by RA. Gil
As she neared, the sound of her feet crushing the blades of grass gave her away. The mysterious figure turned in alarm at her presence and his feet shifted very lightly in attempt to flee, but when he saw it was Valeriana, he stilled.
The girl squinted in order to make out the face of the man before her under the darkness offered by his cloak. “Kyrell?” She gasped.
He looked equally taken aback. “Valeriana?”
“Oh my gosh!” She jumped excitedly. “I never thought I'd see you here!”
“I . . . are you the guest King Laedin said was coming?” He asked.
“I'm not just the only guest, though.” She told him, standing beside him. “What are you doing here by the way? Do you live here? Are you secretly the prince or something?” She jokingly nudged him with her elbow.
“Uh . . .” He looked at her. “You look stunning today. But why are you drenched in water?”
She glanced down at her wet dress and shrugged. “I completely embarrassed myself in front of King Laedin and Lord Gavin by choking on my water and spilling it to my lap.”
He chuckled. “Really?”
“I know.” She told him gravely. “I wanted to go to the restroom but I got lost on the way.”
“Well, would you like me to take you?” He offered her.
“Sure, why not. I don't have any clothes to change into, though.” She replied, releasing a guttural sound in the back of her throat as a sign of irritation.
“Let me take care of that.” He extended out his right hand, making flawless gestures in the air.
Valeriana raised a brow, curious about his actions. No sooner than a second later, she heard something gurgling. The girl looked down at her drenched clothes only to see the water being sucked off of it. It floated along the direction Kyrell was waving to.
“Wow.” She gushed, watching him work.
Once Kyrell managed to completely take the water away, he flicked his wrist towards the direction of the flowers and it sprayed, raining droplets among the plants. It was evenly distributed, every drop flying towards different directions. Valeriana couldn't help but feel awed by the sight.
“You're awesome, Kyrell! Thank you very much!” She smoothed down the wrinkles that appeared from the wet spot before and cursed when her efforts went in vain. “Anyway, this is better than walking around wet.”
“I'm sorry for disappearing so suddenly after the duel. I had to leave.” He told her. “I heard you won, though. Congratulations.”
“I didn't even realize that you were gone. I was too caught up in the battle.”
“Well, I can't blame you. A warrior's focus must always be n the fight.” Kyrell looked ahead of him and sighed.
“How are you doing, though?” She queried. “And what are you doing here?”
“Well, I . . .”
“And those clothes . . . do you always wear a cloak?”
“I have to.”
“Are you a part of the Court or something? Even Lord Aeron takes off his cloak when he's outside.”
“No . . . I . . .”
“Then, why?”
Kyrell sighed and looked ahead of him, seeming reluctant to tell. “Uh . . .”
“Alright!” Valeriana held her hands up and patted the boy at the back good-naturedly. “I'm sorry for being a prying bit—no, I shouldn't say that . . .” She trailed off. “Anyway, it's not my place to know. If you don't want to tell me, then it's alright. It's not like it's any of my business.”
“I'm sorry, Valeriana.” Kyrell muttered apologetically. “I hope you're not upset.”
“Why would I be upset?” The girl bent down and hugged her knees as she stared at a flower closely. “Everyone has their own reasons. We all have our secrets we want to keep.”
They didn't speak for a few moments. Valeriana continued to observe the flower, her fingertips tracing its velvety petals. The color of the flower was unique. It was purple around the center, gradually fading in white as it reached the round tips of its petals. It was undoubtedly captivating unlike any other flowers Valeriana had seen. Its leaves and stem weren't green. In fact, looking closely, it was gold. It bore a great resemblance to a specific flower from back home called the violet Columbine.
“You just reminded me of something, Valeriana.” Kyrell said as he bent down beside her as well. “That flower you're looking at . . .”
“It's beautiful.” She muttered. “I wonder what it's called.”
“Valeriana.” Kyrell said.
Hearing her name called, she looked at the boy beside her. “Huh?”
“Valeriana.” He repeated. “The flower you're looking at is called Valeriana.”
Her eyes widened from his statement. “Really? Then it has the same name as me! Or maybe it's the other way around. But, whatever, it's the same anyway.”
“This flower is my favorite of all.” Kyrell told her. “My mother took special care for these flowers. She liked them the most. Aside from being beautiful, they're strong. They can stand through the heat of summer and the cold of winter. They bloom best during spring.”
“There's a similar flower from back home.” She stated. “It's called a Columbine. The violet one.” She leaned down and sniffed it. “But this one smells even lovelier.”
“I think your name fits you very well.” Kyrell reached towards the flower and plucked it off, handing it to Valeriana. “Here, take this.”
The girl took the flower in her hands happily. “It's mine? Really? Thank you.” She twirled it between her thumb and forefinger.
“The name Valeriana means to be strong and have hope.”
“Then, what about Kyrell?”
“It depends.” He answered. “It refers to a holy, sacred place. But . . . looking deeper, it means dark and tainted.”
“Isn't that contradicting the first meaning?” Her brows knitted on her forehead.
“It's a mystery.”
