134Please respect copyright.PENANAmT5Lrw7hH9
There was only two rooms in the Aeneas tower, and the other one was occupied. Fern and Logan has to sleep beside each other for the rest of the days they will be staying here. Just by having the though of that, Logan was feeling an irritation of being in a single room with Fern.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAr7eFhC2Xq0
The room was four corner, having a wooden floor that every steps make a sound like it was going to break and they'll fall of beneath the tower. The only source of light is from the two lamps above the side table of the bed and the other one was on the small shelf near the entrance of the room.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA53WgehGT5Q
"His Majesty can sleep on the bed. I can sleep anywhere." Fern said, thinking that Logan would swear an oath for her to disappear when they sleep on the same soft bed.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAmlQpeAb7iG
"Yeah. I bet so too." Logan sarcastically said.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAt1ahXvpl64
Fern didn't say anything and just take a pillow that's on the bed. The other two pillows was for his Majesty to use. Felicitously, there was a divan at the side of the wooden closet near the window. Fern can sleep there. Her body is comfortable anywhere that's soft on her back.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAczUwUmv5kh
Fern laid her body on the divan and hugged the pillow instead of putting it in her head. For her, it's more comfortable.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAgqBMKU1YD6
She closed her eyes. She has no energy to babble and blurt things she know in the emperor like she always does everytime. For now, she's regaining an energy and saving up the words for tomorrow. Today has been a long day, and her mind was occupied from the thought of worries that she needs to keep up with herself.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA7NO7Sk52xN
Just like that, she fell asleep. Her back was the only sight Logan can see from the bed he was pacing out.
134Please respect copyright.PENANANKra0VGuZc
It's unusual that she's not babbling things like crazy and just sleep on like that. He thought.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAV0gRqhyXNj
It's not that Logan minded that. At first, he really doesn't care whenever Fern babbled and he became used to it and he's babbling back because he want to defend his opinions in her statements. But now, he felt disoriented.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAVMXkhiAhTW
He shake his head and rubbed his forehead and throw himself at the bed, not far from was Fern's back figure sleeping on the divan.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAuwCX7gPlln
He closed his eyes, hoping that he would fall asleep, but that doesn't work. He became irritated and glared at the ceiling. An hour and half had passed. His surrounding was quiet. He was tired, but his mind can't let him shut off.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAYuXKLpMNZQ
Then he heard something like a moan or grunt and he sat down from laying. When he looked to the direction of the sound, he saw Fern cradling herself like a baby and hugging herself. Her right ankle fall on top of her left ankle making the scene appears as if she was cold.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAtpwS2nbgUT
Logan found himself uncomfortable from the sight and clicked his tongue. He took off the blanket from the bed and put it over her body. He heard her grunted a moan that seemed to be a relief and comfort. And then he was stunned, hesitating whether to withdrew it back or not. But it was already there.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAOP4ZyfF7Ve
Logan's jaw clenched as he can't thing of anything and just said to himself, I must be crazy. He snorted and rubbed his temple. Just right he goes back and throw himself on the bed, his eyes gradually closed and his body and mind rest...as he dreamt of something the past owned that was supposed to be forgotten.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAd5TjDJRYdJ
☁︎☁︎☁︎
134Please respect copyright.PENANA3lC5oRwPIz
It was fourteen years ago.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA1wIPG4emgp
Logan and his grandfather, the emperor, was inside the carriage to take their journey to the Marquess' place. Logan didn't know what's the news the emperor was going to tell him, and why not here right now? But the emperor just smiled.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAvbni5TsWi9
"You'll know when we get there. Patience of the sanity, Logan." The emperor smiled.
134Please respect copyright.PENANADqqDv6fJYN
Logan just stared at his grandfather's eyes with his flickering eyes filled with curiousness and frustration.
134Please respect copyright.PENANArFRWq0xDDc
Is it important? A surprise for him, but why on the Marquess' place?
