Valencia stood up from the Throne in the Oceanuris Throne House. The Throne was engraved with cracked patterns all over it–though Valencia always assumed it became like this over time–as she'd sit on it everyday without question. She needed to keep the face of Valencia Qa, for the people of Oceanuris. And Agate and Dolos said she must only stay put there in the Throne House. For there may be dangers outside the Throne House–or dangers if she didn't follow their direction.

There were also some snapdragons that sat in wooden pots, decorated with abstract, continuous patterns, like a mandala stretched into a line of waves and dots and wonderful, unique geometric shapes. The snapdragons were in many light colors–mostly of white and an innocent pink–and made wonderful additions to the Throne House. It sat below the arched ceilings that were made of curved, wooden beams. And finally, there was a medium-sized chandelier in small vine spirals and a flower mount on the ceiling. This flower mound sat in the center of the ceiling, giving that feeling of prestige and undeniable power.

But it was hard to rub the lone leaf and turn the Youmlay berries off. So, with a flick of her wrist, a long, large sword appeared in her hand and she rubbed the leaf to turn it off. In the darkness, Valencia sighed.

One, because she wished for a different way to turn off the Youmlay berries that sat so high. But also because she could finally go home to the Oceanuris Manor.

Which, unlike the Throne House, was not built for her.

#

Valencia knocked on the gate door in the Manor garden. Yes, there were some double doors at the front, but Agate and Dolos told her it was far easier to go from the back. And in some cases, they were right. It was still steep to walk there, though, due to the fact that the Manor was up on a tall hill instead.

Katherlynne opened the door, with a small smile.

"Hello, Valencia," she said, her own hands clasped together.

Valencia simply waved. "How's Valencia doing?"

"Valencia? Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Valencia–with her long orchid cape–raised an eyebrow. "I mean my daughter. I had to leave her early from playing doctor with her."

"Oh!" Katherlynne flushed at the mistake. Well, she should've known. Her cheeks were as rosy as her pink tips. How embarrassing.

Katherlynne held the gate door as Valencia walked inside, both of their steps falling silently in the night. Then, Katherlynne pushed the gate door, locked the hatch, and followed Valencia inside.

"So how is she?" Valencia asked as she glanced at Katherlynne.

"She's doing well. In fact, we were just playing doctor earlier!" Katherlynne held out her hand, with her index finger wrapped in a white bandage carefully. It was an art form of itself, wrapped so neatly. "She even did this earlier, because I got a scratch from one of the plants in the garden. Isn't it cute?"

"It's more than cute," Valencia replied, as they both stopped and she took Katherlynne's hand and traced the bandaged wound. "It's talent."

"You can tell that she really enjoys it." Katherlynne winked at her. They continued strolling along, inside the Manor hall. "Wouldn't she make a great doctor someday?"

Valencia's eyes dimmed as Katherlynne said this, so cheerful her words were. Her head tilted down, opening a wound and silence between the two. Katherlynne bit her tongue at her careless statement.

Why did I say something so careless and insensitive? A thousand years in, still so ignorant. I can't even do anything about it. It'd tear my life.

Valencia sighed. Was there anything I could do about it? I've got to find some way to make my daughter keep that flame inside her. Yes, Agate and Dolos might try something...

However, she should at least have the chance to live. She should at least have that.

"I'm sorry," Katherlynne whispered. "I forgot." Valencia's lips were silent and tense, like she was ready to make a change with her words.

"And I'm sorry," she finally spoke. "For thinking that I couldn't do anything about my daughter's happiness."

#

Another night fell–not long after that conversation with Katherlynne–and Valencia's feelings have changed since then. Agate and Dolos were disgusted by this. She'd snap at their orders, she'd play with her daughter for hours, well knowing that she (Valencia–the 127th one) should be training in the yard, and she'd even talk back and behind them. Katherlynne was there to see it all, as well as everyone else around her. And she personally thought that it was great. Humorous, even.

