To the Dark of Nothingness

Chapter 4

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Another day has arrived and I'm not ready to start it.

Every single thing in my life goes in a complete circle: Get out of bed, freshen up, Toxic Demon Rulers gives me stacks of orders and I do em', I hang out in my room writing lists of things I need to do while I wait for another order, I eat, then circle the castle make sure everything is in place. It's never a different day for me.

But maybe my luck was about to change. I saw another envelope stuck on the rose vines of my window, but this time the envelope was black. There's only one person I know in this entire world who would send me letters in a black sealing.

Highlord Aramis of the Kingdom of Psyionre.
(pronounced sa-yon-rey)

He used to be but a mere Duke but ruled the guards of their kingdom at the young age of 12. Unfortunately, his father, the former High Lord, died of an unknown illness and he had to step in place as the new High Lord of Psyionre. People described him to be ruthless, unforgiving, merciless, and so much more. But I knew Ami almost better than anyone.

We met almost three years ago, when he was out in the forest doing who knows what. I was up in the tree picking snapples for the Lady Jaya when I saw him alone. Wandering about the grounds of Toxinity (yeah, the name of our kingdom is bad as it sounds).

Curious if I should stay put or go introduce myself, I didn't know what to do. That's when a not-so-coincidental thing happened. A snapple fell out of the basket and created a tiny explosion when it hit the ground.

I. Am. Such. A. Darn. Clutz. I cursed beneath my breath, then looked at the Duke to see if he noticed.

He noticed.

He jumped off his stallion and went towards where the snapple fell. He looked around knowing he was not alone, but he didn't looked at all frightened. His head just slightly turns, observing, using all his senses to track his guest.

Nervous and anxious, I carried the basket of snapples and quietly tried to get down from the tree when I stepped on a branch and alerted his attention up the tree.

I embarrassingly waved at him. "Hi."

"Why hello there, fair maiden," he said with a smirk on his lips. "Might I know the name who disturbed my peace?"

I was...baffled. Peace? He should know that Toxinity is not a place where peace is relevant. And I most certainly have nothing to do with the disturbance of his peace, it was the fallen snapple! And he's the one wandering about, entering our territory.

"First of all, Sir. I did not disturb your so called "peace", it was the snapple. Secondly, you shouldn't be around these parts of the forest as you our entering our territory. And thirdly, a displeasure to meet you, I'm Sloane." I stared him down, wondering if I shouldn't have been rude.

He chuckled, "Blaming a fruit for your actions? Really? Even if it was a singing squirrel that did it, he wouldn't blame a fruit." Sure they would.

"Next, do you not know who I am? Do you not know who you're talking rudely to? I'm allowed to stroll whichever part of your goddamn kingdom without permission from your ruler, peasant."

"And lastly, a displeasure to meet you too, Miss Sloane. The name is Aramis, Duke of Psyionre.". He gave me another smile and bowed.

I knew who he was. "I know who you are."
But I didn't care if I talked to him like that. "And I don't give a damn."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'll be on my way then." He bids me farewell as he and his horse rode deeper into the forest.

Since then, I guess we naturally formed a weird bond of friendship. He soon found out that I was one of the slaves in Toxinity--but he sugar-coated the word "slaves" and replaced it with "workers"--and began writing letters to each other. The black messenger doves from Psyionre are special, because no one would know if they were near or not because they're invisible to the sight of other people except for the ones they're delivering to.

We would meet late at night, deep into the forest for a swim in the river. We would talk about our days and what we've been up to, sometimes gossip about each others rulers. Our lives were very different, he was a duke who is next in line to be a High Lord and I am nothing but helpless slave to the Toxic Demon Rulers.

Aramis never saw me like that. He would always say that I'm brave or strong or amazing because of how long I've survived my rulers. Not many teens make it out alive for more than three days. He said to me that I should stay true to myself and keep on fighting no matter how tough everything was.

He was always the one comforting me whenever Queen Mirela or the 6th Circle weren't available. I loved him for that. It wasn't about his looks or his stature or even his wealth that made me love him, it was everything else but that.

I've been to Psyionre and even if the words they used to describe him were false accusations, the girls over there would sure swoon when he walks passed by or rides his horse passed by.

We kept our friendship a secret from the world for three whole years. We sent out letters to each other and sometimes turn it into a conversation--the black messenger doves were not only special but really fast when delivering mails--the letters burn after you read it so no one could ever find out the words written on it.

~

Back to the present, where everything was on pause before I told that long backstory. High Lord Aramis sent me a letter!

Sloane, my love.

Meet me where the waters never stops and you can hear the words saying back at you. I changed the time, solve what needs to be rhyme.

Sweeter than chocolate
Lovelier than a flower
One moment alone with you can be my finest hour
A place where the stars above our heads is the roof
Nothing could ever break this time
Ending it with you shall be sublime

Adieu,
Ami.

I have no idea he does riddles. It's a tongue twister for everyone.

Did I mention we have secret place?