"Today was rough," Y/n said, sat down on the bed; she gazed at her side, and saw Grim sleeping peacefully with a loud snore. "Goodnight, Grim." She gently patted the monster's head, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

The moment Y/n opened her eyes, she found herself standing alone in front of a waterfall back in Andalasia. The place looked younger than she had last remembered. It looked more ethereal than the hunted one she had seen. ' This place... It can't be the enchanted waterfalls, everything... seems different.' The girl gazes through the garden in shock. 'How is this possible? Grandfather told me this place couldn't ever grow grass or flower again.'

"Marianna! I knew you would be here."   An unfamiliar voice calls out from a distance. When Y/n turned around to face the person. She met the eye of King Edward, the crown prince, and the first child of Narissa.

'His... He is King Edward, one of my ancestors. No!? This isn't right, king Edward died 900 years ago. So how?' Y/n inquired.

"Eh~!!? Edward, why are you here? How do you even know I would be here anyway?" Her lips began to move on their own. She couldn't recognize the sound that came out of her lips. All that she knows is that it wasn't her voice.

"I discovered that you have been going behind the castle forest a week ago. So, I followed you here, it seems you like this place. Huh!? Marianna," Edwards said while facing Y/n.

'Marianna!? Why is he calling me, Marianna?' At this rate, the girl doesn't know anything that is happening around her.

"Yes, this place it's beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. Still, why are you here, Edward? Isn't like you, too just follow me through the forest. Unless you have something to tell me or warned me." Marianna acknowledged, placing her right index finger on her chin.

Edwards's reaction shows seriousness, "Marianna! I know what you are planning, and you need to stop this now?" The young lass's eyes narrowed at his statement. "If Mother finds out your plan, I don't know what I will do then?"

"So, what do you mean by that? You are planning to let her slay everything and everyone around us because you are afraid of her." Marianna affirmed.

"I am not afraid! Okay...It's complicated. Plus, why are you doing something so reckless for the sake of people whom you don't know?" Edward scolded her.

Marianna walks toward Edward and then leans forward at his face. "Why you ask?" She pressed her index on Edward's chest, pushing him back. "Because it's my responsibility and YOURS to protect the people of Andalasia." Marianna pushed Edward back three times. "There is something wrong with her. She isn't the mother we once knew who loves, and cares for us. The person isn't a fairy or the queen nor is our mom, Edward. That thing inside the castle is a terror of this world and everyone, we know is afraid of it."

"But I still don't get it, there are many powerful wizards and witches out there, " Edward grabbed her hand, and he expressed worry.

"Are you that dumb, Edward?" Marianna swings her hand, causing Edward to let go. "Even though there are powerful wizards and enchantresses, they won't come here to face the person which we call mother." The girl turns her back as she holds her arms. "Every night I dream the same thing human, fairy, and everyone with different species screaming for help as their souls are in pain; Their body burns inside the color of shamrock green flames. I was there. . . standing; watching them one by one turning to ashes."

"It's only a nightmare, Mari. Nothing bad will happen to you, as long as I'm here." Edward was about to hug her, but Marianna backed away; and turned around.

"No, you're not. Because you will leave the kingdom soon to find your wife, her name was...Giselle right." Marianna gives a fake bright smile. "Her name is beautiful, and she sounds like a great person. So go find her and bring her back."

"Marianna..."

"But just so you know, I wouldn't stop until that monster is gone whether you are here or not," Mari said with a serious face.

"Do you know why I am telling you to stop? And why I am always by your side until now." Edward asked her, but she didn't answer back. "IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE MY LITTLE SISTER, and I would do anything to protect you."

'Little sister!? King Edward had a little sister, why didn't I hear/read her name in the family history before?' Y/n asked through her thoughts.

Marianna sighed, "I don't need anyone to protect me, Edward. So please stop treating me as if I'm a child and a powerless Lady. I am strong enough to protect myself, and this is what my decision to make for my life."

The brown-haired male clenched his hand, "You are certainly going to do this." He mumbled. "Is this the day, we go our separate ways now, Mari."

"Yes, it is brother." Marianna closes her eyes and nods.

"Well, I wish you luck and protection with your plans." Edward turned around and began to walk away. "Farewell, Marianna." After a short time, a short wavy black hair with a highlight of dark blue below. They are wearing long coats reaching down to their feet, with blue buttons, and a short black cape with dark blue feathers on the edge hanging on their shoulders. The magenta male saunter out of the bushes behind the girl.

"Ya~wn!!! It seems that your brother really cares for you, princess." A familiar male voice appeared from their back and heard his footsteps walking towards them. However, the moment when Y/n turned her head to the voice, everything had gone black.

Y/n instantly opens her eyes, only to realize that she returned. She then sits on the bed. "What is going on? I dreamed about King Edward and his sister 'Marianna at the enchanted waterfalls. On top of that, why can't I remember the name Marianna on the family history and whose voice I hear back there he sounds very familiar, so familiar. Yet, why can't I put a finger on who is it." At that point, she notices the mirror on the wall starting to show light.

"Is the mirror glowing?" Y/n got out of bed and walked to the mirror, the light wasn't bright enough as she moved closer to the mirror. Unexpectedly a shadow figure was shown before her two eyes. "What is that ?" Y/n mumbled, slowly reaching out her hand on the mirror but before she could touch it the light through the mirror faded away. "That was... never happened before." The girl gently shook her head and went back to bed.

The morning arrived shortly, and Y/n woke up again. Yet, the little monster cat is still snoring in his sleep. "I wonder what that dark shadow was?" Y/n said while preparing herself for the day, but then she felt foreboding about what soon going to happen.

•◈──────◈✧✦✧◈──────◈•

Meanwhile, at the Octavinelle Dorm, Azul is working on the project for the Magift and upcoming events.

"This year's Magical Shift Tournament showed an increase in sales from last year. A splendid result." Azul finished calculating the percentages of sales from the Magift Tournament.

"But y'know~ We got an even higher place if you count from the bottom," Floyd told Azul childishly.

"As long as we aren't last, I don't care," Azul said while adjusting his glasses. "After all, the magical shift is just a game where you run around carrying a disc like a dog. The field that we from Octavinelle must get serious about is... Yes. The final exams!"

"Azul. We've just received a message from a client. They wish to speak with you in person at the Lounge this evening." Jade informs Azul as he comes in.

"Understood. Then we must prepare special hospitality for them. I wonder what they will ask of me. I can't wait. Fufufu..." Azul said then rose from his seat and headed to the office.

•╭────────────────────
•╰─► 𝑻𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒅
➤ 𝑼𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅: 01/03/2024