134Please respect copyright.PENANASw8pT0zXVE
"I will never understand," Logan exclaimed. "I will never understand what is it that grandfather the emperor is planning or what's on his mind. You always confused me by your words and I ended up taking everything as a puzzle that I needed to solve."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAnQTii7fNFZ
The emperor pointed the tip of his finger on Logan's forehead. "What the news that's waiting for you there isn't a puzzle to be solve. It's different. You'll understand the path I laid for you."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAGbJ0lqtKTt
Logan said, "I don't want the path grandfather laid on me."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAfEhjulMeQu
With his answer, the emperor smiled. "Then this time, a guide beside you when you laid your own path."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAjQj46HD74e
He still can't understand. Until they came in the Marquess' place.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAKlzzuN27kz
The carriage stop by the gate as both of them got out the carriage from the help of the knight. Logan's eyes paced through the residence of the Marquess in front of him.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAhj4EKjbStM
A big house, meadows in the both side that seemed to be a garden filled with flower bushes. There's a fountain in the middle of the garden in the right side. The place was beautiful, he won't deny. As they were walking towards the lane of the big house' door, it opened and revealed the people who lived there.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAVkG9hrsK5o
Logan's eyes narrowed as he examine them. There was an old man that seemed to be the same age as his grandfather, it must be the Marquess, whom he knows is his (the emperor's) companion. The other two show signs of being a couple at the other side. A young lady and a man, beside each other and they were smiling.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAHNpeNMPsov
"Your majesty, we're glad to have you here, we already prepared everything for a day of your stay," The marquess' voice was hoarse, his old age was seeming to be showing signs.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAdE08Fa6CWA
The emperor smiled. "I'm please, Marquess!" And then he laughed. The two couple's gaze landed on Logan.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAsBCUg78QEh
"He's...he's his royal highness, your majesty?" The lady asked.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAxjouwPHw8V
Emperor Lincoln nod his head and said with pleased expression, "He is,"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAhtT2FeyOHe
"Oh," The lady expressed, she sighed with amusement.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAYVIlDuZ2Ug
The Marquess and the couple bowed their head, "I greet his royal highness,"
134Please respect copyright.PENANADmqDCKo7DS
Emperor Lincoln waved his hands at them, signifying that they doesn't need to. "Now, shan't we?" The marquess invited them inside.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAu7LrgM584e
"Hmm," The emperor nodded.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA45eA98iFOZ
Logan followed along with the emperor inside, his eyes was pacing through the living room of the third floor as they head there. Logan stopped as he spotted a painting that was being displayed at the middle of the living room attached to the wall. His mind has forgotten to followed them in the other room where they invited them to have a tea, but Logan doesn't care.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAAMnEn6oBhW
The painting was a family portrait. There were five people in it, he recognized the other three. The Marquess and the couple, who greeted him a while ago. The Marquess was holding unto the other old woman that seemed to be his wife. But Logan didn't see her. The last one was a young girl in the middle of the couple, seemed to be younger than Logan.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAilR7dNw5zh
It must be their child, he thought. But where is she?
134Please respect copyright.PENANAhcvDxF7ZJa
"Your highness?" Logan recognize a voice from behind and turn around. It was the lady of the house, and she was smiling.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAcHBmMDJvP7
Logan's mouth was shut, just staring.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAAZXow4NdcC
"Uhm," The lady's gaze paced through the familiar room before it came back in his'. "You're looking around???"
134Please respect copyright.PENANA8nM8wt6wP1
Logan nod his head slightly. The lady's lip slowly curved. "Then...I'll tell his Majesty,"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAHXHs5pZ3fZ
Logan nodded. The lady turn around. Logan turned his head again. He walks towards the open window and look outside. His heart almost jumped out of his body when he saw someone sitting at the tree branch just two meters away of the outside window.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAFfdtw5IAjc
The young girl must have heard something rustled by the window and look for it, only to see a young boy about a few years older than her. That young girl blinked. Logan lost words to speak.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA3QKgRfAYE6
He then realize that it was the young girl on the portrait sitting at the middle of the couple.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAfZyZo7TmNs
Why...is she here??? How can she climbed that tree???
134Please respect copyright.PENANAts6UrieE66
The young girl waved her small hands and beamed for him. "Hi!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAfqV2OZcpNg
Logan just stared at her, failed to find words he could reply.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAp4p0sWjlNb
The young girl has a light ash blonde hair and it was wavy. Her eyes were green as jade and her skin was fair like she this place seemed to be a cold place for her to live. She seemed to be a cheerful and energetic.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAV0eKTPZ3wB
The young girl must have thought that he was not intending to reply and said, "Uhm, my name is Fern. Why are you here in our house? Uhm, I live there, there inside, I'm just here to play..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ14TkJYCX
That's when Logan replied. "Logan."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAnD8uw8SYIz
"Your name?"
