Mystic - EN version

Chapter 32 : Words

For several hours, the group of five had been making their way across a plain of uneven hills. Clave could no longer feel her legs. She was exhausted. With every extra step she took, she felt as if gravity was trying in every possible way to make her fall to the ground. In the distance, she could hear the bells of the cows running free around her and, beside her, the footsteps of her friends. To her left, slightly behind, Noah was watching her every move, seemingly making sure the young girl didn't stumble.

Clave had no idea what to expect when she arrived in the capital, and when she saw the towers of the castle ahead, standing out against the grey sky, she thought they were magnificent. The peaked roofs, painted gold, caught all the light around despite the rain clouds covering the sun.

"Did I really live there?" she wondered.

Suddenly, her whole body was screaming at her to run all the way there, without stopping, without waiting for the others. She wanted to see, to know, to find clues as to who she was behind the mask of the Crownless Princess.

However, she held back with difficulty because she didn't want to go in there alone.

– How long before we arrive? she asked Noah, impatient and feverish.

– At that rate, I'd say an hour, replied his friend. I know you're in a hurry, but you'll have to wait a little longer...

– I'm more scared than anxious, to tell you the truth, admitted the young girl.

– Why?

– I'm afraid I won't remember... I'll completely forget who I was, she confided.

– You know, Clave, what matters is who you are now. And who you want to be.

– But I don't know who I want to be! I'm so lost!

– You don't need to know exactly. You don't need to stick labels on yourself. People do it to reassure themselves, to convince themselves that they're normal. But the thing is, nobody is normal. Everyone is different, and that's the beauty of our world. You may not need to know which box you fit into or what you look like, just as you may need to. I just want you to remember that no matter what choices you make, you'll always be yourself.

Clave smiles.

– You're not usually this poetic. But it feels good. Thank you, she says surely.

– I can be when you want me to be, princess.

The blonde's cheeks pinkened and she looked away.

"I hope he's aware of his good looks..."

Of course he was. That was what amused him so much when he called the young girl a princess.

Beatrice approached them while Corentin and Naos stood back.

– So, leader, how are we going to get into the castle? Nobody's lived there since it was attacked. And that was almost a century ago.

Clave froze for a second at Beatrice's words, but quickly started walking again.

"That's why I was put to sleep. The castle was in danger, and the royal family probably needed someone to survive... So they chose me."

Fortunately, her companions hadn't noticed the change in her expression.

– It can't be very difficult to get to, replied Noah, shrugging his shoulders heavily.

– You don't know, do you? replied Naos' sister.

– That's right.

Clave remained silent. She was dreading as much as she was waiting for the moment when she would return to the place where she had lived all her life.

They walked through the entire capital, which was completely abandoned. Like all these streets and houses, Clave felt empty and alone, even with her companions by her side.

Then Noah came up to her and gently took her hand. Clave felt the red flush her cheeks and her face heat up. When she shyly looked up at her friend, he smiled warmly. Then Clave, her heart dancing in her chest, intertwined her fingers with those of the young man, and it was his turn to be red.

So they walked hand in hand to the castle. When they reached the gold gate at the entrance, their fingers separated. Clave soon missed the warmth of Noah's skin. The cool wind replaced the emptiness his palm had left, and the young girl didn't find it pleasant.

- Come on, said her friend. It's time to come in.

Then he turned to the blonde and whispered.

- Don't forget that I'll be here if you ever need help.

The young girl smiled gently at him, reassured and grateful that he was there with her.