“Thank you for this, by the way.” She referred to the flower she now admired. “But won't the king be angry? I mean, picking flowers like this in his back garden without his permission is kinda . . . I don't know. Illegal.”
“Don't worry. I can assure you that you won't get in trouble.” Kyrell smiled at her. “Taking one of these hundreds of thousands of flowers will hardly make a difference.”
“But . . . I gotta put this somewhere.” She said. “I don't want it to lose its petals or anything.”
“Try it here.” He took the flower and placed it on her ear. “Now, you look even prettier.”
She laughed. “You're a genius, Kyrell! Why haven't I thought of that?”
He joined her in her laughter and shook his head. Valeriana examined him for a moment, noticing the gleam of uneasiness and worry in his eyes. For some reason, Valeriana couldn't help but feel the same way he was feeling currently. She looked at the direction he was looking and saw a waning moon across the skies.
“I'm hoping that I can have the answer to my problem.” He mumbled. “Hoping it'll be over soon so I can go back to my old life.”
“You mean . . . you didn't always wear a cloak?”
He chuckled. “No . . . well, I guess that's a part of it. Being hidden in this cloak means that I'm restrained from freely showing myself.”
“What's wrong with your appearance?” She inquired. “You look adorable!” She grabbed his face and pinched his cheeks.
“Ouch!” He swatted her hand away. “Don't do that.”
They found themselves staring up towards the star-studded sky. The atmosphere turned from suddenly being playful to that of a relaxed and cool one.
“I don't want you to end up hating me, Valeriana.” Kyrell suddenly stated. “Ever since I became like this . . .”
Valeriana questioningly eyed his slouched form and followed his actions shortly. “What do you mean?”
“You're a human, so you don't realize.” Sadness flashed within those black-flecked golden depths. “If I tell you, I fear you'll end up like them, too.”
> “End up like who? Kyrell, what exactly are you talking about?”
“You'll realize sooner or later. Maybe you’ll become like them too. It's been a while since someone laid their eyes on me and thought that I wasn't a monster.”
“A monster? Really? That's ridiculous!”
“Please, not now. I'm trying to be serious.” He openly pouted, making the girl laugh.
“Yup. Very adorable.” She giggled. “You remind me of Jareth when he was way younger! Now, he's so not adorable anymore.” She sighed.
“Valeriana!” He practically whined.
“Alright. Alright.” She held her hands up. “I'm serious. I can't help but feel like you're going to tell me something really dramatic, and a few moments from now, I'll have my jaw dropping.” She muttered.
He looked at her with scrutinizing eyes. She mirrored his gaze with a sincere one and nodded. Ever so slightly, Kyrell smiled.
“Do you know that having black hair and eyes indicate that you're a demon?”
“What?” She scrunched her brow. “Oh yeah, I do remember reading that in one of the books about demons.”
“Well,” he started. “Valemnians have something in their blood that prevents them from having black hair and eyes. It's the order of things. Unless they become a demon . . .”
“That's weird.” She said. “They all have sorts of hair and eye color but why black?”
“Before, having black hair used to be normal . . . until demons came.” He started. “In order to distinguish demons from Valemnians, the gods turned those who possessed dark hearts into having black hair and eyes, and those who remained normal got the color which represented them the most.”
“Really?”
“Red hair symbolizes passion, wildness, ferocity, and such, for example.” He paused with a smile. “So it means that if you have red hair, your ancestor had that kind of personality.”
“Wow. But what does that have to do with you?”
“You have seen what I look like before.”
“Yeah, you have highlights right?”
“They aren't highlights, they are streaks. A taint to my soul.” He growled.
“What?” She blinked stupidly. “You mean you didn't dye it? I thought—” She was cut off when a voice harshly cut through the air.
“Miss Valeriana!” Edeltraud yelled.
They both turned and saw the man heading towards them, face creased angrily. He didn't look pleased and glared at Kyrell beside Valeriana, who instinctively turned away and turned his back on the man.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Valeriana.” Edeltraud made his way to the young woman and guided her almost forcefully away from Kyrell. “The king is looking for you, he is worried.”
He led her a few steps away from Kyrell before he himself walked towards him and said something in a very hushed tone.
“She didn't see?”
Kyrell tried to hide his reluctance as he shook his head.
“If she did, you know what will happen.” Edeltraud warned him before he walked away and tried to guide the woman away as polite as possible.
Chapter Forty-Three ♣ An Enemy Returns
Auburn hair fell down in waves. Courtney gingerly wrapped a strand around her forefinger, checking herself in front of her mirror.
News had come that the human had managed to defeat Zion Brunhild. Although Zion was clearly a good opponent and a potential titleholder for a position among the Twelve, he wasn't interested.
Of course she went to see the battle despite perilous weather of Prelurésia. She had to be careful though, as her suspension prevented her from even stepping a meter close to the academy's grounds. Doing so could extend her punishment and she greatly wanted to avoid that seeing as she wanted to be able to get back as soon as possible.
“You're sure taking your time.” A voice chuckled behind her.
The former fifth-ranker narrowed her eyes as she stared at her older brother through his reflection in the mirror, her perfectly arched brows knitting together ever so slightly that made a crease just above her nose evident.
