Forgive yourself for the blindness that put you in the path of those who betrayed you. Sometimes a good heart doesn't see the bad.-Unknown

It was a nightmare, a frightening dream, a gloomy, sorrowful and unpleasant dream. She hoped to not experience it again.

Or so they would normally say.

But it was not normal. And it was not a dream, either.

It's reality.

How cruel.

In dreams, you can just wake up to escape; but in reality, you can only die.

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"Brother, are you alright?" she ask softly as her hand lands on the bandaged arm of her brother, Li Huren. It was not too long ago when she decided to rejoin him in that isolated island. She understood his choice, it was not surprising actually, and she expected it. Her brother is a servant of Kou up to his very core. How envious she is. To have such a feeling that drives one to be satisfied with isolation and difficulty. To have so much joy in serving those that should be deemed unworthy of it. So much kindness and loyalty.

'They are worth so much more, sister.' He said on the day he was to aboard the ship of the to-be-exiled princes.

'My lowly servitude to this people should be deemed a sin. But still, I will do my best.' He added. That time, she was uncertain of what she felt about the strange yet normal circumstance she was presented, until today. To serve this foolish people and still smile as if the heavens had awarded them. It's just...frustrating...annoying...vexing.

"If you are here, even if I lost my arms and legs, I'm sure I'll be alright. You'll fix me for sure." Was her brother's reply which was immediately followed by a stinging and bone-breaking smack on the head. Though she instantly regretted it too, not because of guilt, but because of the additional task she had given herself. Now she had to prepare him an ice bag too.

"You shouldn't say that." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before she totally loses it and break a moronic older sibling's neck. "I can never fathom how I ended up having such a masochist brother like you. I must have been a murderer in my past life."

"My, how hurtful is your words, sister. However, is it just me and my injured arm that hears a sisterly concern, hm?" her brother asks, inching closer to her and wiggling his brows with a smug look on his face. It sent a wave of heat to rise on her cheeks. Under normal circumstances, a person should be denying the accusation. But it was not on her nature to lie and deny the obvious truth. There is no sense in doing such act. So she swiftly turned her body, her face on its normal phase, and looked her brother in the eye.

"You are my brother, even if I can heal you; it doesn't make you numb of pain. You'll still be hurt. And even if it's just for a little while, still, I don't want it to happen." She said bluntly, not even trying to hide her emotions. It's better for him to see; if her words won't move him at least she can still bet on her emotions; which, after a few second, earned her the reward she was intending to get. It's now her brother's turn to be flustered by her straightforward reply.

"Well anyway," her brother tried to open a new topic to escape his embarrassment, something she would graciously let slip just this time. He's injured. She reminded herself. I'll get back to him on the day he fully recovers. In her mind, she let's an evil laugh escape her mouth, though in reality, she really couldn't do it and might just end up embarrassing herself for trying and might even choke with her own saliva.

"What do you think of Kou's future now?" Every once in a while Huren can be serious and spout words or questions that have some sort of significance.

"I really like the Empress." She replied shortly. It was actually all that she could muster unless her brother is willing to listen to an-hour-or-so-poetic speech.

"You know there's really nothing for us to do, and since we are in the palace those more expert people than us are taking care of everything, so I believe we have a lot of time to spare. I guess I can listen to an-hour-or-so-poetic speech for tonight. Besides, I don't think I can sleep after all these events." Her brother replied. Now she had to remind herself that she's talking to her brother, he can somehow figure out what she wasn't saying.

"Well, from the past and even until now, in order for one country to grow, kings and other leaders had developed that 'great love for the country'. However, along the way, in order to satisfy that 'love' they had developed 'evil-intent' for other countries, they wish to trample each other and over-power them. But the Empress is different; she had no trace of that 'evil-intent' and instead focused on improving the lives of her citizens." She paused looking over her brother to make sure if he still wants her to continue. Her brother, surprisingly, still hasn't collapsed on the floor after her opening speech. Well, her brother really wasn't the 'brain-work' guy, though her brother is smart, he just prepares those 'muscle-work' types of task.

"Other people tend to drag others behind them so that they'll be the one on the lead, but they never truly move forward nor improve themselves on anything. It's somehow like climbing the stairs, you trample those who are lagging behind you, this way you are superior to them, but if you look at the big picture, you are actually going down rather than moving up. On the other hand, the Empress is different, she looked at the condition of the people in front of her rather than looking on what was beyond the borders of Kou." Her brother nodded indicating that he got her analogy.

