Apharoia (ep.6)

"Do you remember me?"

The question caught Isadora off guard before she pulled herself together, refusing to show the stranger her confusion. 

Her eyes narrowed as she took a defensive stance, her body twisted a bit to the side, ready to jump into action whether it was in order to escape or in order to attack him. 

'Do you remember me?'

The question echoed in her ears again, making her frown. 

Tanned skin, black outfit, fit and strong body with long white hair. As for the eyes, two sparkling golden orbs were looking straight into her soul. 

His curved lips were waiting for her answer in anticipation, however, she could do nothing but disappoint him. 

After looking through her memories for a few minutes, she gave her answer, "I have no idea who you are."

His face twisted upon hearing that. The calm shader was silent for a few minutes after it. The fallen princess looked at him with slight pity as She saw his face drooping. The anticipation he had for her was genuine.

But she truly had no idea about this person's identity. 

At that moment, something flashed before her eyes. 

"Ah–!"

Letting out a soft gasp and covering her eyes, she stumbled a bit. Her feet were swollen and pained, and due to the strain, they had already given up on her. 

She was ready for the impact of hitting the floor, however, the man scooped her up in his arms without the slightest effort. 

His golden irises looked into her pink ones while he opened and closed his lips before finally asking her, "Are you alright?"

The scene she had just seen and the scene in front of her overlapped, causing her to nod absentmindedly. 

Unconvinced, the man inspected her body and frowned. There was no way Isadora could be considered in an okay condition. More than anything, she needed a good rest and immediate medical care before her situation worsened. 

'The life of slaves will never be easy, but to think she is stopping herself from even admitting the pain.'

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he carefully put the fallen princess down. Since she said she had no idea about his identity, he could not hold her like this anymore. 

Isadora softly thanked him and leaned against the wall of the shoulder while closing her eyes. Slowly, she opened her lips again. 

"I recall nothing about you," she raised her hand and patted his shoulder, "But something... I remember something vaguely."

The man perked up but tried to hide that, he kept his space from her and tried to make sure she would not feel cornered or pressured to speak. 

Noticing his delicate movements made Isadora certain. 

'I know this person. Or at least, Princess Isadora knew this person. He is someone who values her greatly too.'

The hidden princess could not have a person like this in normal conditions. Unless he was the son of some servant or one of her relatives. 

Despite that possibility, the facts did not add up yet. 

If he was so close to her, that meant she would also remember him and treasure him with her life. Yet, the only thing she could find in her fuzzy memories was a mysterious meeting. 

Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to say what she could remember from the memories that flashed before her eyes earlier. 

"Golden eyes, meeting inside the Imperial Pyramid... But everything is foggy."

She did not try to choose her words this time as she realized that she had nothing to hide. 

'I know nothing, so telling him would be wise. I don't actually trust him but I trust he would not hurt Princess Isadora.'

The most important part was that he would not cause her harm. Thus, the fallen princess spoke softly and explained everything she knew to him. 

"Adorable young children were playing around, but I, who was isolated since birth, could not find a place for me. I was sad then and went to take a stroll."

Stroll was the word she used, however, it was not like that. It was just the pitiful attempt of Princess Isadora attempting to escape her suffocating chains. 

After thinking and hesitating for what seemed to be hours, the little being escaped the imperial Palace and could only think of one safe place. 

The Imperial Pyramid.

Filled with the warmth of the sun regardless of whether it was the morning or the night, that place was going to assure the child Isadora that she was safe. 

Because even if she hated her chains, she was more aware than anyone else—

"The safest place for me is within that cage."

What the little girl did not know was that someone was watching her from behind. The little boy's appearance was blurry, but his eyes were clear as he stepped toward her. 

Those golden eyes curved as he extended his hand to the young princess. 

"Hello! Are you new here? I'm Ahi-"

"—Ahiran?"

"Ah."

With his eyes glistening and appearing almost in tears, the young man covered his mouth after the soft gasp he made. 

"At least you remember the name, Isa."

He gently whispered to her, which made Isadora's heart flutter all of a sudden. The current Isadora had never experienced something similar to this before, which made her come to a quick conclusion. 

'This isn't me. The one who's so happy and almost jumping is Princess Isadora.'

At the same time, a new question popped into her head. 

'Is this Princess Isadora's soul or will?'

If it was the former, Isadora would not like her situation one bit. Sharing a body? That was nothing she was willing to do. 

From the day she was born, Isadora had never shared anything with anyone. Every time she attempted to do that, terrible things happened. 

Now, not only was she forced to share something, but that thing was her body? 

She would never want that! 

However, if the situation was simply having the will and remaining feelings of Princess Isadora inside her, Isadora could easily suppress that. 

Though, all of this was for the future to tell. For now, Isadora held the man's hand and nodded before asking, "I remember slightly, Ahiran. But now… Why are you here?"

With a soft smile, the man explained everything.