Echoes of Revelation...

The atmosphere suddenly turns chilly, and soon it seeps into my consciousness. I have been sitting out here all day, and darkness has draped itself over the kingdom and its walls. It's already midnight, and time has slipped away from me. Even my thoughts have deserted me. Everything within me feels unfamiliar, as if my body has been replaced with an inanimate shell. The entire kingdom has fallen into an eerie silence, except for the voices of the young people, gradually growing louder. "Others must be joining in," I reflect quietly.

It is known as ỌRỌ, a ritual performed on the night of a beloved youth's passing. It is a way to bid our final farewells and invoke the presence of our ancestors, beseeching them to embrace the departed and grant them a place among their ranks. It is also a plea for an end to the untimely deaths of young individuals in the kingdom. Normally, it does not reach such levels of intensity or volume, but this time it is in honor of a queen, a queen cherished by all.

I should be the one leading this ceremony, but I still haven't fully accepted the fact that my mother is gone and that the very things I have always feared and fought against are now unfolding before my eyes. I am motherless, and now there is a young child in need of my care. I am not prepared for this responsibility. I yearn to catch one more glimpse of my mother's face, but the thought of encountering that poor, innocent child fills me with a desire to remain here, under this serene ambiance, for the rest of my days. Yet, such wishes are futile. I merely require a bit more courage, and I believe I can confront this ordeal.

I hear the sound of men marching into the Palace. From my secluded hiding spot, I can barely make out their figures. The king's mages are among them, indicating that he is on his way back. The chiefs and the king's advisors must have dispatched messengers to them earlier. Whatever the king had been engaged in over there will have to be set aside.

The voices of the young people grows louder than before. They must be entering the Palace.

I quietly emerge from my hiding place and make my way toward the source of the voices. It is astonishing to witness the depth of affection the kingdom's youth holds for her. Their songs recounting her kindness and love cause tears to cascade down my cheeks uncontrollably.

Now, I cannot resist the urge to return to the palace and catch another glimpse of her countenance, even if it means forsaking my haven of secrecy.

As I draw nearer, the voices grow louder. Soon, I discern their sorrowful and tear-streaked faces, standing together in groups throughout the area. I begin to navigate through them stealthily, ensuring that I remain unrecognized.

"I believe it's safer for you to remain concealed, Princess," he whispers from behind me. I turn abruptly and pull away, causing him to stumble backward slightly. He understands my aversion to being discovered. "I apologize, I thought you were unaware," he explains approaching cautiously. "It would be overwhelming for you to endure," he adds now standing before me, gazing into my eyes, even though he cannot truly see them. He seems to comprehend.

"Where have you been all day?" I inquire. "I have been here, with you," he responds. "What?" I question. "I have been observing you from afar throughout the day. I realized it would be more beneficial to allow you solitude," he replies. "What? I needed you. All this time, I believed you had not yet returned, but you were somewhere nearby, watching over me as you always have... I do not need you as a silent observer now. I need someone to confide in," I say, tears streaming down my cheeks.

He steps closer and gently wipes them away. He places his hands on my shoulders. "You did not require my presence, Princess. What you needed was solitude. Suppressing your true emotions will yield no good. Allow yourself to weep if you feel the urge, even scream if necessary. For the emotions you restrain or fail to express now will forever haunt you. They will continue to consume you from within until nothing remains but an empty heart and a lifeless soul, leaving you to wither in the corners and shadows of your existence," he says. I remain silent, still attempting to grasp his meaning.

"Come," he beckons, leading me back to the place where I had concealed myself all day.

"Remember when you inquired about my background, and I told you about my sister whom I haven't seen in ages?" he asks, and I nod in acknowledgment. "What about her? Did you find her?" I ask eagerly, hoping for a positive response. He shakes his head solemnly and continues. "I did not disclose the truth earlier because my father was listening," he adds, revealing the reason for his secrecy. "Why? Did he know?" I inquire, curiosity tinged with concern. "Yes," he replies, his voice heavy with the weight of his words. "How did he know?" I press further, wanting to understand the situation fully. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing.

