4 Chapter 3: Esper Seerie

"Any news?" A man somewhere in his forties asked.

"She was deemed to be of no use." A knight with long hair said as he kneeled.

"Tsk. Why did I even expect anything from that girl? You know what to do right?" He said as he stood up and grabbed the chalice sitting on top of the table. Taking a sip from the cold steel wrapped in gold and the knight replied, "Yes, your highness."

Everything is just not going as I hoped it would be. A knight wearing white armor, entered the judgement-filled altar and went directly to the priest. The armor portrays those of the King's personal knights. I just looked up at them as they were whispering at each other in front of me. I see the priest's reaction and he does not look happy.

Is something going to happen to me? Will my family abandon me? Will my father kill me? Thoughts kept running in my mind until the priest finally left.

The knight stood in the center of the altar and grabbed his sword and pointed it at me.

Even as someone who spent her entire life under a rock, I still knew what drawing your sword at someone unarmed meant. It meant that, the person thinks you are of lower rank than him or if that person thinks that you are worth nothing.

"According to the royal decree of our King, the princess is to be escorted to the borders of Eltrazen and Oscaden. She will take care of the abandoned summer house, until she is called back into the palace." He said.

Isn't it the same if he said I was banished off of the kingdom? No, no, don't think of that. I'm sure father will just call for me after a few weeks. Yes, I'm sure he would.

I was smiling to reassure myself but, my tears betrayed me. They started to fall, letting everyone know how anxious I was feeling.

The knight with long brown hair withdrew his sword and said, "You will be staying at the Decolon today. Please prepare for your departure tomorrow."

He finally left and I felt my knees giving up. I knelt down in front of the altar and I could hear everyone's laughter slowly fading.

I don't know how much time have passed but, I didn't care. I stared at the ground while bawling my eyes out. I blame myself for everything once more and started to punch my slim wrists with my small fists with these words in my head; Why am I so useless? Why is everything I do so useless? Why is everything in my life turning so bad?

"AAGGGHHHH!" I let out a scream, releasing all the stress that I have been causing to myself. Suddenly, a group of knights went inside and started grabbing my arms. They dragged me from the altar into somewhere, however, I tried escaping from them.

"Please let me go! I know how to walk."

They loosen their grips and I try to wipe my dress back to shape.

I started walking and they followed me.

Walking in these white and quiet halls, all I hear are the shoes of the knights who were guarding me. We walked until we reached the destination. The place where guests of the kingdom stay, 'Decolon'. It is a huge building with 10 rooms and a garden filled with daisies and roses. A place very different from what I was used to.

I step into the mansion and everything was spotless. The interior filled with classy paintings and chandeliers. Every table has a vase filled with flowers that were assorted.

The knights finally leave and I was left all alone with the maids.

"Why am being treated like this? Does father secretly adore me?" I think out loud.

With a knock from the door, the head maid went inside the living room where I was staying.

"Please come with me to the dining room, Miss." She said as she bowed her head.

Her voice was calm and proud.

"Okay." I could only reply, as I was scared if father would be mad when I misbehave.

We headed for the dining room. A huge door in the middle of the halls greeted me. The head maid opened the door, and I was absolutely surprised to see food lining up on the table.

She pointed at the seats with her open palms and bows.

I follow her guidance and sat down. One delicious food after another was in front of me.

"Please eat, miss." The head maid said and she took a few steps backward.

I was dumbfounded about the sudden situation.

Is it really fine to eat all these? All I could eat before was stale bread and bland soup. I even had to clean before I could eat those, but now, out of the blue, they give me all these delicious food.

"Thank you!" I said as I wiped off the happy tears that had formed in my eyes.

I finished eating and I headed for bed but the maids announced someone's arrival. And so, I went to the living room where the guests were staying. I opened the door and to my surprise, they were my siblings.

"Took you long enough Yvytt." Stylyn said as she walked her way to me.

"I- I'm sorry sister." I replied taking a step back every time she gets closer. She then, finally stopped, after noticing how I reacted from her actions. "Should I feel sad about this? Or should I feel happy?" She asked as she backed away and sat on the furniture.

"Hello there, Sister. I don't know why I came here when I'm to lazy to but, here I am. I guess I found this occasion splendidly amusing." My younger brother said.

"Th-Thank you, Avin." I lowered my head to show respect.

"Nevermind all of it. I'm just here to give you this. Goodbye." Avin handed me something hard that was wrapped in cloth, then both of them walked out of the living room.

What is this supposed to be for?

I brought it with me to my room and kept it inside my luggage.

I lay down in the bed, reminiscing the memories or so I had, from this family.

"If this is ever going to be my last day here, thank you for at least letting me see this distasteful and dark world." I thought out loud. Sleepiness started to come and as I started to flutter my eyes, I hoped that everything would be alright tomorrow.

"Hi! What's your name?" Voices started ringing in my head.

I must have gone crazy from all the months I have spent here.

"Helloo~" A tiny voice said once more.

"Who's there? Please help me to get out of here! Please!" I asked looking up.

I hugged my knees but, I held my head high, tears falling from my eyes.

"Oh, honey! If only I could, I can't even let myself out of here, let alone me helping you." The tiny voice got closer to my ears and all I could do was to look where it came from.

"Well, aren't you gonna say your name?" She asked, while a small ball of white light started to come close.

"He-hello, I am Y-Yvytt." I replied trying to pull my face away from the mysterious floating light.

"Well hello there, Yvytt! I have been alone here for a decade and thanks to you, I finally have company! I'm Esper by the way. Esper Seerie." Her face started to get clearer. In this dark and cold room, I found solace in the light of what seemed to be a fly with a face.

I let out a smile, along with tears of joy. Knowing that for the first time in my life, I finally knew what warmth meant.