The Dandelion System

Chapter 3

"Oh, but that's a rumor!" Oriana continued. "I only know because my father works as a guard here." I was even more surprised.

"A Royal Guard? That's such a grand job!" She nodded, almost sadly.

"Oh, it's not as grand as one would think."

The bell from the castle tower rang, and both of us looked around to see the people walking into the castle. Princess Oda, finally freed, gestured for me to come to her. I turned to Oriana.

"If you don't mind, I need to excuse myself." She nodded.

"Sure, I'll go inside first. But do hurry, the ceremony should begin soon."

"Yes, I will."

After making sure no one was still outside, I warily hurried over to Princess Oda. She had on a darker dress, and her makeup was dark too, giving off an intimidating look which, combined with her annoyed expression, wasn't helping me feel welcomed.

"Come with me, Karina," she said, voice hardly holding any feeling.

"What is it, Your Highness?" I asked in a whisper, suspecting that it was about our illegal plan.

"I want you to meet my brother, Otto," she explained, leaving the garden grounds for the castle grounds before I could protest that I didn't want to be late. "In the tower."

Tower? I looked around and noticed a large and tall grey stone tower. It only had one window, a circular one, and I could hardly imagine someone being locked up in it, and the Prince, what's more. I glanced at Princess Oda, but she was focused, head forward. Once we reach the tower base, she proceeds to retrieve a big black key from her and remove the metal lock that clasped the door closed.

"It's dark, so be careful." She was silent after that, and headed up the uneven stone stairs without even looking back whether or not I followed. I could hardly keep up with her gracefully fast movements, despite the fact that the staircase was dark, had no windows, and no candles in the lantern holders.

"This place is empty, there's no guards," I whispered, only suddenly realizing how strange it is.

"Otto has to be kept away from people for now. When he presents himself he may seem kind, but, in reality," her voice faded away as we reached the door, "he is a monster."

A monster? The brother that you said you would protect, and cried for me to protect?

I frowned as I pondered over her words. In the meantime Oda pulled another key out of her bosom and opened the door.

"Otto, are you there?"

"Oda!" a voice cried out. "Are you here to play with me?"

I peered from behind the princess to see a white-haired boy my age sitting on his bed, eyes moist and rimmed with red. I was surprised to see that he, too, is an albino. It seemed like it really did run in the Royal Family.

As I walked into the room, I noticed how grey and bare the room is, save for the bed, a table, and wardrobe lining one of the stone walls. A few books were on the table, as well as a few plates and silverware stacked together, and a picnic basket, used to bring food, I suppose, on the floor.

He noticed me glancing around, and I suddenly felt ashamed.

"Who is she?" he whispered, shrinking away from us. "Do tell me it's not another tutor or physician!"

"Otto," the princess said sternly, "don't be such a child, compose yourself." I couldn't believe the loving sister from yesterday was so harsh.

Otto's shoulders hung limp as he casted his eyes on the stone floor. I was taken back by how dejected the prince is.

"This is Karina Dearcage. She is a friend of mine." It was a lie, but I didn't comment.

"Good morning, Prince Otto," I began slowly—for a wrong word meant death for me. "How do you do?"

I take a step closer to him and had a closer look at his face. Although Oda was by no terms ugly or below average, the prince's face was so fine and feminine that it seemed to suit the title of a princess more. His jawline and chin was soft, his lips pale pink, and his milky eyes and dandelion like lashes trembled as he pressed his brows together.

"Horribly." He didn't even try to hide it. "I'm locked up in this tower all day and night, unable to go outside."

"I'm sorry you've been locked up here," I continued carefully, "but you can think of me as a friend, too."

"Thank you, Karina. Please visit me sometime, I've been really lonely as of late." He looked at me hopefully, and for a moment I doubted he was a prince, a bad one too—he seemed so kind, so naive. I looked at the princess with a questioning frown, but she looked away, guiltily. I sensed she wasn't going to be of any help. I turned back to her brother.

"Don't people come to visit you?" I asked.

"Only Oda comes, mother and father don't come anymore, and the other people who come are afraid of me. They say I'm a monster."

"A monster?"

"Yes. Everyone hates me," he whispered, and turned away to look at the window, the light streaming in on his porcelain skin, making him seem even more melancholic and tragic.

"I don't." He looked at me, surprised and a bit stiff. Slowly, his face seemed to relax. "I'm not afraid neither. You don't look like a monster at all, Prince Otto."

He smiled softly. "Thank you, Karina. It has been a long time since someone treated me like a person. It's been a long time since I've heard anyone besides my sister call me by my name, too."

I couldn't imagine it. How sad was his life?

"Enough, Otto, we have to go."

Princess Oda opened the door and glared at me, before mouthing something I didn't bother to read. As I walked to her, Otto suddenly stood up hastily from his bed. I turned back to look at him. His mouth was partly open, but he closeted them before speaking.

"Come back, please, Karina." He sounded sincere and lonely—very lonely. "Come back soon."

"I will," I promised with a smile at him before Oda sighed in annoyance.

He watched me silently, and I felt hesitant as I left the room. Oda closed the door of his room with a heavy slam and nonchalantly locked it again.

How could such a pitiful boy be a monster?