“I do not remember giving you the permission to enter my room.” She sternly told him, tugging on the long sleeves of her soft, pink gown as she stood up from her seat in front of her dresser. The skirt swished and fluttered as she moved.
“Is it bad to check up on my little sister?” His form was hunched in front of the window, somewhat shadowed by the darkness inside her room. Snow was falling outside, casting shadows that trailed down the walls like an army of ants.
“It is when I gave you no permission.” She answered, making her way towards her bed where her uniform laid ready.
“After almost a month, I see you're enthusiastic to go back to the academy. Are you that excited to face that human again?”
“So what if I am?” She took the clothes in her arms. “I've been itching for this day to come.”
“Ah, little sister. As predictable as ever.” His laugh bounced off the walls before reaching her ears, creating an overlapping series of exasperating resonances. “Maybe that's why that human managed to defeat you.”
Growling, Courtney clenched her fists and small, wind tornadoes appeared beside her. She shot her hand towards the direction of the voice and blades of wind sliced through the air, shattering the windows and cutting through his body.
“Shut your mouth.” She seethed, watching as he fell to the ground in numerous pieces.
“Or maybe it's because of your temper. You can never control your anger, can you?” His voice echoed before it died and his body vanished into nothingness, puffing into cinders in the air.
“Please don't send any more of your horrid clones into my room. They're repulsing.” She huffed, opening the door to her dressing room and shutting it close behind her.
She tugged on the uniform, nauseated it wasn't what she had gotten herself familiar with. The Celestial Twelve's uniforms were much more comfortable and befitting of someone her stature. To be forced to wear the unbelievable plainness of the regular uniform made her feel sick.
With a grimace, she stepped out of her room, only to see a figure sitting on top of her bed.
Her features softened. “Suzanne.” She said.
The other girl looked up and beamed when she saw Courtney. The pinkish shade of her curly tresses fell on her shoulders as she spread her arms wide open and engulfed the other girl into a hug. Her green eyes twinkled joyfully.
“I'm happy you're finally going back.” She told her, pulling away but keeping her hands on Courtney's shoulders. “Don't get in trouble again.”
Courtney looked away. “I do not think I can promise that.”
Suzanne gave her a look of concern. “I know why you got suspended.” She said. “It's for my sake, isn't it?”
“For a human to easily get into the academy when she doesn't even deserve it.”
“Don't say that, Courtney.” She brushed her cheek softly with an optimistic smile. “Don't judge people so easily. I know you're only acting that way because she's been given a chance a lot of people wanted. She's one of the very fortunate ones.”
The former fifth made a noise of irritation. “She doesn't even know how hundreds of people are striving to be given the chance to study in the academy. How long have you been waiting for your turn?”
“A little over five years, perhaps.”
“Do you see where I'm coming from?”
“I know you're concerned about me not being able to fulfill our promise.” Suzanne said. “But you don't have to worry! Do not concern yourself about me. You shouldn't be making that human's life hard just because she got into the academy before I did. She's a special case.”
“And after all that talk of no special treatment being given.” She grumbled. “My parents had to secure a spot for me eight years in advance just so it was a sure thing I could enter without any problem.”
“Come on, Courtney.” She slipped her fingers between Courtney's comfortingly. “Let it pass, it does
n't happen every day! Give it a chance. I'm sure she's a wonderful person if she defeated you.”
“Don't even go there, Suzanne. She's a human.”
“I know you still haven't recovered about that incident, but you can't condemn an entire race just because of the actions of one. Doing that, you'll be condemning the innocent as well.”
Courtney was quiet.
“I'll come by visit.” Suzanne then leaned in to kiss her friend on the cheek. “Besides, I was given the news that my spot will be ready for the next semester! So, make sure to expect me, alright?”
Courtney gave her one of her rare smiles. “I guess I will.”
-*-
Valeriana was sent home after having dinner with the king. When she returned, both men were worried for her suddenly leaving the dining room and asked her if she was alright. She quickly reassured them that she was fine and that she got lost on the way to the restroom. She told them not to worry since she was in her best condition, only a little bit embarrassed for what happened earlier—which Lord Gavin quickly apologized for.
Setting that aside, she felt worried for Kyrell. Whatever he was going to tell her seemed serious, so she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
If only Edeltraud didn't interrupt the two of them . . .
The girl had placed her Valeriana in a vase on her bedside table the moment she came home. She had to admit that having a greenery in her room made it somewhat look even homier.
Even so, the next day was as normal as ever. She helped Charles with breakfast and when food was served, the whole circle gathered around the table.
“The summer festival is starting soon! I'm so excited.” Genevieve giggled. “I heard that there'll be a lot of games!”
“The games are boring.” Keelan muttered. “Definitely not exciting.”
“Huh? Why not?” Valeriana quipped.
“It’s the same thing every year, nothing new.” Raziel yawned.
She shrugged. This was her first time so it would be much more fun for her than anyone else.
“This is our first time.” Said the twins in chorus. “So it won’t be as bad!”
“I keep forgetting you guys are just first years.” Rowe said. “No matter.”