Chapter 1: The Arrival of Mozart

I'm elegantly walking before the bowed heads of our servants. My long, white hair with a half blue color swayed softly as I walked with grace. Two female servants were behind me, ready to carry out my order at any time.

I held my head higher, and kept a cold and stern look on my face. The maids bowed more when I casted them a glance.

I'm not really that strict, I'm not that harsh either. But I used to wear this face in order to intimidate people, so power and authority will be evident to me.

Sometimes, showing that you are soft and kindhearted makes you vulnerable. A target of treachery and betrayals.

"You can stay here, I don't need you inside," I ordered coldly without tossing the servants a glance.

They halted meters behind me. The two knights guarding the brown double door bowed as they opened it.

Sternly cold, I walked inside my sister's wide room and was welcomed by its familiar warmth.

The door shur closed with an inaudible sound. That was when I lose the unfriendly mask I used to deceive people.

Ahiko stood up from sitting in front of the terrace, facing the wide ocean below. He welcomed me with a wide smile, he walked towards the bed where sleeping beauty lies.

The room is dimmed.

I walked near her as well, and sadly gave a smile when I viewed her peaceful, beautiful and innocent face.

"My lady," Ahiko greeted. "You look sad again, something must have happened out there. Should I try a peek?"

"No, stay here with Liana. Everything is fine outside," I replied.

Gently sitting beside my sleeping sister, I softly caressed her face. Sadness crawled on me when I realized that it's been a decade already, yet she's still not awake.

"Oh, I thought..." Ahiko breathed. "If it's because of Princess Liana again, well, it's reasonable enough. I, too, feel sad. I've been waiting for the princess to open her eyes."

"Hope she will soon, she missed a lot. Soon, Lucidei will arrive again but she's still asleep."

I heaved deeply, distancing my fingers away my sister. Ahiko tossed me a weighting glance. He's just a servant but he's the most loyal one, especially to my sister.

We assigned him to watch over the youngest princess who has been sleeping for ten years. She's ill and one of my brothers is currently wandering the universe for a cure.

"Master Luckish will dock with the Mozart again, for the third time after a long voyage." He handed me a glass of red liquid. "A safe dock for the Mozart ship."

I took it carefully with a grateful smile. "Thank you for watching over Liana, Ahiko. And for serving the Luttos Haldore with all your heart."

He nodded with a smile. "For the people and of course...for Liana."

I chuckled when he turned shy. He shyly looked away and drank his wine.

He's not just a servant though, he is Liana's childhood best friend, too. That's why we trust him more than anyone else for taking a good care of the princess.

"I will tell to my king to marry Liana off with you when she wakes up." Panic washed over him when he heard me.

He almost spits out the bittersweet wine in shock. I grinned more when he immediately threw a warning glance at me.

"My lady, please don't." He shook his head and stuttered. "My conscience will hunt me! Liana is asleep, if ever she wakes up, I don't want to shock her. She might not like it."

"She won't be, she likes you, too, Ahiko. She will surely be thankful to be married with you."

"No, no. I don't want to push her, Alanah." I arched my brows when he uttered my name.

His eyes widened when he realized that he just called me without my title. I smirked in amusement as he panicked more.

"I mean, Princess Alanah!" He bowed. "I want Lady Liana to marry me because she loves me. Not because King Claus says so. Please..."

I shrugged, teasing him more as I sipped in my glass.

"My, milady."

"You're a good man, Ahiko. You're not supposed to be a servant, but you chose to be with her. You deserve to be her groom, don't you think?"

"She'll pass out for sure," he mumbled with a pout.

I laughed at his face. A laugh with a taint of both longing and gloom. He stared at me when my voice started to crack.

I immediately averted my gaze to the open terrace. How I wish I'll find someone like him. Normal, ordinary, obscure, pure and innocent.

I'm tired of being a royalty. I want to be like those ordinary girls outside our palace. Though I was born to be a royalty and it's my duty to serve our country. Even if I couldn't do the things I really wanted.

"You shouldn't cry, Alanah." I looked back at him. "You're more beautiful when you're smiling. Just like Liana, you resembles her so much and the Queen."

It was like a trigger. When he mentioned about my mother, my chest tightened more and breathing seems so hard to do.

