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An Revelation and an Understanding

Alton woke up with a start. The contents of the dream firmly etched into his mind. Suddenly, everything registered on his memory fell into place. Something his conscience failed to acknowledge, but his subconscious is known all along. This dream has merely brought a revelation from the depth of his heart to the surface. All his feelings has suddenly risen to the surface. Now everything made sense.

Alton now realized the exact reason why he was reluctant to marry any of the noblewomen his father has forced onto him. All along his heart has been someone else's.

A sudden realization crossed his mind. An explanation of the past sequence of events. Why he stood in front of Karigan when Shawdell wanted to shoot her. Why Morhavan chose to portray Karigan to make him destroy the D'yer Wall. Consciously, Alton may not know that he has loved Karigan all along, Morhavan had known after penetrating his mind. That was why he used Kargian's image. All the pieces of the puzzled fell into place.

Alton knew he loved Karigan since the moment he met her. He could still remember that day. He loved Karigan. But how was he going to tell her? What if she didn't feel the same way he did? What is she loves someone else entirely?

Alton groaned and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He has made his decision, he would tell her at Zachary's engagement party tonight.

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It was far too hot for a spring afternoon and Karigan was sweating in her Rider uniform. She spent the whole morning tending to her ordinary duties. Then she brushed Condor so viciously that he strode away from her and refused to come back. Now having nothing to do, she wandered into the gardens. She did not visit the gardens very often. It was too prim and proper with all the aristocrats strutting around. Karigan mentally slapped herself. She was one too, reminded herself. She should stop insulting herself.

Karigan kicked a stone pebble out off her way in frustration. But instead of letting out her annoyance, she only mad her big toe throb with pain. She was not looking forwards to the ball tonight, especially not it it was Zachary's engagement party. This said ball only sealed her fate. She cannot love the man she loved most. Her father's request for her to marry was also planted firmly into her mind adding to her frustrations.

"Karigan! Karigan!" Karigan turned around and saw Estora hurrying towards her. The Weapon not far behind. Karigan groaned. She has ignored Estora for long enough. While Karigan wanted to hate Estora, she never really could. Estora was still her friend no matter how hard Karigan tried to hate her. Karigan could never bring herself to do so.

"So, Karigan, I haven't seen you for a long time," said Estora, after she caught up with her. Karigan mentally slapped herself again and bowed respectably.

"I have been quite busy lately, my lady."

"Now since you are now a viscountess and knight, I would want us to be on a first-name basis, please call me Estora," Pleaded Estora.

"If you please, my.. I mean Estora, but you are soon-to-be queen," objected Karigan, through gritted teeth. Estora smiled sadly.

"You still can call me Estora," she said simply. Estora was not completely ignorant. She knew that Zachary had loved someone else. But sho it was, she was never sure. But judging by Karigan's avoicance of her, Estora believes that he now knew who Zachary loved. Estora looked at her friend sadly and put her hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Love is not only restricted to one class, Karigan," Estora said. "We cannot control who we fall in love with."

Karigan looked at Estora in surprised. Estora knew she loved Zachayr, but she wasn't angry with her. Of course, Estora had loved Fryan Cobblebay, a common messenger. If it is anyone who would understand, Estora was that person.

"Estora, I'm sorry, I ignored you for so long and I…" Karigan trailed off. Estora waved Karigan's apology away.

"I'll always be your friend Karigan," said Estora simply and left. Karigan was left standing speechless in the middle of the garden, staring dumbfound at estora's retreating back. She sighed and walked away. She had better prepare for the ball. Zachary's engagement party, she thought bitterly.

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