6 ✨ C H A P T E R F I V E ✨

Chapter Five

If it's meant to be. It will be. Just let it be.

~*~

Lyma is sitting inside the pavilion beside the oak tree in her palace's garden. The tree gives a nice shade to the small pavilion making it a perfect location during tea time. The Smaragd Palace's garden is small in size compared to the Main Palace Garden. It only have the pavilion and the oak tree surrounded by thick green bushes and a couple of flowering bush. It's peaceful and Lyma liked the simplicity of it.

Her eyes are close and is peacefully feeling the warm breeze. After she cried in Lily's arms she asked her to prepare something for her since she was not able to eat properly during lunch. 'I still need to apologize to everyone. Especially the king. I bolted out even before he finished his meal.' It is common courtesy to wait for the king before starting to eat and before leaving after the meal. It is an act of disrespect to the crown to do that and anyone who did so will be punished severely. "I'll just go see father later." She murmured. But then a voice suddenly spoke making Lyma open her eyes.

"You don't need to." It was the king himself. Behind him are his personal attendants and guards.

'I was not ready for this.' Lyma wanted to say. She wanted to avoid meeting anyone for the moment since she's afraid she will flip out again. She knew she is still sensitive to all of Pandora's memories especially about the events of Pandora's coming of age.

Lyma kneeled right after the king entered the small pavilion. "I apologize for my impertinence, My King."

"Hmm. Yes, that was rude of you to that. Even if you are the princess of this kingdom, I am still the king and we are in the presence of some important guests." The King said and sat at one of the chairs in the pavilion.

"I understand. I will accept any punishment you will bestow."

"Of course there will be a punishment. But that will need to be discussed some other day."

Lyma instantly looked up. 'Then what is he doing here if not to punish me?' Then Lyma remembered what just happened during the luncheon. "Are we going to continue about the talk, father?"

"Yes. Now arise and take a sit." Lyma stood up and brush her dress before sitting at the other chair. "I understand it is a sensitive matter to you. But as I have mentioned, time is of essential right now. And we cannot afford to delay things."

Lyma did not understand why the king was in rush about something. But one thing is for sure, it connects to what happened during Pandora's coming of age. And Lyma thought that she needs to get through this somehow. She needs to face what happened that day. 'As the one who is currently occupying Pandora's body. This the least that I can do.'

"What do you mean, father? Is something going to happen?"

"I'm afraid it already began, Pandora." The expression on the king's face looks as if he is seeing something unpleasant. "I won't be prying anymore about what happened during that say. I believe you already understood what I wanted you understand. I have kept what happened that day as a royal secret. No one should be able to know about the things that your hands can do."

'What my hands can do. Yes. It's better to keep this a secret, it will only cause destruction.'

"But, Pandora, I need to you to practice it."

'What?! Practice it?' "But father…"

"Even how vicious it is, we cannot be certain that what happened that day won't happen again." Then the king turned to look at Pandora. "More than the harm those hands can cause to others. I am more concern about the damage it will inflict on you. You're a kind-hearted person just like your mother. Causing harm to others will also cause harm to you. And I don't want to see again the look of pain and fear I saw in your eyes that day. So I want you to practice in controlling it."

'That is a sound argument. But…how would I practice it?'

"But how would I do that, father?"

"I have sent an eagle message to the Eunis Kingdom. The reply will arrived in five days. For the mean time you'll start your sword training again. But the Crown Prince won't be the one who'll be in charge instead I have assigned the vice-captain of Beta Battaglia to assist you."

'Sword training? Oh right! Pandora is practicing the sword. Unlike the one in the book…Huh? Book? What book?' A shot of pain course through Lyma's head making her flinch. This sudden movement did not escape the king's gaze.

"Pandora? Is something wrong?"

"No. It's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, father. By the way, when will I start my training?" Lyma asked gearing the conversation back.

"Is tomorrow fine with you?"

"It's fine."

"Then make time later and settle a schedule with him." The king said as he stood up.

"Yes, father." Lyma too stood up.

"I'll be going now." He kissed Lyma's forehead and then he walked back to the direction of the Main Palace.

As soon as the king leaved the garden, Lily came with a tray of food. She placed it on the pavilion's table and noticed the hard look on Lyma's face. "Is there something I can help you with, Your Highness?"

Lyma sighed before turning towards her maid. "There's something I want you to do for me, Lily."

Lily bowed. "It will be an honor, Your Highness."

"I want you to find if there's a missing person named Lyma." She wanted to know as soon as possible. She's afraid that what the king is worrying for would entail her to be quiet busy. 'I don't think I can go out of the palace once the training will start. So it's best if I can start my investigation as early as now.'

"A missing person?" Lily repeated as if trying to confirm that what she just heard was correct. "If it's something like that you can asked the Minster of Defense. He would have reports on any missing person in the Kingdom."

Lyma already thought about that. But she don't trust anyone just yet, except for Lily, to ask a favor for her. "This is confidential, Lily. I don't want anyone in the palace to know about this. I would have gone myself if I can. But the king just asked me to practice my swordsmanship with Prince Vanus. Can you do it?"

