The Bungsu Princess Inferior

19. Oath and Promise

It was cold, I felt the coldness of Varen's hand. My head recalled the way Varen's mother healed my wounds, I absorbed some of Varen's mother's aura as she healed me. The white aura of Varen's mother came out of my right hand, slowly beginning to envelop Varen's body. I observed the wound on his arm, but nil! There is absolutely no change happening.

"It's not your fault Aira" Varen took off my hand. "Didn't I tell you, my mother can't even heal me" Varen looked at me with a smile, as if she was used to it.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty" I said, looking down. My eyes hurt, I remember myself in the past. Just when I realized that I had no talent at all, I was different from everyone else. It hurts but has to pretend to be okay in front of others.

"There's a prophecy saying that there's coming a time when the silver dragon will heal me" Varen looked back at the sky.

I can only be silent, my aura is sealed then I cannot summon Ryu at all. I have also tried several times to cut my hair and shed my blood, but always failed.

"Surely he will come, endure Your Majesty." I followed him looking up at the sky, "servants have also gotten many miracles lately, many prophecies have come true, nothing is impossible Your Majesty."

Varen nodded, his gaze still focused towards the sky. "I know you're not my people, you're not from the silver empire."

His words managed to make me turn to look at Varen, his blue eyes still staring at the sky. His silver hair glistened in the light, his pale white skin looked slightly glowing.

"I came to the stone cave to perform a hereditary ritual. Rituals that every heir to the throne must perform before turning 17."

I was still looking at Varen's face, now he closed his eyes, his hands crossed in front of his chest. His back was leaning against the back of the chair we were sitting on. "The ritual aims to put a dark aura into my body, learning so that I can control the violent dark aura."

Suddenly I remembered the black aura that came out from the two boxes that my father gave me, that black aura also entered my body. I shuddered in horror at the thought, that black aura is what Varen meant? The aura that to date still seals my aura.

"From what I saw you did the same ritual, too" said Varen still with his eyes closed. "So who are you, Aira? No one has the right to perform this ritual except for an heir, for a dark aura can devour unelected souls."

I lowered my head, "i'm just Aira. I'm not the heir, I'm not the crown princess that His Majesty thinks, at least I'm telling the truth for now. Believe it or not, it is His Majesty's right."

Somehow I couldn't tell her more, there was aversion in my heart. But I told him honestly, that I was not the crown princess, because my father had never done an official appointment with me.

"For a while the dark aura will seal the aura we have. The seal will come off by itself when the heir is exactly 17, and tomorrow is my birthday."

Varen opened his eyes and looked towards the moon which still seemed to be shining. If Varen's seal comes off tomorrow, then what about me? I don't even remember the days and months anymore, and I don't think it's the right time to ask Varen for time.

"But I'm different from the others" Varen stared at me. "I don't know if it'll be good or bad for me."

I turned towards Varen, "Your Majesty I believe tomorrow is a good day for Your Majesty."

My eyes blinked several times trying to think of the possibility of what I was thinking. "Your Majesty,"

"Call me Varen, Aira."

I was about to refuse, but now Varen is looking at me sharply. His blue eyes said that this was an order, not a request.

"Ehm, okay Varen." I steadied myself to ask, "Varen do you have a sacred animal?"

Varen straightened his back, he seemed to be getting interested in my conversation. "No, I have to create it myself, later when I have made it through the night of my birthday. I can't create a saint beast when my aura is still sealed."

I remember the way the golden lion so straightforwardly told me how to create Ryu, "what is the way to cut a few strands of your hair and drip them with 3 drops of your blood Varen?"

"Aira, who are you? why do you know the secrets of my empire?" Varen drew his face closer to me, his eyes looking at me with a peek. His cold aura was oozing out, making me shiver a little.

"Varen, I can't answer but just know I don't mean anything bad to you." I looked back at his pair of blue eyes, "as soon as your aura returns, you should hurry to create your saint beast. He will take care of you faithfully, so remember and promise to do so."

I continued my words half in doubt, "if something bad happens, go take refuge in the rock cave, the place where you saved me."

Varen narrowed his eyes, "how can I trust your words?"

Right, how could he possibly trust my words which incidentally was the person he had just met. "What can I do to make you believe me?"

"Swow upon my life" Varen took my right hand and placed it over his head. Never have I sworn on anyone's life, I don't even dare. I touched her short silvery hair that was smooth but cold, I saw her pair of eyes looking forward to me. There's courage I got from Varen's eyes.

"I swear on your life, Varen." The sunlight that I absorbed this afternoon was now out of my right hand, covering Varen's body and mine together, like tying each other up.

Varen pulled my hand back from his head, and now he's holding it. "I believe you," my golden light was absorbed again, unflagging.

"Please promise to do what I said to Varen. Promise to hold on, no matter what," I felt a tightness in my chest. My memory is full of images of Varen being rendered stiffly helpless by the cold poison. My tears were unstoppable, flowing with a rush. Varen took off his hand, he wiped my tears with both hands. But I can't stop, I can't remember the powerless Varen. My crying is getting louder and more painful. Varen pulled my body into his arms.

"Stop crying Aira, I promise." Varen patted my back slowly, trying to calm me down in his arms. "I promise to remember and do what you say."

My tears were still flowing, soaking up Varen's clothes that I was hugging. I cried on his shoulder while praying that Varen would be happy and free from the cold poison.