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> For a lonely heart that has been frozen cold for a long time, is it still possible for such to be thawed by the warmness from a long and forgotten promise of reunion made by us two? And once it became vulnerable once more, would it be prepared to take that risk once again?

- Minerva Anemone

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In the large ballroom, we could hear the piano was playing, and among the crowds there I stood to watch the dance of the two. It was not anything new to me, since this has been a usual thing the two of them do whenever they meet up again. The same dance, same music playing, and their usual carefree smiles in their faces as if nothing just happened earlier that were making them either feel worried or angry. I’ve seen this way too many times now, I could have stopped and do something else that was worthy of my time instead, and yet, I was always drawn into watching them, and watching her.

Though, a part of me sometimes wonders how can a simple and such usual dance make one as happy as her. Must one be with a certain person, a certain partner perhaps, to be able to feel such feeling. Must there be a specific song and place to make it more fitting even. Such strange requirements for such simple yet strong feeling of happiness.

"Happiness… such a strong feeling that I haven’t felt for a very long time now." Turning away from them, I walk away. "And I don’t think I’ll be feeling it anytime soon."

After all, what is the use of having such feeling in such a dire situation like this? How can one even feel such an emotion, being in this position of mine? How would he be still… Stopping in my tracks and halting my train of thoughts, I then looked down at the two letters on my hands. Staring at them almost longingly as I remember the old memories I had with that certain person. That one day before they stopped visiting here anymore.

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"I don’t understand, why are you telling me this?" The young boy asked. "We would still be seeing each other again on my next visit, right? So why are you telling me about sending you letters?…" he began to think with his hand on his chin. "Oh! I know! Is this our secret way to talk to each other now without our parents knowing? That’s really—"

"Taro…" I said under my breath, my eyes were focused on the papers and quill that were on my study desk. Taking a deep breath, I continued, "I don’t think that you and your mother would be visiting again next time. This will be the last time when we’ll be talking to each other like this. Where we can see each other like this… I’m so sorry."

There was a moment of silence between us. His eyes were widened in surprise, his mouth was in a frown, but his hand slowly tried to reach out to me until I felt it be placed on my shoulder. "You don’t have to be sorry for anything, Minerva. I know that it isn’t your fault that mother and I… we won’t be welcomed in your kingdom anymore."

"I know…" I responded in a quiet tone. "I know that your mother was just trying her best to talk and convince my father to end this war. To bring back the peace to both kingdoms. But as time passes on, both of their patience would become thinner until one of them finally… snaps. And that was what just happened to him in that room just now."

"I see…" his voice sounds defeated as he took back his hand and silence follows.

Gritting my teeth in anger, I tried to hold in the tears in my eyes from falling. "I hate this…" I said, clenching my fists tightly against my study desk. "I hate this feeling! Why must things end this way?! When I finally wasn’t lonely for once, when I finally have someone to call my friend, only then when you will be taken away from me! Why?" Slamming my hand on the study desk, my tears began to stream down my cheeks, my breath heavy. Then I heard sniffling. And turning to face him, there he was crying too.

"Minerva… You actually see me as your friend?" he asked. "You truly meant it?"

"Of course I do, you dolt!" I responded in a shout, though it wasn’t my intention to be that loud. "You’re the only kid here who visits me, who talks and plays with me. And even if I may act cold and harsh towards you at times, you still decided to stay, and keep that happy smile on your face. When others would probably have left already…"

He sniffed once more, wiping the tears off his eyes with his sleeve. "Well, you’re the only who was able to tolerate my energized self, too. Other kids would probably be too annoyed at me that they might do worse than just leaving me behind." he said, putting up a cheerful smile. "So I’m truly thankful that you are my friend too, Minerva."

Seeing that smile, slowly, I smiled back at him for a moment, "I am glad to hear that… It’s very reassuring." and soon frowned again, looking down. "But it is still sad that this will be the last time when we will be seeing and talking to each other like this."

He blinked twice and frowning as well. "Oh, you’re right…" But it seemed that it wasn’t enough to truly make him sad for long, as he placed his hand on his chin and began to think. "What if we run away together so we can be free to do what we want?"

My eyes widened at his suggestion before responding, "Taro, your suggestion… is a very terrible idea. We aren’t doing that." And before he said anything else to further to convince me otherwise, I quickly gave him a glare that made him rethink things again.

"Then what if we make a promise?" he said, making me slowly look back at him to hear him out. "Let’s make a promise to one another, that once we became the rulers of our kingdoms, let’s write a letter to meet up again somewhere… Would that be fine?"

I stared at him before letting out a scoff, "That sounds like a childish dream to have and hoping it’ll come true one day. And yet… I find no good reason to oppose the idea at all." Walking closer to him, I slowly smiled, "No matter how long before that day comes, I will be waiting. And I will be sure to remember and keep that promise of ours."

