Whims of a Quiet Dreamer

Chapter 12: The Queen's Revelation

Sithu had a lot of questions for Savannah. "Why am I 9 again?" she asked, a mix of confusion and wonder in her voice.

Savannah smiled brightly. "It's because in this world, it shows your real age. On Earth, our age is wrong." She continued, "Since you're new, the queen is going to explain everything to you. Let me take you."

Savannah led Sithu through a breathtaking landscape filled with vibrant colors and enchanting sounds. They walked into a beautiful castle nestled in a lush forest, where animals greeted them, speaking in cheerful tones. "Hello!" a rabbit said, twitching its nose. "Welcome to Nymbrelis!" A colorful bird chirped, flapping its wings joyfully.

Sithu was taken aback. "The animals can talk?"

"Yes!" Savannah laughed, "Isn't it wonderful?"

Soon, they arrived at a beautiful castle made of shimmering crystal that sparkled in the sunlight. The walls glowed softly, and flowers bloomed in shades she had never seen before. Inside, the air was filled with laughter and chatter in a language she had never heard but could somehow understand.

The queen welcomed them with open arms, her presence radiating kindness. She had flowing hair that looked like golden silk and eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of ages. "Welcome, dear child," she said, her voice soothing. "I am pleased to have you here."

As they settled, the queen explained, "All of you, including you, dear Sithu, are from a planet called LHS 1140b, as Earth has labeled it. But its true name is Nymbrelis. The Nymbrelans, including yourself, were sent to Earth long ago as part of an experiment, to grow among the Earthlings. That is why you feel out of place—you are not truly from Earth."

Sithu opened her heart to the queen, sharing her struggles, her feelings of isolation, and her confusion about her life on Earth. The queen listened, validating her emotions with a warmth that felt like a mother's embrace. "Do not measure your success by Earth's rules," she said gently. "You are not bound to them here."

Sithu listened, tears welling in her eyes. "Why did it take so long for me to receive the key?"

The queen sighed, a knowing look in her eyes. "We waited for the children to grow according to Earth's timeline. If we had given the key to you as a child, your parents would have likely feared for your well-being, believing you were not mentally sound."

Sithu frowned. "So I can't tell anyone?"

"You can share your truth with Jaren when the time is right. He is an Earthling, but he is marked as your soulmate. You will both understand when the moment arrives." The queen's voice was gentle, her confidence reassuring.

"Everyone has an Earthling soulmate," she continued. "It could be a parent, a sibling, a friend, or a lover. When it's time, I will guide you on when to share this with Jaren."

Sithu felt a sense of hope blossoming in her chest. "There's so much more to learn, isn't there?"

"Yes," the queen said, her smile radiant. "But for now, enjoy this place. You can leave and return whenever you wish, for time here flows differently. You will not miss your days on Earth."

Sithu stood there, absorbing the queen's words, her heart swelling with disbelief and wonder. This was a world where she could be herself, a place where magic and acceptance flourished.

As she gazed around the magnificent hall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that had eluded her for so long.