Eight winters have passed since I entered into the family of the Wallenstein. From my birth, I bore the enigmatic affliction of Quimora - an unyielding devotion to the word "Suppose." Alas, fate dealt us a cruel hand last year when our family was burdened with an overwhelming tax debt. The empire's insatiable hunger for wealth slashed our family's income by half, leaving us with a year to settle this dire obligation.
My father, robbed of restful nights, sacrificed half his earnings to amass funds for this looming payment. Our once vibrant household endured a year of frugal sustenance, subsisting on meager soups. Our beloved brother, who had just embarked on his noble journey at the Knight Academy, was heartbreakingly forced to retreat during his inaugural year.
My father stood at the precipice of despair. The weight of a million grand hung heavy upon his shoulders, a burden that pressed down upon him like an unyielding mountain. His eyes, once vibrant and full of life, had withered away, leaving behind hollow sockets that burned with an eternal flame of stress.
His once robust frame had surrendered to the relentless onslaught of time and hardship, leaving him gaunt and emaciated. With each passing day, his weight loss outpaced ours, a testament to the unwavering torment that gnawed at his soul.
When he returned home, he would sink into the embrace of a chair, his weary body a stark contrast against the vibrant upholstery. His gaze wandered into the abyss of contemplation, his lips turned downward in a perpetual frown.
Even my youthful mother, untouched by the hand of time, could not escape the cruel grasp of worry. Wrinkles etched themselves onto her face, a testament to the sleepless nights she had endured. I longed to offer solace, to extend a comforting hand, but I was trapped within Quimora's consciousness.
The Briston empire stood as a beacon of avarice, its reign shrouded in the insatiable hunger for wealth and power. Yet, as the sands of time shifted and the scepter passed into the hands of Skade, the empire's rapaciousness reached unprecedented heights. The land, once teeming with life and prosperity, was transformed into a desolate wasteland. The common folk, stripped of their fortunes and dignity, became mere shadows lurking in the alleyways.
The empire became a playground for the privileged few, while the middle class, including us, found themselves teetering on the precipice of despair, our lives consumed by the insatiable desires of those who sat upon the throne.
Quimora recognized that there would be no end to the empire’s madness. Even if our family pays our debt, it will just stockpile. I saluted her for being wary. However, three days before the debt should be paid and our heads will be put in the guillotine, I brought back my word after her suggestion disgusted me and my family.
I faced my parents and uttered things beyond my control, “Mother, father, I’m sorry for what we’re experiencing. But don’t worry! I suppose I have an idea to save our family from dying.”
My mother replied with a lost life force in her voice, “What is it, Quimora?”
“I would like to work as a servant of the empire.”
My father and mother’s eyes widened. It didn’t take long for my father to stand up, gripped my shoulders, and shook my body. “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT YOU’RE SAYING!? You’ll die purple and early full of bruises! Do you witness how those buttocks treat their maids!? Even in the throne room, they’re using them as chairs!”
Mother butted in to stop my father, “Lucas, that’s enough! You’re hurting Quimora.”
“It would be worse if she went in there! Even if the servants became their employees, there’s no guarantee that their families will be saved! That’s just poor lies! I told you… it will only become worse.”
I always wanted to say that to this dumb shit. I don’t like being grateful. But thanks for being so wary, Father. I thought since those thoughts wouldn’t cross Quimora’s mind. Am I being attached to her? Well, it’s alright, since I’m also living in the same body. If she dies, I’m over. I wouldn’t get answers to my questions from Roze this way.
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“But… I think this is the only way… I suppose,” Quimora muttered as tears fell down her eyes. “I only wanted to save our family.” Argh! She did it again! I give up. We’re Bantha fodder (Dead elephant's fodder, representing 'as good as dead.'), dead on arrival.
“Don’t appear before me. Lock yourself in your room, now!” My father shouted. Since Mother also disapproved of the idea, she didn’t stop father.
Quimora wiped her tears, covered her face, and ran to her room. Her wail echoed throughout and out of the room. Her dark thoughts sank through me until she slept unconsciously. That was the only moment that I had peace.
