Chapter 6: Fiery Wrath

The tall walls of the hallway felt strangely suffocating to Cassian. Despite the vastness of the entire palace, he felt like he was being squeezed alive.

The presence of the royal family eased him ever so slightly. The king and queen warmly welcomed Cassian, and the duke and duchess of Palmon and Philia.

"Ah, the second son of the Palmon," said the king. "I've heard of you."

"I'm honored, your highness," responded Cassian.

"Is the daughter of Philia in attendance?" The queen asked.

Cassian firmly pressed his lips together as the Duke of Philia replied. "No, she had not been feeling well as of late."

After words of pleasantries were exchanged, Cassian excused himself to the nearby patio to for some fresh air. Steps could be heard approaching him.

Cassian turned to see the crown prince, face void of emotion. He turned to greet him. "Greetings Prince Aurelius."

"Cassian," said the prince. He seemed to address him with a familiarity, but it somehow felt distant.

Unable to look at him in the eye, Cassian kept his head down.

Prince Aurelius sighs. "Strangers again hm?"

"I don't deserve to have such friendship," replies Cassian.

"Suit yourself," says the prince. He rests his arms on the railing. "Stand beside me Cassian."

Cassian finally raises his head. "Yes, your highness."

"I expect you know what I want to address."

He hesitates before replying. "I believe I do."

"I don't think you'll enjoy my wrath as much as you enjoyed yours with Lady Aristelle." The prince then turned to Cassian. "Face me, Cassian."

He complies.

Before he could meet the prince's eyes, there was an iron grip on his chin. Then his lips were suddenly sealed. Prince Aurelius?!

There was a rough exchange of breaths before Cassian pushed Prince Aurelius' shoulders away. He stumbled on his own feet and fell to the ground, covering his mouth in shock. "W-what are you doing, your highness?"

"Teaching you a lesson." The prince said while retracting his hand. He bent down at Cassian’s level, brows furrowed at Cassian's reddened face. "But this is nothing compared to what Lady Aristelle is facing now."

"I don't understand," said Cassian. But he lied, he knew exactly what he did, but he hadn't accepted the consequences of actions.

"Have a safe journey home, Cassian," said Prince Aurelius, brushing his pants off. "You're excused."

X

It is a familiar scene before her, the rose garden bathed in the morning sun.

Aristelle gathered her skirt and started to make her way through the place before pausing. She had no shoes. She rested her head on her palm and wondered, has she already let herself loose already?

"Aris," said a voice from above her.

She turned to see a face reminiscent of Cassian's. But it wasn't him, it was another face that rang loudly in her memories. Her voice came out in a squeak. "Soleil!" She realized that her body had shrunk, she was no longer that grown woman of marriageable age.

Soleil grinned. "Forgotten your shoes again?"

Aristelle turned away. "They make my feet hurt when I dance in them."

He sighed. "I suppose there is not one to blame but myself. You must love dancing quite a bit, hm?"

"It's the only interesting thing you offer," said Aristelle bluntly.

Soleil dramatically clenched at his chest. "Aris, oh how you truly break my heart."

"I demand a dance," said Aristelle, stretching her hand, palm down towards him.

"Very well, Lady Aristelle." He slipped his hand below hers and brought her close to his chest.

But the motion did not pause. Aristelle seemed to grow taller. Soleil's face had not changed but it seemed like Aristelle had returned to her present age.

Aristelle felt her face flush in surprise. "Soleil...?"

He did not bat an eye. "You've improved Aris. I suppose you've graduated from standing on my toes."

She felt her eyes rim with tears. It was a wonderful feeling, the strange yet familiar presence that wrapped around her.

The garden seemed to grow more beautiful with every spin. The roses bloomed in spheres, covering their green foliage almost entirely. The warm rays of the sun covered the world in a soft blanket, easing the impact of the gravel on Aristelle's feet.

Finally, it was over.

Just as Soleil released his arms around her waist, she grabbed him. "Why did you leave?"

Soleil maintained that serene smile. "What do you mean? I haven't left. I can't leave when I've been immortalized like this."

"Everything has changed," said Aristelle. "Since you've been gone, it feels like I can't be true to myself anymore. I long to be a child here again–dance with you in the garden like we used to.” She spoke in a low voice. "I want to go back to when I could just freely live."

"But you're wrong," said Soleil. "My dear, how can one forget how to live when all you're living now?"

Then the garden began to vanish, fleeing the scene like sand against the wind. Then Soleil vanished, leaving Aristelle to grasp at nothing but the air.

X

The Philia estate was busy with its preparations for the celebration. Maids and butlers would scramble the moment anything needed assistance. Guests had yet to all show up but it seemed like the world was waiting anxiously for the main celebration.

It was a day to be celebrated, a wedding day, but something seemed to be awry.

The young groom stood stiffly in front of a tall mirror, scanning himself for signs of something. He gave himself a weak grin before grimacing.

Then there was a knock on his door. "Yes?"

"Young master, it's me."

"Come in," replied Cassian.

The head butler of the Palmon residence entered.

"What is it Herman?"

He scanned the room before whispering words only heard by Cassian.

Cassian was appalled by the news. "Missing? Aris is missing?"

Herman placed a finger on his own lips. "We're all searching for her now, but you know how frantic the Duke of Philia gets when it comes to her..."

Cassian's face contorts with a mixture of worry and anger. There was only one man he knew that she would seek escape with, and it wasn't himself. He takes off the fabric that held his stiff collar and takes quick strides out the door.

"Young master, where are you going?"

"To find her," said Cassian without turning back.

Childhood friends, the phase echoed in Cassian's mind. What meaning does childhood friends have now? The years had brought them closer yet somehow it felt like it was the one thing that was dragging him apart from Aristelle.

The garden was bright and prim as it usually was. The rose bushes had been freshly groomed, leaves showing their damage from the sharp shears that have pruned them.

But the beauty of the garden meant nothing to Cassian at that moment. He was on a hunt for a woman.

Then he stumbled upon the dashing white cat which was Princess Vanilla Bean. Cassian bit his tongue to hold back a curse. "Princess Vanilla Bean!"

She gave him a long stare before taking off to the veranda nearby.

Cassian's eyes then fell upon the face he wanted to see the least. Sitting at the steps of the veranda was a young man with a romance book in hand, Reeves Erland. He was dressed properly for the event, but he was far from the rest of the festivities.

Feeling Cassian's heavy gaze, Reeves looked up from his book. "Good day Sir Cassian."

"Where is she?" Cassian asked.

Reeves raised his brows. "It’s good to see you too, Sir Cassian. I’ve forgotten if we’ve always been on such friendly terms."

"I hardly see the need for formalities when my fiance is about to become a runaway bride," said Cassian. "Where is she?"

Reeves sighed. "There are things even I don't know, Sir Cassian."

"You must have an inkling at least," pushed Cassian. "I've known Aris for my entire life, yet it seems like everyone knows her except me."

"And I'm one of those 'people'?" Reeves studied Cassian with his head slightly angled. He then haughtily laughed. "I could spend my entire life trying to get to know someone, but I could never master them. I'm hardly in that place where you are yet you believe I know her more than you do?"

Cassian's fists curled up in tension. "I don't know anymore."

Reeves didn't want to feel pity for Cassian, but he knew better than to let a man wait so anxiously for the unknown. "My sisters," grumbled Reeves. "I’ve introduced her to them."

Cassian looked at him as if he was going to cry. "May I ask if you could take me there... please, Mister Reeves."

Reeves stood up. "You're in my debt, Sir Cassian."