Another reason of my eternal sadness, is the missing Queen who crossed the ocean with her king. Their tragic love story and mysterious disappearance.

Perhaps he saw the tears brimming my eyes, so he gave me a smooth white handkerchief.

"Forgive me, my tongue slipped. I shouldn't have mentioned about it."

"It's fine, it's better this way. At least, I'm still feeling the pain. It means, I still haven't forgotten about it."

"You don't deserve the pain and sadness, my Lady. Nobody does but then, it's inevitable."

I looked down. Things are weighing me down day by day. Liana being ill is too much, the former King and the Queen's disappearance is beyond it.

I couldn't imagine how King Claus is dealing with these matters.

"The Mozart is arriving, let's hope that Master Luckish has some news for us," he added.

But I'm done hoping, every dock of the Mozart, I'm losing my hope that we can still find them.

"Set your hopes high and then the truth will crash it down. I don't think I can still manage to stand up after the fall."

"You must."

"Pity," is all I answered.

I handed him back the golden glass of wine and rose up. I gaved my sister a final glance before crouching for a kiss.

Afterwards, I left with a heavy chest and broken heart. The servants waiting outside followed behind me without breaking the silence.

I was back to being the cold and mean princess of Luttos Haldore. I went straight to the King's hall and got welcomed by some councils.

I waited for them to leave so I will have a private talk with my king brother, Claudius Luisier L'Amour who is now holding a book.

"My king," I greeted him.

He smiled when our eyes met. He welcomed me with a lively embrace that I love the most.

My sweet king has always been my mighty knight. He's so armoured with great skills, talent, courage, knowledge, wisdom, bravery and brilliance.

"Alanah, where have you been? I've been waiting for you. Uh, I'm reading the book you recommended, by the way." He showed me the book I gave him days ago.

I pouted when he patted my head like I'm some kid. He chuckled when he saw my reaction although I spotted the sadness and sorrow peeking in between his curly eyelids.

Of course, if I feel the longing and sadness, he, too is the same. After all, we siblings are like broken glasses. We all feel the same emotions, all at once.

But then how funny. We both wanna hide those awful emotions without knowing that we see through each other.

"I visited Liana," I answered with a smile. "She's still sleeping though. So how was the book? Did it interest you?"

I noticed the pain in his eyes when he heard about Liana but then, it instantly faded, he widened his smile.

"It's good, though why about pirates again? I've read too many pirate stories that you recommended and it's now getting into my nerves," he playfully taunted.

I rolled my eyes and sat down to the nearest couch. "You know I love pirate stories. What do you expect? I don't like witchcrafts so you're safe from those fantasies."

"Well, I don't either. I don't believe in them."

"How about me?" I replied sarcastically.

"You're not going to be a pirate so stop reading books about them. You're better to be in Palaces. You're too beautiful to be just a pirate," he barked.

"And who said that I want to be one?"

"Well, none did. Except Lucidei."

I glanced at him with prodded lips. That brute dragged me?! But I don't want to be a pirate for real.

"What did he say?"

"That you want to come with him. You wanna sail, too?" His brows furrowed.

I immediately faked a cough and exaggeratedly barked at him.

"I don't! The sea is too wide, I don't want to leave the Palace for a long time. I'm not gonna abandon you, my king."

He chuckled when he saw my reaction. I hit his shoulder but he didn't mind.

He threw the book to the table and sat beside me. He then leaned his head above my shoulder as he breathed out in a harsh manner.

We both fell silent and the sadness seemed to dominate the surface. I let out a weary breathe and reached for his long white hair.

"I just like wandering around the Mozart ship," after a minute, I said. "Lucidei said they bring good luck as they dock from sailing. I'm a fool to believe him but I can't help it."

He laughed a little, perhaps because I'm gullible or I'm just really funny.

"Did you gather some luck from the ship though?"

"I think I did not, now you're marrying me off to another king." He glanced at me.

He suddenly went serious as he gently brushed my long hair. Sorrow is all over his weary face. Although despite of it all, he still looks really handsome.

"I'm sorry, Alanah. But I'm doing this for your best. King Thrace is a good man, a great king and a friend. He will take good care of you and I know he'll love you with all his heart, too. All you have to do is to learn loving him as well."