"Yes, your highness. I will see to it this evening."

Lyma nodded then she reach for the utensils laid on the table.

After having properly eaten her lunch, Lyma did not waste a single second and look for Vanus. She asked for the servants for his whereabouts and was told that the members of the Beta Battaglia is currently staying at the second floor of the Main Palace. She went directly to the common room on the second floor of the Main Palace where she suspects the members of the Beta Battaglia is at.

"Greetings your highnesses." Lyma curtsied as her eyes roamed the entirety of the room. The common room can hold up to fifteen guest at the same time. It has four large couch and five large one-person chair that surrounds the two large glass tables.

Lyma is well aware of the tension she created during the luncheon. She initially thought that she can avoid the attendees of the luncheon for a time being but the king proved her wrong. So she just gave up and settled it once and for all. "Before anything else, I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior during the luncheon. I understand that I have caused an unnecessary commotion."

"You don't need to." That was Malus. "We understand the situation. We all are present that day."

"Yeah! Captain is right!" Vidia stood up and walked towards her. Then he grabbed both her shoulders. "C'mon wild horse! Cheer up!"

Lyma actually smiled with that. "Thank you."

"Now! Why don't you join us? We're currently deciding on whether we have to attend the Domingo Ball as Princes of our separate kingdoms or a member of the Beta Battaglia. You know, we have to dress accordingly." Vidia grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards one of the chairs.

Domingo Ball. The opening ball for the Cockaigne's Anniversary's three-day festival. 'I did forgot about that. I remember brother Gustave talking about the festival with the ministers. And this year's in charge is Guerrier's fiancé, Marionette Vozenilek. I have seen her several times as she vsited Guerrier but I did not have a proper conversation with her.'

Marionette Vozenilek is Duke Vozenilek's only daughter. The Vozenilek duchy is located at the border of Cockaigne and Eunis. And is one of the strongholds of the kingdom. The family is known for their history of being merchants. Currently they have the hold the largest trade between the three kingdoms of Cockaigne, Eunis and Krefjia.

"So, what do you think?" Avarus inquired as he shifted himself so his body is facing her. He is occupying the chair on her right while Vidia is occupying the chair on her left. The two sofas in front of her is occupied by Remissus and Vora. The sofa on the left side is where the captain is sitting. And the vice-capain is sitting on the opposite, on the right side reading a book. While Sidus is sitting beside Vidia.

"I think it's better to attend as representatives from your kingdoms. Though it entails asking for permission from your kingdoms yourself. It would be such work but I think it will create an image of harmony between the kingdoms of the continent." Lyma began. "Attending as the members of the Beta Battaglia is still not good. The group has not been properly introduced in other kingdoms and rumors might start again."

"Wow! You reasoned just like vice-captain did." Vidia commented. "I often forgot that you can do both brain and brawl!" He teased.

"Yeah. Want me to show you the brawl part?" She countered smiling at him.

Vidia laughed it out. His loud deep voice echoed inside the room. "I'll pass. Maybe next time."

"We will be going as princes then?" Avarus look around the faces in the room. And when no one move to object. "Alright! Prince Avarus is coming!" He announced.

'Now that I have apologized. Let's do our next task' Lyma turned towards her right side and her eyes met Vanus'. She was about to say something when Vanus beat her to it.

"It's settled then." Vanus announced as he closed his book. He stood up then looked over to Lyma. "I believe you have business to talk with me." Every eyes shifted to him and back to Lyma.

"Yes." Lyma replied. 'This guy's attitude sure is something.' "Please excuse me for interrupting your recreation."

"What are you going to talk about?" Vidia queried as he lean closer towards Lyma. "Are the two of you…?"

'What the heck...Huh? Heck? What's that?' In an instant her head starts to throb. 'What is that word?' Lyma's attention was diverted because of her head throbbing and so she forgot to clarify things. Her attention was just brought back when she noticed Vanus is already standing in front of her. She look up confused on what to do. 'Right! The talk!'

"We can discuss it as we head back to your palace." Lyma nodded and stood up. "I will be excusing myself now. See you around, your highnesses." Then she followed Vanus to the door. The scenario got the attention of all the remaining members of the Beta Battaglia. And because Lyma did not get the chance to clarify things with Vidia's assumption everyone got a different idea. And the most obvious thought is…

"Are they in a relationship?" It was Vidia who voiced out everyone's thought. But no one confirmed or even commented about it.

The next day, as the king instructed her, Lyma practiced swordsmanship with Vanus the whole morning. It was a surprise to Lyma how fluid her moves were and how she was able to survive a half day of training. A couple of times she applauded how Pandora's body have memorized every moves unconsciously as if it has a mind of its own. And in those times Lyma kept having the feeling of being foreign between herself and the body she was in. And if she would describe this phenomenon aside from being foreign is it's like she's having a third person view.

"Aside from the obvious lack in your stamina nothing needs to be noted for concerns. So for tomorrow's schedule we'll have to establish your stamina back. We'll start before dawn break for a twenty laps around the grounds." After Vanus gave these instructions he immediately left the training grounds while Lyma stayed.

