《Rastus Diary》


 1st Entry

    Walking along the animal trail, I finally arrived at the river. Entering my view , was a girl sitting bare footed on the big rock near the riverbank . The air that blew swiftly made her black long hair swept through her face as she threw an angelic smile toward me.


    "why are you taking so long?"


    "what? you miss me already?"


    She frowned . "of course" and return back facing the river while her leg was swaying happily .


    Shaking my head, I climbed the rock and casually sit beside her."well, this is plenty. You could have done it alone. " While prying into the basket that was full of freshly caught fishes.


    She smiled cheekily . "Then I can talk to you longer"


    "uggh" She is as straightforward as always. I could feel my cheek muscle cramping.


    "any news from the capital? Fallen ? Conquered? oops , That is the same thing"


    "....show some concern. This is our country you know? "


    "Why would I ? With that shitty king, it was just a matter of time before a rebellion occur. Besides, wasn''t General Dunoir that back stabbed first? That''s why the enemies could trespassed our border, easy peasy ."


    I couldn''t talk back . I could , but it is tiring to fight her. She had always hated the tyrannical royalty since I knew her . Well , most of the citizens also had deep hatred toward the king too but hers was something a bit out of norm .


    Nobody in the village knew how the condition of the war right now. It was concentrated in the main cities and capital .Our village was located remotely at the far end of the border . We also rarely have contact with the government accept for to pay taxes .News and information also traveled slow here.


    Anyway, I heard that Krisveil''s king was not bad . He was strict and always uphold justice for his subjects and citizens.So, actually a lot of the populace was supporting the enemies. I even heard that some of the villages near the capital actually helped Krisveil''s army by giving supplies and leading the route. Now, it was just a matter of time before the royalty will fell.


    What started this? Well, our prince had gone too far when he killed Krisveil''s princess who was his future fiancee just because she called him pig during their first meeting. Anybody would get mad like that. It was even weird if Krisveil''s king doesn''t retaliate for his daughter.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Most of the folk already had an assumption that the monarch would be replaced by the end of the invasion. They were hoping that the administration would be much better compared to the hated king governance . The taxes this past years had increased heavily that the poor families could only survive one meal a day. Two , if they were a bit lucky like my family.


    "lets go Althea , we can talk on the way back . Its getting dark"


    "oookaay"


    In front of me, the girl that I thought could never see her smile years ago was skipping and humming happily . Was hearing the king going to be dethroned made her feel that much joy?


    But , looking at her right now made me felt relieved . There was no trace of the past quite and sad girl any longer on her face.


    "why are you staring at me like that? perhaps .... you had fallen for me again ?"she stopped and turn around while directing a mischievous grin at me.


    "again ? when is the first time ? could you tell me Althea?"


    "oh? you don''t? Didn''t you fell for me every time you see my face?"


    I walked forward slowly and circled around her back while slowly putting my arm around her neck. The smell of Freesia swiftly tingled my nose . She always make sure to be prepared , this sly maiden . Her silky black hair ruffled against my face as she was standing still , a bit shock but still waiting . I could see from her neck that she must be as red like a blooming Carnation . This was the real Althea. A girl that putting up a front while in reality was timid . Really timid .


    Slowly , her hand reached for my arm . " Rastus.."in a small voice she called out. A voice that could make every men in this world lose their sanity. The straightforward girl was no longer here.


    "I fell for you even when you are not in my sight, my dear Thea"


    "yes...you must be... you must only think and dream of me ." she snuggled tighter in my embrace . Giggling .


    "that is troublesome. You have taken everything of me that I could no longer live without you. At least, let my dream be mine." I whispered jokingly .


    "Nope, no can do. Dream of me. Only me. Because... everyday, there is not a single dream of mine ...without...you...in it"She smiled while glancing upward . Her beautiful and serene topaz eyes was mystically mesmerizing and her flushed cheek was making me even more drawn toward her .


    Pulling my head closer, her soft lips was pressed onto mine . Every time it felt different . But each one was equally heavenly and delightful .


    After enjoying the sensation , she separated with our face was only inches away. Her breathing was a bit heavy with her eyes was filled with hunger and desperation . Showing that she really want some more but had to stop. Or else we would never stop with just a kiss .


    "Its not fair" I said while leaning my head so that our forehead would touch . Her warmth spread through mine as I continued.


