DΛY ПIПΣ


 

"Careful consideration has lead to a decision. Lack of trust, lack of truth, defiance before this court and treachery towards this empire. The man you all know as The Overseer will meet his punishment in accordance to Eden law. This time there will be no overruling. There will be no doubt. Exile."

When the king suddenly stood during dinner the reaction was instant. Noble folk and guards stop talking, the sounds of their cutlery dropping to their plates as they turn to their leader respectfully. His words carry through the silence, echoing in the grand room. I can't help but flinch back at the cacophony of noise that follows.

Royal guards, lead by Jungkook, stand from their seats and practically gravel their fists against the tables. They roar out, pleased with the king's decision. Only few staggering guards looked between each other, confused and rattled, doubtful looks spreading across their faces. I met Taehyung's eyes for only a second before our attention is turned to the fight breaking out around us.

"This is insane!" A noble woman steps forward, her rosy lips forming into a scowl. The man besides her quickly tugs her down, scolding her. But her courage was all it took to ignite confidence among the crowd.

A mixture of noble people and guards alike stand up, calling out in a collective shout.

"This is a mistake!"
"My lord, please reconsider!"
"There is only three more days after tonight! You can not do this!"
"We are not prepared to fight this war alone!"

 

"Silence!" The king's loud voice echoes once more, and the room immediately falls mute again. His face reddens as he scowls down at the uproar, displeasure clear in his eyes. "The decision has been made."

 

The silence only lasts mere seconds before anger resurfaces; some type of political fight between those who agreed and those who didn't. I don't realise I'm holding my own breath until I feel a comforting hand place itself on my lower back, hidden from the view of others. Briefly glancing to my left, my eyes land on Yves. She stands so close to my body I could feel her warmth radiating off of her. But then I notice the cold glint in her eyes. I follow her gaze as she stares down the middle table, and I feel my throat instantly drying. Olivia sits between two of the guards, her face washed a deathly pale. And then she stands, and she runs.

The guard to her left sends a scowl her way when she roughly jabs her elbow to his shoulder in her haste, but she pays it no mind. Her back turns and all I can do is watch after her as she runs from the room, quick in her strides. The sigh that left Yves' lips was enough to tell me that she was worried, that she wanted to follow the girl and see if she was okay. But she couldn't. She stays rooted in her place behind her fathers throne as she watches her people breakdown.

The look on her face screamed agony when she realised there was nothing she could do.




 

A long, frustrated groan tears from the back of my throat as I kick my blankets off of me. I couldn't sleep. My mind was racing with the memory of the night before. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't stop thinking about it. I couldn't stop thinking about the look on Yves' face. Couldn't stop thinking about the look on Olivia's, couldn't help but wonder if she was okay.

The longer I spent lying down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with my thoughts running rampant inside my mind-- the more reality seemed to sink in.

It was just me, Yves, Jungeun and Olivia. How the hell were we suppose to work this all out? How is it that the fate of the kingdom was left to rest on our shoulders? On mine?

It had to have been hours. Hours of my tossing and turning. It felt like only five minutes ago when the sky outside my window was completely dark. But now that I looked back, the sun was just starting to rise. I couldn't spend a moment longer in here.

I stand up with a huff and beeline for the door. I didn't even bother changing my clothes when I came back last night. I fight the urge of needing to scratch the itch at my neck. The fabric of my shirt was starting to irritate my skin, but I force myself to ignore it for now. There were more important things to worry about. Cracking the door open I look left then look right, careful to not make too much noise. I knew I wasn't allowed to be out by myself, my conversation with the king made that very clear, but I just couldn't help myself. I needed space. I needed to clear my mind. I needed to calm down, to save myself from my impending panic attack. And there was only one thing I knew would help.

My feet carry me like they had a mind of their own, uncharacteristically quiet as I turn corners. To my surprise, I don't run into a single person. Nothing but the sound of me, my breathing, and my heartbeat in my ears. For a moment I wondered if I even remembered the right directions, but the moment I stumble upon a familiar door-- relief instantly washes through me. I waste no time and walk inside.

A room so similar to a ballet studio. Windows frame the walls, and unlike last time, the black-olive green curtains are pulled open-- allowing morning light to filter in. The last time I was here was days ago when Yves lead me from the gardens. The image of her standing in front of the window, the halo of light surrounding her body, has my heart fluttering in my chest.

Dancing use to be my escape. My key to overcoming my dyslexia, my salvation. But ever since I woke up here, ever since I was torn away from my life with dad back home... I didn't have the chance to. No chance to let my emotions out the way I'd always known to. No way to express myself. Now that I was alone, however, only me standing in the centre of this room-- I knew it was my chance.

My feet start moving.

Some part of me almost feels foolish for dancing right now. For lazily reciting one of my old ballet routines from back when I was ten. It surprised me to know I even remembered the steps at all when I couldn't even remember my own dads face-- the thought brings a sour grimace to my lips. I felt foolish for indulging when I knew I should be out there, practising with Jungeun, turning into the person I was expected to be.

But as my luck would have it, the sound of a soft familiar voice breaking through the silence has me freezing. I turn around instantly and face the door.

"I did not think you would be here. Usually this spot is vacant when I am in need of peace and quiet."

