PART 28 :-
A NEW POSSIBILITIE
MC perspective :-
[During the break]
"Bright, why were you all late?" the old man asked me.
"Well, we don't know. It felt like we were trapped in a maze. No matter which direction we took, we always ended up back in front of our hostel. At the time, we couldn't understand what was happening."
"So it's true. Her clan used illusion magic. But how did all of you manage to overcome it?"
"A light suddenly appeared. We just followed it, and eventually we managed to get here."
"A light!?"
"Yeah, a floating ball of light. It was almost as if it was telling us to follow it."
"That shouldn't have happened…"
"Why!?"
"Go now. And no matter what happens, do not say anything irrelevant in there."
He disappeared from sight.
........
Sagurd perspective :-
"What happened? Why are you so worried now?" Iri asked me.
"We are facing a possibility where something has happened that has never happened before. Chiron never saw any future where a light would appear and guide them out of the illusion. That means we are now in a new possibility where anything can happen."
"So that's a good thing, isn't it?"
"We can't tell. Before this, I knew there were at least three possibilities where they could achieve a good ending. But now, I don't know what is going to happen. I don't even know whether this new possibility is one of those bad endings where the outcome is disastrous."
"But they're doing well in there, aren't they? We can't predict the future unless we're Chiron."
"Well, that's true."
"Where did you come from all of a sudden? You said you weren't going to appear."
"Relax. No one is going to sense me unless I want them to. The possibilities have changed. There are new futures now, just as you said. And the bad news is that the chances of a good ending are much lower than before."
"What is the solution?"
"Look, I don't care about anything except that boy. If he's alright, then I'm not going to interfere. But if that changes, then I'll have to get involved, which is something I don't want to do."
"Then what about the others?" Iri asked him.
"Stop worrying and pray, only if you believe in God."
........
MC perspective :-
"What is our strategy for what's next?" I asked Bond.
"I think Minidra should speak first and tell everyone her side of the story. If the situation gets out of control, then Bright will take over."
"But what should I say there?"
"Your feelings."
"Huh!?... My feelings?"
"You don't realize your greatest strength. You have every right to tell everyone how you feel about being treated this way."
[The judges returned, and everyone took their respective seats.]
"So, are you ready, Mini!? Let's prove to them that you are not an object."
We both took our positions.
This isn't going to be easy. We need the support of the council members to secure her freedom, and I don't think they'll give it to us so easily.
[Now the real trial is about to begin. If they win, it will become a part of history. If they lose, then...]
........
PART 29 :-
HATRED COMES WITH PRESSURE
Minidra perspective :-
"The next phase will begin now. The Princess of Scribes demands her freedom—the right to make her own decisions without her clan questioning every choice she makes. We shall once again call upon our God and ask Him to decide the fate that awaits her," the Herald announced.
"We now order the representative to begin the hearing regarding the princess's freedom."
"Thank you for this opportunity. Everyone gathered here will decide whether the princess truly deserves her freedom. However, before that, I would like to share my thoughts.
A princess is the face of her clan. Every step she takes reflects not only upon her family but upon her entire clan. If she makes a wrong decision, the consequences may affect not only our clan and family, but the entire land as well. She is still not an adult, so it is natural that she cannot always distinguish between right and wrong. There is no guarantee that she will not make mistakes in the future. If we allow her complete freedom, she may bring shame upon our clan."
Why do they want me to remain in chains? Why don't my thoughts matter?
I will prove to everyone what I am capable of.
"I would like to ask the judges, as well as every adult present here, what they think of me. What is my worth to all of you?"
"What?"
"I am asking about your honest thoughts."
"You are the princess of one of the most important and respected clans. Your existence is vital to this land," one of the judges replied.
"Your clan depends on you. You must understand how much your family needs you."
"Your family loves and adores you."
Everyone gave more or less the same answer.
But is that really true?
"Is what you're all saying truly the truth?
I was born with a boon. Because of it, I can hear people's inner thoughts. I know what everyone truly thinks about me. I know how many people look at me only to satisfy their desires. The same people who call me their pride are the ones who never hesitate to harass me.
In the name of care, they treat me like a tool. They only want to use me. They think I am their puppet, someone who exists only to follow their orders.
Why????
Why am I not allowed to have my own dreams?Why am I the one who must live in chains? I want everyone's respect. And I will earn it with my own hands."
The entire hall fell silent.
........
Edward perspective :-
What is she thinks??!!… Ha… she born with god's blessing and still didn't satisfy. My existence is joke for her.
[Edward past memories]
"The sky is so beautiful today. Aha… I wish I had permission to leave this room and go play with the others."
[The door opened, and his mother entered the room.]
