ACROSS THE MEADOW (book one)

Chapter 06: What do you carry?

Yewahi

So this was what he saw. Every year many come together to acknowledge Yewahi's life within the Snow-Globe. Meadow would tell stories regarding the celebrations outside of the wealthy, but the stories never compared to what Yewahi saw with his own eyes. To be fair, it seems more of a mockery rather than a celebration; songs with poetry that ridicules the aristocracy. But it still brings a flutter to him. To finally be able to see what Meadow had seen his entire life.

Did he ever dance with someone? He thought to himself, shameful of the pit of jealousy that rises within him.

Yewahi's fingers reach out desperately to know more, grasping to feel his friend again only for it to slip. As though he were reaching to touch wind itself.

"Have I finally excited you, Your Highness?" Naina says between a smile. Her fingers still entangled in his. She gives him a gentle squeeze in attempt to bring him to her.

"Is it like this all the time?" He says timidly.

Naina roots her feet as she pulls him closer. "Every year."

Yewahi felt his face become hot and his eyes darting.

Every person that surrounds him has his name in their minds.

A knot forms within the pit of his stomach and quickly he turns to Naina. Terrified of the sheer panic that would stir within him if he let his mind think about the spotlight any longer.

"Shall we dance then, Your Royal Highness?"

He sighs. "You do not have to call me that."

"Then what is it that you prefer."

"Yewahi should be fine."

Naina tucks her hair behind her ears, chewing on the insides of her cheek. She is hesitant. Such casual way of speaking towards a royal would normally get her in trouble.

"Yewahi." The girl mouths in practice. The prince feels a whip of liberation; only for a moment.

"What does it mean?"

"Gentle, I believe. Why?"

"I'd like to stomach all of you."

His eyes widen. "You have an odd way of speaking."

Naina shrugs.

"To be rather honest, I do not know why she named me such a thing. Especially against my fathers wishes."

"But you have a theory?"

"A few," he says.
Naina leans in, listening with all of her.

"I believe my mother carries more than just me. Perhaps her fear of me."

Naina scoffs. "Why would she fear her own son?"

"I am the fruit of my father after all."

"Ah," a silence falls onto her.

"I believe she feared my fathers anger would follow me," he says sheepishly.

"So she named you Yewahi in hopes you would be gentle?" Naina cups the boys face. Pity in her eyes.

"I think so."

"What a painful birth."

Yewahi looks away. His chest cold.

"My brother would speak of how every scream she made that night held more than physical pain," he sighs, his words reluctant to leave his mouth.
"Perhaps it held many years worth of fear she was forced to keep so buried."