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Our supposedly promise of reunion, only led to a tragic disaster… A part of me wonders at times whether that maybe it was not the right time to meet up that day, or was it a sign that our reunion was never truly meant to be. I thought, my gaze still staring at the two letters on my hands. Hearing the crackling of the flames from the fireplace that gives light to the dark bedroom of mine, making me turn to look and approach it but stopped as well.

"Then I can safely assume… that once I’ll give you his two letters, you wouldn’t just burn them right after you’re alone, correct?" Her words echoed in my head for a moment, making me grip on the letters a bit tightly now. "There are the other’s perceptions and rumors of him, but I wouldn’t let it be my viewpoint immediately. I would still try to get to know him myself, giving him the chance to prove them wrong. Give him the chance to prove that he is genuine with his feelings for me. And maybe… we could finally stop the war too."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

But not every love can conquer all, Endellion. And it has never been that easy for any of us. My eyes narrowed at the thought before turning away from the fireplace and sat down on my bed. Letting out a tired sigh, and lied back down, my grip slowly loosening.

"Conflicted already, are we, your Majesty?" Ordell said, sitting there on the single couch with his gaze focused on the book in his hand. "My recommendation for you? It’s much easier to be able to make a decision of the heart without that stone with you…"

Closing my eyes, I responded, "How long has it been… since she gave me these?"

"I would say about two weeks by now." He said, closing the book on his hand, and setting it onto the table beside the couch. He then crossed one leg over the other with a curious smile on his face. "Honestly, your Majesty, I wouldn’t be recommending it if you weren’t taking so long, and there aren’t those people who are waiting for your answers."

"Unfortunately, I suppose you are right about that… I truly had completely lost track of time with how things had been nowadays." I said, carefully getting up from my bed and walked to my study desk. Grabbing the letter opener, I began cutting open one of the mail. "Speaking of time, in his current condition, just how close is he to death?"

Ordell’s smile faded, and he let out a small sigh. "He's been very close to it for a while now. He's been getting weaker and weaker as the day passes. It's clear he won't be able to keep going like this for much longer. Though, I must say it's astounding he was able to make it this far in his current condition. But I'm afraid his life force is reaching its limit." His eyes then narrowed, looking at me. "So, what is your next move now?"

I have suddenly grown silent, with my eyes skimming through the letter on my hand before letting out a sigh. "I believe… I must help him to come back to this realm."

"Oh? And what’s your reason for helping him?" he asked, lying his hand on his hand with his elbow being on the couch’s arm. "To validate the letters being true, and sincere? To get him to give up the stone that he has? Or… it’s something else entirely?"

"What? A ruler helping her people like she normally does is strange to you now all of a sudden?… But if you want a more direct answer from me…" I said, looking back down at the letter. "I just… I do not want for her to deal with another loss of a family."

"Ah, I see now… You’re becoming softer now than how you were before." he said and chuckling after. "And here I thought that you were just walking on eggshells to not displease me by making her sad. Intentional it may be or not. But I guess I was wrong."

"I fear more of the future than fearing you…" Carefully placing the letter back on the study desk, I looked back at him. "Ever since the day when you said it yourself that one death— just one— would change the entire lives, and the future of everyone in this realm. And I do not believe that he is part of that list of potentials. So, it would only be fair to keep him alive when it is not yet his time, is it not right, Grim Reaper Ordell?"

Ordell became quiet for a short moment, his fingers tapping on the couch's arm. He then let out a small hum, and crossed his arms before his lips curled up into a small smile. "Alright... You can try to save him. As long as you promise me something first."

"Fine. As long as it is something that is reasonable, I find no problem with it."

"You’ll be needing Endellion’s Soul Stone to be able to make it successful, I want you to promise me to give it back to her right after." he said, before suddenly pointing his index finger upwards, his tone became more serious with his chartreuse-green eye looking directly at me. "Also, another thing before I forget to inform you, and it may not be related to it, but… do not be surprised, or even be mad at your Head General for what he may do during the process. For it is necessary to keep the balance. The price to pay."

My eyes widened for a short moment upon the soon realization of his last words before returning to normal, "I see. A life for a life. But don’t you think that it would…"

"Don’t tell me that you are suddenly concern for any of those bastards now?" he said. "Just kidding. I know, and understand, that it may be ‘too much’ to kill all of them just to bring one’s life back. But we both know that those messengers doesn’t deserve to be killed either, since those weren’t your orders. And even if it’s not them who did it, still better to had him take his hatred and anger on them instead than your own men."

Closing my eyes, I tried my best to not imagine how gruesome it would end up. "I suppose that’s one way to get rid of all of them, and that was your reason to let them stay this long. But how can you be certain that he would return to normal after that?"

