CHAPTER 5 - SHE CAME

The meeting started at exactly ten in the morning. As Ashriel's spoke man, Nathan called the Head of the Families, Nobles, and Lady Kitori and Lady Octavia as the representatives of the Elders. Still, as expected, Amber did not attend and sent the twins as the representative. Every High Member is present except for Oriana and Leon

            “I suppose everyone is here. Shall we start?” Every ear focused on Nathan attentively. Ashriel silently sat on her golden chair, wearing her face mask, black contact lenses, and black wig, for no one can see her face until she reaches legal age.

            “I believe that everyone present in this hall is aware of the fallen Atherton family.” He started. “After the Great Revolt of the Quislings, three members of the said family survived, and two of them are here with us.” Nathan shot a quick look at the twins who listens silently.

            “I want everyone to know that Oriana Atherton, the third child who survived, is now a former member of the Second Rank Nobles and is now an official High Member of the First Rank Nobles.” The gasp echoed through the whole meeting hall. The twins looked at each other, flabbergasted. Some opposed the idea, and some accepted it.

            “First Rank Nobles? But Atherton has fallen.”

        "The Ruler decided this herself. We must respect her decision."

            “Fallen families have no right to be in with the Nobles under The Ruler.”

        "Atherton contributed a lot for the growth of the Empire in the first place. They deserve a second chance.

        "A family that brings no glory to the Empire deserves no position under the Ruler.

            Different chatters and opinions filled the whole hall like swarm of bees, irritating Ashriel. Unable to bear the chaos, Ashriel motioned her hand that silenced everyone.

            “Deciding without my permission?” Everyone tilted their head to the person who entered the meeting hall.  A woman with jet-black hair and emerald green eyes. Everyone was alarmed. Nathan froze. Ashriel’s breathing became heavy, Olive prepared her gun, and the twins stood up and bowed to her.

            “I do not need your permission, Amber.” Nathan’s voice was crisp, his gaze is sharp. Tension flooded the whole room.

            “Oh, I see. Overusing of power and authority, eh?” She smirked. Hearing her remarks, Ashriel stood up.

            Wearing a sarcastic smirk behind her mask, she spoke, “Overusing of power and authority?” She laughed full of sarcasm. Everyone felt their hair standing as the hall turned chilly. It was the first time they heard Ashriel laugh like madwoman.

        “Being a selfish leader who does everything for your own pleasure. Does not care if your men died on a mission and torture them when they fail.” Amber’s smile turned into grim. “Tell me, Amber. Who among all of us overuse her power and authority?” She stepped forward, closing their distance. Amber gulped in nervousness. She completely knew she crossed the line. “Abusing and torturing your noble members does not make you a great leader. In fact, that is worthy of punishment.”

            “W-well, there must be a justification before I allow my member to leave.” Amber tried to control her voice not to sound shaky.

            “The Ruler’s words are justification enough, Amber. Who do you think I am?”

            Lady Kitori and Octavia stood behind Ashriel. The Second Rank High Members did not move. The twins secretly prepared their weapons though they knew they have no chance. Suddenly, heavier tension filled the hall. Ashriel looked at Amber straight in the eyes. Her green orbs shakes with Ashriel's piercing gaze. “Due to certain circumstances, Oriana Atherton is being placed under my care. If you have any problem with that, I’ll hear you out at Eurus Hall.” Amber was taken aback. No one dared to open their mouths. All are fully aware of the things that would happen if they stepped into Eurus Hall.

            “I still don’t understand why the former Ruler commanded me not to dispose of you. A back traitor who is not fit to be a leader, even of the lowest group.” Her words strike Amber like flashes of lightning. She hated that. She does not want to hear that from her mouth. Amber was about to open her mouth when Ashriel stopped her.

            “Who do you think you are, Amber? What leverage do you have to talk to me like that without my permission?” Ashriel looked down at her. Her ice-cold, lifeless eyes gave Amber a shiver. A gaze that judges her. A gaze that condemns her. A gaze that slapped her the truth. The truth is that Ashriel will always be the Leader. Her Leader. She is born to serve her.

***

            When the meeting was over, Ashriel left for her secret place, a peaceful, isolated place in the countryside far from the city. She wanted to unwind, away from the crowd. Reaching the place, she sat at the cave rock at the top of the mountain, facing the ocean.

           "Ashriel, my granddaughter, look! The ocean looks pretty in this spot." Meredith carried Ashriel dearly on her chest.

