Sigghh....
Zack put both hands on the wooden backrest and looked up at the darkening sky. His blanket opened from the middle as wind came and hit his wound area, stinging it with sharp little needles of pain. He didn't bother adjusting it. He just sighed and closed his eyes, getting lost in his thoughts. The sounds of the celebration faded away as memories rose up to claim him.
.
"Queen Mother, you should change Natalia's dance teacher! She's way too strict with her!"
Little Zack's voice echoed in his mind. He could see it all so clearly, as if he were standing there again. The young, beautiful Queen Mother smiled down at him, her face unlined by the weight she would carry in later years.
"Ara, my little son is worried about his girlfriend." Queen Mother teased while ruffling his hair with gentle affection. Her fingers playfully ruffled his hair into a mess.
"Queen Mother, I'm serious!" Little Zack's face scrunched up with determination. "If you don't do that, I won't help you look after her! Humph!"
Little Zack pouted in anger, his small arms crossing over his chest. But Queen Mother could only see a cute boy trying to act tough. The sight made her heart melt. She smiled sweetly and spoke with amusement coloring her voice. "Fine, fine, don't blackmail your mother like that."
"REALLY???"
Little Zack suddenly glowed with excitement. He grabbed her hand with both of his, bouncing on his toes.
"Yes, truly, I promise. But if she doesn't learn the dance and shows tantrums, then you have to convince her. Otherwise, more beatings will be on the way!" Queen Mother smirked, knowing full well how stubborn her daughter could be.
"Gah! It's hard to control her tantrums. Does she have to learn it so badly? Can't she do whatever she likes?" Little Zack asked sweetly, his eyes wide with innocent hope.
Queen Mother's expression softened, taking on a sadness that Little Zack couldn't fully understand yet. "Sorry, dear, I can't do that. She's a princess. You know that, right?"
"Hmm, I know." His small voice carried acceptance beyond his years.
"Then, whether it is good luck or bad luck, she is my daughter…. A queen's daughter….. So, it's her destiny to walk this path. If not, then this little child will have to carry that burden." Queen Mother looked a little farther away, her gaze landing on a crib where a cute baby slept soundly on the bed. Her youngest daughter, innocent and unknowing of the weight that might someday fall on her small shoulders if Natalia doesn't walk the path of Princess.
Zack, seeing her gaze, gently walked toward the crib. He climbed up carefully and looked at the baby sleeping soundly. Her tiny chest rose and fell with each breath. He put his hand on her forehead and gently patted her with the care of an older brother. "I just want them both to live a happy life." Little Zack smiled sweetly as the baby made faces, feeling his touch even in sleep. Her little nose wrinkled, and her mouth moved as if tasting something.
Queen Mother sat beside them and looked at both children with warmth flooding her heart. "They will be, as long as we stay together as a family."
"Hmm, yes." Little Zack just nodded, his hand still resting protectively on the baby's forehead.
The memory faded, replaced by another.
.
"Hey, who is that boy who always sticks close to the princess? Is he, her boyfriend?"
"Shheeessss, he's not! Don't spread useless rumors. He's just a normal friend."
Two men were talking in low voices as teenage Zack swiftly went by their side. He heard their talk clearly, and his jaw clenched.
Tsk! I can't even hold her hand without raising these stupid people's eyebrows. So annoying.
His feet carried him quickly down the corridor, frustration building in his chest with every murmur with every look with every hurtful words he hears in the Queen Palace.
CREAAKKK
The door to Uncle Jorri's office opened.
"Uncle Jorri, can't you kick those people out? My head hurts while listening to their stupid murmurs. I can't even spend time with Natalia in a normal way. My eyes are always looking in every direction, checking who's watching, who's whispering."
Young Zack's voice carried the exhaustion of someone forced to grow up too fast.
"Hmm, little boy Zack, come, come."
Uncle Jorri sat on a chair beside his table, working through papers with focused attention. Zack came inside with some documents, handing them over. Uncle Jorri read through them swiftly, then spoke while laughing slowly "Little boy Zack, you already know, even if throw them out the murmuring will not stop….sorry for giving you such pressure. And thank you for always looking out for her."
Uncle Jorri fixed his temporary glasses, pushing them up the bridge of his nose.
"Uncle Jorri, it's so annoying!" Young Zack sat on the chair and huffed, slumping back with teenage frustration written all over his posture.
Uncle Jorri shook his head and stood up. He came to the window and looked out at the courtyard below. Queen Mother was there, dealing with people, handling problems with grace. His eyes softened as he placed his hand on the window frame, his palm pressing against the cool glass. "If you're so annoyed, then why not just give up and go away?" He asked the question without looking back, his tone casual but his words weighted as his gaze fixed at Queen mother.
"I can't... If I don't take care of her, she'll for sure get out of hand." Zack sighed while slumping deeper into the chair, his head falling back.
