I am now in the same dream as Lord Valentine. He said he had a method and the method is pulling me into a dream with him.
“Why do I have to be involved?” I ask confused. Lord Valentine worries that his friends might be trapped in my current world without memories. So understandably, he wishes to check on them to make sure they’re safe. But what do I have to do with all these?
Lord Valentine looks up from his pacing and says, “Well… you’re here because… for support! Yes, for support!”
“Support?”
“That’s right. I am really worried, so you here give me strength! And I know you hate being lied upon and secrets. So here I am trying to be as transparent as ever.” He smiles warmly. He looks like a dog waiting to be praised.
So he knows. He knows I am not happy that I was left in the dark. Is he trying to change for me?
“What are we waiting?”
“For Carl to fall asleep, wherever his soul is. A person has to be asleep before he or she could be pulled into a dream.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Lord Valentine said he would try to be honest with me, would he answer my upcoming question?
“Sure. Any question.” He nods solemnly.
“Who are you? It’s not a surprise that Lord Valentine knows magic as he is the royal sorcerer. But before all these, back in our original world, you can already do magic. You can send my soul to a different universe. Your mother can pull people into dreams.”
“Well… it’s a bit complicated…” He runs his hand through his hair. “Please don’t be surprise.”
“I won’t. I am a pearl oyster. Nothing beats that,” I reply deadpan. “Well I will if you said you’re actually a fish spirit or something.”
“No, it’s not something like that. Well… you know in my… our world people don’t have powers unlike those in this universe.”
“Of course, we’re all normal humans. Except you I think.”
“No. In our world, aside from normal humans, there are magicians.”
“Magicians?”
“Magicians, wizards, witches, sorcerers, mages… Whatever you want to call us. We can do spells and stuff. Some are even immortals, but that’s another story. We hide ourselves from normal humans. We pretend to be normal and live harmoniously with them.”
“So kinda like Harry Potter.”
“That’s correct.”
“I want my memories back,” I blurt out.
This is the thorn between us. If it’s resolved, can we get back to the way we were before? Now no matter how I wish to pretend nothing has happened, I know deep down that I lost something. Some important memories. What if Lord Valentine is lying to me? I don’t have my memories, everything is just his words. I keep on second guessing myself and him. I can’t turn over a new page. I am stuck.
“Ianthe… I… trust me, it’s better not to get back those memories.”
Suddenly, a deep voice cut in. “Your whole family is finding you, summoning you, trying all their might to pull you back and you block them all out. I am so honored to be invited to meet you, I really am. But please don’t intrude in my sleep.”
The silhouette of a person began to shimmer in front of us. Finally the silhouette consolidates into a guy. His facial features are exactly the same as the gentleman we saw this afternoon. Even the sardonic smile is the same.
I widen my eyes in surprise. When Lord Valentine said the couple we met this afternoon looked very similar to his friends, I didn’t expect this. He is the exact copy of the person we met this afternoon.
“Carl!” Lord Valentine squints at the person standing in front of him. “So it’s not you?”
“Well sorry to disappoint you, this is the one and only Carl. You’re summoning Carl into your dream, so you get Carl. You won’t be able to get your mother,” Carl drawls sarcastically. “I accept your invitation because you’re my friend, but there is a limit. I have better things to do.”
“Do you believe in doppelganger?” Lord Valentine is furrowing his brows together again.
“So I am summoned to answer your silly philosophical question?” Carl raises his eyebrow. “Sorry, not interested.”
“I thought doppelganger is just an urban myth, even those invested in universe travelling never report seeing someone of a similar face. I saw you today, Carl. In this universe. He looks exactly like you.”
“Are you suspecting me? I have no interest in meddling in your family’s business.”
“I know you. I know you won’t meddle. But the weird thing is someone who looks like Irene is also there. Next to your look alike.”
Carl’s brows furrow together.
“I also don’t think Irene will do something like that, but I just want to confirm with you. Do you think Irene may…”
“Not possible. I sealed her power. No one should be able to approach her.”
“Sealed her power?” I ask shocked. My power is now part of myself, I can’t imagine having my power sealed.
Carl stares at me immediately and his mouth forms a sardonic smile.
“My advice to you, don’t meddle in other’s family matters, it’ll lead to disastrous result.”
“Carl!” Lord Valentine reprimands him. “I know it’s not Irene, but can you summon Irene, just to make sure.”
“Vale, I know you now spend most time over there, but you have to remember the law over here, don’t you?” Then Carl smile disappears. “It’s forbidden to disclose magical matters to those without magic.”
“I doubt you totally seal Irene’s power. You must have left some means for her to protect herself. If you’re not summoning, I will.”
Carl stares at Lord Valentine with an elegant smile. “You’re the one breaking the law, not me.”
Lord Valentine shrugs. Then he closes his eyes to summon Irene like how he did before to summon Carl. He opens his eyes a moment later and then a silhouette shimmers in front of us. Finally a girl that looks exactly like the Arina we saw this afternoon appears in front of us. She has shorter hair compared to Arina’s waist length hair and is in pajamas, but otherwise she looks exactly the same.
As soon as Carl sees her, he snaps his finger and her pajamas immediately turn into a dress.
“I see you throw your manners into the sea as soon as you left home.”
Irene narrows her eyes and says, “Living in a barbaric place makes one barbaric. I apologize.”
If Carl’s personality seems quite similar to the guy we met today, Irene’s personality is the exact opposite to Arina’s sweet demeanor.
“Irene, I see you’re well. It’s been a long time.” Lord Valentine offers her his usual smile.
“Mister Vale.” She greets him respectfully.
“Irene, did you attempt transporting your soul…”
“Master Vale, you know I could not attempt such complicated spell even before my former… partner sealed my power. And I am studying these days, it’s nearly finals.”
“Studying? I don’t know you go to school!” Lord Valentine asks in shock.
“I was fired, so I need to upgrade myself.”
Carl, who is standing next to Irene, pats her head and says, “Go to sleep.” Irene then disappears from the dream.
“Vale, stop meddling in things not related to you. A body is weaker if the soul is not inside, especially if such body is under a curse.” Carl, for the first time since I met him, looks at Lord Valentine with a solemn expression. Carl then disappears from our dream.