"Mother, why are you here?"
[She slapped him, and he fell to the floor.]
"Why didn't you go to your lecture today?" [angrily]
"I didn't feel well today."
"You moron! Your sister is not as intelligent as you, yet she still attends every session just so she can take over your position. And here you are, neglecting your own duties."
"So what? I don't want to become the next head."
"What did you say!?"
[She slapped him again, beating him brutally.]
"You are the son. A man. So stop crying. A man never cries. She was born with a boon, but you weren't. If you don't surpass her, she will take everything from us." [in a loud, nervous voice]
"What is my fault if I wasn't born with a gift? What's the big deal about being born normal?"
"It is a big deal. No matter how hard you try, you can never surpass her physically. You have to become more mature, more disciplined, and more emotionless. Now get up and go to your lesson."
"I don't want to. I'm tired of all this pressure. I want to play too. I want to see the outside world."
"Don't talk back to me. You don't know how much we have suffered or how much I have prayed for you, so that I wouldn't have to go through the same pain again."
[His mother left the room.]
"Why? Why? Why can't I live the way I want to? What's the big deal if I wasn't born with a gift!? Why was my sister born with a boon? Why not me? I will make her pay for my suffering."
[In present time.]
I suffer everyday, and she thinks that my work is not enough. What she thinks…ha? No matter what happens, I will never let her win this battel.
........
PART 30 :-
THE HARDEST DECITION
MC perspective :-
"Woo… Mini, make everyone silent. That's my girl."
"I want to tell the judges this: isn't she a member of our clan? Then don't we have the right to decide what is best for her? Her family—her parents—have the right to decide her life. A woman should act like a woman."
"What a ridiculous argument," I objected.
"Just because parents give birth to a child doesn't mean they can decide everything for them without considering their feelings."
"Ha… and an orphan is talking about parents."
"That's exactly the point. I don't have parents. I don't even know who they are. My teammates are orphans too. We know what it feels like to grow up without parents. So why are you making her feel the same way? You should be supporting her. I thought that's what a family does. Making your own child feel like an orphan while her parents are still alive is far worse than what we went through."
"And we're saying that we decide what is best for her future."
"Who here knows the future!? No one knows whether a decision will be right or wrong. So shouldn't we choose the path that makes her feel happy and safe?"
"What guarantee is there that she will make the right decisions about her life?"
"The same goes for you. There's no guarantee that your decisions will be right either."
"Aaammm…"
"Her family says she has to live in The Golden Cage. Tell me, how is her current life any better? She can't leave her room. She can't decide what she wants to do in the future. She can't even choose what she wants or needs. Is this how we should treat a woman? She is not a tool—she is a human being. She has the same emotions as we do. Then why can't she make her own decisions just like a man can? And if anyone still believes she doesn't deserve freedom, imagine yourself in her place, where every step of your life is decided by someone else. Your fate would no longer be in your own hands."
The entire room fell silent.
"But she is not an adult. She doesn't deserve to decide everything—"
"Neither do you! If someone younger than her can represent their clan, then why can't she make decisions about her own life? Why shouldn't men and women be treated equally!?"
"Bright, thank you."
"I want to live freely, just like everyone else. I want to create my own identity—one where people know me not because of my clan or family name, but because of my own accomplishments. I want to earn everyone's respect. Is that a crime?"
"Yes, it is!" her brother shouted.
"You can't live freely because the gods blessed you, not me or anyone else in our family. Whatever you do will directly affect our clan. If you wanted freedom, then why were you born with that power? There are many others more qualified than you."
"So you're basically jealous of her."
"I am not—"
"Then what's the problem? What does it matter whether she is gifted or not, ordinary or extraordinary? She never asked for those powers. Because of your jealousy, you hate her. Your family treats her like an object simply because she was born with a gift. Shouldn't you be grateful that the gods blessed your family? Instead, you treat her like trash. So what if she isn't capable? So what if she isn't as talented as you? Which person here is perfect!? Every living being in this world deserves the right to live freely!"
My shout silenced everyone.
"You don't know anything about our family, yet you're lecturing us about her rights..." he said with a bitter laugh.
"Yes, I understand. I don't need to suffer the same fate to understand her pain. She is my friend, and I don't need a reason to help her or stand by her side."
"Just shut up! You don't know how much I've suffered because I was born normal while she was born gifted. She can't leave us while she possesses that power."
"If that's the reason," the princess said, "then I am willing to give up my position as the Princess of Scribes. I will never compete for the position of clan head. All I want is freedom. I want to be with my friends. For that, I am willing to sacrifice every luxury I have."
What!? She is willing to abandon her royal life for us?
........