The Lotus Of East Palace
Chapter 12 (Yeon-Hwa)

"You're from anywhere!" I'm upset not playing. It could be that Kaze disappeared for over an hour leaving me alone in the crowd.

Kaze looked pale. His breathing was breathless as if he had run away. "Is the registration done? Can you perform tonight?" Ask.

"of course! I have been practicing for a long time. They say my dance is good and I'm allowed to show you my dance tonight."

"Then what now? Are we gonna wait till night here?"

No. gabe. I don't want to be in the crowd with these clothes.

So we decided to go back to Dong-gung. Just as it was lunch time, we arrived at Dong-gung. I've bought food for our lunch because I know we'll eat porridge again if I don't buy anything in town. The strange couple of Dong-gung owners were both unable to cook and had never cooked so we had only been buying food at a nearby food stall.

Just as I was about to serve the side dishes and vegetables I bought in town for our lunch, I heard the sound of the door slamming from the third floor.

"Why are they again?" I asked Shuu, because only he was inside Dong-gung until this afternoon. General Elias, I mean Elias—I always forget he's not a General anymore. I don't want to care about it.

Shuu did not answer me directly. He turned his head to look at Kaze in silence, the look in his eyes seemed to worry about the little girl. I'm sure they're telepathic. Kaze seemed to have been quieter since we got home from the town hall. He is usually always cheerful. His face also looks pale. But he didn't tell me anything that happened to him earlier and I wouldn't interfere in the affairs of the Dragons if they didn't want me to interfere. I believe Kaze will tell me when it's time.

"Hello! I'm right here! Can't we talk normally without telepathy?" I asked after a long time no one spoke. I'm getting upset about the affairs of these Dragons.

"I told you, didn't I! Not safe for them! Too dangerous. Why did you let him?" This time Diana's voice sounded with a typical Schiereiland accent on the third floor. Apparently they were fighting.

"He's fine. He returned safely. Calm down." Riz tried to calm down. I salute him. A Navarro can be that gentle in front of his wife.

"What if he dies too... How about—“

"will not. I make sure they stay safe. We'll take care of them. That's why we're here."

Then silence.

"Should we call them and have lunch together or could we eat first? I'm so hungry to wait for their house drama to end." I asked Shuu. He can read minds, so he certainly knows what we have to do at a time like this.

Shuu seemed to be listening to the couple's thoughts. He looked up, towards Diana and Riz's room. Then turn his eyes to me. He seemed to be holding back a smile. I don't know what happened up there, it looks like the husband and wife dispute is over because there is no sound.

"We eat first." Shuu said then.

...****************...

This time I was at the top of a snowy mountain.

This was strange, because Orient was in spring and there was no mountain with snowy peaks like this. Odder still, despite being on the top of a snowy mountain, I did not feel cold at all, instead I felt warm. Then I must be dreaming.

The existence of the creature before me further convinced me that this was just a dream. Snow Wolf. He still looked big with snow-white fur and ice-blue beautiful eyes and huge fangs in his mouth. But he doesn't look creepy anymore. Or maybe it was me who had stopped fearing him after I found out who the Wolf was.

I didn't say anything, nor did the Wolf. We just stood and stared at each other in silence. I always ran from him. All this time I've been trying to avoid him so he's always chasing. It turns out that after we faced each other, he didn't pounce on me. He doesn't look dangerous.

The ice blue eyes were like a mirror. I can see myself there. I'm still the same. White and desperate. But I no longer looked frightened. I just looked fragile. I no longer see myself as a Montreux female knight. He is not the heir to the Orient throne. I have no right to be both. I'm weak. I'm not a proper female knight. I'm not a person who deserves to wear that crown either. I'm a nobody. The Wolf's eyes seemed to tell me everything. Showing me a figure inside of me who has always been insecure and fearful.

The wolf opened its mouth as if it was ready to pounce. I look forward to my death in peace.

But instead of pouncing on me, he said something.

"Yeon-Hwa..."

...****************...

"Yeon-Hwa..."

When I opened my eyes, Elias Winterthur was in front of me. I got up and sat down. Damnit. My head feels dizzy spinning. I hurriedly closed my eyes again.

