Chapter 22: Better Left Unsaid
"We have to transform as soon as we get in and use the same spell we used at Cloud Tower, the invisibility one that Tecna taught us",
"I don't remember that spell at all", Bloom groaned. Musa nodded in agreement.
"Luckily I do, I used it to sneak into Red Fountain once", Stella told them.
"Are you guys sure this is going to work?" Bloom asked nervously,
"Positive! I´ve never met two people better at this than Stella and Layla", Musa said laughing,
"Alright you guys, its six O clock. Time to move", Layla said, in an authoritarian voice.
Marion watched silently as Diaspro departed. Because of those witches, her teenage daughter still saw her as a stranger. She knew Diaspro didn't trust her enough to tell her everything, not like Daphne trusted her, at least. Marion and Daphne were friends, and she could only hope to have that same bond with Diaspro someday soon.
"Mom? Where´s Diaspro headed off to?" Daphne asked, walking into the room. Marion sighed.
"You know how she is, dear. She´s gone to Magix to acquire something she needs for the ceremony this Friday",
"Magix?! Couldn't she just buy it here?" Daphne asked, in disbelief. Her sister could be too demanding!
"I´m afraid not, Daphne. She even insisted on going alone. Maybe it's best to leave her, after all, I bet it's her first event of this nature" Marion told her. Her mother could be so understanding, but it seemed that Bloom, or Diaspro, was beginning to take advantage.
"That's it mom, that's it! Diaspro can't just run off like that, it's not fair to you! I´m going after her",
"Daphne, please! Your sister needs time-"
"Time? Mom, she may need time to accept us as her family but she´s had eighteen years to be respectful",
"You know what Oritel would say!" her mother pleaded.
"My dad wouldn't approve of her behavior mom, you know that", she said, a little gentler.
"He may not say anything aloud, but it's only because he feels the same way you do. He´s afraid of scaring her away…and Diaspro knows that",
"It may be so, but, she´s my daughter Daphne!" Daphne nodded,
"I´ll be in dad´s library", she said, and left the grand hall. How could Marion be so….ughh! She loved her sister but there was always something that didn't make any sense! Why wasn't her aura anything like the one she encountered when she met Bloom, while in her spirit form? Where was that innocent, naïve girl from back then? Meeting her sister had always been a dream, but a very different one from this.
They flew high above the guards, like Bloom had on her trip with Valtor. If it weren't for her crazy friends, not even in her wildest dreams would she have dared to come near the palace in the daytime. She had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, it was weird. She knew that her house, her room, and her family was on Earth. And yet she was about to visit her home here on Domino. At times, she wasn't sure she belonged in any of the two.
They found a small window, big enough for them to enter on the top floor. And apparently there was no one in the room, making it perfect for their entrance.
"Alright girls, quiet now" Bloom whispered. Stella was the first to enter.
"Ouch! My head!" Musa cried, making it in with difficulty. Bloom and Stella fought to hold back their laughter. It reminded them of all the mischief they caused during their first year at Alfea. Griselda despised them for it. The room they entered looked like some sort of relic room. There were swords of different kinds placed up on the walls. Scalpels and armor…
"Do all these swords belong to the King?" Layla asked, in wonder.
"Wow Bloom, your parents must be rich! I´ve seen swords like these before, but they´re pretty rare. My father only owns a couple", Stella explained. Some of them had a grip made of green gemstones.
"Guys, maybe it's time to use the invisibility spell, someone could find us here" Musa said.
"I´ll cast the spell but remember! It doesn't last too long!" Stella warned.
"How much time do we have?" Bloom asked.
"About thirty minutes". Thirty minutes didn't seem like enough to see the entire palace, this was all so new to her! But thanks to her friends, at least she had a chance. No matter how small it was…
Stella chanted the spell and within minutes it took its effect.
"We´ll meet back in this very same room in thirty minutes! Before anyone has a chance to see us. Got it?" Bloom told them. They nodded and headed in different directions.
Bloom wandered through the halls of the palace. Occasionally, a maid or guard passed her by. She walked into what seemed to be someone´s bedroom. Fortunately, its occupants weren't around. But judging from the enormous size and decoration of the room, it had be the king and queen´s. She remembered observing them from afar the night Valtor brought her to Domino. The bedframe was a golden color, and the quilt looked pretty expensive. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking around the room. Did they ever have the same dreams she did? Didn't they ever wonder about her?
As she left the room and walked down the hall, two people neared her. She quickly backed up against the wall, fearing they might sense her presence. It was a man, tall with auburn hair. And…the girl she met at the mall? The man said something to her that made her laugh, then he placed an arm around her shoulders, hugging her. How strange, what was she doing here? Was she a friend of the fam-…?
Bloom stared at the two people in front of her, perplexed. Daphne?
