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I was wandering the halls of the castle. As I often do. I felt lighter on my feet than I normally do. Am I dreaming? No, it feels too real. I say hello to all of the guards that are posted outside of doors. The castle is quite large. I love it. There are so many places to get lost in. Daddy never liked me going too far from him as a child. He said I would get lost or he would have trouble finding me. Which made sense, I was little. I tried to think back to that time. Nothing came to mind.
Then I came across the courtyard, my favorite place. I went outside and reached down to a rose to smell it. It did not have a scent, which is kind of weird. Am I getting sick? I didn’t think so. I smelled it again. Nothing.
“Hmm, that’s odd,” I said out loud. Everything suddenly turned white around me. There were no flowers, nothing at all. I was floating. I guess I was dreaming after all. Except, I couldn’t control this. It brought me back to a time I had forgotten. I was small, only about 4. My sister was there, she was older than me. Gracia. She looks like mom did apparently. She already has a large bust. I shake that thought. My dad was there also. He was arguing with her. I was hiding behind him. I squinted to look closer. She had bloodied clothes. I gasped. This must have been at the time when mother was killed and she killed Booley, the one who killed her.
Mom was amazing. She was the best healer in the land. Her white magic was superior to all of the sorceresses around. I only remember her singing to me. I have a vague memory of it, so I only know the melody. I could feel tears swell up.
“Please, don’t go, Gracia. I need… your help raising Amelia.” My focus turned back to my father and sister.
“I’m sorry. I have to go. I can’t… stay here. Too many… memories,” she said, tears in her eyes.
“But…”
“No, I have to go. I’m going… to go change first,” she said. She left after that. Dad tried to stop her, but younger me tugged on his pant leg. He picked me up and held me close. I felt tears on my face. Poor daddy. He had just lost his wife, and now his daughter was going to go away. Leaving him stuck… with me. I suddenly felt angry. Angry at myself for making daddy so worried. Angry at Gracia for leaving. Angry at Booley, obviously. There was a whooshing sound. I covered my ears and hair since the wind blew it.
When I came to, I was back at the castle. I was in my room. Everything was in its place. I went over to the desk which had my notebooks and appointment book. I started looking through them. They were blank.
“What is going on here?” I thought. I remember writing in these and all of them should have something in them. Especially the appointment book. It had all of the duties for the day, and things coming up as well. I blinked, squinted, trying to see what was written. Nothing. Then I heard that whooshing sound again.
Everything was dark. But then… I heard the most beautiful voice. I recognized his voice.
“Amelia! Amelia! Please wake up!” Was that… Zel? Yes, I started calling him Zel after we got together. Ms. Lina and Mr. Gourry were married.
“Zel, any changes?” Ms. Lina’s voice echoed. I did not focus on her, though. It sounded… like he was crying.
“It’s my fault. She… got into an accident because of me. Because I went off on my own. She fell off a cliff and landed in between a crevasse. Now…” I could just picture Ms. Lina putting a hand on his shoulder. I felt something in my hand. Was it his? His voice was just so heavenly, I wanted to continue to listen to it. Even if it sounded sad. “Now, she’s lying here… not moving or waking up.”
“I am sure she will come to,” Mr. Gourry said. He must be in the room too. I felt the feeling in my hand tighten. He must be squeezing it. I feel strange, suddenly lighter. Then a big flash of light…
I opened my eyes, slowly.
“Zel!” Ms. Lina said, pushing on his shoulder. He opened his eyes.
“Amelia! You’re awake! Thank goodness!” He said. I scanned the room. I was in the infirmary. I tried to talk, nothing came out. I held my throat. “What’s wrong?” One of the elders came and saw that I was awake.
“She can’t talk,” Ms. Lina said.
“Ah, yes. Well, sometimes it’s normal for a person to lose one of their senses or speech after an accident. She suffered a horrible head wound. So it’s only natural. It should come back within a day or so. I will notify Prince Philionel.” And with that he left. I turned back to Zel. He was smiling.
“I’m just so glad you are awake. Do you… hurt anywhere? They healed you pretty good, but it was… a nasty fall,” he said. His voice sounded so good. I felt at ease. I shook my head no. He sighed.
“Well, we should let you rest. We’ll be around, let’s go, Gourry,” Ms. Lina said.
“Right, I am glad you are awake. Rest well!” Mr. Gourry said cheerfully. I waved as they left. It felt weird that I couldn’t talk. Zel took my hand in his and kissed it.
“I’m so sorry… I’ll… never leave again. I promise. I’ll never let you out of my sight.” I gulped. Sure, I was grateful for that, but at the same time, I did not want him following me everywhere like a puppy. So I could only just smile. I couldn’t tell him that I thought his voice was my favorite sound. That I loved him. I hoped he knew. How much he meant to me. So I just smiled.