Touch Another

Theo ordered Christopher to proceed to his chamber, where they pursued their argument over Diana. Theo's advisers came with him, hoping to convince Christopher against his decision.

"You can make that woman your mistress, but you have to marry Diana!" Suggested Tarafi.

The other elders echoed the same, and it further inflamed Christopher. As he gritted his teeth in frustration, more words come out from the elders.

"What is in the woman? Who is that woman!"

"Which nation? Who's elite family does she come from?"

All Christopher could say was lie. For now, while his father opposed Amanda, he could not tell them the truth. Only he, Cassy, his friends, and his trusted soldiers knew that Amanda crossed the gate from Trinity Bay.

He looked at his father in the eye and said, "Amanda is from a normal family here in Aeros."

"What?!" Asked Theo with his eye-balls ready to pop out of his eyes. "Do you mean to say that you are willing to put Diana aside - Diana a daughter of Plethora's rulers for a commoner!"

Theo was enrage and so were his advisers. His general on the other hand was half-hearted. Kyle's father, Farid, had a loving wife who was a commoner. He too chose a wife of a humble family and he saw nothing wrong with it.

Only Farid spoke in defense of Christopher, "Theo, with all due respect. We cannot force your son to love another woman. It was the same with your wife. You chose your wife over Delila."

Theo was suddenly silenced. His wife passed away five years ago and since then he had forgotten what it felt like to have someone whom he sincerely loved.

However, despite the sudden reminder of his wife, Theo had already made talks of alliance with Plethora. Moreover, the condition of the nation was crucial at that point.

He looked at his son with tightening eyes and said, "Son, think clearly of your decision. One day, our nation will run out of water. How will we survive then?! Not all men of Aeros can cross the earth to have a chance to live!"

"Consider sacrificing your happiness for our people!" Theo repeated.

"Father, don't you think Plethora is being selfish and cruel? They are already asking for bountiful wealth from us in exchange for water, now they also want me to marry their spoiled princess!?" Christopher reasoned.

"You have not seen Diana for who she really is, father. She is cunning and evil. Who's to say, they will stab us in the back regardless of my decision?"

"If it reached a point where Plethora would not provide us with water, I have already identified other sources." He looked everyone in the eye before announcing, "I will not change my mind. I - I will not marry Diana!"

With his last words, Christopher turned his back and rushed outside, leaving Theo and the advisers hopeless.

Meanwhile, Diana and her followers were directed to a private room, serving as her resting place for her entire visit to Aeros.

When the servant left them on their own, Diana turned to his men and ordered, "I want you to find out more about that woman. Spy on her, find her weaknesses, and if you get a chance to corner her... kill her!"

She turned away from her men in anger and clenched her hands into a fist. She was determined to shame Amanda out of the castle by hook or by crook. She had been looking forward to the day she would be named as Christopher's wife. She was not prepared for a rival which she knew nothing about. Worse, Christopher's friend and sister supported the woman.

From another side of the castle, Amanda was with Cassy, in her room, waiting for Christopher. It was there where Cassy explained the situation to Amanda as they stood on the balcony. They both leaned over the stone railings as they spoke.

"It is not just Aeros. Other nations are being pressured by Plethora to their will. So don't feel bad about my brother's decision," said Cassy.

With her brows drawn together, Amanda answered, "Water - it's a very important need."

"We could source it out from Trinity Bay should Plethora not give us any more water," said Cassy. "The hidden spring below the town is a very immense source of water."

"It is? It did not... seem that big," She asked with a frown. Amanda was certain it was not too wide, but then again, she did not swim under the sunken cave.

"Have you seen it? Haha! I can't believe my brother. He really trusts you," expressed Cassy while looking at Amanda.

Cassy turned her attention to the courtyard below before she revealed, "That the sunken cave goes far deep and has chambers underneath the webbing all throughout the town."

"Actually, I -I became a cave explorer of your world after finishing college - "

"You went to college?" Asked Amanda.

"Yes, we did. We studied in your world. We have another gate in the middle of Ontario and that is where we studied. That is also where we met Diana for the first time. Many of us from Pelagy have been crossing your world for years. We have learned your ways and have tried to apply it here," added Cassy.

"Anyway, back to my cave exploring... You have no idea how many sunken caves are there in your world. I've been to five big caverns and explored the waters beneath the earth's surface. My brother and I have already mapped a plan to use those unutilized waters of your world and bring it here through the gates that our healers can open."

"Interesting. I did not even know this," replied Amanda.

"Still, it's an inconvenient way to get water for your people - "

"Amanda," said Cassy. She tried to reach for Amanda's hand but held back, recalling how she did not like to be touched. "I'm sorry - "

"It's fine," said Amanda. "I - I think I'm beginning to feel comfortable holding another person."

That day, Amanda didn't wear her gloves. Knowing that the red crystal was already out of her body, she should no longer hurt another through her touch. She gulped before looking straight into Cassy's eyes and said, "You can - you can touch me."

Amanda reluctantly offered her hand and waited for Cassy's touch. While Amanda was feeling anxious Cassy felt utterly mystified over Amanda's fear of touch.

When Amanda felt Cassy's fingers, she pulled her hand away. Her heart throbbed as she asked, "How - how was it?"

Perplexed, Cassy answered, "I'm - I'm alive? Haha! Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

Without warning, she reached for Amanda's hand firmly.

Amanda screamed and tried to pull away again, but Cassy held her hand tightly and said, "It's okay Amanda. you are fine. You are fine."

The relief on Amanda's face was indescribable. With her powers gone, she could finally touch another person's hand... and not just Christopher.

She sighed and said, "Yes, thank goodness, you are fine."

"You mean, you are fine?" Cassy asked back.

A chuckle escaped Amanda's lips before she said back, "Right. I am fine." She looked at sand-colored skies of Pelagy and said, "I think from now on... I'll be fine."

Amanda could not measure the delight she felt, having to touch someone else, and not hurt them. Regardless of the situation Christopher and the Aeros were at that point, she had a reason to be happy.