"God! Why is it so hard to wake you up! You fainted, huh?"

"Why did you wake me up!"

"The sun has set. You've been sleeping for hours."

I immediately opened my eyes and looked out the window. Damnit damnit! I've been sleeping on the couch since last day and it's night. It must have been a fatigue effect because I continued to practice dancing with Shuu every morning and worked as a waiter until night in Jade Palace.

"What time is it?" My toot.

"Seven." Answer someone in Orient language. I turned my head and found that Diana was already wearing a very beautiful pink Hanbok. Her usual hair rolled up following the hairstyles of the married Orient women, this time left in a long stretch. Even if he hides his knives, I can't see him. Maybe special tonight he didn't bring his knives. Instead, she wore a lot of jewelry like rings and necklaces with emerald gems that looked familiar. Diana then continued in her own language. "Not too late. You were sleeping so well that I couldn't wake you up. Don't worry, then Mr. Elias can take you to the town hall by teleporting. Isn't that right, Mister?" Diana smiled kindly at Elias.

"I never said I'd—“

"So you promised. I think northern men never break a promise." This time Kaze joined in despite the still rigid pronunciation. Kaze had also changed her clothes. He was from the Ilbon tribe, so he was not wearing a Hanbok. He was wearing his tribe's traditional dress in a light blue long kimono. The little girl looked very pretty as well as adorable.

Elias let out a heavy sigh as if driving me to the city hall was the toughest ordeal of his life. "All right."

"Where are the others?" I asked Diana. When talking to Diana, as much as possible I use her language even though Diana can speak Orient. I think it's important to respect the language and culture of others.

"Riz and Shuu are already waiting on the third floor. We'll see the stars fall from there. Come on along."

I was about to get up off the couch when I realized I was still wearing a dancer's outfit under the blanket that somehow covered me. I don't remember picking up a blanket before falling asleep on the couch.

"This is yours?" My toot.

"Just use it." Elias said as he went up the stairs to the third floor.

I also used the blanket to cover my body and dispel the night air. This area is a plateau higher than the center of Jungdo city, so the night air will feel cooler. Although actually, the cold air did not really affect me because I had lived in Nordhalbinsel for quite a long time.

"So what is a thousand-star festival?" I asked Shuu as we were all gathered on the third floor, waiting for the shooting star. Everyone turned off the lights and lanterns so that the only light came from the stars in the sky. The stars now seem so much brighter than ever that we can still see clearly around us. I can see Riz wearing a Hanbok matching Diana's. Meanwhile, Shuu is wearing hanfu, a traditional Jungian dress, which is also light blue in color with Kaze's kimono. Now they really are like Twin Dragons.

Shuu looked at me in disbelief for asking like that. "You're an Orient man, aren't you? You don't know about the thousand-star festival?"

"I was born and raised in Westeria. So I'm Westerian." I answered while putting the blanket over my body because the air was really cold. I need a hot drink.

Shuu and Kaze seemed to roll their eyes every time I claimed to be Westerian. He said that Orientals, wherever they are born, raised or live, will always be Orientals.

"We also don't know about this celebration. Can you explain, Shuu?" Ask Diana. Riz beside her clasped his hand. Apparently they had made up from the dispute earlier this afternoon.

"All right, I'll explain." Shuu cleared his throat several times as if he was about to start reciting poetry or making a speech. "The Festival of a Thousand Stars is celebrated every fifty spring nights or when all the cherry blossom buds are in bloom. On this night, a thousand stars will fall from the sky. That said, anyone who utters a marriage pledge when a star falls from the sky will get the blessing of Sang Langit— in another country known as the Goddess of Heaven or Etherna. Each star represents the blessing of the Sky. Actually, not just for marriage, but for other things. Whoever has an unattainable desire, speak that desire in the heart then the Sky will grant it."

Unfulfilled desire... Do I have it?

