The Elemental Love

20: Hidden Memories

Sapphire's POV

As soon as I entered the house my mother pulled me in a tight embrace.
"I am so glad you came, Sapphire," She said, caressing my hair gently.

"I am glad too, mother" I said, my eyes moistening. I really was glad as it has been years since I came back to this place. I didn't realise how much I missed my home. Sure the palace was comfortable and all but this is the place where I was born and this is the place where I made memories with once my happy family.

Moving back I kissed my mother's hands as tears blurred my vision.

I saw as Sebastian walked past us. I longed to hug him too but stopped myself. It's better to stand here than getting insulted by him again.

"Go on dear, freshen up and come down for brunch" Mother said as she walked into the kitchen.

Dragging my feet towards the stairs I took my sweet time climbing up as I admired the family photos hung on the wall. But all were old photos. The absence of recent photos made me feel bad for our family which used to be so happy once upon a time.

Entering my room I looked around. It felt good coming back here after four years. The decor hasn't changed since I left. The same grey and white curtains. The queen sized bed with my favorite plushies laying on it, my favorite chicken nugget pillow. The nostalgic smell of the room. It all came back to me like waves rushing towards the shore.

My eyes filled with unshed tears as I remember the countless times I would sit on the bed along with my father as we played cards and talked about various things.

I walked towards my bookshelf. A chuckle escaped my lips as I remembered how I would steal books from my father's study and fill my bookshelf with those books. My father always knew but he would always pretend not to.

Taking out a book from the shelf I touched the hard cover. It was a copy of my favorite childhood stories. I would love to gather my parents and brother in the living room and would read the stories out loud for them. I remember Sebastian would get irritated but still would endure my reading.

Keeping the book back I took some fresh clothes from the suitcase which had already been brought here by Seb and went on to have a bath.

After having a refreshing bath and a fifteen minutes nap my mother called me down to eat. I haven't eaten anything for breakfast so seeing the table full of mother's delicacies I sat down quickly and started to fill my plate.

"Slow down dear" mother said as she took her seat. I just nodded as my mouth was full.

"Are you planning to continue the Institute? " She asked.

"Should I go back? As the king and queen themselves send me here back. Will it be alright to go there? " I asked.

Sebastian scoffed but didn't say anything. We ignored him as I turned towards my mother.

"Why not? You shouldn't stop your education because of them. You will attend your classes and if someone says anything to you I will handle it" Mother said firmly. I smiled at her and nodded my head agreeing with her.

After finishing my lunch I went up to my room but not before doing the dishes,one of the disadvantages of coming back.

Closing my door I sauntered towards the bookshelf and took out an old looking diary. It's cover was a sage green with blue paper flowers stuck on it. I smiled as I realized it was my childhood diary. It was gifted to me by my parents on my 7th birthday.

Bringing it close to my face I inhaled it's old and nostalgic scent as a smile crept on my lips.

Opening to a page I saw a family picture pasted on it, below the picture it was written "Happy Family" with red crayon.