The Rose Of The South
Chapter 25: Les Elphenes et Les Esthers

Since Nicholas had not yet finished their breakfast, Anna decided to take a walk in the garden beside the Palace. The garden was a small version of the rose garden he owned at Schiereiland Palace. Nicholas planned to make the park as similar as possible to his garden so that after they married and moved to the Palace, his longing for Schiereiland Palace could be treated. The plan should work if they really get married. The garden was really similar to his.

"Anna?"

Anna looked over, looking for the source of the voice.

Xavier was not far behind him. He had followed her steps since without her noticing. Again he dissolved in his mind until he was unaware of the things around him.

"You're daydreaming." Xavier said as he sped up the pace, catching up with him. "I've been calling you since."

"I'm sorry." again that's all he can say.

In fact, there were as many apologies he wanted to say to Xavier as there were apologies Xavier had said to him. And after last night's dream, the apology list seems to be getting longer.

Sorry for being a punishment for you. Sorry for making you lose your immortality.

"You did it again. Lately you have been apologizing more often. You didn't do anything wrong to make you apologize." Xavier was now at his side, equalizing his steps. Anna observes Xavier, who seems impressed by the garden, as if she had seen the garden full of roses for the first time. But the view in that place is amazing. Spring in Schiereiland is always stunning, with clear blue skies, birds whistling in the trees, accompanied by the sound of faint waves pounding not far from the Palace and roses blooming all over the viewing eye. "In Nordhalbinsel there is nothing like this. I cannot stop admiring the natural beauty of your kingdom. And Nick seems to have good taste. I heard he made this Palace and garden special for you."

"He's mimicking the garden in my palace." Anna indicated an intention to explain further.

They walked down the street in the rose garden like they used to walk in the crystal Tulip garden in Nordhalbinsel. Like when they used to walk together in the garden of their Palace a thousand years ago.

Anna did not want to remember it, but the memory just appeared.

We used to walk in the park after breakfast and before starting a morning meeting with other state officials. Or before Zuidlijk finds me. Or before the baby Nordlijk woke up and cried.

"Let me guess..." Xavier said before Anna was completely swept away in her memory.

"What?"

"Then, a thousand years ago, I did not eat or drink. I don't need all that human stuff. I have no habit of eating anything. That was... Can't General Leon eat cheese, too?"

It was a long pause before Anna could truly answer. "true."

Xavier nodded in understanding, as if a new mystery had been solved. "Fortunately you directly prevented the waiter. Thank ye. Really am. I'm very grateful. You just saved me from what that heinous bowl of cheese could do to me." He turned his head towards Anna beside him, turning his gaze away from the roses blooming before him.

Anna smiled, a reddish hue appearing on her face. "I assume we're even."

"of course. We're even." Xavier could not take his eyes off. For a long time she had wanted to see that smile again on Anna's face. He wanted to see that smile more often, every day, for the rest of his life if he could. But he knows he can't. "You coming with me? I have something to show you."

Anna followed.

And Xavier took her to his room.

The room was no wider than the room Anna occupied. And if Anna's room faces directly to the coastal view, Xavier's room opposite her room faces directly to the mountain view. From the balcony of the room, Anna could see a vast expanse of green grass that was like an emerald tapestry. In the distance, Anna could see a herd of grazing cows and shepherds resting under the shade of trees while eating food. The houses made of simple wood seemed to fill the meadow, surrounding a large lake that was very clear. So clear, the fish that are there can be seen clearly. Around each house there is a small fenced land planted with various vegetables and colorful flowering plants. Further away from the houses of the inhabitants and the lake, there is a row of Elphenes mountains that stretch wide. Behind the green mountains of Elphenes, there are mountains whose peaks are higher and covered with snow. Anna had no idea there was such a beautiful sight in her kingdom.

Very lovely.

"That's Esthers." Xavier. "The snowy mountains behind the Elphenes mountains."

"Elphene and Esther. I read about them. A tragic story." Anna said without turning her gaze away from the beautiful sight before her. "Elphene is a God who falls in love with humans, a country girl whose face is as pretty as her heart. He came down to earth and became a human, an ordinary village youth. But Esther was already betrothed to a wealthy merchant from the city. They secretly met each night between the green fields and the snowy land. One night, Esther didn't come. Elphene gets word that the Merchant knew of their relationship and killed Esther. Elphene ended his life that night in the meadow. Esther's not dead. He was late for trying to escape from home. He prepares to escape with all his savings to live with Elphene in the snowy land that is deserted by the residents. At the sight of Elphene's corpse, Esther could only cry there, between the meadow and the snowy ground. The snowstorm made him freeze to death. Their bodies turned into those two mountains."

Momentary silence. Anna cried when she first read the story in the palace library. Leon had mocked her, 'why do you like reading fairy tales like this?' then he said that the story was ridiculous and absurd. Now that she's older, Anna agrees with Leon. He thinks Elphene and Esther might be able to live better if only they could think more clearly. If only Esther had told him the news, if only Elphene had waited a little longer and could not have easily believed the news of the bird that was not necessarily true, but, instead, maybe love makes them lose the ability to think clearly.