"Haha, just like her mother." Uncle Jorri smiled sweetly as he stopped looking outside. He came toward Zack, then bent down to meet his eyes at the same level. His expression turned serious, all traces of amusement gone. "If it is their destiny to live a life of burden, then it is our job….. We who choose those women, to live a life of supporting them." He paused, making sure Zack was listening fully. "Remember, you will face many hurdles which will be unknown to them. But you have to promise me, if you love her, then never ever leave her alone!!!! I made that mistake, and I still regret it to this day! Promise me, Zack!"
Uncle Jorri raised his palm, offering it for a pledge.
Zack looked at Uncle Jorri's eyes, seeing the regret swimming there like dark water but there was also the determination burning beneath it. He saw the fiery hope that Zack wouldn't repeat his mistakes. Something in that gaze reached deep into Zack's young heart. He nodded and placed his hand in Uncle Jorri's, skin meeting skin, giving his promise. The weight of it settled into his bones.
The memory shifted again, growing darker.
.
"Hey, hey, did you hear that the princess and one of her classmates got locked in the storage room for a whole hour! And when they found them, both were sweating hard! Kyyaa! Do you think something happened inside?"
A school girl giggled hard as she talked with her friends, their voices carrying down the hallway with cruel excitement.
"Of course they did it! Do you think any man would miss that chance? I heard they're pretty close friends. I'm sure they definitely did something!" Another friend spoke happily, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
"If I was the princess, then I would already have hundreds of boyfriends and keep them on a leash! Hohoh!" Another friend laughed, the sound grating.
"But you're not a princess, just an ugly woman! Hahaha!"
Everyone laughed as they ran through the school corridor, passing by Zack. He heard every word. His hand clenched tightly into a fist, knuckles going white. He looked toward the higher Crown building area, his eyes glaring at the distant structure.
"HOW MANY TIMES!!!! I WANT TO PUNCH EVERYONE WHO GETS CLOSE TO YOU!!!!!..... NATALIA, WHY DO YOU KEEP GIVING THEM CHANCES! I… I… AGHH! Who am I to say? I'm such a coward. Tsk!"
Zack hit the wall with his fist. Pain shot through his knuckles, but it felt better than the pain in his chest. He just walked away in anger and frustration, his steps heavy on the cold floor.
"Umm, Zack?"
A sweet girl's gentle voice came from behind him.
"Huh? You? Are you okay now?" Zack swiftly calmed himself down and smiled warmly at the girl, pushing all his anger down deep where she couldn't see it.
"Yes…..And Thank you, Zack, for helping me out that day. And I'm sorry because of me you were suspended." The sweet girl spoke softly while bowing, her gratitude sincere.
"Haha, it's okay, don't worry. I just did what felt right." Zack laughed while waving his hand dismissively. They had a small friendly talk then both went their separate ways, the girl looked back once with admiration seeing Zack back, but when Zack felt her gaze and glanced back, she shyly looked ahead and ran away.
Another memory rose up….
.
Thub-chik. Thub-chik. THAM-THAM
"YEAAHHHH, DANCE EVERYONE!"
"WHERE'S MY ALCOHOL?"
"WE'RE OFFICIALLY ADULTS! YEAAHHH!"
Thuk thuk thuk! Trrnn thummm tumm trrnn
Loud music played as many young people danced to the rhythm in a huge dark place. Lights flickered constantly, making the space feel unreal and disorienting. Drinks flowed freely as people celebrated their passage into adulthood. The air smelled of sweat, alcohol and freedom.
"Natalia, come on, move your body!"
Some boys and girls came together and danced around Natalia. She moved in a trance, caught up in the music and the moment. Her hair flowed left and right with each motion. Her off-shoulder, one-piece, short-skirted dress moved with her body, the fabric clinging to her slim young body. A man came from behind her while dancing and offered her a drink. She took it while dancing, gulping it down from the glass while holding his hand for balance.
"WOOOOOO!"
Natalia lifted her arms up and started moving with more energy. The alcohol warmed her from the inside. The man got close to her and moved with the rhythm, their bodies in sync. No one cared about anything. Everyone was lost in the trance, their legs not getting tired from dancing and their ears not hurting from all the loud music, they have forgot everything and let the music carry them away from reality.
Zack stood in one corner, watching her. His eyes tracked her every movement, checking her surroundings for anything suspicious. His eyes were working, scanning the crowd constantly, but his fingers were tightly clenched into fists at his sides. The music pounded in his head. The lights made his skull ache with each flicker. But he couldn't move from here. Maybe he could, but he didn't want to. He had to stay.
He saw Natalia getting close to her friends. He saw her hips being guided by her male friend fingers in the dance rhythm, he saw her ass nearly touching the man crotch, he saw her female friend sticking close to her from front as she dances close to her, their breast nearly touching….. He saw everything.... But he didn't move…..He could only glare at her friends; he just stayed rooted to his corner like a statue.
"Hey, guard, move, stupid!"
A woman came and pushed him away roughly, her hand shoving his shoulder.
"STUPID, USELESS GUARD STARING PERVERTLY AT CROWN WOMEN! STAND IN THE CORNER, YOU BASTARD!"
