chapter 22

The lady has a name

 Golden rope laid in front of them, closing them off. Sitting on their thrones, tall and proud as if they were waiting for something. She was sitting upright, very gracefully and he had all the pride shining out of his posture. They didn't smile and looked fake.
            "My mother said they got almost everything right, except the faces. The eyes in particular. His was friendly, hers full of compassion" he whispers and we bow down once more before exiting.
             My head was pounding with question but the tour went on and Cheng showed me the last part of the museum.
            I froze as I saw a statue of Blake. It looks nothing like him and a couple of teenagers that didn't attend Dragonia, took pictures standing next to him, like he was some sort of an Idol. I guess I understand why Blake didn't like the city so much.
            "He's here too?"
            "He is the Rubicon Elena. He is one of the main attractions" he jokes and we decided to move on. I giggled softly as I saw a statue of Lucian standing behind the throne of his parents. The King and Queen of Tith. His mom had this tint of red in her hair and his father looked a lot like him, accept for the mustache.
            "He never liked doing this. I have to give it to him Elena. He is as knightly as they come. When he is going to ascend, he will make one heck of a Dragonian."
            I felt a warm fussy feeling inside as Cheng say those words.
            "I got a feeling that someday you will be here too" and I slap him playfully.
            "Common, why would they put me in here."
            "The girl that stole the Prince of Tith's heart" and I giggle. It was nice to hear that.
            Arianna was there too, smiling from ear to ear. I assume she couldn't wait and welcomed this opportunity with opened arms. Even her family looked happy, which should be the other way around according to Becky and Sammy. They looked so friendly which was the last thing Arianna was. She is capable of evil things.
            The last exhibition was a replica of the Kings of Lions sword. The true protector of Paegeia. A lot of the kings and queens pose with it. Cheng mentioned that King William slain the first Rubicon with it and used to carried it everywhere he went and so did King Alexander, Louie and Albert. It was always close to them.
            "Why isn't there a model of Goran?"
            "He doesn't belong in the museum Elena. He gave up that right when he slaughter the king and queen" Cheng replies.
            "Why do you think he did it?"
            "Jealous, who knows. He had no reason to be but he did it anyway. I think it was  because of his power that turned him evil. He wanted more and everything I assume."
            "You are really smart Cheng" I compliment him and he chuckles shy.
            We almost spend the entire morning inside the museum and when we left the sun was sitting high. I took so many leaflets stuffed with  information to read later about all the exhibits that was inside the museum. I really enjoyed the tour.
            He took me to the beachfront where we had had lunch and felt terrible because he paid at the end.
            We end up with a stroll on the beach, rolling up our jeans and carried our shoes so that the waves could play with our feet.
            "What were you thinking of when we enter King Albert's chamber" he asks.
            "Nothing much" I lied. "I guess it's because of the first time I finally see them. Maybe I didn't  know what to expect. I have learned and heard so many great things about them that it was hard to imagine what they look like, until now" and he smiles. "Why do you ask?"
            "Nothing important. It was just the way you gasped. As if you knew them" he said and I try to hide it with a smile.
            "That is silly Cheng" I reply.
            "Yes, it's silly" he agrees but in a way that had a big question mark following it. Did Cheng saw through that gasp? Does he know that I am dreaming about the queen?
Why am I dreaming about her? Of all the woman in Paegeia why her? Well I am certainly not going to tell anyone about that. They will think that I am raving mad or worse think that I believe in my mark and that I am special because the queen showed up in my dreams.          Whatever reason, it is bound to ask many question which could end up causing a lot of s**t. I had my fair share of that too.
            "What are you thinking about Elena?"
             "Home, the other side of the wall" I didn't lie. I was sort of thinking about home.
            "Do you miss it?"
            "Accept for my dad, no. It's weird how well I fit in this side. I mean I never knew what friendship was before now. Here I have so many, it's nice but sometimes I miss being alone. Do you know what I mean?"
            He smiled.
            "If you want to call it a day Elena, I won't mind."
            "I didn't mean it like that Cheng. I love spending time with you and I will put a good word for you with Master Longwei in making you the new history professor."