           "Woah!" Her mouth opened wide in amazement. "Granny! The water is dancing with the wind! Look! Even the birds are dancing!" Ashriel pointed her tiny finger at the ocean. Her voice was so cute like a tiny mouse squeaking. Meredith chuckled because of her cuteness. "Carsillion, look!" Nathan, who was as small as Ashriel, gave all his effort to stand on his toes to see the beautiful scenery Ashriel was talking about. Meredith laughed playfully seeing the little child battle with the grasses taller than him.

          "Ahhh!" Nathan felt his body leave the ground, making him squirmed. "Y-your Highness, it's okay. Please put me down." He tried to pull himself back on the ground but Meredith's arm was stronger. On her right hand was little Ashiel, and on her left hand was little Nathan.

         "Nathan, my dear boy. It's okay. Treat me as your grandmother." Nathan was about to oppose but Meredith opened her mouth. "That's an order." Meredith giggled to see Nathan's eyes widened while he slowly nodded his head. She was not sure if it is due to disbelief. Well, she completely knew how obedient Nathan is. Even at such a very young age.

         "You little kid. How come you are that obedient given that you're only six years old." Nathan's cheeks turned red with her words. For a young boy like him, those words were a very big compliment.

        "Carsillion, look! Look!" Ashriel took his hand and shook it playfully. "It's amazing!" Nathan looked in the direction Ashriel was pointing, and his eyes sparkled. The color of the sea from their spot was more clearer than on the shore.

       "You know what's more amazing?" Meredith asked. "The ocean is very deep. And the more you go deeper, the more you will discover new things. That's how amazing God is." Ashriel tilted her head with Meredith's words.

"God?" She asked curiously. Nathan only listened attentively. Meredith nod her head.

"Ashriel, Nathan, my dear children, God gave us a piece of Himself. Everything that you can see in this world is God's mind." She kissed their cheeks playfully. "I am excited to see you explore, discover, and experience new, good things in the future..." "You know what's more amazing?" Meredith asked. "The ocean is very deep. And the more you go deeper, the more you will discover new things." She kissed their cheeks playfully. "I am excited to see you explore, discover, and experience new, good things in the future..."

           Ashriel felt something warm roll down her cheeks. She did not realize that she was crying by the time she looked at the ocean, in the same spot where the three of them stood ages ago. Suddenly, her phone rang. Only then did she come back to her senses.

           “Where are you?” His voice was full of concern.

           “You know.” She answered with a low voice, still reminiscing every memory she has in this place.

           “I do. I’m with you the whole time.” Ashriel's eyebrow frowned. Befuddled, she searched the whole place. She then saw Nathan standing a few blocks from her spot. “I did not notice you.”

            “That is why I asked, ‘where are you?’” Nathan chuckled sadly. He walked towards her and sat by her side, still worried. There was a moment of silence. Both are sitting still, observing how the wind controls the wave, listening to the songs of the birds, and feeling the cool kiss of the breeze. The grass that was once taller than them was now ashamed of how tall they had become.

            “How are you?” Nathan broke the silence, so Ashriel looked at him. She knows that Nathan does not want a simple answer. He knew her.

            “Carsillion… What can you say about her?” Nathan shifted his gaze from the ocean to her mesmerizing orbs. The orbs that make emeralds and oceans ashamed.

            “She changes a lot.” Nathan looked away. Doubting he asked her, “You are looking for Chaster, right?” Ashriel’s heart stopped for a moment. That name mixed her emotions.

            Amber was Nathan’s ex-fiancé and the only daughter of Ashriel’s adopted uncle, which she considered her sister. Chaster was the son of the Ruler of Sephtis and Ashriel’s ex-fiancé as well. Both are loyal to her. But the incident five years ago changed everything.

            “Ash, after all these years, do you still love him?” Ashriel looked at him with a perplexed face.

            Love. Did she ever feel that for Chaster?

            “What’s with the question? How about you? Do you still love her?” Her question was out of the blue. Both of them knew the answers to their questions. But no one dared to admit.

            “Don’t answer my question with another question, Ash. What if I don’t?” Nathan smiled, trying to convince her.

            “Don’t fool me, Carsillion. I know you still love her." She stood up and wiped off the dust from her jeans. Nathan did the same. Ashriel then flashed her beautiful smile and tousled his hair. "Come now, my stomach groans.”