She came in wearing unusual clothes; her country's clothes. She greeted the Sun God with unusual golden ornaments on her head; a symbol that showed who she was. She shifted from standing to bowing deeply; a gesture of showing respect. She made the slightest noise with her bare feet as she walked. She had the air of serenity, graceful movement, and a noble profile.

She was perfect.

And then, I thought; wouldn't it be better if we met sooner in our lives?

A Tale from Thelua

[1] sunny day in Thelua

Lucy concealed her sigh with a swift movement of yawning, which was covered with her hand, momentarily ignoring the fact that she should be behaving properly. The action had her noticed by the maids and they hurriedly exited the room along with the fabrics and jewelry. Wendy gave her a frown, in which she returned with an open sigh. "The weather is good," she said, looking out the window. "I wish I could explore the garden."

Wendy kept her frown directed to her soon-to-be sister in-law. She knew it was not an excuse. Wendy replied then, "It's more favourable to be out in the sun rather than cooped up in this room to choose fabrics. God knows whatever suits you very well, sis."

They both laughed because it was true; both the first and the second statement.

"I want to go and see the city. I heard there is a bazaar in the north," Lucy said.

"Me too."

"Can't we sneak out of here?"

"It's very risky…"

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Lucy turned around. "It would be troublesome if there's any rumour right before I get married, right?" She smiled, but there was something in her eyes that refused to glimmer in mischief. Wendy noticed that. It was hard not to. But she said nothing about it.

Instead, she studied the older female. Her dark eyes were fixed on the sight of small houses with orange roof in afar. There was nothing else to see, really. The nearest farmer's house was half an hour away. Beyond the castle was green prairie with some trees and a road perfectly fitted for carriages. Below was a garden with few flowers. They were all spring flowers with vibrant colour, but all too unfamiliar in Lucy's eyes. It showed in her eyes. The confusion.

"It's different, isn't it?" Wendy asked.

"It is. I can barely name the flowers."

"Don't you worry, sis?" Wendy asked, almost whispering.

"About what?"

"Your marriage, of course!"

"I have seen his face, Wendy."

"You can never trust portrait, sis."

"Wendy, my fiancé is no other than your own older brother," Lucy said. "Have a faith in your own big brother, would you?" She smiled openly, almost laughing. Wendy hated it. She hated it when she smiled like that.

Wendy hugged her. "I'm sorry, sis," she said.

"Don't be, Wendy."

Wendy loved it when the older female played with her hair when she hugged her. It was the first hug she had after returning to Thelua. She had hugged Lucy countless times back in Feliose, but nothing felt like this back then. Lucy's hug had always been warm and comforting, especially when thunderstorm was frequent, and nights became a very long one. Lucy's hugs tasted like her homeland.

Like Feliose.

But now that they have moved to Thelua, Wendy could feel another taste. Loneliness. She hated the taste, moreover when she realized what was the reason that made Lucy felt that way. Her eyes were burning, and it became blurry in no time. Oh, who am I to cry?

"The maids must have been waiting," Lucy said. "Shall we continue?"

Lucy was smiling as she gently cupped her face. She was ashamed of herself; of crying. But how come her dear sister still have the strength to smile? It wasn't as if she chose it herself, Wendy knew it. The decision was made and proposed by the king of Feliose with the agreement of the king of Thelua.

Sis doesn't have any choice but to obey it.

With the knock on the door and her sister's calm voice rang throughout the room, the maids came pouring in and Wendy braced herself to assist her sister. Her sister might not catch it, and neither did the maids, but Wendy caught a glimpse of a standing figure behind the door, giving her a small smile before the door closed with the barest sound.

She decided not to tell her sister anything about it.

this fanfiction is based on manhwa 'Pellua Iyagi'