I wondered for myself what I wanted. What do I want? Before this, I wasn't sure what I really wanted. I want to live free. I don't want to be bound by a marriage I don't want nor a false, mortal love. I want to be able to live as myself. And I want, if someday I meet the person who was destined for me, that person will be able to accept me for who I am. Both as Honey Welsh, a Westerian girl who served as a Montreux female knight, as well as Lee Yeon-Hwa, heir to the Orient throne without a crown. I hope that person can be patient because I might not be able to just accept his existence. I still can't believe in love and destiny or anything like that.

Just then, when I finished gathering my desires in my heart, the stars fell.

Like raindrops at night, but instead of water, thousands of light twinkled as if falling to earth. If the Sky indeed existed, if the Sky could cry, perhaps these were his tears. Thousands of beautiful lights can make anyone who sees it shed tears. Without realizing it, I began to mention my desires in my heart...

I want my dad to be healthy always. I want my father to be happy without my mother. I want you to let go of my mother and start living the way you want.

I want Abuela to find her true love before she dies. Because I think everyone deserves to find their true love.

I want my mom to be calm in nature. I want my mom to know that my dad and I love her so much. That his choice to survive in hiding was the best choice because it was that choice that allowed me to live in this world. It was that choice that got me here now to witness the magic in the Orient night sky.

I want all the prayers and hopes of the people who are here with me to be fulfilled. Even if their hopes seem impossible, I hope all their hopes are fulfilled. I want us all to have the blessing of the Sky.

"Don't cry. Your makeup will be broken. I'm too tired to fix your makeup." He said while still hugging me. He made me laugh while shedding tears. You little Wind Dragon!

"It's so beautiful... A whole new life this time I saw a scene like this." I said.

I glanced at Elias who still could not take his eyes off the falling stars. He looked very excited at the sight. Shuu beside him looked equally open-minded even though he must have watched the thousand-star festival a lot. I don't think anyone would get tired of seeing this amazing celestial phenomenon. Night when the stars feel very close and reachable. It was as if all the impossibilities in this world were wiped out and all hope would be realized.

Then I turned towards the couple owner Dong-gung. Riz was kneeling before Diana. Diana looked very surprised.

"I know this is very sudden. I didn't prepare the ring either, but..." Riz took a deep breath before continuing, "Are you willing to marry me and get the blessing of the Goddess of Heaven?" He looked at Diana. I've only seen one look like that in my entire life. I saw him when my father looked at my mother when he could see, when she was alive and well.

"I thought you were married!" I said, still half flabbergasted.

"Sstt... Just leave them." Shuu said, again he sounded older than his age. He looked at the couple while smiling solemnly.

"We have never been blessed by the Goddess of Heaven." Riz said, but his gaze still had not shifted away from Diana. "You can refuse—“

"I'm willing." Diana shed her tears.

"What?" Riz looked in disbelief. No. gabe. He looked very surprised as if his wife would probably reject his proposal. As if he was very confident he would accept rejection. I really don't understand the behavior of that strange couple.

Diana smiled, still shedding happy tears, "I'm willing." she repeated.

"You serious? You can't pull back the answer—“

"i'm serious. I am willing to marry you. Now if you need to."

Riz stood up and hugged Diana. "Thank you." Said. "Thank you very much." This time he sounded like he was holding back tears.

"Oh, congratulations!" I said while rolling my eyes. What a moving drama!

Kaze and Shuu clapped happily, looking very happy. Elias looked more confused than me. But Riz and Diana seemed oblivious to all that, as if there were only the two of them in this world. They are too happy to care what people say.

"Where are you going?" I asked when I saw them start running towards the stairs.

"We want to get married. You continue your activities. We have to find the head." Shouted Riz while carrying away Diana.

"Shuu, let's go." Kaze pulled Shuu's hand.

"Where are you going?" This time Elias asked.

"We're tired. After all minors can't sleep late." Kaze.

"It's still seven!" I protested.

"God! It turned out so late! Come, Shuu. The Twin Dragons need a lot of rest for the stability and prosperity of the empire." I know Kaze said it while holding back a laugh. I can hear it. What the hell is he thinking!

"Good night. Good luck." said Shuu before completely disappearing behind the door.

Inevitably, I approached Elias who was still standing staring at the falling stars. The air was still very cold so I still wrapped myself in a blanket.

"When are we going?" My toot.

