The War Of Gemstone: Owl & Flower
A Witch as Bright as a Sunflower
Archie breathed in the fresh air that made him miss while stepping outside the forest after a long time. His left hand placed a roll of parchment in his left trouser pocket and his other hand covered the warm and bright sunlight. His eyes that were accustomed to the dark color in the forest, were still adjusting to the scenery outside. Spacious meadows and the scent of colorful wildflowers filled the outer forest. “It turns out the scenery outside is still not much different since I left the city. Although it is only 5 days but it feels very long.”
The man walked through the path. Grass and flowers filled the roadside. Livadia is a continent famous for its vast expanse of flower fields, especially Aruindale which is very sustainable flower fields, unlike other regions. No wonder if during the trip in Aruindale, the scenery that is always seen on both sides of the road is wildflowers that bloom beautifully. On the left are wild roses and on the right are bright pink wild orchids. Walking a few steps forward, other flowers also grow like poppy and bluebell.
Archie stopped at the expanse of purple flowers, the most beautiful flower for him, the lavender flower. It means chastity and devotion to kings like the Lanvinder family who for hundreds of years have sworn allegiance to Aruindale. “The girls will surely love to see this sight.” He continued his steps. “Truely too, they haven't been out of the forest all this time. Next time I'll take them to enjoy the Spring Festival,” murmured the man.
On the rising ground on the left not far from there, a stretch of sunflowers stared brightly at the sun. “It's up.” Archie placed his steps between the tall bushes and weeds. The man watched vigilantly every step of his foot so as not to be bitten by a Flower Snake disguised as a flower. Although not harmful to humans, but quite painful.
The man reached a tree that stood alone on a hill surrounded by fresh sunflowers. However, his gaze was fixed not only on the yellow flower, but on a woman behind the hill in a brown robe and a pointed brown hat picking sunflowers. On her left arm, a wooden basket hung that contained a number of flowers such as roses, bluebells, zinia, daisy and sunflowers that the woman was picking.
Archie narrowed his eyes, trying to see clearly his face that was covered in his wide pointy hat. The woman stood upright from a distance, exposed a little of the edge of her pointy hat, and gazed towards Archie who was standing on the hill. The woman is the new Terenna the Witch of the Kingdom.. “Professor Terenna!?” …and at the same time Archie's magic teacher.
Despite being far away, it appeared that the woman was smiling and waving her hand at Archie. Terenna lifted her long skirt and walked down the sunflower field towards the hill. The wind blew out her brown hair that scented the soft and cold Northern Flower.
“It's good to see you again after so long, Archie,” said the woman. The brown spots on her cheeks adorn her smile as bright as a sunflower, always bringing warmth and comfort to anyone around her. From the king to the ordinary citizens, he loved being around the woman, including Archie himself.
Archie placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed. “I too, Professor Terenna, nice to meet you,” reply.
“Do not call me professor. I'm not your magic teacher right now,” said Terenna. “What are you doing here? It's been almost a week since you decided to go roaming.”
“Walking? So that's what Dad said.” Archie laughed a little.
The woman's forehead is wrinkled. “What happened? I thought you were leaving because you didn't like my magic class.”
“No, instead I always wait for Miss Terenna's magic class.” Archie rubs the back of his head. “Only, the story is long.”
The woman went to the tree, put her basket on the ground and sat under a shady branch. His feet were moving forward. He shifted the white sling bag hidden under his cloak into his lap, and took off his pointed hat which he placed on top of the sling bag. “Tired,” complained the woman.
“Oh no, I'm just preparing for the festival later,” the woman said. “I love it here, sitting in the shade of a tree while looking at a beautiful stretch of yellow. You know, when Your Majesty is busy, I often secretly come here.”
“But, hasn't the kingdom already subscribed to the Oldfine store? Why did Miss Terenna pick it up herself?”
“This is not for festival decoration, but for other things. Besides, I don't like that old man. I don't know why I feel that his smile is terrible.” Terenna folded her hands. “Rather than the flowers in her shop, I prefer picking them myself outside. Wildflowers here are fresher and more beautiful.”
“Nona Terenna is absolutely right. They look a lot more beautiful than they do in the store,” Archie said. “By the way, how are you there?”
“Your Majesty still looks great as always, passing on the souls of previous kings who love their people. That makes me-”
“Not king, I mean Lanvinder Family, Father, Mother.” Archie looked up, imagining his luxurious residence and his mattress made of soft, high-quality cotton. Recalling the aroma of warm tea brought by his loyal servants every 7 am and 3 pm.
The woman laughed. “Oh, your father remains steadfast as always, carrying out his obligations as the Head of the Lanvinder Family, and your mother I rarely see him, but take it easy, that woman must be fine.”
As the man imagined it, the white clouds floating in the clear sky were blown by the warm wind and formed the face of the blue-eyed girl he once loved. “How about Meredith?” Archie asked curiously.
“Meredith, yes, although she always smiles, but..”.
“But what?”
“But he still likes to joke and eat sweet foods all day. Is that girl not afraid of fat, huh?” The woman lied. His words contrasted with what happened to Meredith. From the moment Archie left, a dark storm covered the heart of single daughter Zania. Sadness is like an eternal rain constantly eroding his happiness. No jokes came out of his mouth, his eyes were empty and his breath was cold. Meredith only came out at night, the same night she and Archie had a conversation in the party crowd.
Knowing that, Archie lowered his head. “So yes, thank goodness.”
“Your marriage is cancelled, and it looks like the Zania Family is looking for another family to be Meredith's partner,” Terenna said.