"That's why I think, this country will surely make it through. Maybe, she was the leader Kou had lacked before. The leader that might someday bring true glory to this country." She finished, wanting to spare her brother from the agony of listening to her thoughts.

"Is that why you chose to remain here and continue serving the empire instead of moving to Magnostadt? They have advanced researches there; you'll be able to adjust well as you are also a magician." Her brother said pointing out her decision few years ago when she decided to stay in the Kou Empire even after the financial crisis that doomed it because of the implementation of the new laws. It was also quite a surprise when she managed to follow him in the Island with the approval of the International Alliance. Although he already had an idea of what she did to make that step possible. Still to use that just to get to his side, maybe it wouldn't hurt to say that he was really touched.

"Before you flatter yourself too much, I will tell you that I followed because you're always reckless. Besides, you already know the reason why I didn't move. There is no other reason aside from that." She said cutting his mental spree over her actions.

"But still, it's more convenient to be here in the central than in that isolated Island." He commented.

"Just don't complain about it, okay?" she asked, or rather, ordered sharply, turning to her brother from packing –up the medical tools she used in aiding those who were injured during the incident in Samon Island.

"Fine, fine~" without warning her brother laid down on the wooden floor without even laying out cloths to serve as his bed. Their room is small and good for two only, however it does not have a bed to lie on, instead they were provided mattresses to prepare as their alternative bed. It was stationed near the room where the 'exiled' princes were temporarily residing.

"Hey, you'll hurt your back like that. Stay seated for a while, I'll just wash these clothes up then I'll fix the mattress." She said and made her way towards the door, starting her short journey to the washing area.

This side of the palace is creepily silent compared to the other sides. It's not like the empire is fond of merry making like in Sindria, but in Kou even a lowly servant must sharpen their ears for the muffled whispers the walls seem to make. After all, there are things one should not hear or if ever you did, do it with everything in your life to make sure no one finds out about it. Nevertheless, in these days, scheming games within the palace is not as wide spread as before. The financial crisis of the country seemed to have implanted hearts inside the chests of greedy people that might try to make the situation worse that it currently is.

Amidst her deep thinking, faint and frantic whispers, or echoes rather, had started to invade her ears.

'Not again!' she mentally exclaimed.

'That person must still be awake.' She thought.

This made her heave yet another deep sigh for who know how many times today. Rounding-up the corner, she found the culprit that had been unintentionally causing her irritation for quite some time now. Blood red long hair tied into a low side ponytail, simple white robes, prosthetic legs and arm, and a matching wooden cane. There is no mistaking it; this is the man that had been unknowingly raising her ire for a handful of months.

Ren Kouen

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A man of great military might and surprising intellect. A warrior who survived many wars even in his young age. With a physique that shows that he is of great authority with an aura that demands attention and respect.

How funny. Life is indeed comical.

Who would have thought he would end up on exile with no ability to walk on his own. All of his vigour and strength have all gone down the drain. But what had been unnerving her was those irritating thoughts. Yes his thoughts.

This man had no desire to live a happy life. Though he would do anything for the empire, without the burden of fighting for it in wars, he was an utterly hopeless man.

She slams the clothes down with more force than initially intended. "And here is my brother saying they are worth so much more."

For the last time, she pulls out the clothes from the water and squeezes them tightly before hanging them. She proceeded on collecting her tools with the aim of stopping any unnecessary thoughts. What's the point of getting mad at them, anyway? It was her brother's decision to serve these former princes; they aren't at fault if she was separated from her sibling. It was also her fault if she can hear echoes of his thoughts. Well, it was her decision to train herself in that area of magic.

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"Hey sister, do you know what I found out?" her brother marches towards her, stretching his newly healed arm while she collects the clothes she hanged last night.

"If you are talking about the magic research facility, you better go back inside and rest." This made her brother frown at her.

"Com' on, Hua, can't you at least pretend that you do not know? At least for the sake for your dear older brother who wants to be of any use since he was injured." He whined, brushing of not existent tears on his face.

"You should take as much break as you can, who knows when they will send back the princes to exile. Besides, you'll be back on duty tomorrow." She said.

"My, my, about that sister, let me tell you something..." Huren said placing his left hand around her shoulders.