She wanted to smack herself and just scream out in frustration. Valtor was right. They seemed to have a perfectly calm life to be bothered with her troubles. But how could they not be interested in meeting her? Ever since she´d heard the truth from Mike and Vanessa, all she´s ever wanted was to find them. Valtor had said that she couldn't ever contact them, but what was stopping them from reaching her? They simply didn't care! And she was a fool for believing that they ever could!
She started walking behind them as they passed her, carefully keeping her distance.
"Honey, your mother told me about your outburst", the King said. Daphne sighed, seeming to be in a bad mood.
"It wasn't an outburst dad, it just doesn't seem fair"
"Daph, I know she can be difficult, she has quite a temper. But you have to understand",
"Dad, for how much longer? She´s not at all like I imagined. I guess I´m just a little disappointed. That´s all",
Who were they talking about? The Queen?
"It's a time of transition for all of us. Things will settle down, soon", the King said, comfortingly. He seemed fairly young and strong for a King, especially considering he had two teenage daughters.
"Alright" she said, dejectedly. The King hugged her again and kissed her forehead.
"I´ll be in my despatch if you need anything. Be nice to your sister when she gets back", Daphne nodded as she watched him head down the stairs.
When your sister gets back? What on Earth was that supposed to mean?
Bloom exhaled involuntarily, causing Daphne to whirl around on her heels. Bloom stood as still as she possibly could. What an idiot! Now I´ve done it…
"Who´s there?" Daphne asked, facing her unknowingly. Bloom could only observe, completely motionless. When her sister was still a spirit in Lake Rocalucce, her only notable characteristic was her light blonde hair. Now, she looked so…different. Her eyes still reflected the same old Daphne, kind and judicious. But only now could Bloom really see the similarities between them both. Daphne also had clear colored eyes, and her facial features definitely resembled her own.
She began walking toward Bloom and Bloom walked backwards, carefully. Daphne stood still for a moment, giving Bloom the perfect chance to fly back to their meeting place. Bloom entered the room and immediately shut the door behind her.
"What took you so long?!" Stella cried.
"I´m sorry you guys, I ran into Daphne" she explained, breathless.
"Daphne? As in, the nymph of Magix?" Stella asked.
"Guys we have to go! Questions later!" Layla said. And she was right, Bloom realized. There was only about a minute left. And someone was trying to open the door, desperately.
"Anybody in here?" someone called.
"Guys, that's Daphne! Hurry!" Bloom whispered frantically.
They climbed out the window as fast as they possibly could, becoming visible just as they all managed to exit. Daphne all but threw the door open and rushed towards the window, she sensed it!
"I knew it..." she whispered. Four fairies flew high above the palace. Amongst them, a red haired girl…
"Your majesty, are you alright?" Demetrius asked worriedly walking into the room.
"Demetrius, I saw her! The girl I told you about, the redhead," she told him, he stared at her strangely.
"Inside the palace, your highness?"
"Yes! Well…no. I mean-"
"Maybe she reminds you of your own sister. Perhaps, you miss princess Diaspro?"
"Probably, but that still doesn't explain why I sensed such familiar power! The dragon flame belongs to Diaspro, and yet…" Daphne tried to explain.
"It does seem strange your majesty, but why give it any importance?"
"You don't understand Demetri. Valtor´s deal never left me completely satisfied. That girl and her friend's may be the only way to uncover what Valtor is trying to hide! Think about it, Valtor and the witches came to Domino eighteen years ago searching for the dragon flame and even destroyed our Kingdom for it. And now all of a sudden he´s not interested in it anymore?" Daphne pondered.
"Are you saying that someone besides princess Diaspro may possess the dragon flame?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but it's not impossible", she said.
"But your majesty, please consider! What good would that bring for the Kingdome? Maybe King Oritel is right, some things are better left alone for the peace of our people!"
"No way! That wizard has already kept us in the dark for long enough! We can't allow him to keep toying with us! We have to do this for the good of our people. You´ve always supported me Demi, why are you trying to stop me all of a sudden? Is there something you're not telling me?" Daphne asked.
"What? No, no Daphne it's just…some things are better left unsaid, when we…when we really care about someone" he said quietly.
"Well, with or without your help, I´m getting to the bottom of this!" she said, storming out of the room. Demetri loved her deeply. But he couldn't reveal what he knew. He made a promise and he had to keep it. For Daphne´s well-being.
Flashback
Princess Diaspro flew back into the palace so quickly she hadn´t even noticed his presence. What was wrong with her? She left the palace only minutes ago, as if she´d seen a ghost and now she was racing back?
He walked and walked. Far behind the palace, in the direction in which the princess had returned from. Strange. Far beyond the palace there was nothing more than the river…
"Help…" He looked around, startled. Someone had definitely spoken…
"Whose there?! Show yourself!"
"Help me please..." he continued walking, following his instincts despite his fear.
