Hollow World Theory

Part 5

Another two weeks passed from that night, soon it would be time for the three children to leave. Their last day at the castle before their parents returned for them.

It was after noon and in the same room Prince Kiaskin first saw the children when the question was asked by Giosa to him.

"An outdoor meal in the woods?" Kiaskin repeated, making sure he heard right.

"Yes." Giosa confirmed. Kiaskin looked down at his hands before he started to fidget.

"I'm not sure, princess." He said. "What if they won't like me?"

"I highly doubt they won't like you." Giosa said as she reached for a map from the bookshelf. "They were rather eager to meet you when they first got here. I'm sure they will enjoy your company."

"But," the prince started to say, but then stopped himself. He thought for a moment.

'It couldn't really hurt, can it?' He thought. 'They most likely won't be here for a while. I should probably get the chance to know them a bit before they leave."

Taking a deep breath, Kiaskin then nodded.

"Alright," he said. "I'll be happy to go."

"Are you sure?" Asked Giosa. "I don't want you to push yourself into something uncomfortable."

"I'll be alright." He replied. "Besides, I would like to know the children before they leave."

"Very well then." Giosa said. "Veranda?"

After Giosa called, a maid made her presence known.

"Yes, my liege." She said.

"Please make sure that a basket is ready for the high meal." Giosa ordered. "Prince Kiaskin, Sern, Shora, and Neris will be going on an outdoor meal in the Near Woods."

"Right away, my liege." Replied Veranda, as she bowed and left the room.

~~~~ 1 hour later ~~~~~

Now, walking on the path through the woods, Prince Kiaskin, Sern, Shora, and Neris, all walked as Shora carried the basket that carried the high meal and a blanket. Sern held Kiaskin's hand while he carried a shoufa bug that he found along the path. Kiaskin, in his other hand, carried a small book that he borrowed from Giosa; with their permission, of course. Meanwhile, Neris slowly walked behind them.

Soon, they made it to a small clearing, where Shora pulled out the blanket and spread it on the ground. Sern, after letting go of Kiaskin's hand, jumped onto the blanket immediately, while he got into a comfortable position to better play with his green beetle. Kiaskin sat down carefully while Shora opened the basket to find bread, ispas(a grape-like berry), berscan (a goat like animal) cheese, and limpsio(a type of meat). She helped herself to a small bit of bread with berscan cheese on it. Kiaskin, after settling down, he began to read his book.

Shora, after finishing her piece of bread, looked around. She soon noticed her brother far away.

"Neris?" She called, grabbing his attention. "What are you doing over there?"

"Nothing!" He said. "I just want to stay away from that prince!"

Shora rolled her eyes. She knew that wasn't the real reason. Quickly, using a small wave of her hand, she grew some flowers. After growing them, she plucked them and started to weave them into a crown. As she was finishing, she noticed Kiaskin look a little sad. He must of heard Neris' remark. Finishing the crown, Shora placed it on Kiaskin's head. Surprised, Kiaskin looked up.

"Don't mind Neris." Shora said with a little smile. "He seems to get embarrassed around his family, but he's really a nice person. He often makes remarks he doesn't mean."

Kiaskin smiled a little bit, feeling a little better. Shora smiled in return.

"Do princes wear flower crowns in the fifth kingdom?" Shora asked. Kiaskin shook his head.

"No, the king believed it dirty to place plants on one's head." He replied. He soon remembered his home, with his two sisters. He remembered them placing makeshift flower crowns on their heads and trying to encourage their brother to place one on. He remembered them laughing. Their smiles. Their eyes.

"Prince? Are you okay?" Asked Shora. Kiaskin blinked out of his memory, feeling a few tears drop from his eyes. He wiped them away.

"Yes, I'm alright." He replied. "I just remembered a good memory."

Shora smiled a little before turning to look at her brother Neris. She soon chuckled.

"What is it?" Kiaskin asked. Shora shook her head, giggling, as she pointed at Neris. Kiaskin looked behind him and saw a sweet sight. Neris, with a young Sagittarius boy that looked around his age. Both of them were talking, and Neris seemed to melt in the boy's glow.

"Seems that Sage decided to pay a visit." She called loudly, gaining the Sagittarius boy's attention. He waved while Neris glared at her from a distance. She smirked before she called again. "Don't let me stop you from your magic, keep going~."

Neris groaned loudly while Sage laughed. Kiaskin chuckled a little bit, before returning back to his position. The afternoon came and went, as Kiaskin, Sern, and Shora continued eating their meal, later joined by Neris and his 'boyfriend'~. After finishing, they all returned home, Sage leaving to his family, waving good bye.

The four arrived in time to see a carriage in front of the castle, with Giosa, a man with sea green skin, and a woman that looked similar to Giosa talking to each other. Shortly, after greeting their children and the prince, Giosa's sister and her husband got the children into the carriage and said their goodbyes to Giosa and Kiaskin. Finally, they left, leaving Giosa and Kiaskin to go back into the castle.