Darling Soul

Chapter twelve

I have late night conversations with the moon, she tells me about the sun and I tell her about you.

The sunlight greeted Astra as soon as the moon retired to sleep, the sun rays crept on her through the dark yet see-through blue curtains. She opened her eyes and sat on the bed, her brother slept profoundly next to her, probably exhausted from his rushed trip and the events of the previous night.

She yawned and got up, she tucked Atlas in and left to wash up in her room after writing a quick note to her brother for when he'd wake up. As Astra walked the barely lit corridors, she made sure she would remember every single face that raised her and helped her all these years, and she vowed she would find a way to repay all the maids and the servants for showing her more kindness than her own parents did.

After taking a long shower, applying some ointment to her new injuries who still made her ache whenever she moved, she walked to her closet to choose a gown. Eiran would be at her door soon and she wanted to be ready to walk out of this dungeon. As she opened the door to her walk-in closet, she noticed most of her things were already packed into suitcases but in the middle of the room, in a birch oval table, there was a dark blue box waiting for her. She walked towards it and noticed a letter.

To my Darling Queen, an extraordinary dress to match your astonishing beauty. See you soon, Eiran.

She smiled and got dressed. When she walked to her mirror she agreed in the beauty of the dark blue dress, it truly was extraordinary how the skirts flowed and how tight the dress hugged her upper body, how the hem of the dress was sprinkled with tiny crystals that made it seem like stars. She turned around and saw a mess of a back. Her heart broke once more. Who would love her like this? She grabbed a white velvet bolero and sighed.

"There's nothing left to do but face the world.", she said as she put on some light makeup, which mainly consists of clear lip gloss, glittery eyeshadow and a brown eyeliner in the deer style. She loved makeup, pink, stars and glitter, she loved being a girl. But she wasn't and never would be just a girl. She was a Princess, she was a Laeger.

And maybe it was the knock on the door or the familiar scent of her room that made her realise that it was truly the last time she would be in her room. It was bittersweet, she thought.

"One second, please.", she called out. Astra looked around her closet, grabbed her suitcases and walked out, she stood in the middle of her room and scanned every corner. Her balcony in which held so many late nights talks with the moon, her pink cushion which brought her comfort when the world was dark, her soft mattress and light curtains, her marble floors.

With a sad smile, she walked to the door and opened it to reveal Eiran smiling at her. His happy expression gave her hope that he meant what he had said to her, that truthfully her future was bright.

"Good morning, Darling.", he kissed her hand as he bowed. She returned the courtesy gesture but he shook his head, "there's no need for that between us."

"That would be disrespectful. Are you sure, Eiran?", she asked shyly.

"We are engaged, what kind of soon-to-be husband would I be if I let our dynamic be a formal one? I told you before and I will tell you every day until it reaches your heart, I want to cherish you every second of every day, Astra Laeger, because I don't know what's like not to.", she blushed furiously. Astra wasn't used to people being straightforward with their feelings, she rarely saw a pure act of affection between her own parents. To say she was a shy girl when it came to affection would be an understatement.

"I'm glad you chose to wear what I got you. It does match your beauty", he dropped her hand and noticed her bolero, "are you cold, perhaps?"

"I wouldn't want to get sick during the journey, it's just a precaution.", he nodded and she was glad he bought the lie. After just one night of healing, her injuries didn't bleed anymore and had started to scar, but she wasn't ready to showcase the museum she carried.

"Our Kingdom's colours suit you so well." Our.

"Dark blue?"

"Like the night. And gold like the sun."

"I love watching the night sky... could you tell me more about Dragneeds?"

"I noticed the night sky here is a dark blue lighter in comparison to Dragneeds', but there is the same amount of stars for you to wish on.", he held her hand and caressed the top of it.

He took the two suitcases she was holding from her and let her pass through the door first. He gave her a quick understanding of the trip they would take: they would travel by carriage until they reached the port and then would take a boat to Dragneeds, the journey would be of 3 days.

As they walked, the servants and maids came to the doors to bid the princess farewell, some of them with tears in their eyes and Astra wasn't indifferent either. These people raised her, helped her, loved her, and she didn't like leaving them behind.

Eiran grabbed her suitcases and put them in their carriage, while the Monarchs approached them.

"You'll regret this.", the Queen whispered into Astra's ear as she leaned for a kiss on her cheek. Those watching would think it's a mother saying goodbye to a daughter when in reality it was not even close.

"Goodbye, Mother.", she replied the gesture and smiled. Her father stared at her with a furious expression.

"You are a disgrace, an embarrassment.", he said as he held onto her in a tight hug, pressing in the exact spots he had carved a knife in her the previous night.

"I wish you well, Father.", and they parted ways.

Soon after Atlas came running down the steps, almost falling down.

"I thought you'd already be gone.", he confessed as soon as he reached the new couple.

"We couldn't leave without your sister saying goodbye to you.", Eiran walked to her side and snaked his arm around her waist and her stance relaxed. How interesting it seemed to her that with just his touch her body instantly relaxed.

"Don't tell me you didn't want to say goodbye to me too?", Atlas pressed and Eiran smirked, the sight of the two getting along so well warmed Astra's heart.

"Do you wish me to serenade you as well?"

"Would you do it?"

"I might if you kneel."

"You wish.", Atlas rolled his eyes and they both laughed. Astra smiled and told herself she would remember this moment forever.

"I will take care of her, you know. I promise.", Eiran said suddenly serious.

"I know. Your word is a powerful thing, I'll entrust her to you."

"No harm will come."

"If it does I'm sure you'll protect her. If you don't you won't survive me."

"Not wise to threat a King, but I am the same when it comes to my family. You'll be there for the wedding I hope?"

"I wouldn't miss it.", Atlas turned to his sister who cried softly in Eiran's arms.

"I will miss you so much, Atlas.", she let out and Eiran let go of her so she could hug her brother one last time.

"Rain will be your reminder of how much I love you."