Him

"Milea, pass me the plate next to you"

I shook my head as my sister rushed to give my mother a plain white ceramic bowl. The frantic continued as my mother tasted the soup she was cooking. She placed a cover on the big pot, standing up from her crouched position before disappearing into the house.

I flipped the page of the book I was reading, smiling as my eyes landed on the next line.

I looked up just to see my older sister, Milea giggling as my brother Titian choked on the soup he was trying to steal from mother's pot. Mother unfortunately came back outside just in time to meet Titian trying to drop the soup's spoon, his eyes red from coughing too much. This made Milea giggle more as mother hit his head making him grumble before running inside.

The sun was starting to go down, making the sky look darker. Father was going to be home soon and I'm sure he won't be happy if his food isn't ready yet.

The smoke from the darkened burnt wood used in cooking hit my nose once again making me cough fervently. I don't think I'll be able to stay outside any longer.

Standing up slowly from the crooked bench that made my butt ache from sitting too much, I picked up the book that fell from my laps whilst standing. I guess I would have to continue reading it later.

Squinting my eyes I saw father from a distance holding unto a small bag. I wouldn't want to listen to his grumblings when he gets in. Pushing away the loose curls of my black hair that had fallen unto my face, I dashed into the house.

Successfully placing myself on the wooden floor, after hiding my book underneath the other books that were slightly stacked in the corner of the room. I picked up a dry cloth and began to wipe the table in front of me. Father would bite my head off if he found out I've only been reading the whole day. He knows how much I like reading around the house, and he doesn't go against it.

What angers him is if I spend the whole day doing it without helping Mother or my siblings with anything. I do understand his feelings. But that doesn't stop me from going against him by reading all day.

Sometimes Mother would scold me and try to force me to do a few chores, but I always escape by pretending to be asleep or pretending to feel sick. With time she gave up. I know it seems like a bad behaviour, but do I care- definitely not.

I mean why bother myself to do the chore when my brother won't either, he frantically finds chores a bother. Always stating boys don't have to do things like that. That is so unfair to Milea, having her and mother to do all of the work. But I sure wouldn't feel guilty enough to assist them. I'm quite a lazy being.

"I see you're working Devin" my Father's deep voice drew me away from my train of thoughts. I looked up just to see him looking at me cautiously with his small brown eyes which I got from him.

I know what's he's doing, trying to make me shiver and stutter so he'll know all I'm doing is a facade. But I've seen those eyes long enough to master my composure in every nerve-wracking situation.

"I sure am, Father" I smiled looking him straight in the eye before wiping my invisible sweat with the sleeves of my red shirt. " It's been stressful working all day"

"Hmph, good to see you help for once without being a bother" He grimaced, sitting down on the pile of clothes across me at the other side of the table. Help for a while .

His tired eyes looked at me as I dropped the cloth in my hand  at the entrance of the door before going to seat back in front of him. He looks stressed, his hands rubbing his eyes ever so frequently, his ever brown hair falling down to his face.

Just then Titian stumbled in from the bedroom almost tripping over the scattered blanket on the floor before his eyes fell on Father, quickly regaining his composure. He rushed to sit down beside me after he greeted Father who seemed to answer him with a nod.

Mother and Milea slowly brought in the food, the smell along making my stomach grumble. Tasting my first spoon almost made me moan. Mother is such a great cook.

Halfway through, Father cleared his throat dropping his spoon on the table, catching everyone's attention.

" I have important news" he said slowly, shifting on his seat. This doesn't look like it's going to be good news. Everyone seemed to look at him with interest, but all I want to do is finish eating my meal before throwing my self on my bed.

"The queen of Taiwan has subtly invited all the male youths in Alanda for a ball" Father said as he flicked his finger on the table.

"What"

I turned to look at Mother who's hands were slightly shaking as she placed it on her laps while looking intensely at father trying to find out if what he said was a joke. Her eyes held fear and probably doubt as she slid her eyes back to the table frantically. Who wouldn't_ going to Taiwan is like going into a lion's den.

"But why Father" I asked too, finding it difficult to believe. Taiwan has never associated herself with any small community. So why is this happening.

"The reason was not passed to us, it was only announced as a ball" Father said, digging his hand into his hair in despair.

"What about the other communities" Titian rushed his eyes wide. He looked scared too.

" Only the male youths in Alanda were invited although a few of the elders will attend too"

Everyone seated round the table was shocked_scared would be the perfect description. I mean who wouldn't be. It's quite impossible for Taiwan to invite the people of Alanda or any community for an ordinary party, not to talk of a ball.

Taiwan is a nation located in another world, more like another dimension. The existence of two different worlds was discovered centuries ago. In the other world they have great nations. Taiwan being the most powerful of them all, protected by magical boundaries, rumoured to have been put there by witches.

It's quite different from our small community. Our world isn't divided into nations, it's rather divided into small communities as we call them. There are hundreds of other communities including Alanda, each community governed by their own council_ mostly involving elders.

Taiwan is a nation governed by kings and Queens. Each generation after the next. The current Queen isn't married yet though_ well according to rumors. We don't tend to know much about them because we rarely associate with them and vice versa.

The only place that holds enough magical aura to cross over to Alanda is the Mewu alter. It is located in the centre of Alanda's ancient cave where some people go to worship because they see it as a temple.  History has it that only a few of the oldest chiefs of Alanda council were invited for the crowning of the first King and Queen of Taiwan. That was the only time the alter was used in centuries.

Speaking of the queen, it's quite impossible she suggested this. Since the queen was crowned,  news about her spread across both worlds. Even across all of Alanda. 

A monster feared by all, who had slayed thousands of soldiers. A ruthless queen who wouldn't hesitate to slice open a person for the slightest mistake. Rumors have it that she killed the previous King and Queen to get to the throne because she isn't of the royal family. Some say she is a witch and and is possessed because of the spiritual powers she has, casting spells and all.

And as much as I like adventures I definitely do not want to embark on this one.

"Everyone is expected to gather at Mewu's alter before late evening"

"And the ball will be happening tomorrow night" Father concluded nonchalantly, a permanent scowl plastered on his face leaving no room for comments. Father might look like he isn't scared, but I can see through his facade. I know how difficult it must be to see his two sons going to that hell hole.

Looking round the table, everyone looks terrified and the tension thick in the air, leaving everyone silent. Mother's eyes are filled to the brim with tears as she tries to blink them away. Melia has her face in her hands as her whole body wracks with tears. Titian looks very pale as he stares absentmindedly at the brown chipped wall behind Mother's head

"If it's a ball we should prepare for it and hope for the best" I state openly as I tried to remain positive. At least one person has to stay sane for this. Mother sighed instinctively standing up as she rushed towards her and Father's bedroom.

"I'm going to sleep, good night" I said, patting Titian's shoulder before heading towards I and Titian's shared room. My mind couldn't help but wander to the happy moments I spent with my family. The morning scoldings from Father pestering me to wake up, Mother's morning soups that I and Titian always manage to steal anytime she wasn't looking. Milea's obsessive talk about the boy always meets at the market side, the thought alone making me chuckle internally.

Closing the wooden door slowly, I belly flopped on my bed sighing as I shifted to face the wall. The bed creaked slightly as my sheer body weight fell on it. Ignoring the creaking, I closed my eyes shut as I sinked into the warm wools and blankets snuggling up as I eagerly accepted the darkness that swallowed me in.

I most definitely do not look forward to tomorrow night.

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