            He roars with laughter and it was so contagious that I joined in. 
            "Thank you for the compliment" he says when he finally stopped laughing and I nod my head satisfied with how much I discovered today.
            He started asking me questions and wanted to know about New York and the empire state building. That much I could tell him because we went everywhere around America. The Golden Bridge was on his list too. We catch a carriage around four.
            "Where do they get the dragons for this?"
            "It is mandatory duty Elena." We sit down and I automatically reach for my safety belt.
            "You mean they are students" I ask softly and he suppressed his laughter.
            "That expression on your face is priceless" he sings.
            "Well I am glad that it entertains you" I raised my eyes and giggle with him. It was silent for a while. "Thank you Cheng, besides Lucian you are one of the coolest guys that  Master Longwei could give to tutor me."
            "You are welcome Elena. Just as long as you learn something I'm happy."
            I sigh sounding happy but the queen was started to dwell on my mind again. As if dreaming about her was not enough.
             The other thing was the foretelling. How could mine have appeared magically in the book. What is it I have to decide on? How will I know and what did she meant if I don't the truth will never be known? Could it have been about somebody else that she happens to get while I was there?
            The ride to the school felt short.
            We walked together  until it was time to part our ways.
            "What is it Elena?" He asks as we reached the stairs that leads to the dorms.
            "Nothing" I reply and he chuckles again.
            "I can see there is a question burning inside of you."
            "There is but it is nothing important really" I said. He waited in patience. I sigh, knowing that Cheng might be the only one that will ever tell me the truth. "Does the Seer sometimes make a foretelling that is not meant for you."
            "What do you mean?" I cringe and almost stopped but decide what the heck.
            "When I met her the first time, I didn't like her very much, I still don't.  She is vain and only have nice things to say to her prodigy's , like they are the only ones that matters. It's all a load of bull anyway" and he laughs. "But when I wanted to leave she said something. Could it be meant for someone else?"
            "Did the wind blow and her eyes light up."
            "You can say that" I reply trying my best not to give away that it's the one he read  today.
            "Yes, Elena. It was meant for you and you only" he says and makes it clear that he will not ask me about it.
            "Thanks Cheng, it is all I wanted to know" I smile and we said our goodbyes.  I was tired when I reach the room, drained of today's trip and fell on top of my bed. I was glad that Becky and Sammy were still somewhere in Elm and the silence start to make me think about the queen and the Seer.
            It is frustrating if you don't have the answers and I am not that desperate to crawl back to that awful hag and beg just to find out what it means.
            I dosed off only to be awaken by a very exited Becky that jumps on top of me. "Wake up sleepyhead."  I growl but it didn't stop her one bit. "I hope you learning about the past is over now."
            "Yes, and thank you my lady for giving me the time off to roam free" I joke and both girls started to laugh. "I have learned so much today about everything." 
            "That happens if you mix business with pleasure" she mopes.
            "How was your day with George. I assume he was with you since he can't do anything without his Becky" I ask dramatically.
            "Ha Ha funny, did a clown swim in your cereal this morning" she answers back sarcastic and Sammy just giggles.
            "Admit it Becky, you dig George. Always had this little crush on him ever since we started." Sammy teased her.
             "Fine, so I like him. It was bound to happen since I am forced to spend every single day with him" she snaps back playfully.
            "There is nothing wrong with liking George, Becky. He really change and hey I even forgive him for the stupid prank."
            "I forgot about that. I fell for a loser."
            "He is not a loser. I got a feeling you are going to do great things together" remembering Cheng's words when we found George's foretelling.
            "You really think that" she looks at me with a soft smile.
            "If you ask me, George got the best Dragonian ever. He should thank his stars or ancestors."
            "Thanks Elena, you're so cool. But next time you are coming with us."
            We spoke that whole night about everything they did in Elm. When the main clock strikes twelve we call it a night and went to bed. I couldn't wait for tomorrow and Lucian sent Sammy a message telling her what time I should meet him.
             I will put aside dreaming of the queen and the foretelling writing in black ink for later. It was not as if Paegeia's faith was hidden in those words.