...「𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎」...

"I want you to present yourself to the queen since I couldn't," Sorin said. He placed another red petal of papaver poppy in his flask before sealing it and place it in his bag. I narrow my brows.

Just days ago, he would tell me I'm still not fit for this kind of duty; of facing people, mending them, doing magic tricks. But here we are, him telling me to meet the royal queen of Santra.

I beam, I couldn't convince him before, but if only I know that the queen was the answer for me to go out there, I might have already gone out earlier.

Sorin chortled, adjusting his maroon scarf before setting his blue orbs on my green ones. "Don't look so excited about it. You will only be visiting there for a week to aid milady."

"A week is enough!" I stated, inching my hooked fingers to my chest. "But when will you be back?"

He paused right in front of the back door, he was beyond ready than I imagined. He got his boots on with tight bonds ensuring it, his bag draping massively on his strong shoulders.

Who knows what's inside of that bag, he would never tell anyone like how he wouldn't respond to most of my questions.

"That is what I couldn't tell," was his last words before giving me his half-hearted smile and fade through the quiet night.

...ꕥ...

The market narrowed the path towards the palace gates as people started to crowd. Vendors yelling, offering whatever they are selling just at the time when the sun hits the terrain.

I tighten my grip on the strap of my bag that is hovering on my drooping shoulders, crossing through numerous people.

Some would crash my shoulder carelessly, they would excuse themselves before running off.

Even though I am excited to do charms and magic as I desire, people do terrify me. Especially of what their spirit and aura smell and look like. Their color was the most complicated thing that I couldn't master. Yet shape-shifting is my best.

As midday struck, the wide gates of castle Santra greeted me. Tall trees surrounding me. If the gates are tall and wide, the standing castle after it almost reached the clouds. As my steps neared the secured gates, putting the guards in alert just as they noticed my presence.

"Halt!" One said, hitting the butt end of his staff on the soil. On the other tip, a sharp dagger shimmers in a warning. I stopped on my tracks, removing the scarf that covers my face, exposing my profile.

"State your business in the palace!" He shouted, still standing on his ground so as the other one, watching me cautiously.

"Valloma Aurlestynn. Apprentice of Sorin Aurlestynn, here to answer the call of queen Yeona Atelier of Santra."

Before the guards could claim, a voice roared from inside the gates. Two figures approached us, their heels clicking. "Let her in."

With a simple command, the guards rushed to the gates, opening them slowly as I can see the characters more clearly now. With the smile on her face, she calls my name in the softest tone I've ever heard.

I walked towards the queen and her servant. "Your highness, you don't need to welcome me. Your headaches might get worse."

"Worry not, I am too thrilled to meet the apprentice of my dear friend coming to my palace," she chuckled. Her ash blonde hair swaying as she turns her back on me, "You are so much more mature than the last time I saw you."

As we walk, the words echoed in my head. "Pardon me?"

Once again, we halt, facing each other. She narrows her brows, smiling forcefully, as she searched my face for something. Probably thinking before speaking her thoughts.

"Ah," she said, clasping her hands as she looks down on her skirt, "I almost forgot. You do not remember me."

I pursed my lips, also looking down on my boots. At this point, I wished I only shut up, before making the walk to the castle awkward. The following walk to the castle was long, quiet. I wanted to speak, but my lips are zipped shut.

When the castle doors opened, welcoming me with polished marble floors and bright chandeliers, leaving me in awe.

"Orna will lead you to your chambers and will be with you in your need, this castle is full of wonders, Ms. Aurlestynn. I cannot afford of you getting lost through these walls," was she said, the sound of her heels echoed in the hallways. I watch her getting escorted by a guard until she turned a right.

"Follow me, Ms. Aurlestynn," Orna guided, walking towards the stairs that are twelve feet tall.

"Please, call me Val," I suggested, smiling at her as we march to my chamber.

...𖠌...

...「𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝」...

The night is still young when dinner was finished. I sat in front of my reflector, the candlelight lit the large room vividly as Orna began to unfasten my braid.

She caresses my pale hair thoroughly, brushing it softly not to hurt my scalp."You know I can do this on my own, right?" I questioned, leaning my head. I observe her in the mirror, the light compliments her soft skin, almost making me envious.

Orna chuckled, her grin remained when the last stroke of my hair was done." Of course, though I wouldn't mind doing this every day. Your hair is really pretty," she said, setting the brush on the counter beside me. Her hands massaged my shoulders, "Done. My, you have very cold skin, ma'am. Anyways, I will leave you to rest, there's a lot to do tomorrow."

