Author's note: here it is!
chapter 9! thanks for the support!

Chapter 9

The Parade of Guilt

Logi's POV
Why did i let this happen! I'm such a fool! Damn it! I went to the routing port.

"Where are the ships?" I shouted. The soldiers who were guarding the port came closer and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the ships were used to send the lieutenants and the generals to our allies." He answered. This cannot be happening! Anytime the parade would start and Zola will be in danger.

"How about my personal ship? No one is allowed to use that!" I shouted again. The other soldiers were trembling. No one wanted to answer so i grabbed one of them and pinned him to the wall.

"The- pr-ince ugh used you-r s-hhip" he answered. He was choking because i grabbed his collar.

"Please Logi calm down! Release him before he rans out of air." Uncle Ronald said. I released him and the soldier was catching his breath.

"Calm down? How can i calm down? Today is the day of light and she is there at exact place where the parade about her death and defeat will be celebrated! And i can't go there because i don't have any ship to use!" I'm running out of hope. I promised to protect her but now that she is danger i can't even do a thing!

"Don't worry nephew, i have my personal mechat. But you will not come with us."

"Why not! She needs me!" He placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Logi trust me, i will bring her back safely so please control your emotions. You cannot come with us because of it is a public occasion, the rebels might see you and put harm on you. We cannot take the risk of losing you." He insisted. I took a deep breath to calm myself. Uncle has a point, i cannot risk my people just because of my personal issues.

"Just bring her back safely." He nodded and i left. Please be safe Zola.

Zola's POV

Leo came to my room very early the next day. He said that we're going to a special celebration. So i took a quick bath then prepared myself. When i looked at my wardrobe, all i can see are a dozens of beautiful dresses. The weird thing is everyday a woman come and deliver a set of dresses for me. Since i'm going out for the first time after escape from the sealed grounds i have chosen a simple baby blue dress. And i also picked a moss green cape with hood to hide my face so that no one can recognize me.

"Zola you never fail to captivate me." Leo said and escorted me to the port.

"My apologies Your Highness, the only available ship here is the king's personal ship. The others were used to send the generals to our allies." A soldier approached Leo.

"I see, then we'll just use the royal ship. Tell the captain to get ready and prepare a breakfast for two." Leo commanded. The soldier bowed and left.

"Come let's go inside and have our breakfast there."
And we went inside the ship. We had our breakfast during the trip. It was like the old days. I suddenly remembered Shu and the others, i miss them much. I felt someone squeezed my hand.

"What's the matter Zola? Why are you sad? Aren't you enjoying my company?" Leo asked.

"No i'm not sad, i just remembered something. I miss my friends. I wish i could see them again." I took a deep breath. Leo patted my back and looked at me with empathy.

"Don't be so sad. I'm sure you and your friends will see each other real soon." I smiled and hugged him.

"Thank you for being here. I don't feel alone when you're here with me." He hugged me too. I suddenly remembered Logi's hug. It was warm and i feel so secured. Leo's was comforting but that's all. Nothing special. Few minutes later a soldier came in.

"We're here Your Highness." He announced. Leo stood up.

"Come beautiful." He held my hand.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"At Sabaru." He smiled.

The town was very busy, it seems that there is a special feast or occasion today.

"What is this celebration all about?" I asked.

"You'll find out later, come let's buy some souvenirs at the stalls." There are many stalls on every side of the streets. We played street games and bought some things.

"Here, put these things to the ship. The lady and I will stay at this place so don't worry." Leo commanded to our escorts. They bowed and left.

"The show is about to begin." I heard the mysterious voice spoke! I turned to see who said that but there are too many people with us. And it seems that they clearing the center of the street for a reason. Few minutes later i heard a loud blowing of horns.

"The parade is about to begin!" Leo said cheerfully. A group of young people started dancing as they walk towards a prepared stage located at center of the plaza. Next to the dancers are soldier-like men. If i'm not mistaken they are dressed like the soldiers of the late Grand Kingdom. And of course if the Grand Kingdom soldiers are present so is its ruler Nene, it was a short man wearing an alien head dress. And Deathroy was portrayed too! But the mascot has a Deatroy puppet on his right hand. It seems that they are making fun of him. Finally crowd went wild as seven people came. They were five children and two adults dressed in white and gold battle wears. Its obvious that they are the stars of the parade. When the seven reached the plaza, a man carrying a big old book spoke.

"Few years ago the world was dominated by a heartless, brutal and selfish leader. He was Lord Nene, the ruler of Grand Kingdom." He started. The mascot Nene together with his soldiers acted that they were harassing the dancers.

"He wanted to be his even to the point of destroying the beautiful kingdom of Jibral, who was against to his inhuman ways of leadership." The scene shows that Nene was at the center laughing while his soldiers were waiving Grand Kingdom's flag. The scenario are sort of a dejabu to me.

"He thought that no one can stop him but he was wrong." The five children together with a woman dressed in black appeared to the stage. Obviously i was the woman being portrayed but why is she wearing black?

"They were the descendants of the seven soldiers of light! With their power they defeated the evil ruler and brought peace to the land." They acted that they defeated the mascot Nene.

"But something worse happened." The woman in black walked away from the children and another group of actors came to the stage
They were all in black. I wanted to stop watching and walk away but Leo was holding my hand.

"The woman whom they thought to be their leader, their comrade, their friend was nothing but a heartless witch who freed the darkness that the original seven soldiers of light have sealed decades ago." His word were daggers that stabbed by heart. The memories of my betrayal hunted me once again. It hurts a lot to witness a remake of my sin.

"Fortunately, the True remaining soldiers of light remained strong despite of the betrayal that they have experienced. They worked together and defeated the witch and brought light once again! That is why we are celebrating the day of light! To commemorate the victory of the mighty soldiers of light and celebrate that the traitor did not succeed!" The crowd gave a round of applause. So today is called the day of light? A day to celebrate my defeat? A day to reminisce my betrayal? I felt a lump on my throat. I can feel that anytime my tears are about to flow.

"And as part of the celebration, we will burn the wooden replica of the deceptive witch!" A group of strong men came pulling a big wooden statue. Even though it doesn't look like me i know that indeed a representation of myself. I cannot take this anymore! I used all my force to pull my hand from Leo and ran away. I heard Leo was calling me and i know that he was running after me. I kept on running away from this town, away from this celebration, away from everybody. Suddenly i bumped on someone causing me to fall to the ground. My cape accidentally covered my face but i saw in my peripheral vision whom i had bumped with...

It was Jiro. I felt my muscles tensed up and i released a scream.

Then everything went black.

Author's note: poor Zola :(
thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a review!