Amidst the inky depths of a moonless night, as dreams danced across the ethereal canvas of her mind, Quimora stumbled upon an unexpected encounter. A dream, a portal to realms unknown, beckoned me forth, inviting me to witness the first conversation with her.
In a boundless expanse, devoid of walls, the stars and galaxies served as the celestial backdrop. A transparent floor extended beneath, but as it was a dream, the concept of gravity held no sway. We floated effortlessly, my feet unburdened by the laws of physics.
Before me, at a solitary wooden table, sat a figure with a visage identical to mine. Her stature, her features, a mirror reflection of my own. Curiosity surged through me as she took a seat opposite mine, anticipation crackling in the air.
“I’m waiting for a lifetime to talk to you, stoopy,” I said.
“Who are you?”
“People called me the unwanted existence. Believers named me a miraculous person. You shall be the one who names those you saw.”
“Don’t you have a name?”
“Ain’t important, duh!” I replied with a disgusted face. “Moreover, you’re a genius like how Beethoven created music like he’s not deaf. I hope you’re not offended by a chicken chirping on you.”
“Who’s Beethoven? And do chickens chirp?”
I sighed, putting my palm on my forehead. “Hey, cheeky cinnamon roll, your idea is as dumb as cockroaches mating. My world sense far surpasses yours even though I'm in this jail called Quimora.”
“So you’re telling me you’re my alter ego?”
“YOU are my alter ego who stole my spotlight. I SHOULD be that Quimora. You’re clumsy, I accept that, but your character wasn’t created to be dumb. Wake up in the real world, sis. Well, whatever. Do you know where you’re currently at?”
“I’m far alienated from this place. It’s news to me.”
“Hmph! Pray tell, you've wandered into a bingo hall… or a Dalmatian party. Embrace the dots and circles around you; perhaps they can guide you to a way that's not as lost as selling your body to the nobles. I suppose you understand why your daddy Walker and your mombie are on their way to meet their creator.”
“D–Don’t insult my parents! They’re doing their ”
“I adore how hardworking they were. How about you? They’re already carrying a hundred kilogram worth of feathers, and you’re only adding a quarter-pound burger on top.”
“I think… feathers are lighter than steel… so it’s great, I suppose.”
“Don’t start me with that. By the way, I have a life-saving tip that could save you, your Alpha mom, your Latte papa, and your brother’s socks. Don’t do something unnecessary.”
“I’m doing my best! It’s the only way to save them!”
“Do you know why the human brain is between the ears? So that advice won’t just pass through your head. Your parents want you to understand how important your life is. If I’m in your shoes, I’d prank their dramatic revelation on the spot and scatter bananas across the floor.”
Quimora stood up and slammed her hands on the table. “Please, unknown person, save my family from this matter. I need your help.”
“Is that how your parents taught you how to ask for help? Also, I’m comatose as far as I can tell. Don’t ask for help from someone who can’t even move.”
“I just need… answers.”
“I need them as well, and that’s why we’re here. If you let me take over your body, I can put the heads of the noble in a catapult to space.”
“How do I do that?”
“Eh?” I replied and tilted my head. “I just like to say that we’re doomed.”
I thought that I’d soon have the ability to move my body. However, it seems that she also didn’t know what her ability was. In most cases, the ability of the children is inherited from their parents. Since she doesn’t inherit the blood of Wallenstein, she doesn’t have any capability to do any wind tricks.
“What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you just leave the place and settle under a bridge or something?”
“We can’t… My father doesn’t want to leave this place due to…”
“Right, I also know someone who can’t let go of her puppy doll since it reminds her of her ugly dog. You have the choice to leave him be. Instead of four, only one head will roll down the ground.”
“You… You’re the worst!” She shouted.
“Thank you very much! I’m glad you’re considering my counsel. Since this is a first-time service, I won’t be charging you.”
“I don’t ever want to talk to you again!”
“Whatever. Just remember, YOLO!”
Quimora stood up and stomped her feet back to the door. As she left, I whispered,
“There’s no place for control of a stubborn person like her. However, the bomb has been planted. It would be difficult to remove my words from her head. It’s up to her on how she’ll explode.”