Chapter 8

A long, long time ago, in a kingdom not far—lived a prince who was very lonely in his castle. He was a pitiful prince who didn't experience any affection from the King and Queen.

Living in his enormous mansion, accompanied by his servants, he's truly a very withdrawn person as if a puppet whose only purpose was to attend his lessons and be an obedient child. He doesn't play or laugh with kids his age, a very unusual child.

He grew up listening to stories about his parent's enviable love story but he felt that it was absurd. The Queen rarely left her chambers unless necessary. Meeting her is rather rare than meeting a pegasus in one's dream. The King on the other hand was very strict in him and distant. The castle doesn't feel like a home and more like a prison that cages him and suffocates his insides.

As he grow older, he got used to it. He doesn't spare a little thought about it unlike when he was just a toddler. He knew better than anyone about his responsibilities to the kingdom as the sole heir to the throne.

He had read a lot of books but one tale caught his attention. The legendary story of Origin—then the curse.

He searched every material he can dig, even the rumors. The cursed child should have appeared in their generation. But how is that possible? He's the only descendant of the royal family.

He heard rumors about his parents having another child, hidden someplace far. After all, there were some stories about those kids being locked up for the rest of their lives.

At the age of twelve, he knew how different his parents were when they were facing the outside. He can also see that they were hiding something. They were acting and lying this whole time. But he didn't know what to do to know their secret. It's the feeling of not being able to do something you want.

In their kingdom, once you turn twelve, you will be eligible to participate in the hunt. The boy was very skilled in the sword but he was weak with archery. Carrying a bow, he enters the forest. He went in the opposite direction where the others went. He's at that age where he's acting very repulsive and always annoyed at everything.

Further deeper in the forest, unknowingly, he eventually got lost. He just rode his horse from here and there to find his way out but to no avail, he was stuck in the forest.

He then heard a low grown from a beast. He was frightened as he do not know how to use a bow! He was regretting his impulsive decision which results in this tricky situation. The horse runs rather fast but they had to stop once they reached a tall thick vine wall.

He was in such a hurry, he had to escape, or else the beast will be able to catch up. He leaped down the horse and tried climbing the vines.

He was in such a rush, the beast was getting closer and closer to his direction. The horse also left him in fear. He gritted his teeth and tried harder to pull himself up. Surprisingly, a lot of long vines went to encircle his body. He shouted in terror but in the end, the vines pulled him inside and gently puts him down on the soft grass.

He was stunned to see such a magical place. The prince was reminded of the forest which was filled with danger but it was a sanctuary for beasts and rare animals, also a shelter for those in need of it. It was a forbidden place as it has its own consciousness.

"Mystical Forest?" He gasped in awe. He heard a lot of things about this forest. Some might be a hoax but this is an extraordinary land. You can't enter without its approval, if you insist, you will perish. It was said in the legend that the Primordial Gods and Goddesses used to stay in this forest which made it so special. A lot has tried to breach it and see what's on the inside but no one came back alive.

He kept walking and walking until one moment, he paused. He saw a red-haired girl that has a unique pair of eyes. She was like a plum blossom fairy who dances with the Goddess of Spring, a nature sprite. The girl was stunned to see him as well.

"You," Alexander was very speechless to see the girl. She was like a replica of him, except for the eyes of course.

Amanda knew who he was the moment she saw him. She felt him the moment he arrived in the forest. The wind was telling her the way and the flowers were singing the song of encounter.

"Brother," Amanda called Alexander.

Amanda was very delighted to see his brother for the first time. She did not care for the other details as she was enveloped with too much happiness and hope that she might soon leave this place. She runs over to embrace him.

It was pretty chaotic inside his head. There were a lot of questions in his heart. Alexander didn't know how to react, he was too stunned to speak. He actually has a twin, the curse is real, and the legend, the oddities of his parents—he's feeling too overwhelmed to react right now.

Amanda looked worried, "Are you okay?" She asked.

Alexander stared intently at Amanda. He recalled all the information he gathered during the past few years about the curse. Looking at the truth right now, he seems at loss.

He can't help but stammer, "You, you know who I am?" He asked.

Amanda giggled, "Of course, silly. You are my brother!" She was smiling very sweetly as she reply.

Alexander came across a realization, she knew about him—but he wasn't even aware of her existence until a while ago. "But, where are our parents? Didn't they come with you to take me?"

Amanda was hopeful though she knew about her eyes and the power it holds, and she knew it was too foolish of her to actually wish for a dream that would never come true. But she still hopes to have a family. She was very envious of the animals who were together with their families so she often asks when will be her turn for such happiness.

Alexander didn't know how to answer. How can he tell her that their parents weren't coming?—that they had almost erased everything about her existence. He didn't want her to feel sad so he lied, "They were busy. They told me to keep you company for now. They told me that they'll come soon after."

Amanda lost her smile, "You're lying. I've been waiting in this forest for years. Since young, I kept asking and hoping, and all I get were perfunctory answers like they're busy and they'll be here soon after their affairs—the exact same response you gave me! You're a liar, just like them." She shouted with anger.

"It's because of my eyes, right? I didn't ask for these eyes. Do you know how many times they came to visit? Never once, they never did. Be honest with me brother, you don't even know my name, right? You weren't even aware of my existence before you saw me." She asked bitterly.

Alexander couldn't answer, "They didn't even tell you about me—they really did forget about me?" Tears were streaming down her face.

He was about to approach her to explain however, the wind blew him away. It seems like the forest has felt her sadness. It normally blamed Alexander as he was the one talking to their beloved Amanda. The vines from the wall stretched to an unimaginable length that encircles his body as they did before to pull him inside.

"Go away," Amanda whispered to the wind. The vines immediately followed her order and took the prince outside the mystical forest.

The forest can feel her pain. The rain fell together with her tears and needed hope.

Prince Alexander was guided by the wind and left the forest safely. He had returned to the Duke's mansion. He never spoke to anyone about his discovery. In his opinion, ignorance is the best solution. No one shall know about her.

He knew about the prophecy and as her brother, even if they had only met for a short moment, he had felt the connection he never felt with someone before. She's his sister, his precious twin.

Using his study as an excuse, he was searching for a way to free her but to no avail. He then vowed to strive to be the best. He plans to be a man who can protect his sister. He aims to be strong enough to help her get her freedom. He believes that once he's strong enough, he'll be able to protect her.

After the hunt, Prince Alexander returned to his chambers. He didn't know how and why Amanda left the forest. He was also puzzled as to why she was with Prince Noah. Everything seems suspicious. He thought of Noah's remarks about the beast.

His eyes turned cold and dangerous, very unlike the usual calm prince. Someone is plotting something big. He didn't know why and who they were and their purpose, but one thing is for sure—they must have something to do with his sister. He cherishes his sister very much and everyone who threatens her safety shall perish.

He summoned his contracted anima, a type of spirit who sold their souls to the devil. The people from the Western Isles specialized in this kind of sorcery that they inherited from their ancestors which helps them summon a spirit and bind them.

Prince Alexander commanded his anima, "Investigate what happened to the hunt and also, watch Prince Noah's every move." He must eliminate all threats at all costs. The secret must remain a secret.