"Diaannaa~" She called for her mother. Lying on small bed, that little kid was excited to sleep with her. Grinning wildly, she continued, "It's story time, story time."
A figure came with a small candle. She was wearing a white nightgown of poor quality, smiling at that kid affectionately, and replied, "Yes, young lady." She sat down next to her.
"Stop with that maid act." Her cheeks puffed out in irritation. Diana rubbed her small nose. "Ok, ok. Which story will my baby hear today?"
"mmm" Her anger went out in an instant; using all remaining brain cells, she answered, "Anything is fine."
Diana couldn't control her laugh; she rubbed her ink hairs. "How can someone be this cute?" Pulling her cheeks, she continued, "How about demons versus dragons?"
"Uhhh," Erin rubbed her red cheeks, shaking her little head, "Nope, nope."
Diana raised her brows.
"I rather hear a ridiculous story of a stupid Jeanie like demon granting wishes than hear entire demons versus dragon's cliché story."
After getting a big disapproval from that little kid, she sighed. "You hate dragons?"
"Nope." Erin glanced at the ceiling and replied, "I hate wars."
Diana grinned at that child's innocence. Covering her with a blanket, she replied, "But wars are inevitable."
Slowly her face and this small memory shattered away, waking me up. It's been quite a while since I dreamed of her. Her loving gaze still etched in my mind, a painful reminder that I'm the reason she's no longer with us.
Because of me she....
"Damn it." I snapped out. It's useless to think about this now.
WAIT...
Suddenly my focus shifted to my surroundings. It was different than any usual morning, as yesterday's memory flowed through me, a smirk spread across my face. This was the most extravagant room I had ever seen. This soft bed, high-cost curtains, and wall embedded with paintings. A room granted to the head of the family, or in other words, my room.
Lying on the soft bed, looking at the window, soft rays were descending on my lips. A satisfying sigh came out of my mouth. Suddenly I felt some weight....
.
.
And that's how this story starts.
"L-Lover?" My mind went cold. Did I even have one? Can't recall. Strangely, the idea of having a lover itself was terrifying after witnessing my parents. How was I supposed to believe this??
The memories I lost, was he also in them?
And if that's true, just how sad will he be after learning this??
My brain stopped processing; staring at him, I was too stunned to even breathe.
He crawled forward, touching my cheeks; he pouted, "Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
"Why did you disappear for two months, Rina?"
My head was throbbing wildly, and on the other hand, my heart was pounding rapidly. It was difficult to focus on one thing. I smacked my forehead, keeping a distance from him. It was impossible to answer his questions. It was too much of a mess that I forgot this person was supposed to be the second prince of the Empire.
His body was loudly telling his sincerity, looking forward for my answer. He flinched when I pushed him away, as if pushing him alone crumbled his heart. He was scared; I can see it. Just what will happen if I say, I don't remember you?
"Rina," he was worried, "please talk; don't stare like that."
My thoughts cleared away after looking in his eyes.
He was the reason for emptiness in my chest; my body can feel it.
Tears flooded my eyes; I looked at him in awe. He was taken aback by that look; brushing my tears with his fingers, he asked, "What's the matter?"
I can hear panic and crying in his voice.
At that time the only word that escaped my mouth was, "I'm sorry."
He halted. His eyes, body, and everything else stiffened. "W-what?"
"I can't remember you..." I closed my eyes after saying that. It was impossible to see his expression, and it was difficult to imagine how he would react. What will I do if he gets angry at me?
But to my surprise, he enveloped me in his warm embrace; it was warm like a gentle summer breeze.
"That explains it." These were the only things he said after that. After that, God knows how many minutes or hours we stayed in that position.
**
"Rina?" he called for me. I separated myself from his embrace. He wasn't angry; it looks like he had forgiven old me.
"Aww," he made an expression as if he was looking at a puppy. "Even if you don't remember, you still love me, right?"
Well, I wanted to say yes, but with the way it was pronounced, my body refused to do so. It was strange to even imagine how light this atmosphere was.
"I know I'm your soulmate." Cian proudly commented.
I think my old self was an idiot....
"Forget it," I pushed his hand from my shoulders. "For now, tell me what I'm missing."
Strangely he hesitated; scratching the nape of his neck, some stuttering words came out, "Erm... I-I think you shouldn't know that."
"Why?" His cheeks turned red; it seems he's too shy to answer that. Embarking on my curiosity, I teased him, "Don't tell me you were head over heels for me~"
"Rina"
His voice was firm and possessive; he grabbed my hand and brushed it against his cheeks, bringing it closer to his soft lips; he kissed it softly. Time was flowing so slowly; I can even hear his heartbeat. If this goes on, I might pounce on him. But somehow something was strange; it looks like I'm missing something, or is it just my useless worry?
"Do you know how angry I am now?" His expression darkened. Moments ago, the atmosphere was warm, but now it feels colder than any winter. Strange coldness engulfed me; words were blocked in my vocal. His grip around my wrist tightened; he snuggled his face in my palm.
He looked down; a faint anger was engulfing him. "Every day in these past two months felt like an eternity of sorrow and pain."
Forgiveness was too much to hope for. Even if I couldn't recall my past, he knew me well enough to recognize that I wouldn't back down without a fight. Me too, I am not someone who will readily give my precious things without a fight.
I had willingly given up my memories, because it's almost impossible to beat me.
Without looking at me, Cian continued.
"So, during the cold war we both were as usual, but something was strange with you. From what I remember, you were hiding a lot of things; it didn't matter much because I thought you would tell me someday. But one day when the war was almost over, suddenly all the troops returned with scars from burns. And strangely, Rina went missing."
"Burnt??" My eyes widened with shock. The only person who can do this was me, of course, and I'm very talented in Raisis; no way someone will get hurt from our side because of me.
Cian nodded. "It scared the hell out of me. I tried to find you everywhere; many were convincing me to stop the search. They said you were gone mad, and after using this much power, most probably you..."
He gulped and then continued. It was difficult to listen; my head was aching wildly.
"But deep down I knew you were alive and in danger. My body was running aimlessly to find you, from the shadiest corner of the kingdom to the royal palace, but you were nowhere. After a month, I was dead inside. All options were closed, but then, like God giving me favor, I learned that you returned to the dukedom."
"That's it?" His story seemed real, but it wasn't making any sense. "So then, you came to find me?"
"Mm," he nodded. For a second, I saw a repulsive expression on his face. It was clear what he meant.
"I'm sorry."
He looked up; anger was filled in his eyes. "I won't forgive you, Rina."
Hearing this, my heart shattered into pieces.
"Not until you tell me what you thought while giving our precious memories." He brushed my hair and continued, "But I won't let you leave me too, whether it's your will or not." After that he hugged me.
My eyes widened. This guy was dangerous; my instincts can tell me. Since he's a prince, my powers won't work against him. I know, my feelings for him was real but for a second, I wanted to push him away, just to see what kind of mess my past self had brought onto her.
I HAVE TO RECOVER THAT PAST MEMORY NO MATTER WHAT.