The Emperor's Daughter

Chapter 14: Dreams and Connection

The same dream that was haunting her appeared again. That heat, that place and that old man. Her grandfather. His eyes were looking at her, but she couldn't read them.

Aren't you disappointed in me? Do you hate the fact that I am the only one alive and not anyone else?

She wanted to ask those question, to know whatever he was trying to convey in that looking. But he didn't say anything, just look at her like that. Then a smile appeared on his face and the old man pointed his finger at her. The next thing she knew was the most unimaginable and intense pain she ever felt. It hurt so much that it felt like a thousand needles were punctured in her whole body in the most torturing way. But grandfather kept smiling while she screamed violently. Soon, Shiki found herself awake, free from that pain.

The pain was so severely real that Vincent said that she screamed when she was asleep. Her body was covered in sweat, and her heart was beating so fast. Her hand was shaking as she examined it to see whether it was a dream or not. It was her worst nightmare. They had been scary before, but not as violent as this one. A few minutes passed and so was the terror, she took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Sorry." It was the first word she spoke, because her scream must interrupt his work

Seeing she was alright now, Vincent turned around and came close to her

"Don't worry about it." he patted her head to comfort her "Do you want some tea?"

She nodded.

He went out and got back with a tray. There was not only a cup of tea, but a plate of biscuits to eat. He placed the tray on the table next to her bed then sit on his bed. The next few minutes were in silence, as she calmed herself with the tea and Vincent just watched her quietly.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Placing the cup back on the tray, she looked at him with worried eyes.

"It was that event. And grandfather."

That tragic event that she couldn't remember. All he can do was tell her everything would be alright and it was just a dream. Maybe she was remembering something, but to have such a nightmare, maybe it was better to forget about it for now.

The next day, since the train was scheduled in the afternoon so they didn't have to wake up early. Due to that awful nightmare, Shiki was still sleepy that she almost slept during lunch. After arriving at the station, she immediately took a quick nap which Vincent didn't mind. He would wake her up when the train arrived.

Then a dream came. Lord Edelweiss appeared again in front of her, and a lovely middle-aged lady was next to him who she assumed to be lady Edelweiss. Their voices were clear like she was watching a record, and they were speaking to her.

"A party. That sounds great, father!"

"A party to celebrate my daughter has returned safe and sound. We should invite everyone to the party."

"I will send the invitation right away." lady Edelweiss went away, out of her view.

She could see that they were in the living room. She could recognize that chandelier, that furniture and room structure.

"Oh father, thank you so much. Although you don't really have to do it."

It sounded like Helen's voice.

"What are you saying? Of course I have to do it. This is worthy of a celebration."

"Then it is okay if I can invite some friends?"