Chapter-6

Auden trudged through the dry forest, clutching her cloak tightly as the temperature plummeted. The wind whipped her hair backwards as she pressed on, her footsteps ringing out loudly in the silence. The trees grew thicker around her, obscuring her vision as she forged ahead.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her gave way, and Auden clung desperately to a nearby tree branch to avoid falling. Gasping for breath, she vowed not to perish here. But then, to her confusion and terror, the ground began to fill with water, trapping her within its depths.

Frantic and disoriented, Auden wondered if she was dreaming or experiencing a lucid dream. But then a strange power surged within her, and she discovered that her touch could freeze water. Astonished, she watched as the once-endless sea around her turned into a frozen wasteland.

Without hesitation, Auden stepped onto the ice, testing its strength. It held, and so she set off in the direction she believed was right, marvelling at the fact that she felt no cold or frost despite the icy terrain beneath her feet.

Auden murmured to herself, "I know this feeling all too well," as she gazes out at the icy landscape she had created. She bend down to examine the ice and saw her reflection staring back at her. As she reached out to touch her reflection, she noticed the rings on her hand.

Suddenly, her reflection spoke, calling out her name. Startled, Auden stumbled backwards and tripped on the ice. She nervously asks, "Who are you?"

The reflection replies, "I am you. Seek the elf queen for the answers you seek." And just like that, the reflection vanishes and the icy world around her melts away3.

Auden lifted her heavy eyelids and finds herself once more amidst the opulence of her bed chambers, replete with lavish silks, velvets, and gold filigree. A handful of attendants are fussing about her, while the Royal Healer leans over her prone form, dutifully monitoring her pulse. Perceiving her return to wakefulness, he proclaims in a sonorous tone,

"Summon Princess Eve, the crown princess has regained consciousness."

The attendants followed the doctor's orders as Auden struggled to sit up, feeling weak and disoriented.

"Don't try to get up," Eve advised Auden as she entered the room.

"How long have I been out?" Auden asked.

Eve rested her arm on Auden's shoulder. "Four days. How are you feeling?"

Auden kept her peace for a span, deep in reflection. At last, she addressed Eve, "I had a vision, yet it seemed far too vivid to be a mere dream."

Eve took a seat beside her and inquired about the nature of these mystic sights.

"Ice," Auden replied, with hesitation. "A land turned to frost at my merest touch."

Eve took a moment to ponder these ominous words and said, "You must've gazed upon Cristolipa."

"Cristolipa?" echoed Auden, confusion in her fair brow.

"It lies between Terrista and Eaulita," explained Eve. "You journeyed there to succour refugees in their hour of need. Cristolipa stands at the edge of Terrista, the domain of earth, and Eaulita, the realm of water. A lake threatened to burst its banks and flood Terrista. You froze the waters to forestall catastrophe. It seems your memories are rising once more to the surface."

Auden was stunned. "I froze the lake? I had no idea," she murmurs in amazement.

Eve took a deep breath as she stood up. "I apologize for what Mother did. That potion is supposed to bring your memories back, I had a hint it'll take a toll on your health. Unfortunately, I failed at providing you with aid. I apologize, sister."

Auden remained silent. Eve turned back as she continues, "There's a Ball in three days. All the nations will be there. Take rest and prepare for it."With that Auden was left alone in her room.

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The closet contained only simple, ordinary clothes. Eve selected a brown shirt and trousers, and a plain hat. She removed her earrings and bracelets which weren't the sole reason for her fatigue. Perhaps the weight of being royalty was more than the weight of jwelleries. She mumbled under her breath, "Let's go out."

Exiting the castle through her window, Eve passed through the bustling market. Peddlers hawked their goods with lively shouts and cries. "Try this elixir, an innovation like no other!" "Come view these crystals, infused with magic from elder days!"

Eve kept her head down and pulled her hat over her face, as she tried to avoid any attention. She stopped in front of a store that said 'Carpe Diem!' and cautiously entered.

A young man dressed in rags covered with oil and grease, without glancing at Eve said, "Welcome."

"Thank you," Eve said as she looked at the young man.

A familiar sense of expression came on his face as he turned around and saw Eve. "Princess!" He spoke in a gentle and cheerful voice.

Eve smiled at him as she moved close to him. "Young master Aquilo, It's been a while."

"I am no master, Your Highness. I am just your loyal subject." Aquilo bowed down.

Eve's eyes lingered on Aquilo's face as she reached out to gently brush the dust from his cheek. She spoke softly. "You're quite the enigma, Aquilo," she said, in silky tones scarce louder than a breath,

"One doesn't find many words to speak that would prove them right. Somehow your presence is enough to quench my pain."

"If I could be anything, I would be still your subject, Your Highness. If you allow me, I have something that I would like to present to you." Aquilo paced around the garage and opens a drawer.

Eve silently observes him. Aquilo, a fallen noble, was a man of noble bearing. His elegance was innate and did not require any effort. He hailed from a family with a proud tradition of sword crafting and a sword ship that had been passed down for generations.

The Ercdes were once esteemed nobles whom none dared to look upon with disdain. However, the wheel of fortune spun, and calamity befell the Ercde clan, resulting in their dismissal. However, Aquilo did not succumb to despair but embraced his destiny and turned to metalworking.

Standing tall at 6.1 feet with orange messy hair, fair skin, brown eyes, a deep and polite voice, and a cheerful smile, he exuded an air of nobility that could not be ignored.

Aquilo eventually strode up to Eve with a sword in his hand that gleamed with an aura of dignity, engraved with the words, "To The Moon." Before Eve could even open her mouth to speak, Aquilo kneeled before her, his gaze piercing through her very soul as he declared his love with an intensity that shook her to the core.

"Princess Eve, the moon of this empire. I, your subject bows down to your highness as I shall be the star that accompanies you. They say the Moon isn't important and should be disregarded but I believe if not the Moon, who will shine in the absence of the Sun? You're the light, in my life which sees no daylight, I shall bow to you and let you know. I, Aquilo Ercde, the fallen Nobel at service for your Highness. Happy birthday, to the Moon of the Empire." His voice was low and mellow with a deep sense of sincerity.

"What wonders have I performed in a past life to deserve you, Aquilo Ercde? If this is but a mere deception, pray do not disclose it, for I wish to hold onto this illusion as reality." Princess Eve gracefully accepts the sword from Aquilo, gazing at him with affection in her eyes.

Princess Eve gazed upon the fallen noble, an air regal beyond her years. Aquilo Ercde stood before his Empress, his eyes reflecting the depth of his passion in a mirrored flame that leapt to meet her own. At that moment, the two of them were the embodiment of a love that transcended societal constraints, a love that could withstand the test of time.