I nodded. I perfectly understand him but I just couldn't help wondering. What if the moment Thrace and I got wedded, my mate will lately arrived? What if, I just needed more time for he will eventually reach me. Our soul will eventually find each other.

Then it would be a big waste, if I'm already a property of someone. Also, what if king Thrace's mate is already halfway? He'll be sad for sure, knowing that she's too late for he's already my king.

Ugh, things are starting to get complicated.

"You're not mad, right, Alanah?" Guilt showed upon him.

I immediately shook my head and leaned against his broad chest.

"I'm not. I will never be, Claus. I promised to be your companion and your back up. Lucid is too far from us now, Lucidei is busy finding our parents. It's only me and Liana that you have at the moment. So no, my king."

Sorrow lingered in my voice. My chest squeezed tighter when I thought of Lucid, who's now wandering around the universe to find the cure for Liana's illness. While Lucidei is sailing the dangerous ocean, risking his life to find our parents.

And Claus, he has been taking all the burden without any complain. So what right do I have to go against him? To complain? To demand? None.

"That's my princess, always the understanding one."

I distanced myself from him and heaved deeply. "Though I have one request."

"What is it?"

His thick eyebrows arched and his thin red lips stretched. He smiled as he listened to me. And he always shines so bright when he's smiling.

"I want you to marry Liana off with Ahiko. He's the most suitable guy for her, they're compatible and—"

"Ahiko don't want it, he already said that," he cut me short.

That was when I grunted in disapproval that made him chuckle more. Ahiko sabotaged my plan. He already acted way too early! How could he!

"You're too late, Alanah."

"I'll convince him again, he should be married to Liana!"

"Enough. Don't push it, Ahiko has plans for them. Can't you just watch things to unfold on their own?"

I sighed in defeat. Well, what can I do? Perhaps I'm just so bored that I'm already thinking about these petty things and planning ahead of everyone.

"By the way, King Thrace is on his way here. He's going to welcome his brother, too."

I simply nodded at him. Well, Thrace's brother, Harlequin is sailing with my brother. He's the representative of Luttos Hanzcelette.

The west land is divided into two kingdoms, and so the west have two kings.

That is to balance the land, the people and the governance. The other lands has the same system, too.

"Okay, perhaps it's a good thing, too," I replied.

He smiled and he rose to his feet but halted when we the horn echoed, signalling everyone to take a look—for the great Mozart ship is arriving at the shore of the west.

We both rushed to the terrace and saw the golden ship coming nearer and nearer each passing second.

Joy and excitement coated my heart, unexplainable feeling crawled upon me as we come down to welcome the arrival of our dear brother and his crews.

The peaceful lonely shore was then filled by our people, waiting for their husbands, sons, cousins and relatives aboard the Mozart ship.

We rode horses to reach the shore quickly and got accompanied by Elric, our best knight.

Scream, cries and noise dominated the shore. The waves came harsher as the pirate crawled down the ship and ran toward their families.

I even saw Harlequin standing near the water, wondering if his brothers will come to fetch him there.

And the King arrived, late.

The last one to leave the ship was the graceful, tanned skin prince of Luttos Haldore; Luckish Cedaimeir L'Amour.

He jumped off the sea and wetted his clothes as he laughed at us. We waited until he stepped in to the white sand before I attacked him with hugs and kisses.

"Oh! This feels surreal. I missed the shore of Haldore so much!" He beamed and hugged me back while laughing. "But I missed you more, dear sister."

"Thank God you're safe. I thought the sharks has already eaten your body," I joked in tears.

He brushed those salty liquid away from my eyes and hugged me tighter.

"Sharks fear me, little sister. I'd rather eat them! No sea monster will have a feast on me."

"It's good to be back, right?" Claus finally spoke.

Lucidei tore his gaze at me and stared at the formidable King standing before him.

I recognized the longing they both had for each other but they chose to bicker like the old days.

"You surely missed me, Claus. Though I guess, even at the sea, I'm still the handsomest among us. You only grew your hair longer but that's it."

Claus's lips curved up, his brows arched gracefully as he tilted his head with a smirked.

"Seems like the rumours were true," Claus fired, making Lucidei's forehead creased.

"What rumours?"

"That whoever sailed the sea, turned delusional when they got back. They kept on bragging petty things with unproven base and hypotheticals."

