King of Hearts

10.

The girls have already finished cleaning up when Garan enters the shop. "I see you're already up, fantastic. We have a change of plan, Val. You won't be helping Dánica today. You will work at the palace, they need you right away."

Val hoped the bright sunlight assured her that today wasn't going to be that bad but clearly, she was deceived. Dánica's expression states the obvious, that she too was looking forward to working with her.

Garan notices the atmosphere he has ruined so he adds, "I see the both of you already got close, I'm glad", he smiles the way a proud father would smile at his daughters who reconciled after a fight. "On days where Dànica will be busier, you can freely help her out, Val. Besides, you're still sharing a room, you'll spend plenty of time together. I'm afraid there's a lot to do at the palace since his Highness's birthday is coming up. Since Dánica's excellent work can't be replaced I decided to give you away." Garan smiles joyfully at her and exits the kitchen, leaving the girls behind.

Val feels somewhat suspicious. She remembers him saying, that she and the Prince are connected and now she has to work at the palace, where she will possibly meet him. Coincidence? She doubts it.

She goes after him, Dánica following, finding him behind the counter. "What if I don't want to?" Val says rebelliously. She is starting not to like him.

Garan simply looks at her and she does the same, not taking her gaze off him. His eyes. Val doesn't know, but there is something about them. Something familiar, it's like she has already met him, even before the museum. But that's not possible, Val would've remembered by now.

Suddenly, she feels like crying. She has been trying her best not to lose it, and it was going pretty well this morning thanks to Dánica. But whenever Garan is present, she realizes where she is and how this wasn't supposed to happen. It should be impossible to travel through paintings, yet here she is, in an unknown world, far away from her home, her family, and friends. And the worst part is her fear of the unknown. The fact that she doesn't know what is going to happen next, when and how she will leave this place, or if it is even possible. Val doesn't even notice the warm tears flowing down her soft cheeks. She curses at herself, for not being able to control herself.

Garan's already soft dark eyes now sparkle with empathy. He moves toward Val, resting his hand on her shoulder. Val needs to slightly lower her head to look him in the eye. He then says in his usual calm voice, "This is going to be hard at first, I'm not going to deny it. But please have more faith. You will understand the importance of your role eventually. Senfira needs your help. Dánica and I will support you, you can always count on us. Going to the palace and talking to the closest Médei will be of huge help to you. The prince can help you develop your skills, he really isn't so bad he acts. He's more affectionate and kind than most people think. I assure you, that once the mission is completed, you will be going home. If that's what you'll still want."

Val's voice is as soft as a whisper. "But how do you know I am the right person? I don't even understand. How do you plan on stopping Prince Sulo?"
"Prince Sulo is the Prince of The Underworld, the Medéi of Saturn. His powers aren't fully developed, so he called a few friends from the Underworld. His demons have tormented the city in the last few years and I can tell that it's getting worse. Senfira is suffering more and more. Buildings are being demolished, strange and incurable diseases are being introduced, fear is spreading all over the city. If this won't stop, Senfira will become a living nightmare", Garan sighs, rubbing his nose bridge. For the first time his smile fades and wrinkles of sorrow and worry appear. He looks like a different person, almost unrecognizable.

"If you don't want to do it for us, do it for your own sake. Only when this is settled you will be able to go home. We need to gather all the eight Sacred Gemstones of each Medéi to annul his curse. And believe me, you are a Medéi, otherwise, you wouldn't be here." His eyes sparkle unnaturally as if winking at her. The grey cloth has slipped off his face and the cheerful-always-smiling-Garan has returned.

Val has a flashback of when she first met Garan in his shop at the museum, and how he talked about magic. Val thought how ridiculous his speech was back at the museum, but now that she's here she feels like she's the ridiculous one. Val doesn't know what to do, even though it's clear she has no choice. She feels trapped, knowing that there is no way around it. She sighs and sits down on a bench.

"There's not much you can do, therefore why not make the best of it and enjoy your stay?" Garan grabs a jar of green cookies literally out of nowhere and offers it to her. Val wouldn't describe their look as "tasty" but the smell is heavenly. Resigned, she picks the smallest one. Dánica also receives his offer and she too takes a cookie, giving Val an encouraging smile.

Val appreciates their kindness, but she won't give in so easily. There must be another way to leave Senfira. Her ring has a special role in this. She wore the ring when she got sucked into the painting. Before that, she touched Prince Ulio's ring. Maybe that obnoxious idiot is the solution. Val needs to find him. She's still unsure what she's going to do once she meets him, but he's definitely the key. This thought gives her hope. Maybe she can leave this world very soon. She tries to ignore her feelings of guilt and betrayal. Betrayal? For what? She is not responsible for this city and doesn't owe these people anything.
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of chirming bells coming from the door.