Do You Wonder?

re08: the abandoned magic

08: the abandoned magic

I did the dumbest thing I could have ever done. Clutching my pained chest, I sat in one of the benches in the garden. I ran away from them as soon as Lia called me by my name. His bluish-gray irises held surprise as he eyed me. Clearly, he wasn't aware—— they never told him. Butterflies spiraled around me as soft wind blew. The day was wonderful if only I didn't witness what happened a while ago.

With a sigh, I walked back to the ballroom. I left something important— my shattered heart. As cliché as it seems, but I didn't want to see Patricio at the moment. But sadly, he was still there, sitting on one of the stairs leading to the throne. His hands were held to his face while Lia sat at the other end, looking as empty as I am right now.

"Ari—" I stilled, Ari... three letters, can still be found in my name. With a sigh, I sat in between them. Ugh. So not cool. It was when soft whispers emerged from the room. "Why was I so stupid?", "Why was I tempted to do something that... outrageous?", "I lost her... this time, it's for real." I glanced at him, silvery tears dropped one by one on the floor.

"He loves you too much, you know?" Lia whispered, tears evident in her face. "He almost killed himself and it hurt to see him like that." I looked at her. Her eyes contained immense sadness when she relived the memory. "I told him I liked him. That he can also live for my sake— that he didn't need to feel so helpless. It was a lie at first... but I fell in love. I knew I was fighting a losing battle, Arielle."

"It's Maria."

"You're still the Monalisa Arielle we had loved, though. The cat knew you— where you came from... everything. That day, he said he'll be the one to take you back home, Casa Montreal." She paused, smiling, "...you were beautiful. And you still are. Never forget that." She sighed as she stood up. "I'm going now. Casa Montreal is always open for you, your highness. Synthia is waiting for you to come back."

Before she left, I saw the broken pieces of the gem they had worked hard to make me. I feel guilty. So I pulled her by the hand and gave her something in return. I handed her a small pouch where I put the jewelry I made for them. "Take care of it." I said with a sad smile before she left.

Everything's in pieces. It's too broken. And it started with my disappearance. I smiled as the flowers grew where his tears used to be. He seemed to notice it too, since he picked one up. "I was lost, Arie— Maria." I sighed and stood up, this won't help. "Where are you going?"

"The sun was almost setting, the fireflies will soon be dancing." I answered before I walked across the room to the garden. Streaks of light in warm shades played across the sky making me smile. "Back home, I can't see a sky this clear." I said, with a sad smile. "My gran refuses to go back here. She wants me to continue the family tree here, finally erasing my existence to those who live in the other world—— except for those who knew the world of wonder.

"But I still need to accomplish a lot. I will be sent for the facility soon— even if I am the lost kingdom's descendant." With a sigh, I closed my eyes as the fireflies danced around. The cat's voice lingered in my ears. What he said felt like cold water splashed onto my head.

Going into the facility can't guarantee your life inside. But if you pass, I can guarantee that you'll be stronger. But the people you'll leave behind... I can't assure you that everything will be the same once you enter. Whether you survive or not, something will always change. Please make sure that you are ready by the time comes that you need to put your family crest first any moment.

"Maria, Maria, Maria."

I looked at him, his eyes filled with a sad smile. "I'm not sure what to believe anymore. The cat told me that you're different. I didn't really believed him. I guess I should have, yes?" I sighed. "Although it's pointless to do some wishful thinking about it. But here's what I'll tell you. I don't want to lose you. Never." His eyes held another emotion I could never name—— or I was just scared to acknowledge them, I can't tell.

"If you decide to go to that facility, I'll gladly go with you."

When I met his eyes, I silently prayed that he was kidding. But he wasn't. His eyes were serious. "You don't have to—" I didn't have the chance to continue when he pulled me by the hand and connected our lips together. It was passionate and careful. As if he'd lose me again if he doesn't. "I am not asking for your permission." He said as he held my cheeks in a soft caress. "As long as it's with you, Ari." I chuckled, holding both his hands on my cheeks. "It's Maria, Patricio. Maria." He smiled as he whispered my name repeatedly with a wide grin.

The whole time, he never let me out of his sight. He was that scared to lose me again. "How long was I gone?" I managed to ask as we were in the carriage— heading back to Casa Montreal. He wanted to keep me to himself, but Ma and Pa, I want to talk to them. It might trigger memories from the memory gem. I wanted answers. "Almost six months, to be honest. Six long, painful months."

"What do you want to do?"

He just smiled and looked me in the eye. His eyes were dancing with happiness—— or so as I think I see happiness. I let go a surprised yelp when he pulled me to his lap, hugging me tightly afterwards. "I missed you." He whispered as he nuzzled his face on my neck. When the gates opened, I smiled.

The tension was unbearable when everyone was at the dining area. "So, um, Maria. Err, I want to ask, if it's okay. What's your ability?" I sighed, I knew he's going to ask about this. "Sending me off too soon?" I asked, false surprise evident in my voice. "It's... I'm not really sure what, but I think it may have something to do with nature." They stilled and looked at me, surprise evident in their faces.

"Nature? The... the rare magic?" I nodded as I took another bite of the lasagna on the table. I couldn't tell them even if my life would depend on it. I can't, gran said it might break the Odds' system. But as I took a bite,  I smiled widely as there's always this something different in Wonderland. The food is twice as tasty! "Wait... so you mean, you were—" Lia stilled and looked me in the eyes, fear and admiration visible. "I only found out when I talked to gran."

"Do you know what you can do?"

"I know what, but I don't know how. And somehow, I think it's better that way."

"No," Pa— Menald, said firmly. "You can bring back the old Wonderland. Before he shattered it to pieces."

__________

To the people who reads this book of wonder:

Okay, I haven't done much editing in this one as it already portrays what I want to happen. Buuut I still do want to hear your thoughts.

Waiting for the next time the plume decides to write,

moonroeluna🌙

PS:

I do hope that you'll share this tale of wonder to people whom you think are looking for their type of wonder. I'd be extremely bedazzled! It'll be a great tea-riffic privilege to write for people who look for wonder.