Chapter 22: Announcement
1050 Words
Yelena's POV
"I later then find out they're a bunch of thieves." The kid named Mele said. "I can't say 'no' to them, or they'll hurt me. If I'd hurt them back, then it'd taint the teachings of my teacher." He explained. He looked at me. "If you don't want to believe me, then I'd leave this kingdom." He said.
I looked back at him. "I believe you." I said.
"What – " Emil protested. "Your Highness, you can't just – "
I sighed. "If my mom is here, she'd do the same thing." I said. Emil shut up. I looked back at the kid. "Do you need a job?" I asked.
"As long as my power won't harm others, then I'm fine." he answered.
I smiled. "I want to meet this teacher of yours." I said. "Do you know how to clean a castle?" I asked.
…
"Yelena!" my mom called me.
I smiled. "Mom." I said and closed the book I'm reading. "What's wrong?" I asked.
She smiled happily. "You brought home a kid - ?" she asked. Her eyes are sparkling with excitement.
I sighed. I already know what she is thinking. "I didn't. I hired him. Emil was the one who brought him here." I explained. But she's not listening. I sighed. "So? What do you want?" I asked.
She smiled widely. "Can I adopt him - ?" she asked.
I knew it. I closed my eyes. "You should ask your father about that case – " I said and covered my face with the book.
"He already said 'yes', so I'm asking you – " she said.
I fell off my chair in shock.
She chuckled. "You're too uptight today." She said. I sighed. "Could it be that she still hasn't showed up – "
I frowned. "Get out." I told her.
She just laughed. "Yes, yes." She said, heading to the door. "You have a brother starting today – " she told me.
"Mother!" I cried in exasperation. She just chuckled and closed my room. "Ugh." I grunted. I went to my bed to get some rest. I sighed as I stared to the ceiling. "This kingdom sure is too carefree." I said, then smiled. "I'm so glad I'm home." I said. "Ah." I said then got up. "Where was it – " I said and looked for my backpack I brought from the other world. "There." I said then went to it.
I was about to pick it up when I saw something. I held my breath as I looked at the most beautiful face I've seen.
"Vincent." I muttered, holding my breath. His white hair and skin are like the snow… his eyes are the color of the sea… "And her lips the color of fresh cherries." I muttered, looking at the painting of him. "Am I really the one who painted this?" I muttered to myself. "I'm so glad I captured the most beautiful thing in the world." I said. "Even the actors are no match for this beauty." I said, then opened my backpack. "Ah." I said, then took out my phone. "I knew it. No signal. Just like in movies." I sighed, then opened the camera app. "There." I said and took a picture of the painting. I smiled. "He's really beautiful." I said, then made it as a wallpaper.
I looked at my other paintings.
"This one is my father, my mother, and …" I frowned. "The West King." I said, looking at Yako's laughing face while he's talking to my parents. "Goodness. I forgot he's Vincent's dad." I said, grimacing. I looked at the other paintings. "This must be that swamp." I said. "Rio still looks the same." I said, looking at Rio floating beside me as painted on the canvas. On my other side is Vincent. The three of us are watching the fireflies around us. "This one is Emil, I guess." I said. "And his friend." My forehead knotted. "Who was he again - ?" I said, then I heard a knock on the door. "Yes?" I asked.
"Your Highness. It's the feast." Emil said.
"Yes. I'll follow you." I said, then took pictures of the paintings around my room. "Ah… they're all so good I can't believe it was me who painted them." I muttered and put the phone inside my pocket.
I ran towards the door. The curtains fluttered as a strong gust of wind filled inside my room.
"Hmm?" I muttered, then looked back. "What was that?" I asked and shrugged before closing the door.
…
"Say cheese!" I said and took a picture of Emil smiling widely.
"Err… Your Highness. What is that thing?" he asked as I took a picture of Oril doing a peace sign with his fingers as I instructed.
"Hmm? This?" I said and motioned my phone. "It's called 'cellphone'." I said and took a picture of Mele doing a 'good job' sign with his thumb. "Yes…" I said, scrolling through my phone. I smiled at the picture of my parents. "Finally… I found them." I said as a tear fell from my eyes.
"Your Highness?!" they exclaimed, shocked to see me crying.
I frowned. "Come on! Is it bad if I missed my parents so much?" I asked. They shook their head, still looking at me, shocked. I rolled my eyes as I wiped my tears. "Let's eat." I said and we all sat down at the table.
"Daughter!" my father said when he saw me. He and my mother stood up. "It's too late to say this, but – " he said.
"Welcome home, Princess Yelena!" they all said and cheered.
"Guys…!" I said, my tears fell.
My parents went to me and hugged me. "Welcome home." They said with a smile on their faces.
I hugged them back. "Thank you. I'm home." I said. "I'm glad to be home." I smiled.
They all cheered.
…
"Father. Mother." I called in the middle of the feast.
The royal knights joined us in the long table. Then, they all looked at me, waiting for what I was going to say.
I took a deep breath. "I plan to marry Vincent once I save him." I said.
- Writer
