Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part II, Chapter 9- What Is Mine, Will Also Be Yours

Before I start, I have 2 announcements!

#1. I know my readers are really shy and stuff but if you can or wish to, do take the time to vote for my book in a comp I'm participating in via an inline comment @MegaWattAwards! all you have to do is to find my entry in the VOTES chapter and comment a '+1' beside it ^^ Your help and votes would be very much appreciated! Arigatou!

#2. I have just published an art book of my pencil sketches consisting of works i have drawn over the years:) do take a look if you are interested!!!

Love, Sphinx

Akane's POV

'Phew!' I threw myself onto my bed, burrowing my face in my soft pillow. I never thought holding a ball could be so tiring. It was easy to attend someone else's ball, but holding one was a completely different thing.

'Seriously, Akane. You've got to get used to it. A ball shouldn't be much of a big deal. You will have lots of things on your shoulders as our future Queen,' Kana reminded as she helped me up, gently cleaning my face with her make-up removal kit.

'Nah! It won't be that tough, because I will have you to rule the kingdom with!'

Kana stopped rubbing my face with her cotton, processing what she had just heard.

'What nonsense are you talking about, Akane? This kingdom is yours to rule, and yours alone.'

'Nope! I will share my tittle with you, Kana. This kingdom will be blessed with both our brains and beauty! Nobody will dare to mess with us this way hehe!' I replied delightfully and punched the air.

Kana sighed and shook her head. 'You sure know how to dream, Princess.' she resumed cleaning my face.

'I'm serious okay! I'm serious.. I'm... I'm nothing without you, Kana...' my voice grew soft.

Kana grabbed my hands and held it in hers. 'Akane, don't say such foolish things. You are smart, strong and beautiful. The people and your advisors, your allies, they all love you genuinely. Remember how the people had cheered for you and screamed your name as you toured around town on your last birthday. Remember how happy they were as you waved back to them. And hear how your allies speak so admirably of you. You are in good stead, Akane. I believe you will make a great Queen someday.'

'No... I did not do everything alone. I always have you to assist me..'

'Akane, look at me.' I met her gaze. 'To be able to live such an undeserving life like this is like a gift from God. You don't know how blessed and lucky I feel everyday. Even though I am no crown princess or anyone of your order, and I am certainly not entitled to anything I have now, you have never put on airs or demanded submission. You treated me as your equal and gave me everything you had, as if things like rank and order never mattered.' She laughed softly at my absurdity. 'But above all, nothing can compare to the bond that we share. What you gave me is enough, Akane. I wish nothing more from you. So stop thinking for me and go walk the path fitting of your destiny.'

I looked at Kana and marveled at the striking resemblance she bore to her mother, at least from what we saw in photographs. Both our mothers had departed when we were young. Way too young to even remember their warmth, touch and faces.

Kana's mother, Princess Mitsue of the Kingdom Of Silver, had died from childbirth, leaving Uncle Tenzo grief-stricken to the core. But for Kana's sake, he had brought himself together, doing his best to give her as much parental love as he could possibly give.

As for my mother, her story became a legend. One that tells of Emiko The Great, a warrior princess who had personally led the army into combat and fought to her last breath for the kingdom. Her portrait hung respectably in the grand hall. I often gazed at it, trying to imagine what she would be like if she was alive, and how it would feel like to have a mother like her.

I shook my head. Kana was wrong. I would never stop thinking for her. She may be my cousin but she was more than a sister to me. I remembered the days of our childhood- how we learnt and grew together, how we whispered and shared secrets as we giggled into the deep hours of the night, the childish pranks we played on the unsuspecting guards, soldiers and even chancellors, how we reached puberty and matured together, how much we loved and trusted each other.

All the times I spent with her have been nothing but pure happiness and bliss. She had filled the void my dead mother left in me, and I strove to fill hers in return. She is the only one I have, the only sister I can love and rely on. She was everything to me. I would never abandon her for my own selfish reasons. I gave her a tight hug. What I have, I will share. What is mine, will also be hers.

In the clouds...

'Father, Aphaleon has been down for a long time now. When will he finally be tested?' Theliel expressed her frustration in the company of her siblings.

'Exactly, Father. I believe he has learnt enough,' Remiel added.

God leaned forward, resting his elbows on the gold table.

'Be patient. To be honest, I'm not too sure myself. But from the looks of it, the time has yet to come. Aphaleon still has a long way to go.'