The Seventh Moon

Confidante

Though we have a hard time expressing ourselves properly, I'm still hoping for a day to come in which our hearts would truly understand each other… ~ Florence Joyce

xxxxxx

Risa bolted up from her bed and heaved heavy breaths with her eyes wide open. Her heart beat fast and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. This was the second time she had seen that nightmare about the serpent. Even if the first one was a vision shown to her unexpectedly on her part, this second one was just as scary that she thought she would be burned in her dream.

That was how realistic it felt for her that her clenched fist was quivering. She hadn't mentioned anything about it to anyone at all even when it first happened. Not even to the three mages taking care of her. She didn't know why she couldn't tell them anything about it, though.

But she knew that Alathil was aware that something bothered her to an extent. The days he continued to teach her and train her would always be filled with questions like "Have you been sleeping well?" or "You're not overdoing this, are you?"

Risa knew the Second Prince was only concerned. But even with that, she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth. There was something about that vision that forced her not to make a member of the royal family worry even more than they should have.

With a sigh, Risa got out of the bed and took a robe hanging on the wall. Maybe a breath of fresh air — regardless of the time — could help her somehow. She needed to assess that dream, as well. 

The first time she saw that vision felt so real that she thought she was going to be burned by the serpent. And the dream that she had a while back felt like she was walking aimlessly into a past. Perhaps, a distant one. She didn't know how she was able to determine the timeline of that vision. But she felt it strongly, for some reason.

She shivered involuntarily. The cold breeze coming through as she opened the door leading outside wasn't helping much with her situation. But it was something she needed.

"Risa?"

That voice made her turn to its source, her eyes widened upon seeing Alathil in his sleepwear with a robe placed over it, just like hers. It looked like he just got up and didn't bother checking himself in the mirror. Then again, why would he care, right?

'He still looks good, though.' Not as if she would let him know that.

"Azi... Why are you awake?" Risa managed to ask while still holding the doorknob. She was just about to step out of the house.

"I should be asking that to you. Are you okay?" There it was again. He would ask a question expressing his concern for her.

Of course, it sent her heart into a frenzy again. But she must do her best to stay calm and not let him know anything about that. It was enough that he could already sense that something was bothering her. He didn't want to make him worry anymore for her.

"Yes."

"Are you sure? You look pale." As usual, Alathil's eyes were piercing and analytical.

"Yeah," said Risa while trying to smile brightly for his sake. "Just woke up suddenly because of... a bad dream."

Well, she wasn't lying. Just then, upon looking up, her eyes widened once more to see Alathil already several inches in front of her. How did she not sense him approaching?

"Bad dreams can often be prophetic. Come sit down." His voice was very soothing but also firm. "You can tell me about it. But it seems that you also need a breath of fresh air. I can accompany you outside."

With that, he offered her his arm. That was how he would show a girl that he cared. Risa sighed inwardly, knowing she had no choice but to accept his kindness.