I wasn't sure why my breath knocked out of me as if I was seeing her for the first time. Why I felt my breath hitch in my throat, my cheeks heating up. Maybe it was embarrassment at being caught, or maybe it was the ghost of the smile that crosses her plump lips as they look at me now. Either way my brain short circuits and I stammer over my words.

I wasn't sure how long she had been standing there watching me. I wasn't even sure how much time had passed. I was too caught up in my own thoughts to notice.

"Yves-- wha-" My words fall from my lips before I have a chance to process them. I almost facepalm myself for forgetting how to speak. Clearing my throat, I start over. My back bends over ninety degrees, bowing apologetically. "S-sorry, I couldn't sleep. I just needed to clear my mind.. I know I'm not suppose to be out by myself, I can go if you want me to, please don't get mad at-"

"Y/N." She cuts me off. My rambles instantly cease when her voice carries through the air, a soft melody that has a shiver running up my spine. I liked when she said my name. "It is okay. I am not mad."

I fully expected her to shout at me. To get angry that I was up so early, wondering around all by myself. It was just yesterday I was accused of something I didn't do, just yesterday I got in trouble for not being at her side. I can't help but think what would have happened if it wasn't Yves who walked in on me now.

Yet again my thoughts bombard my mind so much so that I forget where I am. Like I had some kind of tunnel vision, like in that moment it was just me and my own voice in my head. So when Yves walks closer so she's standing mere feet away from me, I can't help but flinch back when she rests a palm on my forehead. I look at her inquisitively when she seems to fumble over her words. She opens and closes several times before her voice comes out an unsure, hesitant hush.

"Would you like to talk about what is on your mind?"

The palm on my forehead lowers, the feeling of her fingers grazing softly against my skin as her hand returns to her side leaving a static-like-sensation in their wake. I swallow the lump that forms in my throat. But before I can say anything, she beats me to it. Her eyes widen the slightest of fractions as an embarrassed flush crosses her face.

"Or if you would prefer not to, I will not pry. Forgive me, I am not good at this."

My chest flutters. The thought had to have crossed my mind over a million times already, but I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that this was the same girl I met those days ago. This girl, standing before me now, talking to me like I was an injured puppy or the most fragile person in the world. She was changing.

I shake my head and force my nerves down, offering a small, tight lipped smile.

"Being in that room felt suffocating. I just... I just needed to breathe."

She hums. For just the briefest of seconds I could've sworn a look of understanding flashes across her face, but it's gone as soon as it came when she moves to walk passed me-- just brushing by my shoulder. Her steps are quiet and careful as she stands before the exposed window and just gazes out into the kingdom below. And like all those days ago, I can't help but ogle.

Can't help but ogle as the morning sky's blues, purples, oranges and reds light up her face so beautifully. And then she looks at me over her shoulder, her eyebrows furrowed. Her voice forms into a timid whisper.

"I could not sleep either. Every time I close my eyes it is like my mind is not ready to be silent." She pauses. She weighs her words for several seconds before turning back to the window with a long sigh, her shoulders deflating. "Another day has passed and I fear just how ready we are. The overseer has been banished, Jungeun is no longer leading her army into battle... You have yet to discover how to use your ring."

I almost couldn't believe I kept forgetting about it. The very mention of the jewel on my finger has me subconsciously tracing its cold metal, the slightest of static tingles running through my palm. But then her words fully register and the guilt cements itself back in the pit of my stomach. The reality was that she was right. So many things was going awry, and to top it all off-- I was one useless hope of a saviour.

I didn't know what I was suppose to say. Whether I was suppose to be supportive and tell her everything would be okay. Because truth be told, I didn't know. As far as I was aware, the same thoughts had been plaguing my mind for days now.

Instead I shake my head. A pang of frustration hits me and I can't stop the scoff that slips from my lips.

I raise my arms in exasperation and start pacing the floor of the ballet room, my footsteps heavy as my face twists into a scowl.

"I just don't understand. Why couldn't the overseer just teach me himself? You know, how to use this ring or whatever? He's the only who knows how to use these stupid things, but he's left me to work it out by myself!"

By the end of my sentence I'm out of breath, my words leaving me quickly with no pauses in between. A moment passes as Yves hums, considering my words carefully, before she shakes her head. I don't miss the sympathetic look she shoots my way.

"I can not lie and say I have not questioned the same, but I can only assume it is because of his regret over his own creations. He taught her all he knew. Perhaps his actions were motivated by fear."

Despite the truth behind her words, I turn my body so I'm fully facing her and scoff a laugh. She flinches when I seethe.

"But he's the one who brought me here! He's the one who tore me from my life! As far as I know, I'm fighting his battle!"

My words seem to resonate with her. For a moment she just pauses. She opens and closes several times, trying desperately to find her words. But then she caves. Unlike her tone before, this time she sounds weak. Unsure. Hesitant. My heart almost cracks at the crestfallen look that crosses her face. Suddenly I regretted raising my voice with her.

"The overseer... the overseer is a wise man. All my life I have known him as a man who does what he does for a reason. His actions are purposeful. You may not understand it now, but..." Then she stops herself. She drops her head as if realising her mistake. "but I feel your doubt. I am afraid I am not sure if I understand it either."

A tense, uncomfortable silence follows. I mull over her words and watch the way she avoids my gaze, now entertaining herself with the curtains. My stomach churns. It wasn't fair of me to get angry with her, to