"Sir!" there was a man lying near a tree, barely conscious. He didn't seem like a beggar or a peasant. His armour represented that of a warrior´s. No, this man was surely someone of importance…
"Domino is in grave danger" the man whispered. His name was Hagen, with the bit of energy he had left and some help from Demetri they returned to his home. Hagen was a kind man, and while Demetrious helped cure his wounds that day Hagen explained to him that Diaspro wasn't who everyone thought she was. But he knew how desperate the King and Queen were to have their daughter back. He feared they wouldn't believe him, he needed proof. And the only way to prove he was right was to find the true keeper of the dragon flame.
"I was there, sire! The girl proved to the King and Queen that she possesses the dragon flame, there's no mistake" he tried to explain. But Hagen insisted.
"Don't believe everything your eyes see, young man. Valtor is an expert in fooling people, he takes advantage of their emotions! My friends are nothing more than victims in his hands! He must´ve used some sort of trick, but that girl…she can't be the true keeper. He knew how desperately they wanted their daughter back, and he used that against them"
"Sir, if princess Diaspro isn't the true keeper than…do you know who is?"
"I think I do. She´s far from Domino, but I know where she is" Demetrius sighed.
"Sir how can I know for sure that all of this is true? I could never harm my people or betray the King and his family. If princess Diaspro really is the keeper of the dragon flame and we hurt her-"
"I don't have any proof as of yet. But I have no reason to lie", Hagen said and handed him an old photograph. Demetri stared at it, it seemed to be the king…and…
"As you can see, King Oritel and I have been friends for ages. Since our early teenage years, he and I are like family. You must believe me, I only want the best for someone like Oritel. It pains me to have to see him falling into Valtor´s trap!" Hagen said. Demetrius stared at the photo in his hand. His instincts told him that Hagen was being truthful, no matter how unbelievable this all sounded!
"Then I´ll help. We´ll find the real princess and-"
"Not yet! I must reveal her identity to the King and Queen myself, but not in this condition. Once I have fully recovered, I´ll need your help. If Valtor were to know of this, Domino could be put in serious danger! We must wait until the time is right", he concluded. Demetri nodded. If Diaspro was an imposter then he would do whatever it took to help reveal the truth. But he didn't want to hurt the royal family. He knew how much princess Daphne missed her sister, he didn't want to cause her pain.
End of Flashback
Hagen warned him of what could happen if he even dared to spill what he knew. No matter how he swore loyalty to the royal family he wouldn't do anything that could put their life in danger. Seeing how she acted now, he had no doubt that Daphne would run to find her real sister if she knew the truth. And Valtor would go after Daphne. But this certainly intrigued him. Was the redhead the girl Hagen was talking about? He´d have to tell Hagen what was going on and fast! Before Daphne continued investigating!
"How do you feel hun?" Stella asked as they finally arrived at the dorm.
"I think I feel worse than before" Bloom said, miserably.
"Why´s that sweetie?" Flora asked,
"Valtor always said that my family was perfectly fine without me. But I refused to believe it until today. They don't need me at all",
"Yes they do", Musa said firmly.
"What?"
"She´s right, Bloom. Show her what we found Muse", Layla said, signalling to Musa.
"We found this in one of the bedrooms, I think it was yours" Musa said.
"My bedroom?" she looked at them like they were crazy.
"Well, it had to be yours, I mean there was a crib, baby clothes, and this", she said, handing her a small book. And on the first page, there was a picture of a family.
"We figured that was you", Stella said. It was a photograph of Marion and Oritel sitting together, and on the floor was a little blonde girl holding a baby. She gazed at it with tears in her eyes.
"It's beautiful you guys, but it still doesn't prove anything"
"Bloom, do you really believe all the garbage Valtor told you? They've even kept your room exactly the same. How do you know they haven't searched for you?" Layla scolded.
"Because if they had, they would have found me! The same way I found them"
"Well technically, you didn't. Valtor led you to them. For all we know, they might not even know you're alive" Tecna said.
"Bloom, why don't we try talking to them? Valtor wouldn't have to know, there's no harm in trying", Stella said, hugging her. She looked at them, unconvinced.
"We´re in this together Bloom, we just want to help", Layla continued. Bloom dried her tears with the back of her hand and nodded.
"I guess we can try" she said. Someone knocked on their door,
"At this hour?" Tecna asked. Stella stood up and opened it,
"Brandon? Hey" she greeted, surprised.
"Stella, can I speak to you in private?"
"Sure, girls I´ll be right back" she shut the door behind her, following Brandon out to the lounge.
"Stel, I know your probably wondering what I´m doing here so late, forgive me, but I couldn't wait until tomorrow", she gave him a worried look,
"Is something wrong, sweetheart?"
"No, I mean not exactly. Stella, everything that's happened during the past couple of weeks, between us, with Bishop…it all made me realize how much I don't want to lose you. Your important to me Stel, which is why there´s something I need to ask you",
"Brandon, that's very sweet but your beginning to scare me, what is it?" she asked, anxious now.
"Stella, will you marry me?"