We Two Are One

~6~ Whose Cub is This?

The Royal Palace contrary to my memories is flooded with light. Its long corridors have tall pillars that shimmer ethereally. I instinctively feel the ancient arcane spells in the tapestries covering the walls and ceiling. It is so intricately woven into the silk that it appears as a painting.

Curious though I am, I cannot dwell on it for long. My little legs hurry to match the brisk strides of the adults I accompany.

   "Are we late, Father?" I ask as I lift the hems of my dress to quicken my pace.

   "No, why- Oh, dear!" He stops realizing I have fallen behind. "Ahem! I must have been too excited and quickened our pace without realizing it. Come here quickly."

When I reach him, he attempts to pick me up. What to do? Think quick, Ameya.

   "M-Mother! Are you out of breath too?"

I stuttered? Wow.

   "I am alright, Daughter," she smiles, noticing my mistake. Damn.

   "If you were tired, you should have told me!" Father exclaims.

   "We will walk slowly," he declares.

We take only twelve more steps before Father stops again. Lady Elise who is walking right behind bumps into him and as he turns, they have a dramatic moment, forgetting that they are in the Royal Palace. For a moment, it is only the two of them in the universe. There is no one else. Not even the stuttering Ameya. Damnation.

   "...Ameya."

His tone makes me shudder. Why? It feels ominous.

   "Go to the Garden and play there. Ask a maid to guide you."

What?

   "What is it, dear?"

   "I cannot wait any longer, Elise. We must hurry."

Father takes Lady Elise's hand and they run as fast as a lady could gracefully in heels and a dress. It would have been comical if it was any other lady.

They left. The feeling was not ominous, after all. It was a blessing. I am free! Well, I will be. I skip a few steps until I reach the garden I must go to. Ah... As expected, I do not want to be here.

The Garden of Fire outside the Sun Palace is a gathering place for the guests of the Royal Palace. I see several groups of people smiling without meaning, battles of wealth and wits all in a dazzling sea of flamboyant flowers. One group stands out. It is a group of children, playing with each other and their parents. It is the largest and happiest group. My stomach churns. I turn around and walk away. It is not a place for me to join.

Father never specified which garden to go to. Let's see. There are three other gardens I can go to without trespassing. Hold on. I stop dead in my tracks. Why do I have to worry about trespassing? I am the innocent child of Duke Dureim Odar, the Master of the Red Mansion. I walk in a newfound direction.

The walk is longer than I remember it to be. Perhaps it was too long a distance for this small body. I stop to catch my breath. I am near the Star Palace. This is halfway to the Moon Palace, where I intended to go. The chandeliers here are adorned with magic crystals. I wonder how it would look lit.

"Hey...! You cannot be here." It is a child's whisper.

Have I been caught already? I turn to face the owner of the voice and realize it was not directed to me. What an intriguing surprise.

   "No, I'll be in trouble...!"

A boy is trying to usher away a kaleidoscope of butterflies. They follow his every move. Fascinating. The starry pattern on the ceiling ripples. Someone has entered this palace.