134Please respect copyright.PENANA1p7dJu43C8
"..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAjbvdcGWVIp
"That's a handsome name!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANArJdpY8ebZD
Logan reddened and his eyes fell on the windowsill before coming back to her again. That's when she repeated blabbering, "Uhm, do you know how to climb a tree? We can play here, we can play the leaves. And look, the horizon! The sunrise in the horizon is amazing. I'm always here to see it rise and set! Look! You can peak by the window!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAKGqY0tfVRQ
Logan did as she told and look at the horizon.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA3EATJwSyZf
And it's true. The horizon was mesmerizing. It's a breath-taking view from here.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA2sJqhlI9BD
Logan gaze back again at her, only to see that she was smiling at him as her eyes flickered with tenderness. Logan breathe, and asked, "How old are you?"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAYy7rlIk8Nr
"I'm ten years old already. What about you, Logan?"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAa3qOS70PwR
"Twelve. I'm older."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAkAxszzd1py
Fern nodded, processing it in her head. The next moment, she said, "I don't really mind. Are you here in our house to play with me? Did grandfather told you to be my playmate? It's been a long time since I had someone to play along with. Mother always pushed my playmates away because she said I always has to just study. Father does it too, he's like mother. But when grandfather is here, he let me play outside. Just like now, he let me play and said to just came back before lunch. But i play alone right now, I can't find other kids. Maybe they're sleeping or eating or playing with other playmates."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAtgyb0km1gW
"..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAcGsKSRRY33
"Logan, can you climb a tree?"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAZIlbq5YRlA
"No."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAXzXlhagsWC
"Oh, then you just stay there at the window. You'll fall off here, you can't be with me."
134Please respect copyright.PENANACxPVtk9pYz
"..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANA0bHL7hPK8l
"Wait a minute, I'll climb down. I'll play with you inside so you won't get sad in there."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAwnCNILEhnN
She's talking like her mouth would never get tired.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAkHYi01Gwnu
He saw her climb down the tree carefully, her hand gripping the trunks and branches from time to time. Logan felt a relief when she reached the bottom safely.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAslaU6hnyQG
Then he saw her running to get inside the house. A few moments later, he heard steps rushing to get here in the upstairs. That's when he saw her sillouhette clearly.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA4VGyVAg26N
She's just a little short in his height.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAUujxUy0n8T
"Logan!" Fern shouted, rushing towards him. "Logan, you're taller than me!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANATywOIOWfjN
"...Yeah."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAZrxXmFKHXJ
With that, Logan seen and heard her laugh for the first time. It's all a music to his ears. His young heart thumped for couple of times. He felt dazzled and lost.
134Please respect copyright.PENANASgmSNI8u8F
That was a moment of delight before everything turned upside down. Before he's gone to hate all about her. Before he knew the news about the both of them that he loathed to be tied in.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAoO0s5oXXU8
☁︎☁︎☁︎
134Please respect copyright.PENANAOfGzQIs6Dp
Fern slowly opened her eyes. She saw a wooden ceiling as she unhurriedly got up from the divan she slept in. She stopped for a moment when she realized one thing.
134Please respect copyright.PENANArastplTy1z
A blanket covered in her body.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAzG35iZS3lz
She quickly gape at the direction of the bed where the emperor was sleeping in. He's sleeping peacefully...with no blanket.