Elias did not answer. Or maybe he was too dissolved in his daydream while looking at the stars to care less about my existence. I may also be invisible at this time. Because the next minutes he was still silent, fixated on staring at the sky.

"Did you get that when it happened in Montreux?" He asked me suddenly when I was sure he didn't realize I was still up here with him.

"What?" My toot.

Elias turned his head, this time no longer staring at the stars. "Wounds on your waist, I mean." His eyes moved towards my waist which was now covered in his blanket.

"You seen him?" Stupid question. Of course he saw it, otherwise from where did he know about the wound on my waist. I shouldn't have asked.

"It's impossible not to see it if you're wearing such clothes."

"So that's why you said I wasn't comfortable being seen."

"What?" He frowned confusedly as if he had never said those words to me this morning. "God! Not that—“

"Is it because I have scars that I don't deserve to wear these clothes? Is my body not perfect? Not like the northern girls you slept with?"

This time he laughed so hard. I think I just saw him laughing this time. I really don't understand what's funny. I'm so offended!

"Oh, sorry..." Said. He eased his laughter, "Is that what you're thinking? And you believe the weird rumors about me?"

"Of course!"

Now he really stopped laughing. His expression turned serious. "You're one of the Queen's bodyguards. You should have known better that I was too busy to date anyone or sneak into their room. And..." He cleared his throat for a moment before continuing, "I'm sorry if you were offended by what I said this morning, but I never thought that the scar reduced the beauty of your body. You should not feel less confident just because of the words of people who do not really know you. I've never had the experience of seeing a woman's body, but I think you're perfect."

"God! You shouldn't say such a thing blatantly!" I don't really know how to respond. Is that even a compliment? Is something like that worth talking about? Why is the air heating up?

"You talked about it first." Elias took a long breath. "alright... I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For everything. Everything from the beginning to the present. It seems like from the beginning we never talk without raising each other's tone of voice and leading to other new problems. The beginning of our meeting was not good and it seems partly because of my mistake as well. I'm more mature, so I should have given up and apologized first. I'm sorry."

Whatisthis? Why is he acting so well? But yes it is. It's good he's apologizing. "I'm sorry for everything, too." I said. Then I remembered another thing, "I also mourn the death of one of the wolf squad members who was killed by my father. I'm sorry on behalf of my father."

This time his face looked sad. It seemed like the dead wolf was close to him. I feel guilty for talking about it again.

"It's okay. It's already passed. It was my fault for not being able to look after her either." Elias turned his gaze back to the stars. I could see her eyes glazed over before taking her eyes off. "Name Demyan. He was the youngest among us. He was only eleven years old. He was an orphan and had no one but us. The Wolf Army is his family. He was overjoyed when I received his vow, when he had just received a curse that made him a Wolf."

I don't understand the history of the Winterthur family and why they became Wolves. I didn't even know that Elias could turn into a Wolf until that morning when he came to my house in Westeria. But judging from his words, I guess it was more like a hereditary curse. I don't think it's a good thing and it's worth talking about—though in my opinion, the change to Wolf can be very useful on the battlefield or any other battle. So I'm not discussing further.

For a long time we kept silent and looked at the endless stars falling down. Is it a thousand stars? I don't know. But we were so dissolved in each other's minds that I didn't feel cold anymore.

"That time you said I was your nightmare. Does that mean you've seen me as a wolf in your dreams?" Suddenly asked.

"Yes. You really terrorized me until now I still dreamt of meeting you in the form of a wolf." I remember my dream this afternoon. The wolf was no longer a nightmare. But he shows up often. Maybe it's because I've been exhausted lately.

"Do you remember anything you saw in that dream? Did you see anything when you saw me in that dream?" This time Elias seemed really curious as if my dream was an important thing.

"Why—“

"Jawab it."

"I didn't see anything." My answer. Then I added hesitantly, "I'm just looking at your eyes." Very beautiful ice blue eyes. But I don't want to say it.

I couldn't read the meaning of Elias' expression when he looked back at me. Is that a fear expression? Hate it? Getting angry? Everything combined? "And... And what do you see in my eyes?" Ask later.

"My own self."

...****************...