asked

"Because she is your wife here. You know that a season can't be managed by a single person. It won't balance anything" I explained

"Let's not talk about it," he said

"Okay" I responded feeling both sad and disappointed

"Hey, why to give me a face?" he asked

"I'm just thinking about Rain and Life. Life came into our house and had been comforted by Winter when Rain stayed in their house. I think Life is kind of jealous and being hysterical at home" I explained

"Are you... jealous?" he asked

"No way! I'm just thinking that if I met my real husband and some of the girls went there for him to comfort, I feel it is inappropriate. Don't get me wrong, I just want to focus on my role as Winter's wife." I explained

"Then why not stay in my house first" he offered

"Really? What if Sunlight returned?" I asked

"No, she won't. She cheated and even seduced my older brother. The Master will know what to do in her actions" he said

"Then I won't stand on ceremonies" I lied

This is the plan from the very start, but why do I feel like I am betraying Winter? I also have this guilt that I am pretending to be Heat's friend. When the night comes, Life will exchange with me. He said that he is living so he can stay anywhere without affecting anything. But, we have to find a way to get Rain in the Spring area.

Life explained that one can be someone's strength and weakness. Like for example, Autumn and Sunlight were good together. It increased Autumn's power of Fall, yet if too much, Sunlight may burn Autumn and turned him to ashes. Then, it will disturb the Winter area. Rain should not stay with Leaf, because even though Leaf nourishes and grow by the power of Rain, this can cause Leaf to be suffocated and drowned. Winter will never be good with Sunlight or Heat, he will melt. But, too much Wind, will make Winter out of control. Winter healed faster because I used my magic unconsciously, then, he didn't need Life to cure him. Life is the only one among us who can spill blood because he is the representation of every living being in various seasons. So no matter where he goes, he can bring life, a reason why Leaf and Life became partners.

"What were you thinking?" he asked

"Nothing..." I replied

"You look sad. You know I hate people who are sad with my company" he said

"I'm sorry..." I responded

"Now tell me, why are you sad?" he asked

Life's voice popped up in my mind.

"Heat hate sadness so much. He always wants people to smile that's why he's so jolly like me. You must pretend to be sad with him then ask him that Sunlight's behavior affected you so much! If you need to cry, cry!"

I'm sorry, Heat, we need to find out why Sunlight acted like that when I believe she will never do such a thing.

"I'm still affected by Sunlight's behavior. I want to talk to her to know why is she doing that to her best friend" I said trying my best to pretend

"Are you going meet her?" he asked

"If that's the only choice I have. I just can't bear Autumn and Leaf's life may be in danger" I replied

"Danger?" he asked

"No, it's not for you to worry about. You already give me help by taking me to your house" I smiled

"But..." he tried to stop me

"I think I'm sleepy." I lied

"You can sleep in the bed, I'll sleep in the hammock" he replied

"Thank you, Heat," I said

"You should smile when you wake up" he responded and smiled

I jumped on the bed. It's killing me now. But, how can Life exchange role with me? Wait! What's this weird smell? It's so sweet and I feel hot. A butterfly entered the closed window.

"Is this smell for a while? You can speak your mind." I heard Life's voice

"Yes, what is this?" I asked

"Now Wind, listen to me. Imagine yourself floating and can pass through anything"

"But, I don't feel comfortable, it's so hot" I replied

"Winter knows what to do. Hurry!" he said

I followed his instructions and felt my body lighter than usual. All I think in my mind is Winter. I need to find Winter. As I felt the cold breeze of snow, I immediately fell on it. A warm arm hugged me and I feel more comfortable with it. I hugged him back.

"What's this smell?" he asked

"Win...Winter, can we stay... stay like this for a moment? It's so hot!" I said

I heard him said some words angrily and then I blacked out. Is he mad at me?