Chapter 10 - The Strength (3)

Just like its name. It’s a tower. Situated on the east side of the palace, facing the wide scenery of green forest that is covered by the thick white and cold snow.

It isn’t because Elleryn is lazy, being locked up and forbidden by the Queen to leave the tower, or doesn’t feel like up to it. She actually wants to explore the forest, but she can’t. She feels weak at the moment, and staying inside her room is the best way to gather and keep her last strength.

Princess Deair always comes after dinner time. The first day, Deair would always talk nonstop about her days in the palace, but now, it’s Elleryn's turn to talk about Deair’s wolf. The spirit wolf that continues to linger around Princess Deair and keep her protected from any evil spirit. When Deair first comes inside her room, the wolf would walk around Elleryn’s room, assessing each corner before she sits beside Deair and curls around her. Elleryn would sometimes smile at that little wolf and Deair would always look at her as if she is crazy.

After informing Deair about the existence of a bright brown wolf with three dots on her forehead called Willia, Deair would always ask about Willia instead of her usual question about the fairy. Not that Elleryn felt disappointed, she feels happy to talk about it, Deair seems elated everytime hearing stories about Willia. Elleryn just felt dejected whenever she finished the story and her expression turned sullen, and she had to bid farewell with the only person that was able to converse with her wolf. If Elleryn could, she wants to give her the ability to see the spirit and let Deair talk to Willia instead of using her as a bridge.

That night, instead of coming with a hopeful and eager expression, she comes with tears running down her cheek, it instantly worries Elleryn. Seconds later, she hurries towards Deair and holds her tightly, caressing her, hoping to reduce her sadness and calm her with her touches. Deair begins to calm her breath, before returning Elleryn hug, holding her so tight as if she could disappear within seconds.

“Thanks,” Deair whispered.

“No problem,” Elleryn said, reassures her as well.

Elleryn let go, wiping Deair cheeks then guide her to sit on the couches next to the windows, where she usually talks with her about Willia. But today isn’t the time, she looks sad and Elleryn wants to help her.

“It’s that jerk brother of mine,” she explained, hiccuping for a few times before taking a few breaths. Elleryn stands up and heads to a corner, where a teacup and a teapot is always ready for her.

Yoani always makes sure that Elleryn has tea prepared at all times that is boiling with a tasty scent. This time it’s a chamomile tea, the one that seems to be Elleryn's favorite. Her delicate fingers pour the tea and bring it to Deair hands. Deair blows the tea a few times before savoring the calming taste and warmth that surge inside her.

“Are you feeling better now?” Elleryn asked, in which Deair nodded and smiled towards her.

Even though Elleryn wants to ask what happened, she sits silently beside her. Not really wanting to be seen as a nosy person, Elleryn wants Deair to tell her willingly, not because she asked, but because she wants to tell her.

“It’s not a big deal, just an argument between siblings, you don’t have to worry,” Deair said, making Elleryn nod with understanding and hold her hands and squeezing it before she smiles towards her.

“Do you perhaps… want to talk about Willia tomorrow?” Elleryn asked, raising her thin eyebrow. A little bit concerned about her condition at the moment.

Deair shakes her head, now she doesn’t want to spend a night without hearing stories about her wolf, she always holds dear Elleryn's words and turns it into sweet dreams. Leaving without hearing anything about Willia will only saddened her.

Elleryn nods her head, “what do you want to know?” she whispered.

Deair looks up, no more tears in her eyes now, but her cheeks turn puffy and her eyes turn red from all the crying, she hiccups for the last time before she asked Elleryn.

“What is she doing?” Deair asked.

Elleryn smiles down at her. Her eyes slowly look over Deair’s shoulder, to meet Willia's eyes, the soft golden eyes that stare at Deair with concern and sad expression. Just like Elleryn, Willia cares for Deair as well.

“Just now-” A tiny smile stretched on her lips, “she is jealous of me,” Elleryn whispered.

Deair raises her eyebrow, questioning her words.

“Because I can wipe your tears and make you calm. She could only watch and sit beside you,” Elleryn explained. Deair looks down and bit her lips, beginning to whimper and new tears start to pour out. But she holds it, wishing for the tears not to fall.

“Can you tell her not to be jealous of you,” Deair looks up, her golden eyes meet Elleryn’s beautiful two-color eyes.

“Because a long time ago most of my tears were for her. But now I want to smile and cherish her for the rest of my life and always keep her at my heart,” Deair pleaded. Elleryn smiles and nods, she promises that she will do as what she told her, not that she needs to, because Willia hears exactly what she said and that little wolf smiles looking at Deair.

Deair wipes her tears and stands up immediately, startling both Willia and Elleryn.

“I think that’s all for tonight,” Deair nods, assuring herself.

“Thank you. I’ll come again tomorrow night,” Deair smiles and Elleryn nods at her. Taking a light step, Deair walks towards Elleryn’s door. She pushed the oak wood door open and turned, waving at Elleryn before she disappeared behind the door.

Elleryn reaches her dark blue cloak. It’s cold outside, she needs it for tonight. She was about to reach the door when a knock came from outside.

Did Deair forget something?

But she had never knocked before. If it’s Yoani, she will come inside after knocking once, but the door didn’t move after making that sound. After a second, someone knocks it once again. Taking a hurried step, Elleryn comes towards the door, opening it to reveal him standing outside her door.

The Crown Prince Rydan of Sutten, he looks dark and cold.

“Evening,” he said.

“Evening,” Elleryn replied, as cold as the way he said it.