    "now , i have no choice but to only dream of you everyday ..." I''ve been doing that since the first time I met her .


    Walking hand in hand . We looked forward . To the horizon . The red setting sky look so dazzling ......and daunting at the same time.

 2nd Entry

    In my eyes, there were only her smile. In my heart, there were only my love for her. In my mind, there were only memories of her. In my everything, there were only her. Althea .


    A day would not be called a day without her beside me. A sleep would only be dreamless if she were not in my dream. Living would only be meaningless if I cant keep her in my embrace .


    Each day , each moment , each seconds that we spent, felt like an eternity . It was not a waste. Instead, the time that we were together felt like a gift from the heaven.


    To the point, that I felt like a really big reprisal was waiting for me . In exchange for the incredible happiness that was granted to me right now.


    What did she have, that make me so smitten by her? She was not perfect like a thoroughly bred noble women. She was not as beautiful as the princess in the fairytale.


    She also had her flaw. But, because of that flaw, because she was imperfect, that she was perfect for me.


    She never show her frailty in front of the others. Always, crying by herself when she felt lonely, behind this rock that contained so much of our memory together. She suck at cooking. Easily surprised by the lightning. She was blunt with her word. A bit hot tempered some time. Never ask for help from anyone. Always, always, trying to solve problem on her own.


    But, all of this was what made Althea, Althea.


    She would stop crying when I comfort her. She would be mad when I tease her cooking. She would feel at ease in my arm when there was lightning. She would always confess her love for me out of nowhere. Easily pissed off when other girl made a move on me. Would act meekly and embarrased asking for my help when her problem got out of hand. Always...looked so frail...in my eyes...


    I''m a coward. Easily intimidated by others. Always being bullied by my peer. Having a good look was only making the trouble became bigger, as I don''t have the strenght to fought back. Not talkative and obediently received beating by them. Even get misunderstood as a mute.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    But, Althea. She, when she was by my side, I could become braver. She was my source of courage. A fire wouldn''t stay burning without coal and she was my fuel, the kind that gave an everlasting burning in my heart. With her, I could talk a lot more. She gave me confidence. She gave me strenght. She gave me trust. She gave me...love...


    She is the kindest I have ever seen in my life...


    So why...


    "The last heir of the king have been found! As soon as the sun rise above the horizon on the first day of spring. Her head would no longer be with her body!"


    They laugh maniacally. Like there is no tomorrow. Overjoyed, to exact the revenge on behalf of their king to the royal family.


    "Althea!" Unlocking the lock using the key that I stole from the drunken Krisveil''s guard, I finally met her.


    Disheveled, her body look so thin, there were only skin and bone. Her eyes that was usually filled with light. Had lose its shine. Like a doll that had its string been cut. She was lifeless.


    "Rastus" She smiled. Her frail hand touched my cheek. It felt cold.


    "how come you''re in the capital? Do you leave your meal, you look so thin. Your eyes were baggy, Didn''t you had any sleep?" Her voice was hoarse but still sounded sweet in my ear.


    Tears forming, I hug her closer. How could they be so cruel toward this girl.


    "let''s go, we will be leaving the capital as soon as we escaped from this place"


    She smiled...again. Gripping her hand, we ran together. Her legs were weak but she still had the energy to ran. I felt sorry for forcing her but if we didn''t do this, tomorrow would be the last day before her life been ripped out of her body.


    So, I ran.


    "she escaped!!"


    We ran together , hand in hand.


    "Where did they go?!"


    In my mind, there were only thought of escaping.


    "In the courtyard ! Don''t let them go!"


    I wouldn''t let anything or anyone to separate us.


    "Haah, haah" I panted.


    "Rastus..."


    I gripped her hand tighter, so tight . So tight...


    "why?..."


    But she let go.


    "Althea?..."


    She grinned.


    "Rastus...I love you"


    Her face look so happy.


    "I love you so much"


    Pearl of tears forming in the corner of her eyes.


    .


    "You worked hard enough" She brought her palm forward, touching my cheek that was drenched.


    I can''t fathom it.


    "why?.."


    She stared at me in the eye.


    "so, rest" Her cold hand now felt warm.


    "rest for a long time and forget about me" Her words was contradicting to her voice. She was quivering. Hesitating.


    "Al..the..a"


    Slowly, my vision turn dark.


    Along with everything ...