29th May, XXXX
That dream I had when I lost consciousness felt weird. It felt more like my memories than a dream. The beginning of the dream was a memory, but sand castle appearing out of thin air? That scene where grown-up Sebastian and I walk on the beach? That must be a dream. If those scenes aren’t dreams, how do you explain them?
When I woke up, Mother was staying by my side.
“Liana, are you feeling better? Why did you stand there like a statue? Haven’t I taught you since you were small? When you see a fire, run! Run like your life depends on it! Even a five year old understands that, why didn’t you run! If the prince wasn’t there, you’ll be burnt alive!”
I froze at the words ‘burnt alive’.
“Why didn’t you run, Liana? Sally told me that fire was originally just the size of a hearth fire. I don’t think you would be frightened by a fire the size of a hearth fire! “
“It… it spread on pretty quickly.”
“Sally said you froze as soon as you saw the fire.”
“I… I was caught off guard.”
Mother eyed me suspiciously. She knew I was hiding something from her. But I can’t explain it to her, can I? How I wish I could tell her what happened. How I wish I could do that. But I know too many secrets. Too many terrible secrets. I know too well what secrets can do.
Secrets can kill.
Without saying anything, I leaned forward and hugged my mother. Mother knew I would not tell her. She sighed and patted on my shoulder.
“Now young lady, since you’re saved by the prince, you’d better think of a way to thank him!”
I knew she has left things dropped for now. I smiled.
“I will Mother.”
Even without Mother reminding, I am planning to do that. He saved me. Both from the real fire and my nightmare. If he wasn’t there, I might have screamed or gone mad. Then I would not just be the Queen that brings Misfortune but Mad Queen as well.
Wait. I don’t plan to marry Sebastian anymore. What was I thinking???
But why was he at the party yesterday? Shouldn’t he be entertaining Lord and Lady Astor? I did not remember him attending the party in my previous life.
I should prepare a gift to show my gratitude. What should I prepare for him? What does he like?
… Encyclopedia? If not why was there an encyclopedia in my room?
But that was not creative. Think! You were married to him for 2 years!
He is a workaholic. He cares about his kingdom and his subjects. His hobby is looking at paperwork. He likes to eat meat. Especially steak. He does not like sweet things. He prefers wine. Oh! And dark chocolate.
I once had a box of dark chocolates. I kept it in my room as my reading snacks. I ate only two pieces each day. As a Queen whose only work was to look through the castle bill once a month and stayed in her room all day. It was easy to get fat. So I stopped myself from indulging too much. But the chocolates kept disappearing. I was quite sure I didn’t eat that many during the day. One explanation was that I dream walk. The other was Sebastian eating them. (I did not think servants dare to eat the Queen’s chocolate.) I asked him one day while he was looking through some papers. And he said yes without blinking. Those were my chocolates!! For one moment, I was really worried I dream walked and ate that many chocolates.
So… chocolate. Chocolate then.
I decided to find Sally and go shopping together. After the fainting spree, I think I deserve some chocolates.
