In the stories handed down from generation to generation, the treasure was referred to as the Lark’s seed. Kasser was skeptical to believe the tales back then. He knew from experience, a Lark’s seed was no larger than his pinky finger.
If it was truly a Lark’s seed, then he couldn’t imagine just how huge the Lark actually was.
Through generations, the treasure was introduced as a seed of a Lark. Kasser was never sure if he believed the story. Normal Lark seeds he had seen were small. If it was a true Lark seed, the monster it housed was abnormally large.
Is it appropriate to hide the national treasure that has been stolen?
He was still unsure as to why it was stolen. He thought he would feel more comfortable if an actual valuable treasure had been taken. He stared at the empty hands for some time before he finally turned and left.
Once again, he warned his guards to secure the entrance. He watched the stone gates close and fasten by the padlock. Once he was satisfied that the storage was secured, he turned on his heels and left the vaults.
♚♚♚
The royal couple had lunch together in the living room, as always. They ate quietly, and the gears in Eugene’s mind kept turning as the silence between them continued. When she had finished, she spoke up.
“Your Majesty, I have something I would like to say.”
Kasser met her gaze in a pointed manner and gestured for everyone to leave the room. The servants left without a word, leaving the two alone at the dining table.
No longer did the servants feel nervous at the thought of leaving the two monarchs alone together. They could see that something between the two had begun to change, which was a positive development.
“We can count on this location for every lunch, huh?” Eugene couldn’t figure out why the two never ate in the dining room.
“Well, the dining room isn’t quite the place to have a conversation.” Kasser replied as if reading her mind, leaning back in his chair to face her more properly.
Eugene pictured its high ceilings and nodded in agreement. Voices echoed across the room, and it was too large to feel secure in. Sensing her apprehension, Kasser decided to change the topic.
“I heard you plan to leave the palace after sundown.”
Eugene snapped back to the conversation at hand. “Yes. I wanted to discuss with you which guard to take with me, but there’s another matter I’d like to discuss first,” she said.
“Yes?”
“The Ramita…”
She began, but trailed off, his brows furrowed. Eugene watched him carefully, mindful of any change in his expression before she proceeded. And it was clear to her that something was indeed bothering him.
“You said that the Class of Ramita is determined by the depth and width of the image of water in an Anika’s dream. Ranging from a well to a pond.” She began fiddling with her fingers. “I wanted to ask, does a pond have a higher class since it’s wider?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.
Kasser chuckled mirthlessly.
“This isn’t something I can tell you.” He answered, sighing in resignation.
Eugene frowned. “And why not?”
“I don’t have enough knowledge on Ramitas. All I know is that the depth or width of the water doesn’t matter. Anika isn’t something that you assess.”
The queen, Kasser knew before she lost her memory, would never let anyone speak of Anikas in her presence. Anikas generally had high self-esteem, however, hers wasn’t natural pride, it was overconfidence.
But now she brought Anikas up herself. He wondered how she would react when her memory returned and she’d recall these conversations.
This was also one of the many reasons he wasn’t doubtful of her faking her memory loss. Before, she always rubbed him off in the wrong way, making his blood boil like a fiery sea. However, now, he found himself seeking her out. Her presence now was like a breath of fresh air. Especially after his earlier visit to the treasure vault.
What’s so great about Anikas? Eugene mused, sulking a bit when she found no more answers. She, herself, was living as an Anika, but she couldn’t understand their elitism.
Perhaps because there wasn’t much reason to begin with on how Jin Anika became the main villain. She had only ever been so sure of her worth, that when it was proven otherwise, she lost the will to fight.
“I’ll be careful with what I say in front of others.” She persisted. “Please, I’m sure you have an answer.” She implored.
Kasser sighed and thought about it long and hard, trying to recall all that he was told.
“Well, it must be the well.” He decided.
And Eugene frowned…
“Why?”
“A well is deeper than a pond.”
YOU ARE READING
(1) Living As the Villainess Queen
General Fiction'I want to travel to a place unknown to the many...' It was a passing wish to the weary and tired Eugene and she'd not think it'd ever come to pass... but it did. She opened her eyes and found she was sent to a novel-like world she wrote in passing...