The woman roared and went away, not even looking back to see if her words had landed.
Tsk!
Zack just stood in his corner, jaw tight, waiting for the pain to end. Waiting for the night to be over. Waiting to make sure she got home safe.
.
"YEAAHHOOO, it was fun! Niiicceee party!"
Natalia, in a drunken state, swayed here and there as Zack gently guided her to her carriage. His hand stayed on her elbow, keeping her upright. She stumbled with each step, her balance was hanging by a small thread.
"Zack, oh Zack, it was so fun!"HICK!"Someday..."HICK!"I will dance with you! Someday I will marry you and enjoy my time with you! You know I love you, right? Rigghttt??"
Natalia, in her drunken state, leaned on Zack. Her face came close to his, her breath smelling of sweet alcohol. She could barely stand straight, her weight pressing against him.
"Yes, Natalia, I know. Now let's send you home. Queen Mother is waiting." Zack smiled gently and guided her toward the carriage, supporting most of her weight.
"MOOO, ZACKK! I'm an adult now! Let's get married! Let's get married! YEAAHH! Take me to the marriage hall! I'll marry Zack, then we'll dance forever! YEAAHH!"
Natalia happily started dancing again, spinning in place. She nearly fell down, but Zack caught her quickly. He lifted her carefully and placed her inside the carriage, laying her down on the seat with gentle hands.
HICKK"ZACKKK, DON'T LEAVE ME, ZACK! I LOVE YOU!"HICKK
Natalia closed her eyes and slept, the words still on her lips. Zack kneeled down beside the carriage seat. He took out a cloth and gently soaked up her sweat from her forehead and neck. He fixed her dress, making sure everything was proper. He gently moved the hair out of her face and looked at her beautiful, peaceful face in sleep.
"Sigghh… you're such a pain."
Zack squeezed her cheeks lightly, making Natalia frown in her sleep. Her nose wrinkled with the touch.
Hehe.
Zack laughed softly, then he stood up stretching his back for comfort. He then went outside and closed the carriage door quietly. He bowed to the Queen's guard with respect and waved as the carriage flew away into the night sky, its lights getting smaller and smaller until they disappeared.
The memory changed again...
.
CREAAKK
"Zack, are you awake?"
Big Sister Sasha came inside Zack's room and found him sleeping on the desk itself. Many notes and books were scattered on the table and on the ground around him. His head rested on his folded arms, while his breath moved with steady gentleness. Papers covered in his handwriting surrounded him like fallen leaves.
Sigghhh…
Sasha cleaned up quietly, picking up the scattered materials and organizing them into neat piles. She gently woke Zack up with a hand on his shoulder.
"Hmmm, you came? Is it already time?" Zack woke up stretching his arms above his head. His joints popped. He poked the puffed-up, angry cheeks of Sasha with one finger, trying to make her smile.
"Zack, I told you not to tire yourself out! If something ever happens to you, I promise I'll go to that witch and eat her ear out!" Sasha didn't calm down despite Zack's attempt to please her. Her face stayed stern, worry shining in her eyes.
"Yes, yes, do that. But for now, why don't I get fresh?" Zack patted her head with affection. He helped her clean his room properly, then went away to wash up.
Sasha just sighed and went to the kitchen. She took out a notebook with a cutely decorated front cover. She opened it, read through it carefully, then added something more before placing it back in its usual spot. She started cooking food, the familiar motions calming her worry.
Zack came back fully freshened up. He ate the meal completely and even asked for more, seeing his appetite strong, Sasha giggled and shook her head in happiness.
After a while a worried looking Zack and a happy Sasha went outside together. She locked the house, and together they walked down the street.
"Is it that bad?" Sasha asked while walking beside him, matching his pace.
"Hmm, yes. She spends her full time just focusing on her learning. I'm worried about her, so I was doing my own thing…... What, do you want to help?" Zack made a foolish smile, knowing exactly how to bait her.
"Ara, asking for help? Should I do it or not? Let me think..." Sasha made a thinking pose, deliberately ignoring Zack's cute pleading eyes. She tapped her chin with one finger.
"Ahm... if you don't help, then I'll go to Grandpa and tell him that you sneakily add some alcohol to your drink when he doesn't notice."
"GAH! ZACK, DON'T! FINE, I'LL HELP YOU!" Sasha hit Zack's shoulder, her small fist colliding with some force. Her face flushed with embarrassment at being caught.
Zack just laughed, seeing her reaction.
.
"Oh my... Boss sure knows how to smile."
Rugged Woman's voice suddenly cut through his memories. Zack jolted up from his thoughts, blinking rapidly as the present rushed back in. He looked up and saw Rugged Woman and a Glaring Subordinate Woman standing in front of him. The celebration sounds came flooding back. The evening had deepened further while he'd been lost in the past.
He was back. The memories released their hold. But their weight remained, pressing down on his chest with some unsaid burdens.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
It's raining heavily here. Finally got some relief from our big giant friend.
I wonder what will happen to our Earth in future....how the landscape/environment will change as our well wisher continues to cut down forest....
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