Mayla and Alba looked for a shore of the island to pass the time for a while and contemplate the beautiful moon that night, next to the waves of the sea that were illuminated thanks to it. They both sat on the sand in silence, where, after a while, Mayla took the necklace Light had given her from her pocket and showed it to Alba.
-Mayla: Our promise... it cannot be fulfilled after all.
-Alba: Miss Mayla?
-Mayla: Alba... This necklace of precious pearls that I wear is not some luxury that has been given to me for being a princess. Actually, Dreik made it with his bare hands once when we were kids. When we learned of our roles in this world, we promised to remember each other always through an exchange of necklaces. I gave him this one that I have in my hand, and he gave me this fact of precious pearls... In this way, we could always have the presence of the other...
-Alba: So, they have known each other since they were little... I can't imagine the great bond they have had with the passing of the years...
Mayla then proceeded to tell her the story of her and Dreik from the beginning. Seven years ago, when the world was still brimming with peace, The kingdom of magic was a city quite influential and connected to whom, in its time, the leader of the 10 guardians to maintain order on the continent. This master, who maintained great bond and trust with magical royalty, commanded as a personal guard of the princess one of his sons, making him have a great friendship with her. Every day after the training of both the young man and the princess, they were taking a break on the top of a hill near the castle, that had a large tree that gave much freshness and shade to its surroundings. This is the story of how Mayla and Dreik developed the affection they had for each other and of course, the origin of the promise of which the princess spoke.
-Dreik: Aaaaaah! Being an apprentice of the dragon order really is very exhausting!
-Mayla: Ehh... Are those who are being trained really a whole order?
-Dreik: Hehe... There are not many of us, but I think we are enough to be called "Order" although everyone has their own fighting style and well... my father says that I and my siblings have special powers and that one day these will be needed to stop any threat that threatens our beautiful world.
-Mayla: *Snif snif* B-but the training is too much, look, today you have a bandage on your face because you have been very hurt, and I don't like to see you like this.
-Dreik: Ehh…Crying again my lady, it's my job as a personal guardian to train not only to strengthen myself... Obviously there is another reason.
-Mayla: Is there? And I told you to just call me Mayla!
-Dreik: It's okay Mayla... The other reason is... To protect you, princess. Without a strong guardian, it makes no sense that it has been assigned to you... Besides, it is also my job as a man to defend the smile of a maiden as beautiful as you.
-Mayla: *She blushes until her face turns completely red* D-D-Dummy! W-What nonsense do you say!
-Dreik: besides that…it's getting late princess, we must go back, would you give me your hand? Let me help you get up.
And with a smile, he gave her his hand to help Mayla get up, which she graciously agreed to. They both retreated to the castle, saying goodbye at the door of the princess's chambers to see each other the next day. In the morning, Mayla was informed of the suspension of her classes that day, so she had a good deal of free time alone because Dreik had to train anyway. After his training, as usual, Dreik went to the place where he usually met the princess, this time finding her asleep outdoors - Princess! Wake up! No way... she is totally asleep. She's dumb, look, sleeping in this cold field like that can make her sick... - The young man, without having any other choice, took off the sweatshirt he was wearing and with it he sheltered the young woman who was resting with great joy.
After a long time, the princess woke up very calm and with a big yawn – Ah... I've fallen asleep– She told herself until she realized that she was wrapped in her guardian's sweatshirt, turning to see him and finding him, looking towards the castle without wearing anything to cover his body.
-Mayla: E-E-Eeeeh! Dreik! What are you up to!? You're naked, you're going to catch a cold! Aaaah!
-Dreik: Hey, I just took off my sweatshirt! And it has been to tuck you in because you have fallen asleep in the open...And my priority as your protector is to avoid any harm to you at all costs, so don't play dumb. Anyway, what were you doing sleeping there so early?
-Mayla: Oh... My classes were suspended today due to on-call rotation, and I have come to wait for you, but as you can see... I fell asleep.
-Dreik: You've come to wait for me…And all this time you were asleep. Look, it's getting dark and it's time to enter the castle.
-Mayla: Oh... I'm really sorry... let me make up for my boldness in some way...
With that said, young Mayla leaned back on her guardian's back, who was very embarrassed by the situation - Do you think... that if I give you heat in this way I can prevent you from catching a cold too? –The princess whispered very softly, making him very shy and get up, preventing her from seeing his face – L-Let's go in, I'm fine! – he said as he walked quickly towards the castle. These types of events are the ones that, at present times, Mayla told her partner while they appreciated the moonlight.
