The Golden Chalice

✰✦✰ Chapter 36 ✰✦✰

✰✦✰ Chapter 36 ✰✦✰
" Flashback In A Film Reel "

EUPHEMIA CAME RUNNING at me, giggling as she frolicked through the flowery field.

"You're too fast!" she shouted.

I smiled, swaying on my bare feet. Mummy always said I should wear shoes, especially outside, but I knew these outdoors better than anyone and I could always wash my feet later. Plus, it was summer time.

"Isn't Clara coming?" Mia came to a stop in front of me.

"She's waiting for us."

"Where are we going?"

"Come on," I took her hand. "I'll show you."

Mia and I sprinted through the woods, past the healthiest trees in all of Goldaria—the forest behind the castle. The forest that my sisters and I always played in, so much so that even Guards would have to come and collect us at times.

Whilst I thought it was super funny, I knew Mummy didn't. She got quite angry whenever she couldn't find us in here, usually because we were hidden in our hiding spots. Places we'd never show our parents because they were our secret.

"How far away is it?" Mia asked me as we crossed over the river by the log.

"Not much further," I told her. "But Clara's probably getting a bit huffy. We should get a move on."

Soon enough, we reached the large pond, surrounded by trees. It glittered underneath the sun, Qualidas skipping here and there and chittering amongst themselves. It smelled of sunshine here.

Clara held one in her arms whilst sitting down on a log. She was really small, much smaller than Mia or me. But she was also much braver, which I loved since Mia was quite a frightened, anxious character. She would rather stay inside all day and avoid any risks or dangers instead of trying new things.

"Clara!" I called out.

My little sister looked up and giggled at the sight of us. "Hi. Look!" She gestured to the Qualida in her arms.

"This is our new spot?" Mia questioned from behind me.

I nodded. "Yep. And it's one that'll be even harder for Daddy to find."

Mia shook her head and folded her arms. "You shouldn't have brought us here."

I shrugged. "Whatever. Come on, let's swim!"

Before Mia could protest, Clara and I forced her to change into her swimsuit and then we spent a long time swimming around in the clean pond. Fish tickled my feet and arms once in a while and I couldn't stop laughing. Clara would splash Mia and I a few times and Mia would hate it. She would tell her to stop but still smiled. I didn't always understand Mia, but she was my sister. I was always going to defend her.

Once we got out of the pond, we wrapped towels around each other and sat down on our picnic blanket. The sun was setting and Guards would be looking for us soon if we didn't get back.

"Can we go?" Mia asked nervously, glancing around like Daddy might appear suddenly and tell us off.

I rolled my eyes and offered her a couple strawberries. "Have some and calm down."

Mia chewed on her bottom lip for a moment or two before she sighed in defeat and took the strawberries.

"Daddy. . ." Clara started. She huffed. She was still practically a baby so it was harder for her to come up with words to use. "Daddy will h-hurt us again?"