When the coast was clear she fall to her back, closed her eyes and sprawled her arms and legs under the scorching sun. That's when Remissus found her.

"This is not a nice scene for a princess, princess." His body casted a shadow on Lyma's face blocking the sun. His ginger hair turns brighter against the sun's ray making it look like his head is on fire.

"I don't have much energy to move though." Lyma admitted opening her eyes and turning her head sideward. The sun is already burning her pale skin making it red. "So can you be a gentle man and help me up?"

"It's my pleasure, princess." Then he extended his arms to her. Lyma grabbed his hand but instead of pulling herself up she put force and pulled him down. There was a loud thud as Remy's body met the ground accompanied by a groan. "That hurts!"

Lyma laugh hysterically. "Of course it does." She looked at him still facing down with his body curled. "Guess how many times I hit the ground this morning to be fully accustomed to that feeling."

"I know. Vice-Captain loves to make you and the ground be best of friends." He complained as he straighten his position. Now the two of them are laying on the training grounds under the blazing sun. "Compare to Captain he is merciless."

Lyma shifted to her side so her whole body is facing him. She examined the man lying beside her. 'Remessus Ersleswen. Ginger hair and pale complexion. He have high nose and freckles are scattered across his face. He have the face to capture any lady's heart. Plus he have a good personality. Well, all of them are good looking. I bet they have lines of ladies for marriage proposals. Speaking of it, Pandora don't have memories of that. Remy is the youngest in the group, so that means all of them are in a marriageable age. But I don't remember anyone of them talking about their fiancé or something.'

"What does your fiancé looks like?"

Remy turn sideway to look at Lyma. "I still don't have one."

"Really? But you're in a marriageable age, right?"

"Honestly, I don't mind if I don't have one yet. It's not that I will be crowned anytime soon. Father is still on his peak and our people are known to have long lifespan compared to average. So there's not a need for me to be engage."

'Right. Reafians are known to live for an average of hundred years because of their dryad blood.'

"By the way, how long are we going to stay like this? My skin is prickling and we still need to have lunch."

Lyma smiled and then sat up. "We can go now."

After four days of practicing swordsmanship with Vanus, Lyma got acquainted with how her body moves and the feeling of being foreign no longer bother to cross her mind. Aside from that, she also got more comfortable living in the palace because of Pandora's memories. The memories that would instantly surge her mind whenever she do something or meet someone is no longer accompanied by a sudden pain so it's no longer a burden to her.

Lyma is actually thankful that her life is going smoothly. But a coin will always have two sides. Ever since the talk she had with the members of the Beta Battaglia a rumor started to circulate the Fortalitia. And that is…

"We are secretly in a relationship? What blasphemy is that?" Lyma cannot help but feel exasperated when Lily told her about the rumor of her and Vanus having a secret relationship. She don't know how the rumor started but she suspects that it was because she trains with Vanus where in fact everyone knows that she trains with the Crown Prince.

"As what the servants said, many have seen the both of you talking privately."

'Of course! How would I know if I improved or not?' Lyma wanted to scream out her frustrations. But just settled herself by giving out a heavy sigh. "This is insanity! How could they start a rumor like that? Aren't they afraid of the king hearing this?"

Just as she said this, a knock came and Lily immediately opened the door. Who rushed in is the stiff looking second prince and a smiling Robert.

"I heard a rumor." He started but Lyma cut him off.

"It is not true!" Lyma defended immediately. "And I don't know where they got it."

"It is not true?" Gustave sat at the sofa across Lyma. "Pandora, I know the king does not let you go out the palace as often as I and the Crown Prince do. So I understand the curiosity."

'Is this what you call the brother talk?' Lyma wanted to actually smile but she knew it will come out differently so she just stayed seated and sipped her tea.

"Nonetheless, understand that I will never let you get hurt in any form possible." He continued. "So if that man…"

"Brother no! Please! Get rid your mind of that ridiculous rumor. And don't imagine strange things."

"I'm just talking about the possibility. I don't hear much news from you anymore and you have a habit of concealing things from us." He pointed out sounding like a judge that reads your verdict.

"I promise I will tell you if I already found someone." She appealed using her ever so soft voice to appear endearing.

"Then that proposal will be fine." He sighed and ran through his fingers across his hair.

'Proposal?'

"What proposal is that, brother?"

"This is the real reason I came here. I just heard the rumor as I pass by the servants on the way here. Eunis Kingdom proposed to have Vanus be the one to oversee your other training."

'Oh. It's about that.'

"The king already approved of it. I'm just here to deliver the news personally."

'It will be fine with me to have the lessons with Vanus. But I think the rumors will not die down any time soon.' Lyma sigh. "It's fine. Vanus is a good instructor. Besides, brother crown prince is scheduled to be back the day before the festival. I can resume my lessons with him then."

Gustave nodded. "Want to have lunch with me?"

"It's my pleasure!" She replied happily.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author's Note:

Smaragd Palace is the princess' palace. Smaragd meaning emerald.

Opalus Palace is the Queen's palace. Opalus meaning opal.

Fotalitia is the name of the compound of the all the palaces including the knights' quarters and the training grounds. Fortalitia meaning fortress.