Meu or Earth?

‘I do not have the brain capacity to think anymore. Do not talk to me for a while.’ I announced to everyone fussing over me. Riye, Pan, the “helpers” though it feels so weird calling anyone that, and even to my parents.

One more piece of lore dropped to me like a hot pancake would’ve made my head combust from information overload. And that’s just my mind. What about my heart? I was about to have multiple organ failure.

I was showed towards my childhood bedroom, the one across the queens chambers. It hasn’t been used in so long that the washroom didn't have any running water anymore. After a few staff being reprimanded by Riye, I was then lead by an army of people towards another comfort room, which happens to be my personal bath, as they all said.

My first instinct when the doors closed behind me was to pass away. Or least pass out.

But, the persistent stink wouldn’t let me rest in peace. It’s not even my clothes, it was me. Father was right.

It was misty and I couldn’t see far in front of me. I kept on walking till I reached the edge of a huge pool?

Woah! ‘I wish it clears up for me to see everything.’ And it did. With one wish, or command from me, the mist slowly lifted, revealing the entirety of the place.

The bathing chamber was enormous. Larger than my childhood bedroom, larger than most houses I remembered from Earth. Stone columns rose around a sunken pool carved directly into the floor. Their surfaces smoothed by time and care. Warm light glowed from shallow bowls set along the walls, turning steam into gold.

Oh ok…. Literally stepping into mythical times here…

The air was thick with mixed scent, like crushed leaves and roots braided through with some florals.

The bath itself looked like the stuff I only see in books. Broad steps led down into the water, each wide enough to sit on. The pool stretched far. Its surface gently rippled. Heat rose from it in slow breaths. I could imagine generations sinking into this same bath, letting it pull grief from their bones.

‘Okay… That’s… a lot.’

I undressed slowly. So this is my life now…

I even removed the dressing covering Marik’s would, now scarred area. Don’t wanna deal with you now.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the polished stone. Skin marked in new places, tired eyes, hair tangled from crying and being held too tightly by too many people. This really in my life….

I stepped into the bath.

The warmth took me immediately. It was embracing. The water climbed my calves, my knees, my hips, and with every inch it swallowed, something in me loosened. By the time I lowered myself fully beneath the surface, a sound of relief slipped out of me.

Let no man ever hear me make such noises ever…

I leaned back against the stone edge and closed my eyes.

Don’t think. Just soak. Just breathe.

For a while, I succeeded.

The water lapped quietly against my shoulders. My hair floated loose, drifting like dark silk around me. My chest rose and fell. Muscles I hadn’t realized were clenched finally let go, one by one.

Time blurred. I may have fallen asleep, or relaxed so hard, it felt like sleeping.

At some point, footsteps approached.

‘Princess?’ a gentle voice called out.

I cracked one eye open. Two maids stood near the entrance with concern on their faces.

‘I’m fine. Just… taking my time.’ I croaked.

They exchanged a look.

‘Would you like assistance?’

The thought made me very uncomfortable. I was no higher up or some rich person they should be spoiling and bowing to… but then again.. I am now…

‘No maids, no attendant, no helpers.. please. Just leave me.’

They bowed immediately. ‘As you wish.’

The door closed again, and the silence returned. That is, until my thoughts finally caught up with me.

Mother. Father. Both of them. All of Meu.

Aminata’s face drifted into my mind. Laughing, hands flour-dusted, eyes bright with stubborn hope. The orphanage children followed after her in memory, small hands clutching sleeves, calling her name.

I swallowed. I would have to go back.

That fact sat solid and unavoidable. But another truth rose beside it, just as undeniable.

I didn’t want to leave Meu. Not entirely anyways.

I wanted to stay long enough to fix what was broken. To see my mother strong again. To untangle the poison, the politics, the shadows. And… my men. Do I call them that?

I exhaled slowly and sunk a little deeper.

‘Well… that complicates things.’

My fingers drifted over my skin without conscious thought.

Celphi’s mark responded immediately. Warmth bloomed beneath my touch. A faint pulse answering my fingers as if recognizing my acknowledgment.

Marik’s one stirred when I brushed it. It wasn’t painful anymore.

I reached behind myself. My fingertips grazed the edges of the mark on my back. The one I could never quite reach properly. Even touching its edges made it react.

I stood slowly and stepped out of the bath. Water streamed down my body, steam curled around me. I faced the tall mirror set into the far wall.

I was naked, I was marked, yet I was alive.

Pan’s calm voice echoed in my mind. ‘Another mark from a strong creature could have consequences.’

The mirror reflected someone I was only just beginning to recognize.

I could only accept what I am now. There’s no turning back, Ina.

After making sure I didn’t have skin discolourations I wasn’t aware of in places they shouldn’t be at, I finally wrapped myself in a thick towel and sat on the edge of the bath. The air felt cooler then, as if helping me dry off.

This was, no, ‘is’ the life that my parents here in Meu have been living. Life-binding yet dangerous love.

I pressed my palms to Marik’s mark on my waist, Celphi’s mark on my forearm, and Mede’s one on the back. All reacted by either pulsating or glowing. I breathed deeply.

‘I have companions now. I am not alone. I can do this. I would move forward. I would choose my destiny, just as the little spirit of Ina and Raiona once did.’