Utapri Short Stories

The Silent Kingdom - Part 2 (End)

"Thank you for letting me bring the medicine to my grandmother." Haruka spoke softly, sitting down next to him while eating a sandwich. "Don't thank me. You will still be arrested." Satsuki replied, sulky. He didn't understand how she could be grateful after being threatened by them.

"Why did you forbid people to listen and produce music?" She asked a little uncertainly, without looking at him. Satsuki took a long time to respond, the wind blew softly doing something like a melody. "You really don't know?" He asked confused. "Never heard of what I did?" His eyes seemed to indicate despair.

"No. What did you do?" She asked innocently. The melody of the wind seemed to bother Satsuki and he shook his head a little, seeming to try to concentrate to think about the answer. "I-I... I hurt people... Because of the music. I hurt my brother, Natsuki." He explained in a confused and unsure way.

Haruka was used to the signs of the forest, and the wind indicated there was something wrong. Haruka touched Satsuki's shoulder and watched him closely. "You... Are you really sure?" She was startled by his sudden movement. He grabbed her wrist with one hand and raised his free hand in a fist as if he were going to punch her, but she didn't back up, nor close her eyes or dodge.

The spirits of the forest said that he would not hurt her. And they advised her to sing. Haruka seemed to be confused, but she trusted them. She would be arrested anyway, it was worth trying. With the melody that the wind blew, she started to sing. The music seemed to paralyze the prince and he blinked several times before he managed to say or do anything else. He didn't speak again until the song ended.

"The truth... Is t-that... I-I don't have a twin. I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt anyone! I AM Natsuki! And... it was not my fault, nor the music." He released Haruka slowly, as if he were talking to himself now. "Someone stole our song to put a curse on us... It made us change. But music... It is not a bad thing. It is good. It brings happiness. My people are unhappy. They're like that because they can't play music and sing... And it's all my fault."

Haruka touched his shoulder gently and smiled tenderly. The smile caught him off guard and he blushed, looking away. "It's all right. You can still fix your mistake." She whispered gently and was surprised with a strong hug. "Thank you, Haru-chaaan!" His voice had changed, as had his expression. This confused her, but she decided not to question. "My parents got it all wrong and we need to fix it! You're going to help me, aren't you? You're so cute! I want to squeeze and hug you tight!"

Haruka chuckled and smiled kindly at him. "Of course I will help... But first I have to take my grandmother's medicine." Satsuki, now back to being his other self, Natsuki, got up and helped her to collect the things that had spread on the grass. They went back to Haruka's house and gave the medicine to her grandmother, but the lady's health had deteriorated a lot. Natsuki suggested taking her to the castle with them and they did so.

At the castle, Natsuki explained everything that had happened to his parents and they decided not to condemn the young girl. As an apology, they let both grandmother and granddaughter stay in the castle until the lady was better with her illness. The best doctors in the kingdom were called, but even so, the elderly woman's health only worsened.

Meanwhile, the laws that banned music in the Gauken kingdom were cancelled, the truth was explained and the people were now free to sing, play their instruments and dance. Haruka was helping Natsuki write some songs, but her heart was very worried about her grandmother's health. The kingdom was celebrating, and the king and queen had rewarded the girl for breaking the curse. The culprit for launching such an horrible curse against the prince and the kingdom was never found, but the spirits of the forest vowed to protect everyone who loved and respected the music from now on.

Haruka was called to the room where her grandmother was being cared for on a beautiful night of clear moonlight and starry sky. Natsuki went with her, but the news was not good. The doctors said that if her health continued like this, she would not be able to resist much longer. The elderly woman was now in a coma. She couldn't speak, eat or move. Haruka started to cry.

Natsuki was standing next to her and something seemed to be bothering him. He now embraced the girl, who he had learned to love during that time they spent together. He hasn't had a chance yet to declare himself to her, but he intended to do so soon. However, now was not the right time for that. Still, he remembered the special song they were composing together and without realizing it began to hum.

While Natsuki sang, Haruka, without realizing it, started to accompany him and their voices, in unison, created an ethereal and somewhat magical melody... This melody seemed to shine and blink around them and the whole room. It was as if the stars had fallen from the sky just to be part of the show. These bright sparks enveloped Haruka's grandmother's body, and little by little, restored her body to health.

When the song ended, the old woman slowly opened her eyes and smiled when she saw her granddaughter hugging the prince. Haruka looked around, confused and admired, until her eyes, swollen and red with tears, reached her grandmother's face. The girl ran to the bed and hugged her grandmother gently. Both smiled and cried, Natsuki joined them and when the crying passed, decided that it would be the right time to declare.

"Haru-chan... My moments with you are unique and special. You are like a music fairy that fills my life with joy and color! You saw me for what I really am... You and your music saved me. I love you." He held her hands, kneeling in front of her with a sincere smile and a passionate look. Haruka's grandmother nudged her to respond soon and so they both hugged and sealed their love with a kiss.

The king and the queen blessed this marriage and the whole kingdom was overjoyed by the news. They were all very happy and their celebration lasted three days and three nights. A party full of food, good music and dancing. The Kingdom of Silence did not return to its old name, because now it was called The Musical Kingdom. Music is able to unite and save people. Music makes people's hearts happy.

...

~ Originally posted at _utapri.stories on Instagram

~ Chapter cover edited by me