Seasons Maiden

Chapter 5

Summer walked out to the dinning room, the necklace around her neck shinning at the dancing lights of the castle. She sat down at the end of the table looking at her king sitting in front of her, smiling as he raised his golden cup.

"You're wearing black roses this time ? What's the signification Summer ?"

"It means complicated feelings." She half lied.

"About what ? The Mist ?"

"... Yes... Winter thought it could be by the hand of someone and I kind of agree but at the same time I don't..."

"It's impossible to have someone surviving the Mist. And let's admit you can, how could you control it ? With powers ? Mind ?"

"I do not know myself... I just want some explanations... Know what this black goo is and why does it affect Spring that much. I'm worried."

"There's nothing to worry about for now my dear. The Mist only bring us misfortune and right now we need you more than anything else. After it came, as you know, all the crops dies and we won't have time to grow it back without you. I'm going to ask you one time and it's an order: the kingdom needs you and you shall help it until the crops are once again on the run, while you're doing this, you're not allowed to leave. Is that clear ?"

"Real clear." She replied, biting angrily on her food.

"Also love... Did you thought about what we talk earlier ?"

Once again, the subject was brought up. The young maiden slowly chew on her meal, not raising her eyes to Oriel, she felt trapped.

"I need more time."

"How long ?"

Summer groaned, she didn't wanted that, she wasn't even attracted to him. But what about the kingdom ? It was true that it needed hope and a wedding between a Maiden and a king would bring them joy but what about her own happiness ?

Is living a peaceful life full of money, jewelries, balls and parties was what she wanted ? Of course not.

Her heart was already belonging to Winter, the perfect match. She couldn't stop thinking about the beautiful blue and white maiden, her perfect crystal eyes, her soft and kissable lips and her thin figure. Her voice was music whenever she speaks and when she would look at her, her heart would melt into a warm feeling and her stomach would have butterflies in them.

But when she looked at her king, it wasn't the same. No butterflies, no warm feelings... Just an empty heart and a feeling of coldness.

"I don't know." She finally replied. "It doesn't take some hours to think about this."

"What is holding you back? I wonder..." He replied looking deeply into her eyes.

"I'm finished." She said getting up. "The meal was delicious, I shall return to my room."

She turned around and began to walk into the big corridor as the calm yet cold voice of her king reached her ears.

"I won't take a no for an answer Summer."

"Like you ever let me say it..." She mumbled.

Going back to her room, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and began to yell.

"WHY ARE YOU EVEN LETTING HIM DO THIS ?! WHY ARE YOU EVEN SCARED OF HIM?!" She banged her table. "You just have to fucking say "no"! Why is this even...?"

With a sigh, she let herself fall on her chair.

"Just say it then." Said a voice.

Summer raised her head seeing a black figure instead of her reflection in the mirror. She opened her eyes wide and started laughing nervously.

"I must have got crazy..."

"So did this world." Replied the person.

"Wha-?! Who are you ?!"

"This does not matter. As for you, you need to take care of a bigger need."

"What do you even...?"

"What is troubling you? The king? The Mist? Both?"

Summer looked around her, but no one was there and she couldn't even sense an once of magic in the air. She looked back at the mirror, approaching her face, frowning.

"How are you doing this...?"

"I could do much more, but that wouldn't be necessary for now."

"At least tell me your name." She replied.

"You can call me Mare for now."

"And what are-"

"We don't have time." Replied Mare, cutting her off. "I can feel that when the time come, you'll be troubled. You need to free yourself."

"Free myself? Like it's even possible..."

"As you say: how about saying "no"? Do you not wish to live the life you've always wanted to?"

Of course she does.

"I do."

"Then why aren't you saying what's in your mind?"

"Oriel wouldn't allow it, or worst, he would kick me off the Kingdom..."

"Maidens are not replaceable unless you decide to." Replied Mare, pointing at her. "You're stronger than you think. And you should be confident about yourself, if you keep on running..."

"I won't be able to face the Mist..."

She sighed.

"But what am I supposed to do...? It's not like I could tell him..."

The figure smiled.

"How about trying?"

"It's suicide."

"You cannot die."

Summer bite her lips, was she even ready to speak against her king.

"I... Need some times..."

"I'm not the one deciding for you. If you do not wish to do it then don't. But you should be ready for what's coming for you."

"What do you-?!" She exclaimed, getting up.

"The Mist is not what you think."

Summer was about to answer when the mirror suddenly explodes, sending her flying in her room as she screamed in surprised. The doors immediately opening as maids, guards and the king himself entered.

"Summer! Are you okay ?!" Asked Oriel getting to her side.

"Y-Yeah... Yeah... I am." She replied still shocked.

As the king began to instruct the guards and maids, Summer slowly touched her cheek, feeling a little tray of blood falling onto her clothes. Who was Mare, and what did she means by being ready or that the Mist wasn't what she thought?

"I need to contact the others..." She whispered.