Revive

The Girl Under The Moon

Chapter VI: The Girl Under The Moon

I was dumbfounded. I hadn't expected to hear such an eye opening story. I knew something was up with my parents, but what they had done was sickening. And the prince. Louis was the prince in Adrien's story. It made sense why I didn't recognize his title when he first told me, I just never expected the answer to lay with my refused suspicions. It's not that I didn't like the idea of Louis being the Prince of Stellaria, it was just that I didn't think it was possible that there was another prince. It simply didn't seem like the answer to the question.

"Kora, I-" Louis started, but I quickly cut him off.

"Louis, you do not need to explain yourself or apologise. I trust you and your instincts, including what you choose to share and not share." I spoke lightly. It was true, I had learned to trust him and saw how much he cared about me and my goal. Not only did he respect my boundaries and secrets, I respected him too.

"Right, thanks Kora. I trust you too." Louis responded, looking less nervous than he did seconds ago. It felt nice to know that we could trust each other. Louis and I had only known each other for a few days, but when you're walking non-stop, those days feel like weeks and the small talk is inevitable, binding the formation of trust. I just hoped this would be the same for Adrien.

"Thank you, Adrien. I could tell that was difficult. I know what it's like to drown down memories and feelings."

Silence filled the forest, relaxing yet slightly disturbing. I rose to my feet, brushing the dirt from my legs. With winter upon us, it was growing colder, which meant more of a reason to move on.

"We should move now. We've been here for too long." I spoke promptly, the boys slowly rising as well.

"That's a good idea. We have no idea where those men ran to. They could have gotten help." Louis agreed, joining my side as I started walking towards a short trail. I pulled a compass from my pocket, and pointed it south. We were to travel past Cordelia, meaning we had to travel down the continent. As the silence grew on, my legs took over and my mind stole me from reality. I thought of my childhood. Though dark and lonely, at least I had one. Being hidden from the world had its faults, but at least I hadn't had suitors lining up to marry me the second I turned sixteen. I didn't want arrogant princes trying to win me over. I didn't need any of it. I wasn't even sure if I believed in love. Lacking it for sixteen is valid for the disbelief.

When I was little, closed doors and dark walls were love. It was the alternative of getting scolded by my father for playing with my magic. My mother never truly cared about his words, but she pretended I was normal whenever I hadn't locked myself away to avoid them and would scold him back if he was too harsh. I never truly understood why she did it. Of course I was still their daughter, but I could feel the hate swarming in them over what I had wielded and could become. And through that hate, they rejected their only daughter. Sadly, the act hurt more than it would have if they spoke truthfully in action and words.

As I grew older, they just got worse. Getting me ready for my duties as future queen, but discarding that it was all a lie. I was never going to become queen, and I knew that. My life was drowned out by studies of things that were irrelevant to me. They were trying to keep me busy so that I could not have time to tarnish our family name. My parents failed many times though. The more they tried to hide me, the less hidden I became. Sneaking out into the villages, I would play with the other kids. If I wasn't a "curse", I could have possibly become friends with them.

The more my family tried to pretend, the less I did. I grew more tired and tired. I hated it there, and wanting to go back to the safety of my dark claustrophobic room. It might have been tight and eerie, but at least I was alone. It was quiet and most importantly, a place for me to hide the effects of the burdens I carried everyday. When I finally turned sixteen, it was a blessing. I was finally leaving to start over, or at least I thought. After meeting Louis on that night under the moon, I made my first friend: someone who showed care and was genuine. That's when I realized how wrong my childhood was, and how corrupt Aleama was becoming. I was blinded for so long, thinking that what I had was enough, but I was far from correct. I had to do something about it. I had to fix what I wasn't supposed to. I was playing with someone else's project, but I didn't care anymore. If I had to steal it, so be it.

"Kora," I heard from beside me. I turned my head to see Louis's worried eyes pointed at me.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I was just thinking about my past." I responded shortly before turning my head back to the forest in front of me.

"Maybe we should take a break, you look weary." Louis spoke, worry lacing his voice. I nodded before following him to the floor of the earth. I had almost forgotten that Adrien was with us, but when I turned to look at him, he was gone. I tapped Louis's shoulder, making him notice too. We sat in silence for a couple of seconds trying to figure out where he could have gone. When I was about to give up on asking, he appeared, almost as if an invisibility cloak was being pulled from him.

"We have to go now." He demanded, continuing to look back behind him.

"What why? Where did you go?" Louis questioned.

"When we were walking, I saw a group of men following us, talking about Kora. I cloaked and followed us, but they know where we are and are on their way. We must go now." Adrien explained.

"Wait, what were they saying about me?" I asked. I had a right to know.

"They were talking over a plan-'' He paused, choking slightly on his words, "a plan to assassinate you for The King and Queen of Aleama." I widened my eyes, holding back the tears. My loveless parents, trying to kill their own daughter. I was more sickened than surprised, but I still felt dumbfounded, and slightly enraged.