"Minister Alibaba had requested that the princes needs to stay here until they find out the culprit who sank the Island. Well, it's obvious that there is an involvement of magic because you can't just say that sinking an island without warning is a natural phenomenon." He said.

"His exact words were, 'Sinbad, they must stay here, there is obvious involvement of magic in the incident of Samon Island and it is dangerous to just throw them in another Island where they are vulnerable to the same attack. Even if they are criminals, you can't just let them die because they have to be exiled, that's cruel of you!' and just like that he had convinced Sinbad." Her brother added.

"And how exactly did you find that out?" she asked throwing her brother a pointed look. She already have an idea where, or rather, whom he got that information.

"Ah-erm, well, you s-see uhm, I stumble upon an old f-friend..."was her brother's reply, his hands hiding inside the pockets of his pants, a gesture that shows his nervousness. This action had only confirmed her suspicion.

"Brother!" she exclaimed. "I know you have your needs, but I told you to stop screwing-up with palace maids! If you want a woman, get a wife!" she scolded. She is not oblivious of her brothers 'very friendly' affairs but playing around with woman is something that doesn't sound good to her. Though she would hate to be separated to her brother because of his marriage, she also had to consider his age as he's already at his early thirties.

"Well, anyway before we go off track, what do you say about these news?" he asked trying to eradicate his sister's impending outburst.

"My opinion is not needed and will not change anything, so now, let us go back to your issue!"

And that is how Li Huren met his end.

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She held the small rounded mirror in her hand. It's only the size of her palm and can't really see much, but it doesn't matter. She remembers that it had been the gift her brother gave her when he was enlisted in the army. She had relentlessly cried that night and clung on her brother's feet until the dawn came and he had to go. That day she promised to do everything to be with her brother again. Even if she had to spend the rest of her life cleaning the palace stables. And yet, her brother had to be taken away from her again, being an ocean apart from him had not settled well with her. It would be hypocrite of her to deny that she hadn't tried looking for someone to blame for their predicament.

And it had been him that became the receiver of her hidden wrath.

Unlike the other citizens of Kou, or maybe the majority of the people in the world, she can't say that she is willing to die for her country or sacrifice herself for those who rule their land. She wants to live. With the ones who are dear to her. Who would want to be away from their family, anyway? Her actions were based solely on her best interest, some may call it selfishness, but she'd rather call it reality.

But being back here on this familiar land of Kou, with her brother only a few yards away, her logical senses started coming back to her. The princes were not at fault and her resentment for them is rather childish of her. And as a result, she had to sit there under the moonlight, her mind wide awake and her eyes not dropping any moment soon. She contemplates on how she feels at their situation; if the princes would be exiled surely she'll be away from her brother again in an even farther land. And for certain reasons, she can't go too far away from Kou Mainland.

For now she just had to pray that her brother wouldn't have to go away anytime soon. Her priority is to keep her brother near, even if she had to make a few interventions herself.

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Kou Empire, sure have a lot of potential. That magic research facility had been the saving grace of the country. As a magician, she had to say that those magic tools were something. And then there is also that strategist and the new Prime Minister Alibaba who had real talent on finding ways to save their country and pay-off the debt of the country.

Meanwhile for her, the saving grace is the peaceful lily garden of the palace. It so happen that, this garden is not off-limits to servants and is near their residing area, but dangerously close to the princes. She initially thought of going to the town because she had to keep herself away from her hard-headed brother, but then the rukh had somehow brought her here instead. It's not quite bad since the ambiance was calming and the sun is shining brightly yet it does not hurt her skin. But her steps started to falter when she heard those echoes again.

He must be outside.

The rukh around her is agitated and thwarted. This had unknowingly made her feet rush towards the direction they were luring her. And there, with all his almost non-existent glory is Ren Kouen in all fours. She stilled and just looked at him. He seems to be trying to move somewhere. Looking in closely she saw his cane a few meters away from him.

It must have rolled away from him. But where the hell are their guards or his brother Kouha?

Should she go or should she just turn away? This question rang on her head for who knows how long. Surely his brother might just be inside, right? He'll come out soon and help his brother, right? She thought, not really sure why she had to convince herself.

Right, his brother couldn't be anywhere far. With this thought she started moving her feet again...

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Towards the struggling prince.

"Are you alright?"

A/n: Yey! Since it's summer break now, I have enough time to write updates as much as I can. I'm trying my best to improve my writing skills for you, guys!~ Anyways, you can leave some reviews if you have any comments...:)