I sighed. They couldn't really let an opportunity of trading barbs with each other pass.

"Well, people who haven't sailed the sea really won't believe us, pirates. Because we're the only lucky humans who are meant to see hidden wonders. Like the Paradise of Jeuda."

Lucidei immediately caught my attention when he mentioned about the legendary Island of Jeuda.

I only read it in books and it kept on bugging me before I sleep.

I immediately tugged his left arm making him turn to me.

"Were you been in Paradise of Jeuda?! You reached the Island?! How does it look like? I've read about it in books of Glumish Sandier!"

Amusement danced in my brother's blue orbs when he saw my eagerness. He chuckled, threw Claus a smug look before he fully turned to me.

"You've read too much books, Alanah. Why not give me some of those thick books? Glumish Sandier, you say? Do you even know him?" He replied with an amused look.

I couldn't help but protrude my lips. I want answers not another question. But then I replied.

"I only know him in books. It was stated there that he was a pirate and he found the Paradise of Jeuda."

"Hmm, he did?"

"That's what he said there."

"He's great then, even I haven't been there. Honestly."

I grunted. He's lying! I thought he reached the Island. We heard Claus chuckle.

"The rumours were indeed true. You just bragged about the Island but you've never been there. Better keep those tales to yourself and spare Alanah, Lucidei."

"Claus!"

"Let's just get back inside," our king brother said, turning to another king. "King Thrace! Glad you arrived on time."

We ended up inside the palace. The whole west land celebrated the arrival of their families. While the Palace was filled by the same noise.

In the dining, the two princes were endlessly telling their experiences while on the sea.

Trios Le fe'vre and King Thrace Le fe'vre joined with them and so Claus. It was already dawn when they stopped drinking and fell deeply asleep.

The next morning, they suffered from hang over. However, Lucidei managed to rose to his feet and find his way to the youngest princess' room.

I accompanied him to get there, yearning for Liana lingered on his face as we entered the room.

"Master," Ahiko greeted us formally. "My lady."

"It's good to see you again, Ahiko. Thanks for watching over Liana," Lucidei said, tapping the servant's shoulder.

"It's my pleasure, Master."

Lucidei doesn't want anyone calling him a 'prince' or even 'lord'. The reason why everyone calls him 'master'.

"And how's my baby?" His mournful eyes gazed to the sleeping princess in the bed.

I sighed when my chest harshly hammered inside my ribcage. My eyes heated up and I found myself kneeling with Lucidei beside the bed.

"Big brother has arrived, yet you're still not opening up. How could you do this to me, Liana?"

The tone of his voice made me numb. Pain slowly and painfully crept in the depths of my heart. All I did, when I saw my brother's teary eyes, was to burry my face on his back.

"Wake up now, sister. I have good news for you, don't you want to hear it?"

Lucidei softly caressed her face, held her hand and leaned his face against it. Tears fell from his eyes, with mourning and sorrowful harmony. I'm sure my brother would not let others see him in this state, we're just an exception.

"Father and mother is in the Island of Jeuda, Liana. The pirates who last saw them told me. And after this, we're going to find the legendary Island." But our little princess stayed still.

Ahiko sighed deeply while I'm already crying. Beads of tears rolled down in her hands from Lucidei.

"You better stay breathing, Liana. Sleep peacefully but stay alive. Lucid will find the cure for your illness, okay?"

We're not even sure if the said cure is true. When we heard about it, Lucid immediately travel to the unexplored part of the mainland, to find the cure without hesitation.

Yet it has been five years, still we heard nothing from him.

"Big brother will sail the ocean. I'll take mother and father home."

Lucidei let go of her hand and gently kissed her forehead. He helped me stand and we both let out a weary breathe.

My chest squeezed tighter, my nose clogged and my eyes felt sour. We left the room silently and went straight to the library of our Palace.

If he wants to talk to me privately, the library is his preferred place. That's why the moment we entered the huge room filled with books, I immediately fired my question.

"What is it?"

He chuckled in awe at my question. His blue orbs sparkled as he licked his red lips, in pure amusement.

I stared at him, eyes full of sharp blades that could cut him off.

"You really know me well, Alanah. You're like the king, oh. You're siblings indeed!"

He clasped his hand and I put mine in my waist. Glaring at him but with hidden joy.