"Please know that he taught me everything I have been teaching you, all that I have done for you from the beginning, it was all my father," he confesses. "Even when I took you to the forest, though I had it all planned out, he was the one who gave me the order. He wanted to monitor my progress and ensure your safety, so he had to listen to everything," he explains, unraveling the extent of his father's involvement.

I absorb his words, a mixture of surprise and realization flooding over me. "How can we be certain that he is not listening now?" I inquire, concern etched on my face. "I just know," he replies, a hint of mysticism in his voice. "How?" I press further. "I cannot explain it precisely. It's a feeling, an instinct that developed over time. At first, it was as if the trees whispered to me, but then I realized what it truly was. I have this ability, and I have kept it to myself because my brothers do not possess it," he reveals, leading me further into the depths of his unique experiences.

He takes a seat beside me, sighing with a sense of heaviness. "A few years ago, I found my sister through this ability. However, she requested that I keep her existence a secret," he says, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and fondness. "Why? Doesn't she want to come back home to her family?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

He continues, his voice carrying the weight of a poignant tale. "When I found her, I discovered that our mother had an affair with another man, resulting in my sister's birth. My father was unaware of this, as he had vowed never to use his hearing ability on her. It was only later, when he has to send them away, after he learnt the truth. My mother and my little sister returned to her biological family in a distant land, but tragically, they had all passed away.

She struggled to survive, working tirelessly on various farms to provide for my sister. However, fate dealt her another blow when she fell ill, likely contracting a disease from the forests. Despite her valiant efforts, the illness claimed her life, leaving my poor sister alone in this harsh world. But she persevered, growing stronger and more resilient with time. One day, fortune smiled upon her, and she encountered a Prince from a neighboring kingdom. He was captivated by her beauty and made her his wife, and now she's a queen with a family of her own," he recounts, painting a picture of both hardship and eventual triumph.

I offer a genuine smile, relieved that his sister found happiness after enduring such trials. "I'm glad she finally found joy in her life," I say softly, my heart filled with empathy. "You can see why she doesn't need to concern herself with a man who didn't care about her. After all, he was not her true father. But that's not the sole reason why I shared this with you," he continues, his gaze steady and unwavering.

He pauses, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. "I want you to know that I developed my hearing ability when my mother was in agonizing pain from the disease that ultimately claimed her life. I was with her, though not physically, and yet I could hear her every groan, her cries of pain, as if I were right there by her side. It was during that time that I realized I wasn't hearing the trees; it was my mother's dying voice and my sister's prayers for her recovery. I was alone, had no one to confide in, so I faced it all alone, a young boy burdened by darkness. I talked to my father when I realized he too could hear her, but he lashed out, out of grief threatened to curse me if I ever mention her name again. I was helpless, felt as if I watched her die in my arms, powerless to save her.

That pain remained with me, weighing me down for years, until I discovered that I could trace my sister through my hearing ability. And as I mentioned before, you have to face it, you have to accept that the queen has left this world to join our ancestors. Do not let yourself be consumed by darkness," he imparts, his words filled with wisdom and understanding.

As I listen to his story, tears well up in my eyes, empathizing with the young boy who carried the heavy burden of his past. I can't help but feel a profound sorrow for him, imagining the immense pain he must have endured at such age, even if he was older than I am.

Suddenly, my mind recalls the presence of the baby that has been lingering in the depths of my thoughts. "But what about the baby? I'm not sure if I'm ready to care for her as my mother would," I confess, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

He offers reassurance, his voice gentle yet firm. "You need not worry about her. I understand your fear; I saw the panic in your eyes when you looked at her. However, always remember that she is not your child but your little sister. Treat her with the love and care that a sister deserves," he advises, his words resonating with a sense of familial duty.

In that moment, it becomes clear to me that he is the person I have been yearning to confide in all along. With newfound resolve, I rise to my feet and make my way towards our quarters, wordlessly signaling my intention. I do not need to speak; he understands. Unsure if he will follow.

Now, with absolute certainty, I recognize that my master is the sole person in whom I can confide and upon whom I can rely for guidance. One who possesses the wisdom and insight to illuminate my path and guide me forward.