SEE YOU, WONDERLAND | TPN [✓]

20: ECCENTRIC QUESTIONS

In ancient history, Rose is considered as a symbol of secrecy.

Everyone is as cheerful as Emma who still has good spirit and such humor left inside her mind. It feels like everyone moved on and felt better after one year and seven months since the Goldy Pond collapsed and for you, those dates means how long you already cut your connection with Ratri Clan and their military.

Right after you came back, Emma and the others were surprised as they heard you have returned. And from that day, Emma has been acting unusual─ only to you. She would always keep an eye on you and will not allow you for hunting neither getting something to eat; obviously she didn't let you patrol too.

She and Ray shared the information they got about this place while you were left confused at first what are these places they're mentioning, you're only aware of the seven walls and the promise, but not the God who made a pact then that's the time where you discovered you've been communicating with such a far superior well-being creature all this time. The 'The one' you always mock with is a God.

Checking each wooden sections of the library, you bumped into Ray who's been following you around lately. "Eye luggage, what's wrong with you? You seem uneasy lately" he said and brought himself beside you as you kept walking passing each shelves of the library. "I don't know, maybe I just need some time to think, because I just realized something eccentric" you murmured and gulped as you could feel how Ray's gaze on you just bore deep in your soul.

"What is it?" He asked as you shook your head and smiled on him trying to change the topic as soon as possible, "once I figured it out, I'll tell you. Firstly let's focus about this Golden water and the seven walls" you rebuke and started checking the shelves leaving the young man staring at you with his concern face.

As he assured himself that you're doing fine, he left you and began guiding the younger ones from finding various books. And there, you sat on the floor leaning on the shelve as you read the book that seem to have any connection with the promise since it involves the name of Ratri Clan. "Why did I mentioned myself as (L/n)?" You asked yourself and sighed finding it odd though you're sure that you just made that surname. "Ah yes, Mama once called me with that name" you mumbled and read the book with silence.

You started accounting the book and honestly, you took an interest on its content. Soon, you found something engrossing, it was all about the girl named, Anastasia Ratri. Digging deeper to the story, you have compiled all the necessary information about this girl as your fascinated face can be seen.

As the girl ran through the forest, being the Mama she is, she cried filled with guilt about abandoning the children she had taken care of but knowing her situation will get worse if she stayed because she has a blood of a gatekeeper, A Ratri. Her shoes were found in the door as the brothers she always loved were surprised by her betrayal, and there, Anastasia Ratri was never been found. She left without any trace, she brought herself alone in the Wonderland...

"(Y/n)?" Emma asked as she noticed you were hiding at the corner of the shelves with your focused eyes. She sat beside you and gave you her warm smile as you smirked back too, you closed the book after finishing it and showed it too Emma. "It's about Anastasia Ratri, though she was named there as A.R." You said and watched Emma took a flip on the book. She hummed in response and sighed to get rid of the thick air surrounding both of you, "I heard you and Ray started narrowing down the possible places? Geez, you're all so hyped" you whined and brought your head on your folded knees.

"Haha, sorry if we're that noisy" she said and smiled genuinely as she held your hand, "Ray mentioned that something's bothering you" she said as you just flicked her forehead like how Ray would flick yours. "Seems like your husband just babbled something nonsense again" you teased as Emma showed such a funny face showcasing unbelievable expressions. "Husband? All he ever did when we're alone is talk about you here and there!" She exclaimed as she tried discussing what are the things he kept telling.

"Alright, alright, shut up" you murmured trying to calm her down whilst your ears couldn't barely hold the redness. "Emma do you remember when Mama used to call me (L/n)?" You asked as she nodded in response thinking of your next question, "why do you think she calls me with that name?" You asked and sighed as Emma did the same. "Maybe its Mama's favorite name? Or she somehow loves calling you by that?" She answered as we heard a knock on the shelve.

"Then why would she love that name? Do you think you have a definite identity?" Ray asked as he noticed the book you're holding, "do you know that R.A. almost died while escaping?" He asked as you titled your head trying to remember which part of story was it. "It's because she's carrying a baby and tripped, but then she left the infant and ran away by herself" he muttered and smirked as your eyes widened in response while Emma started getting the topic still thinking of the answer, "alright, uhm─ I think we should eat lunch by now" you said and stood up passing Ray's figure.

As Ray went outside with you and Emma, you stopped your tracks and waited Emma to come out of the study room, "Emma I have a question?" You asked as she flinched with her gaze upon you, "what is it (y/n)? It sounds serious?" She asked with her nervous voice. "This isn't serious as you thought, so don't worry" you assured and began walking with her heading straight to the kitchen where it seems the older kids are busy preparing the lunch.

"What are you hiding from me? You've been acting strange. You're always keeping an eye on me" you uttered and snapped your fingers to make her relieve, "will you believe that I spoke with 'the one'?" She asked once as you nodded, at first, when she announced this one to everyone. You're the only one who doubted her, but now, there's no other way than trust her and believe in her.

...

"Oh I see, then the one must have trusted you more than we think, although I think he's just playing with you" you said and rubbed your nape as a droplet of sweat reached your chin.

Everyone seems happy as they ate their lunch, those smiles carved on their faces showing content with the food served on the table eating it alongside with each siblings. You're just grateful all of you are alive and all of you survived.

Thinking ahead, you stood up and excused yourself heading to the study room again to read books. And there, a guy followed your trace as he sat beside you with your uneasy and complicated thoughts, "let it out, idiot" he said as he patted your head pressing it downwards right after.

"Did you heard what Emma said earlier?" You asked as he turned his glance away from you with his hands ruffling your hair. "Yes, are you afraid?" He asked as you chuckled with your clenching fists added with your gritting teeth and scrunching nose.

"Yes I am, I don't know if he's playing or no" you answered and wiped the tears that streamed down to your face, "I can't believe what she said, what does the one wants to say?" You asked Ray as he sighed pulling you close to him and there you started calming and once remembered what Emma answered,

The one says that, a young girl with the same age as yours, her soul lost its way back to the warmth of her family's grace. Her soul was replaced with withered flowers as she kept finding the way back to her family who's completely blooming...

Do you know what happens to those soul who couldn't find their way back? They were lost by the darkness and died all alone.