This is my big brother, the carefree captain of Mozart. Handsome, sweet, softhearted and lovable. But a good and unbeatable pirate.

"What do you want to talk about? I bet it's not about books, yeah?"

I began to roam around the library, glancing at each book that might catch my interest.

He immediately followed with a loud sound from his boots. He is wearing a royal blue coat, shiny long sleeves underneath, brown leather belt, aqua slacks and black thick heavy boots. His hair is long and white, with lazy curls at the tips. He is good looking, wise and a trader.

"We're sailing tomorrow morning, we'll head south. The Pirate Trading City is located there," he went on.

"Uhuh, and?"

"A great captain once said, not all treasure is silver and gold." I looked at him, arching my brows.

"I don't care about that. Stop beating around the bush, will you?"

He smirked.

"What I'm saying is, they have this treasure that nobody knows what."

"Treasure. Perhaps another golden compass? Or ancient map? Or a book on how to get to Bermuda Triangle and get back alive?" I chuckled. He's always so into extraordinary treasures.

He grimaced at me as he took a book from the shelf.

"Neither mentioned. But I knew what it is, the Pirate Trading City Captain disclosed it to me."

"Oh? You must be really close for him to disclose such information with you."

He smirked and winked at me with a smug look. I guess, the rumours were true.

"Oh, you don't know how close we are, sister. By the way, that captain I'm talking about is a gorgeous woman."

Oh. I see. That explains everything. I thought it's a he.

I tossed him a teasing glance that made him laugh eventually with gleaming stars in his blue lively orbs.

"Are you in love with a woman pirate, Lucidei?" My eyes squinted at him.

"It's the other way around, sister. She's in love with me! She just couldn't resist my face, well, who could?"

I groaned in his boastfulness. The rumours are really true!

"I'll only believe it if I'll see it myself," I mocked.

He bit his lower lip and shrugged his shoulders. He really likes mysterious effect! In the end I sighed.

"Back to the topic, what about the treasure?"

"Oh, yeah. Well, it's a secret but I'm going to tell you if!" He went serious. "If you'll agree to come with me and sail the sea—"

I dropped the book and glared at him. He knows I'm scared of the sea, I don't know how to swim and I fear the sea monsters. But honestly, the real reason is...

"I will not leave Claus alone. He needs me here. Liana is ill, Lucidei. Lucid is far, he'll be burdened for sure," I argued in furrowed eyebrows.

He sighed deeply and went deadly serious, too.

"I'm not going to force you, Alanah. But if you'll only listen...then we can talk about it in a calmer way."

That made me sigh. I realized that my reaction was too much, I'm being exaggerated.

"Fine, then what? Why are you asking me to sail with you just for that treasure? Is that thing more valuable than me staying here?"

He shook his head.

"But this treasure is our only hope to find mother and father."

"What?!"

I faced him with curiosity peeking in my eyes.

"Captain Hosana said, it's the only pirate ship that came back after a long voyage from the Paradise of Jeuda. It's a legendary ship, it's still intact and strong according to her."

"And how sure are you that she's not exaggerating it?" I stared at him, doubtful. And mocking him.

Reason why he glared at me. "Will you stop mocking me? Seriously, Alanah? I'm older than you!"

I grunted. "And so? You are being gullible in my eyes right now!"

"Then listen carefully, wait until I'm done talking."

I prodded my lips. Okay, fine! Have it your way, brother.

"I saw it myself, the ship was big enough. Still powerful and mysterious. It was like the ship was protected from any damage. Captain Hosana's brother, Tremeteou was the one who found it floating in the middle of the ocean and took it with him."

I remained quiet, just as he ordered.

"Nobody had used it after that. Many pirates were trading with them silvers and golds, but they're not enough. They wanted something more valuable in exchange of the ship."

"And that is?" I couldn't help but butt in.

"A woman with distinct blood," he answered, staring deep into my eyes.

At first, I was left hanging. Until I understand him well enough. My eyes widened with hatred and pain.

"You wanna trade me with them? In exchange for that filthy ship? Are you out of your mind, Luckish Cedaimeir?!"

My voice echoed within the four corners of the library. He stayed still, watching me took steps backward. And my heart sunk to the deepest of the sea, filled with helplessness and pain.