Xavier broke the silence, "So, you read a lot of fairy tales apparently." His gaze shifted from the mountains to Anna who was still looking at the mountains.

Anna turned her head, her gaze full of questions, "So... is it really just a fairy tale?"

"Unfortunately, no." Xavier looked back at Elphenes and Esthers. "That's real. They're both real. I knew God Elphene long before I met you, when I still hated humans. I warned him before he came down to earth that he should not love men. That humans die fast. But he didn't listen to me."

"Not really. God Elphene's hope is granted. He just wants to be on the side of the woman he loves forever. The Goddess of Heaven granted it, I guess. Although as two mountains that have stood for centuries, the important thing is they are together forever. They're lucky." Xavier sighed. "Actually, my purpose in bringing you here is not to remember their story. I just want to show you that view. And tell him that behind Esthers, there's the kingdom of Nordhalbinsel. My home. The Eternal Winter Country. La cour de l'hiver internel.”

Anna understood what Xavier was saying.

Behind those snowy mountains, there's Leon. I don't know what to do. What's breakfast this morning? Has he even eaten? Is he okay there? Anna looked at the snowy mountain range longingly.

"It doesn't look too far." Anna's comments finally.

"indeed not. You can send him a letter if you want."

Anna turned towards Xavier. Not saying anything and just watching. Wondering what the hidden intent behind his words was.

Since Anna did not say anything, Xavier continued, "Calling Elias to bring General Leon or deliver a letter through him was indeed faster. But less efficient. He was busy because of the tasks I gave him. There are many jobs and he is easily angry if disturbed when he is busy. We shouldn't call him too often." Xavier then turned around, Anna following his gaze. In one corner of his room, there was an eagle perched in a cage. Anna wonders when Xavier brought the eagle. "He's not a real eagle. One of Elle's magical creatures. The eagle would only send a letter to one of the Winterthur twins very quickly. In a matter of seconds, his letter would arrive at one of them and they would pass it on to General Leon. If you want to keep the contents of your letter a secret, you can use a Grimoire pen so that only General Leon can know the contents. Don't worry, you won't bear the pen's curse because I, as its current holder, have already allowed it."

"Why are you telling me this?" Anna finally asked.

"You miss him and worry about him. It looks so clear." Anna turned her face as Xavier looked at her, looking back at the snowy mountains. Xavier observed Anna's change of emotions carefully before continuing, "You don't need to ask the Rochelle family's shadow warrior to pick her up. They won't be able to get past the wolves of the Winterthur family. After all General Leon shouldn't be there long if Elle manages to do his job well. I had Elle teach her magic so she wouldn't really be 'blind' when dealing directly with Selena's magic."

"You eavesdropped on my conversation with Rumelle in the locker room?"

Anna talks to Rumelle when the Duchess helps her wear a spare wedding dress in her room. Rumelle also knew that she was Princess Anastasia who was rumored to have died. Anna asked for his help then, as a backup plan. He didn't think Xavier knew that.

"No. It's not that." Xavier answered calmly.

"Then what? How did you know that I already knew Leon was in Nordhalbinsel? Where do you know—“

Like these.

Anna stopped her words, flabbergasted. Xavier did not move his lips at all but Anna could hear his words clearly in her head.

Xavier turned his head, after some time there was no response from Anna, he again said. You hear me?

Anna nodded slowly. Still confused.

Try saying something. Anything.

Since when can you read my mind? Reply Anna.

Xavier laughs.

If anyone saw them back then, it would definitely look strange. They didn't say anything to each other, standing on the balcony, looking at each other long enough and then Xavier suddenly laughed. Anyone who saw it would argue that the Crown Prince had gone mad.

If only I could... No. gabe. I can't read your mind. It is different from reading the mind. It's like a secret communication channel between us, but only you can open and close it. You opened that door lately and were left open, so when you spoke, I couldn't help but hear it. The door to this channel can only be accessed by us, the dragons, by your permission of course. And. I think things like this happened after the incident with Earithear in the cave.

Sure oes. This shouldn't be a surprise to him. Just as his sword ability had suddenly increased drastically, his archery ability had suddenly appeared, he was now able to contact the dragons with a secret communication channel in his head. All of that happened after Earithear tried to restore his memories in the cave.

Anna nodded. I remember now. This is how we used to communicate in war.

Is correct.

They were silent for a while, busy with the contents of each other's minds. Anna closed the channel, which she already had very good control over. It was natural to be used to it. He was just looking at the view from Xavier's balcony. The green Elphenes mountains are adjoining the Esthers snow mountains. Couples who are always side by side but can never unite.

"Can you hear the other dragons?" Ask Xavier finally. "Because I only hear your voice."

Anna shakes. "none. It's just you and me there."

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