Ten Years Later
Prince Antivo became King Antivo of Natron.
The kingdom rejoiced.
And six years after that, a ceremony joined the sands of Natron and Pavo together in a silver bowl—symbolizing peace between the two nations.
Among those watching were two young women.
Omuro and Stara.
Sixteen years old.
Sisters not by blood—but by destiny.
...
The ballroom glowed with warmth and music.
Lanterns hung from the ceiling like tiny moons, casting golden light over the polished floor where couples and circles of dancers moved in joyful rhythm. Laughter rose and fell with the music, blending with the steady beat of drums and the lilting melody of flutes.
At the edge of the room, away from the whirling skirts and stamping feet, Omuro and Stara stood side by side watching the dancers.
Omuro tilted her head as she studied the moving crowd.
"Looks fun, don't you think?" she said.
Stara didn't even try to hide her lack of interest.
"No. I'd rather stand here and watch. You, on the other hand, should go dance."
"And leave you standing here all alone?" Omuro protested.
"She won't be alone."
The voice came from behind them. They turned just as Bazi approached.
He was nineteen, tall and confident, with a calm smile that seemed permanently resting at the corner of his lips. He stepped beside Stara as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I'll keep her company," he said.
Stara scoffed softly.
"Where did you run off to? You weren't here for the opening prayer."
"I went to town briefly."
"I don't think whatever called you there was more important than this event."
Bazi's smile deepened slightly.
"Believe me, it was."
Omuro glanced toward the dance floor again, then suddenly shook her head.
"You know what? I don't want to dance."
Bazi raised a brow, "But you love dancing."
"Maybe I just don't feel like it today."
Stara looked between the two of them, her lips curling with amusement. She was aware of her sister's feelings for Bazi. It wasn't much of a secret to many. Bazi had been Omuro's life purpose for a long time. And Stara did not wish to stand between her sister's dreams.
She shrugged.
"Well then, I suddenly got the urge to sweat." She said, "So, I'll go dance while you two chat."
Before Omuro could respond, Stara darted toward the dance floor and slipped into the circle of dancers.
Her movements were energetic but wildly uncoordinated, as if she were following a rhythm that existed only in her own head.
Bazi laughed.
"Your sister is the worst dancer I've ever seen."
Omuro smiled faintly as she watched Stara.
"That's how she is. She doesn't care about perfection. She just does whatever makes her happy."
She nodded toward the circle.
"Right now, she's moving to the left when the style calls for the right."
Bazi chuckled, his eyes still fixed on the dance floor. After a moment, Omuro spoke again.
"So… what did you go to town for?"
"Oh, me?"
"Yes, you. Why did you miss the opening prayer?"
"I went to see the tailor."
"The tailor?" Omuro turned to him, confused. "What for?"
"He said he got his hands on a luxurious piece of fabric. I wanted to confirm its rarity."
Omuro stared at him.
"Since when do you care about fabric? You have people who choose fabrics for you. I've never heard of a royal person visiting a tailor personally."
Bazi hesitated before answering.
"It's mulberry." His eyes drifted back to the dance floor. "She loves mulberry."
Omuro followed his gaze.
There, spinning wildly in the dancing circle, was Stara—laughing, breathless, and entirely unaware of the way Bazi was watching her.
...
Hours later, the palace was quiet.
The celebration had faded into the distance, leaving only the echo of laughter in the corridors.
Inside the ladies' quarters, Stara pushed open the door to their room. The long evening had left her tired, and the heavy jewelry in her hair suddenly felt unbearable. She crossed to the mirror and began removing the pins and ornaments one by one.
Behind her, Omuro lay on her bed still wearing her party gown and jewelry. She was turned toward the window, motionless. But she wasn't asleep.
"If you're going to sleep like that," Stara said while unclasping a necklace, "at least take off the corset. Unless you plan on suffocating in your sleep."
"I'm not going to sleep like this." Omuro answered flatly.
Stara glanced over her shoulder. "I told the maids to get some rest. We can help each other get ready for bed. Was I wrong?"
Omuro sighed. "Since when have you ever been wrong?"
She slowly sat up.
"Come closer."
Stara walked over and turned her back to her sister. Omuro began loosening the tight strings of Stara's corset.
"Are you alright?" Stara asked.
"Just exhausted."
"I can see that," Stara said softly. "But are you alrighty alright?"
Omuro groaned, "I hate it when you do that."
"Seeing right through you?"
"Yes. I don't like it."
"Sorry," Stara replied lightly. "Can't help it."
For a moment they worked in silence. Then Omuro spoke again.
"The Queen asked us to tell her how we want to move on with our lives. Our goals." She paused. "I already know what I want. Do you?"
Stara hesitated.
"I can't even say it," she admitted quietly.
Omuro stopped tugging at the corset strings.
"Is it bad?"
"No. Just… a path not taken by many. And considering our status in the family, I don't think the Queen will allow it."
"Just tell me."
Stara turned around and faced her sister.
"Get up."
Omuro stood, and Stara moved behind her, beginning to loosen the tight laces of Omuro's corset.
Then she spoke.
"I want to be a physician."
Omuro spun around in shock. "What?"
"See?" Stara said with a small smile. "Shocking."
"No, I mean… since when?" Omuro stared at her. "You've never told me this. Do you even know what it takes to become one?"
"I do. Years of studying. Long years." Her voice was firm. "But I still want it."
Omuro frowned.
"Don't you want to be a wife and a mother one day? There's a reason most female physicians are spinsters. We're sixteen already. Four more years and marriage will become difficult—especially for members of the royal family."
She hesitated before continuing.
"Unless you don't plan to have a family of your own."
Stara scoffed softly.
"You're my family, Omuro. My true family." Her expression softened. "When you get married and have children, they'll be my family too. That's enough for me."
She straightened the loosened corset strings and stepped back.
"So, this is the path I'm going to take." Then she smiled. "Just wish me luck."
Omuro looked at her sister for a long moment. Then she stepped forward, took Stara's hands, and squeezed them gently.
"I'll be rooting for you, sister."
Stara's eyes brightened. They pulled each other into a tight embrace, holding on a little longer than usual—as if both of them understood that the future had already begun to pull them toward very different paths.
***