12 The Soul from another World (2/2)
”Yes, Your Highness.”
”Does she know why she's here? Have you given her a quick preview? Does she what happened to us?”
”Err--not yet, your highness.”
”Not yet?” I can feel Irish getting queasy so I intervene.
”Uhm,err--sir--err your highness? Sorry to be rude but I think I can deal with the history subject later? How about you tell me just the first question? Hmm? What do you think?”
Irish's upper right foot stamps on the ground sending me her dismay of me for being so nosy. I look up and he's staring right into me and I shiver. I shift my footing then bite my lower lip, silently cursing myself for interfering.
”What's your name midget?” The nickname is a bit of an insult but I brush it off, afraid of getting on his bad side and we certainly don't want that so I carefully pick the right words for every question.
”Ellie err-your highness.” I dip my head slightly.
”How old are you?”
”I don't know, your highness.”
”You don't know? Hmm, perhaps young. Young enough to know the cruelty of humans and the devious aura surrounding your world?” There's no menace in his voice just complete curiosity.
”Yes, I guess?”
”Tell me, Ellie. What does the world look like?” His question somewhat makes me feel uncomfortable but I have to deal with it. I don't know why I'm here or why I am answering these questions but my gut feeling tells me to answer them honestly. I really don't like my gut-feeling but I think this is the time where I should listen and kick my instincts aside that's telling me to wake up and force myself to forget about this.
What does the world look like? I don't really know the answer to that question because all I see is cruelty and beauty in its own darkness. I let the images of the world I live in filters through my mind. The dancing black trees withered through the dry weather, the symphonies of gunshots from another warrior killing another whimpering exile, the eerie feeling of silence in the woods as the wind hushes every move I make, the orchestra of screams of people dying at the hands of government because they don't care about us. The silence of the forests remind me of what us, humans did to its inhabitants when we were starving, or what the riches did to them when they want to make their own clothes, accessories or weapons or to show off how they kill a defenceless creature and now we are suffering from unbalanced ecosystem, soon enough, we, humans will begin to extinct. But it's our fault because we are rotten selfish people, only hungry for wealth and what the world may give us. The government push aside our cries when we said that the animals are beginning to fade away, they were slowly dying, a plague has broken through and all animals were infected and unfortunately, us, exiles, we couldn't eat, we had to dig under the dirt to search for any sign of food, sometime when desperate times come, we were forced to eat earth, to drink from the greyish river. If I can describe what the world looks like, just arduous.
My eyes snap open as I realize that I said the last word out loud. The right corner of his lips turn upward and I thought that he's smirking at me. ”I like how you described your world. Arduous. I think it's going to add up to my favourite words. It's true though. Your world is tiring and it requires a lot of effort in order to survive in a world like that unlike here,” he lifts his upper right paw to indicate our neighbourhood, ”all of your needs are laid out in front of you. You can eat anytime without worrying if your resources would eventually run out. You will not need to hide, everyone here will treat you like what a real royalty needs to be treated like.” The unspoken question hangs in the air between us. He eyes me intently, patiently waiting for my answer. I close my eyes once again wondering how many time I've closed my eyes today or tonight. Images of Chelsey immediately flashes through my mind, my arms carrying her lifeless body while I cry and beg for someone to take me too. Chelsey's eyes were open but there's no spark in there anymore, just empty and void. A sob threatens to come out but I force it down, I promise her and there's no way I will go back on my promise especially the one that concerns her. I open my eyes, stare right into his, never blinking while keeping my voice steady as I answer.
”You're right. This--” I gesture around us---” if this is all true then I agree with you. Your world is nothing like mine, it's not even close. This is simply heaven, paradise and a nirvana. But I've made a promise, a promise that I am not willing to break, a promise that I will fulfil and nothing will stop me from keeping that promise. So yes, this may be the best world but I prefer mine. I am not going to enjoy the luxury here while the people I love die because of the injustice the government gives us. I may be called an idiot or dumb to turn down an offer but I don't want to be bloated, I prefer myself as a skinny person and that requires a lot of movements.” My knees are literally shaking by the time I finish speaking but I continue to hold my ground and his unnerving gaze. He watches me a few more seconds before taking a step back and roar. That roar was a happy roar I think something that may resemble a laugh. His laugh reverberates through the whole forest, making the trees quake a little, then small butterflies come out of the leaves as if woken from a good-night sleep. The scene is so beautiful I might want to take back my answer. But, of course, everything has to end so before I get to enjoy the light flutter in my heart it quickly fades away as the low rumble of the enormous creature talking to me is near my ear. I look at his face, so close I can feel his breath on my face.
”I've heard that answer in advance, all royalties answered the same but what I like about you is your boldness and the intensity of your goal is burning like fire. I can see it but I want to make sure that we've made the right choice this time or else everything will fall apart and I don't want to wait another millennium again. So before you go, I will ask you a question. What is true royalty? Take your time in finding the answer. I will know if you deserve the title by the time we meet again. Until then, let your heart speak, let your goal walk, let your sorrow be free and let the world know your fear.”
I sit up so sudden that my head starts spinning, my vision blackens for a second then clears off right away. Morning light is waving at me through the windows and I hear light snores beside me. I angle to my right to see Raven sleeping peacefully. His right arm is draped over his eyes while the other is spread out beside him. I sigh silently, taking in his perfect figure even when he sleeps. I lie back down again, resting my head on his chest, my hand wrapping around his waist, then I feel his arm tighten around me. I press my lips together to hide a smile. I snuggle closer and he holds me tighter. He smells so good and I take advantage of it. I close my eyes, silently saying thanks to no one in particular. Finally, I am not alone anymore.