Tʜᴇ Mɪssɪɴɢ Gᴇᴍ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 26

ʀɪᴠᴇɴ's ᴘᴏᴠ

"Flora!" I tried to chase her but the queen put a hand on my shoulder and shook her head with sad smile on her lips. "I didn't know why she would act up like that" 

It's surprising at how upset Flora is, I thought she would take things at face value, but it seems like she was expecting more. The very whole thing that has been haunting her for years.

Letting me go, she and the king stood up and walked towards me. "Tell us Riven, how is she?" Frowning, I'm still worried for Flora storming off and I wanted to go find her. 

"She's doing fine at the Magix with her friends and boyfriend" 

They both looked surprised at me before smiling widely, they looked pleased and happy with my answer. "Oh she has friends and boyfriend now... That's maybe the reason why she doesn't want to be here anymore" The queen chuckled and I just stood there wordless. "Riven, can we be honest? Please don't tell Flora this but since we know about this key and how Silas can use us against her, we both got our memories about her erased for years until you both stepped into the palace..."

My eyes widened but nodded in understanding. "You have my words, your majesty"

"When you both leave Aquaria, please take care of our daughter and let us know if those wizards are be back"

...

ꜰʟᴏʀᴀ's ᴘᴏᴠ

This castle is huge and I feel so outcasted in the place, I think I know why. With these mixed emotions in me, it will take me a while for my parents words to sink in. It's just upsetting. They said they've been expecting me and yet they can't tell me the whole thing. Is it selfish to know all concerning about me?

Glancing around the place, I noticed how some plants are fake, just a decoy to please the eyes of the people here and it's quite understandable at how Aquaria isn't a place for nature to grow abundantly unlike back at Lynphea. The garden of the castle is enormous with lots of plant and I can feel their pain at how some plants aren't suited at this setting and weather.

Like this small flower pot at the corner, I saw this kind of plant back at Alfea and this isn't the place it should be in. It's too hot for the flower to flourish more into its colorful state. Looking around, I make sure  no one's at this side before getting lost in my thoughts and power. With my hands laid out, I closed my eyes and focuses on giving that flower a little magic, to let it have the environment that it needs.

I felt myself giving too much effort on this small plants as I stopped and looked it bloomed in a very vibrant color. It's so pretty...

"It's pretty...." I heard the same voice from earlier who was taunting me, but this time she sounded much calmer and... Impressed? "Can you show me more...?"

Looking back, I stared at the woman who's smiling at me apologetic. Her hands are behind while tilting her head as if she's interested on me.

"M-me...?" I murmured to which she nodded, her smile growing wider. "I'll be happy!" Grinning, I managed to grabbed her hand and leads her to another set of plants.

It has only been 30 minutes and yet I am learning more about her. Her name is Ava and she's my cousin from a distant family. She has been here for quite a while now as a vacation. However, Ava did admit that her family has been forcing her to be my parents favorite but she just can't do something horrible and pretentious. And in the end, my parents simply took her in and look out for her as she's clearly being neglected.

Lucky her, my parents are there for her... But what about me?

Suddenly my Lynphea's parents flashed on my mind and I felt sorry at how I keep on forgetting them when they are the one who basically raised me. I'm not alone.

"W-why can't I...?" Drop of sweat rolled down my temple as exhaustion filled my system. Me and Ava are currently at the other side of the castle and This is the last place I need to help. But my powers seems to be drained.

"Princess... are you okay?" Ava sounded worried that I nodded swiftly, I don't want to cause anyone trouble.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to stand up and faced her with a small smile. Ava held my hand and rubbed the back of my hands. I could see her eyes glowed green and a wave of energy came back rushing in me. 

Wow..

"I focused myself with healing abilities..." she blushed while  letting my hand go. "I hope it isn't boring..."

Grinning, I held her hands with my eyes sparkling in admiration. "It's one of the thing I also wanted to focused back then!" 

I could see her smiling back proudly and I guided her on the last plant. 

"See this little one? It might be healthy, but it needs less sunlight" I gazed up at her to catch her staring at the plant amazingly. "It might not show the result now, but if this continues for a week, it will slowly dry even though you water it too often" I stood on my feet and put a hand on her shoulder.

She was tensed at first but then loosen up upon the gentleness in my tone and touch. "I never knew about it in my plant class..." She whispered softly but I still can hear it. "They teaches us the fundamental way to take care of a plant and as well as how to revive it when it dries out" she continued.

That's why they are so careless about those, because they can just revive it again. But at Linphea, they never taught me about that, they always says that plants lives are important as much as ours. I blinked at how different things are here.

"Come! I'll write out the things you need" I grabbed her hand and ran inside of the castle to the library, it's fun to make friends in my hometown.

~ 🌼