134Please respect copyright.PENANABGEX2JdcIs
"Did he..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAR1iXnAulbN
No, it was impossible. Fern thought. Maybe I took this and didn't notice because I'm so tired and fell asleep right through. She rubbed her temple and got up from the divan. She put the blanket on him and slow down her steps to got outside for him not to wake up.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA4JlPIdQyoM
In the Aeneas' tower living room's chesterfield, he saw Caspian sitting and talking to a bird that's on his finger.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA3dYCIyJMxT
She snort-laughed. Caspian turned his head when he heard it.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAszPUHtZq5Q
"Your majesty! The sun hasn't rise yet!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAcLBPszHTYb
"I know, I'm just used in waking up before it." Fern laughed and sat to the opposite chesterfield. She gazed at the bird that's also looking at her now. "Hello, green bird! You and my eyes has the same color! Hahahaha!" She waved.q
134Please respect copyright.PENANA64oiuZvb6V
Caspian's lips curved. The green little bird's tiny eyes glistened at Fern.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAV3ZIyKRVRA
"Oh, he likes you, your majesty!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAO2CVks4hMd
"Ha? Oh! He's a he?!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAS1uMCMSBj8
Caspian laughed. Fern's still at the state of astonishment. "He likes me!" She repeated with a small laugh. "Come here, little bird!"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAqm5gyHRXou
The bird made a sound 'twit' before dropping his little feet at Fern's fair pointing finger.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAxI9g8kkj66
134Please respect copyright.PENANAf3pjXgnb5c
LOGAN woke up from the sound of laughter coming outside the room. He slowly opened and eyes and took a moment to realize everything that he and Fern went through. His eyes glistened in rage as he gaze at the ceiling the moment he heard another laughter.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAaYufA0cBGx
He snorted and rose from he was laying. He put his coat on and head his way out of the door, leaving a loud *bam* sound, which made Caspian and Fern flinched. The green little bird flew away through the open window.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA1z2qzkmgHH
Fern's eyes widened as her sight caught Logan's eyes flickering with rage. "Your Majesty???"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAmQubSvNx4X
Logan clicked his tongue. "Aren't you two being too loud?"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAMMPgGdNsjK
"..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAqTWuI9Kk9h
Just then they both realized what the emperor said was true. Caspian felt shamed while Fern just stand up and replied with a smile and said, "Were sorry to wake you up, your majesty..."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAUZ8is4TBp3
Logan has gone silent and hide his clenching fists. "We have to get everything ready in the next fifteen minutes. Move."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAD8yO0dpvKP
Caspian and Fern looked at each other before panickingly proceeding to take off with Logan.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA852WaCxBGr
134Please respect copyright.PENANADYnHeJt52K
OUTSIDE the Aeneas tower, the birds were singing. All the animals that surrounds the tower has gone into the other place inside the forest.
134Please respect copyright.PENANActdla1NyqV
Caspian was a little disappointed he didn't saw the big bear he always gave a bucket of fish (that was from the Reloia Lake in the north of the Aeneas Tower). He only saw the remaining Iguana in a twig of the tree that has left.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAyte9m3rSqS
Logan silently look up the bright sky while keeping a straight face. While Fern, recovering from tripping going downstairs a while ago, glimpse at him as she beamed.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAIJM1hmAE2y
"Well, aren't the sky dazzling, your majesty?"
134Please respect copyright.PENANA8iplHulS0c
"The empress thought so too, huh." He said as if she was mocking her.
134Please respect copyright.PENANA7MUIVXV5fh
Fern grinned. "I always thought so, your majesty."
134Please respect copyright.PENANAfLI5je0uX2
Logan gazed at her. "Then you must also thought of not making any trouble this day, empress. Don't be so youthful you'll forgot the chaos that will come,"
134Please respect copyright.PENANAYkrH2Hvlb3
Fern never forgot that thing.
134Please respect copyright.PENANARwe5Rs4XuL
"I'm perfectly aware of everything," She kept smiling, keeping a positive vibe.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAHMZ1YbeqCi
Logan's eyes raised, then he smirked. "Really?" He sarcastically chuckled, mocking her, as he kneeled on one knee and slightly lifted the hem of her dress. Fern's eyes widened, astonished by what he did, but when she noticed the jade anklet she owned on the emperor's hands, she was left stunned.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAYXt7zbE4cU
Logan placed the jade anklet back on her ankle.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAYWvmhPtxIZ
When she tripped a while ago while going down the Aeneas Tower, it pop off. The emperor took it when it fell.
134Please respect copyright.PENANAvfD4xfV0Se
Fern, having to realize it, left speechless. Logan straightened up and said, "Looks like you're imperfectly aware of everything, empress."
ns216.73.216.143da2