Another World

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My eyes widened as I rubbed both hands on my face. I looked down at where I was lying. I was back in my room after that emotional conversation with Elton last night.

Did he give me sleeping pills or anything? I don't even remember falling my body onto this soft mattress.

I combed my hair using my right hand and stood up. There's a window in front of my bed. I walked towards it and slowly opened both windows.

A beautiful garden greeted me with 'good morning.' The garden is indeed majestic, tons of flowers were blooming, and horses were being fed. There was a wall covering the whole kingdom, but you could still see what was on the other side.

It was full of darkness. Probably a forest because I saw some trees, but it was pretty creepy if you'd ask me. 

My sightseeing was interrupted by someone knocking on my door. I turned around as I saw the doorknob moving.

"Who is it?"

"Lady, it's me, Elton. Could you join me later?" It's Elton.

"Um, where?" I scratched the back of my head and yawned a little.

"A tour here in the palace." Oh.

"Alright," I said softly. 

"Okay, I'll be waiting here until you finish dressing up."

Wait until forever, kidnapper.

I went into the bathroom again and removed all my clothes. I need to take a bath; I feel like I stink already. And that's not good.

After taking a bath, picking out clothes from Edna (the maid I puked on) that she sent before I slept last night, and fixing my hair. I'm ready now.

I looked at myself at the vanity table inside my room as I tied my hair into a bun. I felt my stomach growled.

That's a sign. I need to get out of my room and eat. Or else, I'll die.

A hint of bitterness crawled on my lips. I can remember a memory of my mom and me. Mother scolded me because I overslept. Mom hates it if I skip breakfast because I need to sleep.

"Lady Devina." I went back to reality and saw Edna standing in front of me.

"The King and Prince Elton are waiting for you in the dining room."

I thought he was going to wait for me?

"Oh, okay, thank you." She nodded at me and gestured me towards the dining room.

As usual, I'm sitting right next to the King while Prince Elton is in front of me. The whole lunch made me think deeply. I kept thinking of a way to get a hold of a telephone to call my mom from here. Or declare me as a missing person.

"Are you okay, Lady Devina?" Elton snapped his fingers in front of me with a creased forehead.

"I'm sorry, I just feel weird," I replied.

"Weird? In what way?"

"Uhm.. nothing," I chose to zip my mouth. 

"You sure?" He's too persistent.

I ignored him and wiped my mouth using the napkin on my lap. I only see this in the movies.

"Elton, why don't you take Lady Devina now on tour?" The King cleared his throat.

"Oh, right," Elton stood up and went to me. 

He offered his hand in front of me. "Lady,"

I stared at him for a moment and stood up. I took a deep breath before taking his hand. Being rude right now won't make anything good. I don't want to end up being killed by these people.

We went out of the dining room and wandered inside the castle. We passed by the library, garden, and Elton's favorite place, the art room.

"When my mother was alive, she used to paint unfamiliar places that we've never been. She said that it's in her imagination." He showed me a sample of his mom's painting.

"This is what she calls the Tower of Love." He grinned.

The painting that he showed me made my forehead creased. It's very familiar, I mean the place is very familiar. It's the Eiffel Tower in France. I even went to look closely at it.

"Tower of Love?" I questioned.

"Yes, very nice, isn't it?" He looks so impressed by his mother's artwork.

"Why would she paint that?"

"She said that she wanted to see a tower like this. So she just painted it. She said that when you have a desired place to go to, paint it and pretend you're in that place."

"Do you have any more samples? I want to see more." I insisted.

He smiled at me. "Sure, I want to show you my mother's talent." He placed the painting back from where he got it and grabbed another artwork.

"This one, she said, is the Big Clock." He beamed as he examined his mother's work.

It's the Big Ben.

"That's beautiful." I complimented.

No joke, but his mom has a remarkable talent. I can't even draw a person's hand correctly. I always end up drawing a stick, man.

"Thanks! My mother loves it here. It has a poem at the back." He flipped the artwork and showed me the handwriting of his mom.

Home is pictures of memories on the wall.
Home is sleeping in my bed.
Home is waking up to the smell of mom's cooking.
Home is sharing the holidays with family.
Home is playing the piano in the living room.
Home is a warm place to be.
Home is sweet.
Home is the place for me.
Home is filled with love.
Home is blessed from heaven above.
Home is where my heart is.
Home has a strong foundation.
It can weather any storm.
Home is where I belong.
When I go away,
I know I can come back to stay.
Home is a beautiful place.

(By Jennifer Burns)

"Home?" I asked.

"Yes, home."

The whole artwork by his mom made me think more. Does his mom know anything about the outside world? It made me also think, where is his mom?

"The village is full of villagers and sorcerers." We're sitting on the grass in their garden.

"Isn't that scary? I mean sorcerers?" I asked.

So sorcerers are real, huh? How come? Don't they have any scientists in their place? This is seriously bugging me out.

"At first, yes, you would think of that. But every land needs a sorcerer. So there's a village for them. They call it the Village Craft." The ray of sunlight brushing through his face made him more attractive.

I didn't know how to answer that even though he didn't ask a question. I just smiled and looked away.

"I have a question,"

It's time to know where his mom is. Maybe she could help me escape here.

"Sure thing, Lady Devina. What is it?"

I took a deep breath before looking at him. "I just noticed. Where's your mother?"

He remained silent. This is a fucking bad idea.

He smiled and looked at the sky. "She's not here,"

"Where is she?"

"She died when I was still a little kid. She died in a war."

My forehead creased. "What war?"

He sighed before turning to me. "There was a war a long time ago, barbarians versus every kingdom in every land."

Seriously?

"The barbarians attacked us at midnight. We weren't prepared. The barbarians killed half of our guards, and the other half were taken as hostages. My mother's trembling call awoke me. She took me to the dungeon and left me with Mrs. Crocombe."

"Mrs. Crocombe?"

He nodded. "She's Edna's mother,"

I pursed my lips and nodded.

"After half an hour, the yells of the barbarians and the flesh being torn apart disappeared. The war was over, father came back, and he said mother sacrificed herself. She was shot by an arrow, directly to her heart."

I didn't say anything. What happened to Elton's mom was terrible at the same time impossible. Battleships and guns make wars. Is this an old-fashioned country?

"Are you okay?" I tried to sound concerned.

He nodded. He took my hand and kissed the back of it. How dare this man kiss me without my permission?! It's still a part of my body, you perverted bastard!

"You said you have to do some questioning with me. When is it?" I took my hand from him.

He cleared his throat. "Probably, tomorrow. Ravina became busy today, and father had given her some private tasks."

This country is full of crazy people who wear crazy Royal clothes and wears stupid crowns.

I feel like I'm going crazy.

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Another World

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Edited by trynabeabadass