chapter 10

Twelve years later…

A man walked down an eerily quiet hallway. It was the same hallway he had walked for the last twelve years. Reminisce of that tragic day. He would never miss this special day. As he walked, he noticed the guardians hesitating. He just frowned and continued roaming. His head held high and his hand on his back. He walked like a true king.

For the last twelve years, a lot of things have changed. He wondered if this year would be the same as always. As he reached the hallway, he walked and approaching the door he hesitated. He felt nervous but didn’t know why. Heaving a sigh, he unlocked the doors. Walking in, he saw the enormous room lit. It was the same; untouched. As he walked over, he put a small bouquet in a white vase. Every year he would bring white roses to decorate the place.

As he wandered around, a noise was heard. Frowning, he wondered what it might be. No one could come in unless he came. Was it some rat? As he ignores it. He listened to the same sound again. This time he walked towards the noise. As he walked deeper, he heard a small hum. Freezing on his tracks, he started panting. He had to hold himself from the wall.

Was he hallucinating? Shaking his head, he continues walking quietly and slowly. Whoever was there, he didn’t wish to scare them. As he turned the flower vase slipped from his hand making a crashing sound.

He whispered softly. It baffled him. He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t. He tried to, but his mouth didn’t move.

“Who are you?” asked the stranger who sat in a chair.

“Amilia?” he whispered.

The stranger in the chair moves her head to the side.

“Who’s Amilia?” the stranger said.

Taking a step back, the man almost stumbles. Frowning, he looked at the person and looked at the wall. The coffin in the wall was empty. As he frowned and closed his eyes. He tries to understand what’s happening. Suddenly a soft hand held him. Snapping his eyes, he looked at the person standing right in front of him.

She was beautiful, just like he remembers. Pitch black straight hair like the darkness, fair skin just like porcelain, a body that would make any man crave and desire her, and eyes…

The man frowned. Eyes? The woman was right in front of him no longer had enigmatic blue eyes.

“Are you ok?” the voice said, “You look like you’re about to faint.”

The voice of the woman was the same.

“Your eyes…” he whispered.

“Oh” she said, retracting her hand away.

As she stepped back, she covered her face. Turning around, she walked back and sat on the chair, combing her hair.

“Who are you?” he asked.

Stopping, she looked at him. She lowered her head. Why wasn’t she saying anything?

“I-I don’t know…” she said “I don’t know who I am. I lost my memories.”

He gasped and approached her; he held her hand. As his mind went back to what his old friend told him. He smiled and whispered her name again.

The woman just stared at him. Her hand drift around his face, feeling everything.

“Who’s Amilia?” she asked.

“You don’t remember anything?” he asked.

“Sorry, I don’t” she whispered softly.

“What happened to your eyes… they were blue?” he said, as he got closer and caress her face.

“Blue?” she said frowning “But I’m blind. So I don’t know what color my eyes are.”

Standing abruptly, he finally understood what happened twelve years ago. His beloved had exchanged her sight and her memories to save the persons she had loved. She had forgotten everything, everyone.

As a tear rolled down his face. She stood up and asked him why he cried. He smiled and asked her if she had a name. She shakes her head.

“Would you like to be called Amilia?” he asked.

Smiling brightly, she nodded.

Two months later…

She strolled through the garden, smiling and humming happily. As she reached the lake. She sat on a log. After meeting The Count, Amilia went back home. She remembered nothing; she knew no one. Everyone had understood what had happened. They still explained to her who they were. They never mentioned what had happened, or anything out of the place.

After the Count found her awake. He had kept her in the palace. No one knew she was back. Not even him.

As Amilia kept humming, she looked around her. She was far from her home. She knew the Count would be mad because she left with no words. But her heart was guiding her to this place. It was like it was calling for her. As she walked all the way to the forest, she didn’t know what this place was.

Looking at her reflection on the water, she smiled. She was blind, but she knew her way. It was like something was guiding her, someone. As she felt the sun on her skin she suddenly heard a sound. Standing up abruptly, she turns around.

As the wind blew and silence came. She felt someone’s presence with her; she didn’t know who or what. As she stepped back, she stumbled and was about to fall into the lake. As she yelled, she felt an arm around her waist. A warm and strong arm. It made her feel emotional.

“Sorry” Amilia whispered.

The person didn’t answer. She was supposed to feel afraid, but she didn’t. Instead, she felt safe. As she moved her hands on the person’s chest she felt a rough hand on her cheek.

A gasp escaped her mouth. She felt nostalgic.

“I thought it was a lie… when he told me…” the stranger whispered softly.

Amilia didn’t know what to do. She could feel her cheeks blushed. Nervously, she looked up. She was nervous, her hands shaking. Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Who are you?”

“Hi Amilia… My name is Vladimir” he whispered as he smiled and kissed her hand, "It's so nice... to finally meet you."

THE END.