-Alba: Wow... Dreik sounds like a real knight as the princess describes him.
-Mayla: Needless to say... sometimes he tried to be very gentlemanly, but suddenly he could not forget his nature and did a lot of dumb things…Like once he got into a fight with a little rat because it scared me away, the time he broke his arm from climbing a large tree because I cried from finding a chick on the ground and he climbed up to return him to his nest and also…when he tried to show himself to be rough and fought with the rest of the castle's recruits.
-Alba: Too many contrasts in a single person I would say hehe... but I can really tell how much I appreciated you.
-Mayla: Those were our days, we treated each other with more and more trust and each time... I couldn't stop my love for him from growing. It was until one day the teacher took him for a week for special training he had and well... when he returned from this, he brought me a certain gift.
Continuing as the princess narrated to her faithful friend, That day when Mayla was finally told that she would have her beloved guardian by her side once again she felt very happy and decided to go to the place where they always met, in which in the distance he could observe that the young man was already in the place - Dreik! You're here, I'm so glad to see you! – she shouted with great emotion. The young man, upon hearing her, turned towards the direction of the young woman, hiding something in his back in a suspicious way.
-Mayla: How did it go? Did you get hurt?
-Dreik: I'm fine... The truth is, only my brothers and I have gone to train at that place. In fact, Tetsu and Luna stayed in that place to continue their training. Only Shinta and I have returned.
-Mayla: I'm glad you were the one who came back... Hey, tell me, did you miss me?
-Dreik: Those questions are not asked! T-The answer is obvious... I've clearly missed you.
The princess turned very red when she heard the words of who she liked, instantly filled with contentment – Look... Near the place, there was a very beautiful river which contained many very shiny blue pearls, it is the only river in the world that has one of these due to its contact with the ocean! T-Then I picked them up because I thought you might like them. The master saw that I brought them and has taught me how to create necklaces... - said the young man to the princess, causing her to show some amazement when she heard his words – T-Then I-I... eeh… I have made this necklace for you Mayla! I give it to you as a gift from me! – mentioned the young man, leaving in sight the necklace made of these blue pearls that shone like the pure color of the sky. Very surprised and full of happiness, the princess received the gift from her guardian.
-Mayla: I-I thank you very much Dreik... you really make me very happy... (How I wish I could marry you, my love, you are too cute!).
-Dreik: I don't need to get something back, miss. I'm so glad you like it!
-Mayla: Dreik... when you are ready for your exam to become an oracle to take care of a city you are really going to leave here, right?
-Dreik: Yes... Apart from that, if I become one, I am supposed to prepare for the arrival of the legendary hero that tells the story, because my special powers are linked to it.
-Mayla: S-So... Let's exchange our necklaces! I give you this necklace with this crystal that I always carry with me.
-Dreik: I don't accept it! That necklace is a gift from your father, Mayla.
-Mayla: I-It doesn't matter... you are also important to me so... Please take it... (Take me too as well, handsome. Oh my gosh, what even I am thinking).
Without any other choice, the young man lovingly accepted the gift from the princess, making the two be even.
-Mayla: This... it is a memory. I want that once we separate, when you see this necklace, you always think of me.
-Dreik: It's a promise then. I'm going to wear this necklace until the day I die so that even in those last moments I can remember you hehe...
-Mayla: Don't say those things! Sounds depressing, idiot...
-Dreik: Well, this necklace exchange is the closing deal of our promise. So, you don't forget about me either, okay?
Once the young lady heard her beloved's words, she leaned on her shoulder very delicately – I couldn't forget a person as beautiful as him...Even if at some point I lose my memory, I'm sure I'd find a way to remember you – whispered softly to his partner, who very nervous about the situation, gave in at once and laid his head next to Mayla's – You are a very refined and kind girl, this kingdom will be in perfect hands when it is your turn to rule it – he whispered in a trembling voice to the young woman.
Letting themselves be carried away by the moment, the pair turned to look at each other, Intercepting their gazes, fixed in each other, while they brought their lips closer to each other. However, before they managed to kiss each other they were interrupted– Hey! Dreik! Where are you? –it was heard at the foot of the hill – T-That's my brother... I'll go see what he needs– Dreik said very nervous and embarrassed, to which the princess stood up and replied – So let's go together, at this time it's strange that they want to summon you for something – then the young man also got on his feet and next to Mayla, he came down the hill to meet his brother...
To be continued...