Chapter 4: Priestess

Bright was walking in the halls of the Sunny Kingdom. He admired the flowers and has little chats with the guards. The mornings in the Sunny Kingdom are always calm. Sadly those calm days are over.

"Yo! Bright!" Shade said. He runs up to Bright and they walk together. "Did you manage to succeed the spell?"

"Always." Bright answered.

"PRINCESS FINE!" Yelled the head maid, Camelot.

Both knights sighed. Nowadays the mornings are loud. Ever since Fine came, it's always been loud. But it's also been fun. When Fine's around, it's always been an adventure. Their daily lives have begun to have more fun. It's like Fine brought the light into the kingdom and became attached to everyone.

Camelot spots them and runs to them. "Have you seen the princess?!" She asks worriedly.

"No. Did she wonder off again?" Bright asks. Unfazed. They were use to Fine wondering around alone. In the day they won't worry, but at night...it's like a war zone to find her.

"Yes! This time Rein isn't with her!"

Now this is concerning. "We'll search immediately!" Shade said.

Everyone searched like a madman!

Meanwhile Fine was in a hall with paintings of her ancestors and relatives. 'Wow. I had a huge family tree.' She thought and stopped in front of the last painting.

Fine knew it was her parents because Rein was in the center. Rein seemed to inherit their father's genes just like she was told. 'He looks...familiar.' Her heart throbs. 'Maybe he knows something? Like who I'm searching for?' Her eyes dropped on the beautiful woman next to Rein. The rumors are true after all. Fine took after her mother's genes. 'I wonder when I'll be able to meet them...' She places her hand on the painting. 'It hurts. Why?'

"Princess." Fine turns and was astonish by the woman's beauty. She had short blue hair and kind blue eyes. "Are you curious about the king and queen?"

"U-Um well...yes?" Fine steps away from the painting. "Have you met them?"

"More than I can count. I knew the queen when she was just a little girl. We were both childhood friends."

"Eh~" Fine kept looking down and back at the woman. "A-Are one of the priestess?"

"Correct! I'm Malia!" She smiles. "I believe you met my son, Shade."

Fine blink a couple times. "EH?!"

Malia giggles. "Is it that surprising?"

"Yes! I didn't expect you to be so beautiful! Don't get me wrong! I always knew you were beautiful, but I never thought this beautiful!"

The priestess just watched the princess explain. "You remind me so much about the king."

"Huh? How?"

"King Truth was an awkward child. He never knew how to socialize with woman yet he was popular with them. When I first saw him in 3 years, he didn't recognize me! He struggled to find the right words! This brings back so many memories!" She laughs. "Those were the days!" Fine just stared mindlessly. Malia quickly realizes and stares at Fine with concern eyes. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No... It's just...everyone knows them expect me." Fine stares at the painting again. "I'm a bit envious I guess. I know nothing while someone knows something! It's...suffocating."

Malia hugs Fine by surprise. "It's okay. Don't think too much about it. If you have any questions, just ask me."

"Thank you." Malia's hug was comfortable. Nearly...too comfortable. Fine's legs felt like jelly and soon the two fell on to their knees.

"Sh... Sleep now."

"Wh...at?" Fine closes her eyes and falls asleep.

Malia sighs and smiles gently. "That was close. Can't have her heart go dark on us."

Eventually a guard spotted them and took Fine to her chamber. Rein and the others heard the news and rushed to Fine's chamber. By the time they got there, Malia just left the room.

"Mother?" Shade questions.

Malia turns her head to him and smiles. She began explaining what happened before they began asking questions. Everyone understood, except Rein. She was a bit furious since she wasn't there for her sister and not know what she was thinking.

"Thank you again. May I see my sister?" Rein asks.

Malia shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. For her to knock out that easily must prove her stress. Leave her be for now. She'll be better in an hour or so." Malia said.

"O-Oh. Alright then..." Rein turns to Shade. "Guard her for me?"

Before he could reply, Malia raises her hand. Silencing Shade immediately. "No guard is necessary. I also need to speak with my son. Come Shade."

"Yes, mother." Shade spoke and followed his mother.

The walk was quiet. Malia may have not spoke, but Shade could sense it wasn't going to be a bonding topic. "From what I've heard, you and Princess Fine are quite close. Did you forget your responsibilities? Did you forget about Milky?"

"No! I'd never forget! And about Fine-"

"You even speak her name so formally! What's your relationship?"

Shade could feel her anger. It was making him more nervous. "We're friends! That's all!"

"This friendship ends! You're losing focus!"

Now Shade was getting furious. "No way! Spending time with Fine has been the best! I'm not going to just stop being friends with her!"

Both son and mother were now glaring at each other. "You're a fool."

"Good. I'm following my father's footsteps."

"SILENCE! You'll obey the tradition and not fall for her! Did you forget about that already?!"

"HOW CAN I FORGET WHEN I REMEMBER EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE!?" Shade takes a deep breath. "Will you calm down if I spend time with Milky?"

"For a year."

Shade's eyes widened. "A year!?"

"Why are you questioning it? I thought you know your responsibility?"

"I-I..."

"If you make a single contact with the princess, I'll have you sent away. I'll even make the due date come sooner." Malia walks away. Leaving Shade stand alone.

Shade walked to the temple and climbed up the steps.

There he saw a girl with short pink hair and shiny violet-blue eyes. She smiles with delight and runs to him.

"Big brother!" She squealed with delight and dives to him.

Shade catches her and twirls a bit. "Hello Milky."

Milky grins and snuggles his chest. "It felt like forever since I last touched you!" She freezes and looks up at Shade's eyes. Examining them closely. "Brother...your eyes look different. Have you met someone?" She frowns. "Did you fall in love with a prettier girl?"

"That would never happen." Shade cups her cheeks. "You're my priority. You're more important."

"Good! Cause I love you big brother and I don't want any girl taking you away!" She hugs him again.

Shade's smile become empty and soulless. The two entered the temple.

One filled with joy and the other is empty.

-.-.-.-

Fine woke up with a strange feeling in her chest. "My chest...feels a bit heavier than usual."