I nodded, "May I ask what'll we be doing tomorrow?"

"A cup of coffee in the morning with the majesty. I would be showing you the way to the library, lunch. A tour around the castle with me, and dinner," She said in one breath. I almost let out a laugh how she can remember all that.

"All right," I stand up, the red robe slipping on my legs to the ground. Golden roses were weaved into it, which made me wonder how many hours it might take a person to perfect this.

Orna wished me 'good night' before closing the door, leaving me alone in the extensive and tranquil room.

I puff out a deep breath before dragging myself to the mattress, quite bouncing from its comfiness.

I gaze up at the white blank ceiling as I let sleep take over me.

...ꕥ...

I groan, awaken by the harsh footsteps outdoor, their murmurs reached me but their words are blurry. Gripping the blanket in annoyance, I sat up, glaring right at the door.

It's still dark outside when I checked the window, the curtains quite moving from the air flowing in. The room is cold and dark. The light probably died a few hours ago, but the moonlight gave enough light for me to see.

I watch the shadows run back and forth at the crack of my door, the light running with them. I narrow my brows, something's wrong. I lick my dry lips, setting my eyes on the clock that sat on the table near my bed.

5:12 in the morning, it says. Its arms still moving. I sigh, pushing the thick blanket off me, the cold air tickling my exposed skin. I slowly lower my feet on the cold floor before standing up. The noise hasn't died down yet.

With a silent step, I walk closer to the door, spreading my arms around me a little, trying to avoid hitting anything. A step to another, when a soft thing touched my feet. I halt in surprise, pursing my lips to avoid letting out a sound.

I push the stuff off my feet before continuing my walk, as I reached the middle of the room, a rustling sound made me halt once more.

I turn my head to the right, there, red feathers were piled up into the corner of the room, moonlight hitting it as it shimmers.

I look back to the door, the murmurs and noisy footsteps have stopped, leaving me cold in the middle of the room. I turn back to the pile of feathers, it rustles.

When I look very closely at it, it's not just a pile of feathers. The wings twitched in an uncomfortable motion. A raspy groan escaped from it, my feet trembled a little but I took a closer step into it.

"Hello-" my words were cut off as the wings lift swiftly, the creature came dashing forward, pushing me to the ground as I let out a grunt.

We land with a loud thud, I grimace at the pain in my head. The creature above me pins me before it places a strong hand on my mouth, shutting me entirely. I stare at its ruby eyes, glinting beautifully.

Its eyes were filled with anger and pain, as it takes a good look at me, the emotions washed away. Its eyes were empty, but it wanders my face, trying to find the answer.

It opened its mouth to say something but hesitated, the door slammed open, jolting us from the sudden sound.

"Get away from her!" A guard said, pointing his sharp sword towards the winged creature. It immediately pulls me up with it, turns me to face the door that is filled with armed castle guards. It tightly places its hand on my jaw, as it points a harsh nail at my neck that the other hand held.

At this point, I can feel myself tremble. One wrong move and I'm done. I slowly cast my magic on my hands, the guards seem to notice my movement, waiting for me to strike.

"Nice to see you alive, Val," its breath tickled my ears as it whispers before throwing me on the ground. The guards immediately pinned the creature on the wall, sharp daggers pointed at it.

I let out a breath, I didn't even notice I was holding it. The room is brighter now that the guards held the candles in my room, makes it easier for me to see the creature before me.

Though the figure that was pinned on the wall, wings attached to its back, was nothing but a living being.

A human with... Wings?

He stares at my eyes, ruby orbs exploring my pale blue ones.

Hands help me stand up, they grip my arms. Yeona looked at me, caressing my cheeks in comfort, she probably felt me trembling, "Are you alright!?"

Her words are louder than I thought, I blink, nodding in silence. Her hands wrapped around me.

"Put him back in his cell, now! I want five guards guarding outside starting from now on!" She roared, the guards rushed out of my room without another word.

She's gripping me too tightly, I wiggle off her, clasping my hands to stop it from shaking, "I'm fine." I mumbled.

Her brows are narrowed, her lips forming a small worried smile, "I'm so sorry, Val. He kept getting out of his cell and go to the castle's rooms..." She trailed off when she noticed I was looking at the door where the winged man disappeared seconds ago.

"I should leave, why don't you take some rest? I'll cancel the coffee meeting this morning," she said, placing her hand assuringly on my drooping shoulder as they left.

Me, in my empty room, cold and dark, once again.

I tried to sleep, but his words keep running in my head that I didn't notice it was already noon.

...𖠌 ...