Lumi was walking around the floral gardens. She loved being alone with herself, especially when there was no one to worry about. She was free, alone by herself. She had never really liked to be around people anyways, so she thought this as her normal life, peaceful and quiet, nobody disturbing her, as she strode along the flower bushes and trees. She wasn’t expecting anything today, except battle tactics she didn’t even ever know about. She kept this silence as she plucked a single rose. It looked beautiful, sunlight reflecting on its crimson red petals. How she wished a prince would bed down on one knee and give this to her, announce their happy ever after and she won’t be bothered with problems her country needed to solve. She was like this, always needing someone to help her, someone to save her, no matter if she actually liked that person or not. 

Her eyes drifted to her fingers, cut by the thorns of the roses. Beautiful things have payments too. Blood trickled down to the ground, dropping a single drop every second Lumi stood there alone, holding that rose by her bloodied hand.

Sighing, she spotted Lucy carrying out her daily activities, taking out the trash and making meals for royals, which meant also the advisors.

Letting go of her rose, she went into the kitchen and washed her hands. Lucy ran towards her and gasped at her wound.

“What?” Lumi grumbled. “It’s only a small wound,” she added, turning her attention back to the sink.

“A small wound? Are you nuts? How is this a small wound?” she pointed her finger on the cuts, some thorns sticking out of a few cuts.

In the end Lumi was dragged away from the sink by Lucy, who brought her to the infirmary at the third tower.

The cuts, treated by Madam Brendian was deep. Lumi wanted to screamed when she felt the thorn being pulled out, which were painful but quick. Her heart felt as if it was going to pop out, as she saw her own blood. Her mother had never ever let her get hurt except once, that time she fell down and scratched her knee, which blood splattered around her. Lumi’s two hands were wrapped tightly, and she walked back to her own bed chamber.

No one was in the—

Corridor.

“AAH!”Lumi screamed, as tray and bowls were sent flying towards her. She ducked at instinct, and the person carrying all the stuff was so sorry. He was Marcus, an elf who had came from Elvendore when her mother was the queen. 

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty! I’m so sorry!” he picked up his stuff and quickly ran to the kitchen, face ashamed.

“It’s okay, Marcus. I’m not hurt at all,” Lumi said, itching to run into her covers, away from accidents.

“You sure?” then he remembered his manners and said, “Are you sure, Your Majesty?”

“Yes.”

And with that, Lumi fled back into her room. Her hand was bandaged, her head was nearly head-shot by flying trays and bowls. Covering herself, she fell into deep slumber.

~

The sky was moonless and dark. She found herself walking towards the first tower, the tallest of the five towers surrounding the castle itself. A figure held her hand, green eyes sparkling with happiness. The two people spun up the stairs to the balcony, and Lumi could feel the joy in their hearts.

“I love you, Lumi,” a voice called out to her. Lumi graciously held out her hand and let the handsome prince guide her, and when they reached the top, they embraced gently.

“I love you more than you will ever know,” Lumi heard herself say happily.

“One kiss,” the figure grew more familiar. Who had she known this person?

“One kiss.”

She said it anyway, and was caught in his arms, and collided like stars in the night sky. He kissed her gently and spoke.

“I’m sorry,” and he threw her down from the tower, Lumi screaming as she fell to her death.

~

“AH!” Lumi yelled for the second time today. She groaned as she was awakened by her sweet dream turned to nightmare. Her heart was beating fast, as she tried to recognize the boy in her dream.

She stumbled out of bed again, and heard a knock on her door. She sighed in relief. That was Lucy, she was sure.

She opened the door and gawked; it was the servant who had crashed into her just now. Marcus was his name.

“Er, I just came here to say I’m sorry about the accident just now. So I brought you some lilies,” he stood there, a banquet in his hands. Lumi gasped.

“Thank you very much, Marcus. Thank you,” a secret light lit up in her heart, as she received the flowers.

And with that, he left, but leaving with a smile on his face.

And with that, Lumi closed the door, smiling wide too.

~

Morning was expected. Sunlight blossomed across the rooms of the dusty halls and unkempt bedroom of Lumi. She still disliked the dreams she had been having for the past few days, and everyday, she woke up more confused than yesterday. It felt like some monster was killing you slowly, but you’re still living. The worst part of the dreams, it seemed. But everyday, the face gets clearer and clearer. She was close to getting to know who it was.

She believed in these dreams. That they were going to be real somehow, somewhere in her life. Maybe she will really die falling down from that horrible tower. Whatever it was, it had kept her way far too exhausted for these days. 

“Knock, Knock,” the door went. She hastily wrapped herself in her blankets and tried to sleep. But the night was once again filled with fireflies, and that boy held her hand again…

“Coming!” she jumped out of bed and opened the doors.

“Oh, em. Sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty. Miss Lucy is sick today, so she asked me to help her do all her duties,” said a tired-looking Marcus in front of the door. “Are you well, Your Majesty?”he added, holding his right hand out and brushed her shoulder. Electric shots jabbed Lumi, and her eyes went wide in fear.

“Your Majesty?” Marcus shook her, and more shots jabbed her. The boy in her dreams was…Was…

Marcus?

But it couldn’t be, right? He was so charming, so kind for these past days. He didn’t do a thing. 

In her dreams, a boy with dark chestnut hair kissed her, bright green eyes looking into her very soul. Marcus had the chestnut hair, the eyes, and of course, the voice.

“AAH!” she screamed.

“Lumi? Lumi!” Marcus held her tightly, suddenly very afraid.

Dreams aren’t true, Lumi. Dreams are NOT TRUE!

But is it true?

No.

Slowly, she calmed down. Was she ultra-crazy right now? A Queen cannot act like this, because it’s improper. Okay. 

“I’m sorry, Marcus. Really am,” and she slammed the door in Marcus’ face, leaving him speechless and puzzled.