Waking up, the sun had just risen above the horizon and the room was slowly getting brighter from the indirect light coming from outside. The window was slightly opened to let fresh air enter the room and with that, I could hear the birds singing their early morning serenades. I still felt the aftermath of whatever caused me to be reduced to a vegetative state. Bedridden and lacking any energy to move.
It’s been 4 days now since I collapsed on the road to Alora and it seems the potions that Lucian had given Zeph have been rather useful. They definitely helped me recover a lot faster than we initially thought.
I need to get him something to thank him for it. Those potions were not easy to make and not cheap to buy.
Looking to my left, I saw Zeph still sleeping. He was trying to conserve a lot of energy as my body was not only using my own but also his. Eventually, it started to take a toll on him and after almost 2 days he collapsed as well. He wasn’t sick or anything, just needed some rest just like I did.
When I get myself in these kinds of situations, where Zeph and I are not awake at the same time, I always have a small sense of relief in the back of my mind. A relief that I don’t have to live 2 lives at the same time, if just for a moment. It’s not that it is hard to do anymore. Eventually, it becomes second nature, but when life gets hard you do notice it taking its toll on you.
I sometimes wonder how my life would have been if Umbra never did what he did. If my sister and I would still be separate people. Would we still be close or would we have both gone our separate ways?
Not that it really matters now. Might as well get out of bed now that I am feeling better.
I got out of bed and called for one of the servants. Immediately after calling out the door opened.
“yes ma'am,” she said while bowing, awaiting my command.
“Do you have any idea where my clothes are? I would like to get dressed and go for a walk.”
The servant looked up and walked over to a closet a few meters away from the door.
“Lady Amber has asked us to clean your armors and they are currently being handled in the washing room. Lady Amber also prepared this for you.” She handed over a dress in white and red colors.
“Let me help you with that,” was the last thing I heard before being spun around towards a full-body mirror with a desk next to it.
After a few minutes, I was now dressed and ready to go out.”
The servant bowed and walked out of the room, leaving me standing in front of the mirror.
It’s still weird but sis you look stunning!
I found myself rotating my hips to show off a little bit of feminine flare.
What am I doing?
The dress Amber prepared seemed to have had some thought in it. It wasn’t short at all as it hung down a bit below my knees. The upper body part of the dress was white with some red detailing in the seams and sleeves. As you moved down the dress there was a sash that was white on the outside and red on the inside. On the front, it had an opening with a more decorative small rope going across on a red background. This sash also hid the transition between the white top and the red plaided skirt that has white drapes on the sides.
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It was pretty fancy for my standards but it was probably casual in the eyes of amber. But it looks really good.
As I reached the front door Amber just left the living room and was pleasantly surprised when she saw me.
“You’re awake again! How are you feeling? Are you still feeling sick?” She kept asking questions when I stopped her as I started giggling.
“Don’t worry, I’m all better. Just need some fresh air”
“Can I join you then? How about we get some groceries? Get something nice for lunch?”
I nodded and we left for the streets.
“Thank you for the dress, by the way. It looks amazing and it isn’t to short.”
Amber looked over with a somewhat cheeky smile. “You are not admiring your little sister, are you? *Tsk *tsk *tsk. We can’t have that now”.
Her reply caught me off guard and I remembered the view in the mirror which in turn made my cheeks blush a bit as I looked down a little.
Is it that weird? I’m a guy after all. I thought
Amber put her hand on my shoulder and moved into my line of sight. “Seriously, you really are a guy on the inside aren’t you.” she started laughing. “Well don’t worry about a thing, I will keep you out of trouble, ok?”
“Uhm, thanks?” I answered a bit unsure.”You know I have lived like this for a while now don’t you? I can manage it myself well enough I would say.”
She got back upright and put her finger to her chin like she was thinking. But her face made it clear the sarcasm was about to drop. “Ah yeah, you’re right. You are a strong independent woman. You don’t need a real woman to help you.” She could hardly contain her laughter. Though it was a good kind of laughter, the friendly banter kind.
We both started laughing and it turned some heads from people around us.
“You know Zephyria, It has been a long time since I walked these streets and could have a smile on my face.” She kept looking straight down the road with a constant smile.
“Ever since I lost my parents I have just been hell-bent on finding their location and getting revenge. I never really had any people around me and wore fake smiles everywhere I went.”
As I looked down the street as well I thought back at my own life. “Well, I can understand it somewhat. You were left alone completely whereas I still had my sister. Even though I have been talking to myself for most of the years. But to be honest, you look like you managed to keep going as well, in your own way. So good job on that front.”
She looked down as she moved through her thoughts. This was my chance however to help her as I put my hand on her shoulder and bend down into her line of sight.
“But you have us as your friends now, don’t you?” I said with a friendly and genuine smile.
She looked at me and she nodded looking up again.
We reached the store and got some delicious-looking things, of which I had no clue what they were, and went back home.
“Ah!” I suddenly exclaimed.
Amber jumped at that. “Don’t scare me like that. What’s happening?”
I laughed at her reaction. “Sorry, but Zeph is awake. He will be waiting in the living room when we return home.”
“That’s good to hear. Then you both are back in action and we can really go see if we can reach our destinies.”
“Hey Amber, do you have any enemies in this city?” I suddenly asked.
Worried, Amber looked at me as we kept walking. “No, not that I know of, why do you ask?”
“I feel like we are being followed ever since we returned from the store. But don’t look around. I am more sensitive to aether in the air and noticed something weird. I will keep my senses peaked in case something weird happens.”
As we reached Amber's house and she walked in, I saw a figure from the corner of my eyes.
Who could possibly be tailing us and why? Will have to stay on my toes for a while it seems.