A smile then slowly formed on his lips. "Oh, don’t worry about that part. I will be there to keep an eye on him, and make sure to get him back to him senses, just for him to not look for more. While you focus more on getting Alessio back to life. Then talk to him, get your answers, but no matter what, do not let him out of the room just yet…"

My eyes narrowed a bit, staring at him before he continued, "Not unless you all want to vomit at the horrible sight and strong smell, at least let me clean up the mess."

After letting out an exhausted sigh to calm myself, and trying not imagine any of those dreadful scenario, I responded, "We would rather not and never planned to do so in the first place. Especially, when he himself would know that he won’t be healthy enough, both physically and mentally, to even walk out of the room even if he tries."

Smirking, his eyes returned to their old calm expression. "Very well. Then I guess we have a deal. Good luck to you." He said, calmly and politely. "You'll be needing it."

Turning around, I only could hear his footsteps as he left before the sound of the closing of the doors of my room. Finally, the peace and quiet has returned, but my mind does not seem to have calmed down, not one bit. Even when he was finally gone. Even when the conversation was finally over. Different topics of thoughts continued to fill and run in my mind, until my gaze looks back at the opened letter and gently taking it. I then sat down on my seat, my elbow placed against the study desk, and my cheek lying against my hand. My eyes began reading the letter again, but thoroughly this time.

Dear Queen Minerva Anemone,

If you receive this letter, then I can safely assume that lady Endellion was able to give it to you. May you not put your anger and blame on her for doing it on my behalf, and I hope that you may put your doubts that I used schemes to convince her. To be truthfully, she was the one who convinced me to try to write to you again, and gave me the assurance that you would be able to receive and read it upon her return to your kingdom. I know that it may be difficult to believe me after what happened.

I hope that you may at least try to hear me out for this, to hear my truth of what has happened that day when we were supposed to meet on that village, before you turn down my proposal for the peace treaty that is on the other envelope with this letter.

Ever since we were never been welcomed in your kingdom anymore, not being able to visit, see, and talk to you anymore, things has been… not that well at home. Mother has been drinking to forget her problems, and almost forget that she even has a son. It was lonely. Despite, there were people helping me learn and train me to become the next ruler of the kingdom, without realizing that I was bottling up all of my negative emotions for years until that day came. When we were supposed to meet up.

Arriving to the place early, something was wrong. There was the sudden and strong desire to take something, along with the bottled up feelings, suddenly breaking the glass that was holding it for years… It made me lost control. It made me took the Stone of Void from a child, then deaths of the people and the destruction of the entire place was followed after. Only when I fainted from exhaustion did I finally stopped. I then only regained my memories upon waking up at someone else’s house. Meeting the man who saved my life, Alessio Amaryllis, but it didn’t take him long to piece the puzzle together to find out the truth of what has happened, and became mad at me.

Though I did not blamed him for that. And I do not blame you if you feel the same towards me for so many years now, and perhaps now wanting to hear my side of the story, even if it were never my intention to hurt any of your people and destroy their homes. I know that I cannot change the past of what I did, and so I tried helping him instead, with whatever I can. And I want to help you too. I want to fulfill our promise.

Please, if you let me, give me a second chance to make this right by you. I do not want to continue this war that our parents has started any longer than it already is. For both the sake of our people, and for ourselves. Please, reconsider my proposal to you.

- King Taro Naoko

After reading the letter, my hands lingered on the ink of sentences on the paper. My eyes stared at it for a long while before letting out a sigh and leaning on my seat. A part of me wants to believe that his written words were being sincere, but another part of me says otherwise. Though, one thing is certain, and that is that I have to make a choice, and give them, and to him my final answer. The sooner that we’ll be able to talk about this, the sooner that it’ll be over, whether it be in a good or a terrible outcome.

Putting the letter on the side, I picked up a paper and my quill to began writing my response, or at least a draft of it. To which became more of them than I thought there would be, and more time were spent on making them. My grip on the quill loosen a bit, my eyes were fluttering a couple of times. I then turned my head to look at the grandfather clock to check at the time. Realizing that it was already very late at night.

"It’s much easier to be able to make a decision of the heart without that stone with you…" Ordell’s earlier words echoed in mind for a short moment, making me look down at the cyan stone that was attached to my golden necklace, my hand touching it gently. "Have I been too reliant on it ever since I had it? Ever since he gave it to me… Did it give me only his painful truth that made me having difficulty to see others’ painful truths?"

My hand continued touching the stone, and almost attempted to try to get it off but stopped. Instead, it began to remove the necklace itself from the back of my neck with my other hand as I was getting ready to take my rest for the night. Even if it seemed unlikely that I would be able to sleep comfortably tonight with all of these lingering thoughts that are still on my mind. The feeling of being unsatisfied with my answers from the drafts that I had made, the anxiety of whether I would be able to bring Endellion’s older brother back to life, and the questions that I wish to ask him if it were successful. The thought of whether I should tell them the truth about their family…

May tomorrow’s day come where things would end up with a good outcome for us…

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