But that's not what Agate and Dolos thought.

"Valencia," Dolos sighed. "You are supposed to be at the Throne House now. In fact, hours ago. What do you think you're doing?"

Valencia was holding Blueberry gingerly as Valencia sat next to her. "I am well aware of that. But I'm not dead, am I?" she shook her head and chuckled.

"Where's Agate?" Valencia asked as she leaned on her Nai. "Katherlynne, where's Agate?"

Katherlynne–sitting beside the two–shook her head and shrugged. She was still thinking to herself, an introspection ringing in her heart. She had been tangled and stuck to the Manor all her life–her immortal life–in the name of simply breathing. And here was Valencia, recklessly breaking orders in the name of living.

Then there came a knock on the door of Valencia's bedroom. Dolos sighed in relief. Finally, you're here, he thought.

He strolled a few steps to open the door.

"Agate," his voice remained dusted and low, as it always had been. "You're finally here. Where were you?" His eyes narrowed, as if to say, I was with you when Werner gave it. I thought you would come back immediately with me.

"I had to run an errand for him, okay? I'm here now." Agate was able to read his eyes too well. She turned to Valencia–the one who should've been at the Throne House–and took a few steps towards her. "Valencia, would you come here for a moment? And your daughter can sit down and stay there." Agate narrowed her eyes with a smirk as Valencia (126) handed Blueberry to her daughter (127). As Valencia (126) walked closer to Agate, Agate circled around her, near her sides. She came in closer and closer.

"What are you doing?" Valencia asked her. Her daughter watched in silence as Katherlynne sat beside her.

Agate opened the white case in her hands...

And stabbed a dart through Valencia's clothes and pierced her back.

"AAAOH!" Valencia let out a shriek, her daughter quickly scrambling to her, getting stopped by Katherlynne's protective hand. Dolos stared at the two, keeping both Katherlynne and Valencia (127) pinned down to the floor. Valencia, meanwhile, could feel purple liquid seep into her warm blood. What was it? She tried to pull it out, stopped by Agate's quick hands as she pushed it further. And further, pressed down as blood stained her clothes.

Valencia held her hands out in terror as she crumbled to the floor. Agate stared her down with a quiet chuckle and narrowed eyes with a twinkle dancing inside her pupil. She still held the case inside, which was full of translucent darks filled with purple liquid. Valencia, kneeled down to the floor, had her back stained in red and dark purples.

And then she lifted her back to sit on her knees. Dolos gave a sharp look to Valencia and Katherlynne, who had both been silent the whole time. After that, he stared down at Valencia with crossed arms.

"Stand up." He ordered. Valencia did so, slowly rising to her feet.

"Nai?" The confused child looked at Katherlynne. "Katherlynne, what's going on?" Katherlynne felt a chill run down her spine, as if Dolos ran his cold finger down her back.

Agate and Dolos shot soulless, yet wickedly-satisfied looks at each other.

The spell worked.

Valencia turned her head to face her daughter. Katherlynne's eyes widened and shook, while Valencia's (127) mouth gaped open. There was no light that once was in her Nai's eyes, she was cold and apathetic. The purple liquid oozed in her, replacing the very soul she once had. It was closed-off, like she was now.

"What are you doing?" Her voice was almost robotic. "Shouldn't you be training in the garden instead of wasting your time here?"

"Valencia..." Katherlynne shielded Valencia (127) with her arm and hand. And her head turned to Agate and Dolos. "What did you do to her?'

"A simple funeral, really." Agate smirked. "She hardly had any intention of staying in order and following simple directions. As with her daughter too." She glared at Valencia, who let out a short cry from her deadly glare.

"What about Oceanuris? Don't you think it'll be suspicious if she acted like this in front of them?"

"Perhaps it's for the better," Dolos said. "So the people can have a warning." He stared down the little girl as she loosened her grip on Blueberry. "Listen to the rulers, listen to the rules that are asked of you and you will survive. Or you must perish."