Dear Dad,580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdCqnPPPSu
The school has been great so far. Ferdinand, Naomi, Lisa and I managed to nail down our presentation about the Civil Rights Movements during our History class. Mrs Wood was so impressed with our efforts that all four of us celebrated at the diner with milkshakes and ice-cream. Aunt Inara, Grandma and Chaeyeong are doing fine with the coffeehouse, though it has felt quiet and solemn ever since the war started. How are you, dad? I hope you're doing alright in the trenches. Don't worry about the little ones though. Em is having fun at school, Carter will be starting school soon while Pearl and Kim are slowly catching up with reading. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsEAgnMgrM
I can't wait to see you once the war is over. We all miss you so much.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn37511RSBh
With love,
Bugsy.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5rMPGh7sB
I folded the letter in half and slid it inside the envelope, licking the seal with my saliva and closing the flap. I got up from my desk and put on my shoes when Aunt Inara stopped me, her arms crossed. "Where are you off too?" she asked. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2x91VNxyw
"I'm going to the post office, auntie," I answered. "I'm sending a letter to dad."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROzdnK0Bsy
Aunt Inara nodded. "Alright, but you'll have to take your little brother with you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFCXy2wrdh
My eyes are crinkled as my lips curved into a smile. Thank goodness she asked me to bring Carter instead of Em. I find her annoying. "Alright, he can come along."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5MhxonPJ3
I took off my shoes and entered Carter's room, who was playing with his letter blocks on the floor. I gave a soft knock on his door, making him glance at me. "Hi Bugsy," he chirped as he hugged me. I reciprocated his hug and kneel, dusting his pink overalls. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzNrpqrzU
"Hey Carter," I said in a sing-song voice. "Wanna follow me to send letters to daddy?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupAGgO7c8N
Carter showed his toothy grin and jumped in joy, grabbing his Teddy bear, which was handed from me before I outgrew it. I held his hands and helped him placed his shoes on his feet, slowly walking towards the front door. "I'll be back before sundown," I announced. Chaeyeong gave me a thumbs up while wiping the tables and chairs, telling me to be careful.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnzDNtuamb
We ambled on the pavements of Slaborough, looking around. Streaks of ribbons hanging on the building, decorated with daisies and sunflowers, signifying the arrival of summer. We waved at Mrs Rai, who was dusting the bookshelves. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnymbEzMed
Entering the post office, I pressed a small, square button and tore off a small piece of paper with the 4-digit number printed on it. I sat down and fanned myself, watching Carter running around the post office with the paper airplane I made for him a week ago on my desk.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzcTYhJEQt
"8674," the officer's voice boomed. "8674, please report yourself at table 10."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqO82fVp9X
I sighed and headed towards Table Number 10, facing a middle-aged man in spectacles. "Good morning, sir," I greeted. "I would like to buy a stamp, please."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPlsWJVAAZ
"32 cents, please," he said, taking my letter. I nodded as I scrounged my navy blue purse and took out a few coins, sliding them on the desk. The clerk grabbed the coins and my letter on his desk and thanked me as I got up and headed out of the post office, taking Carter's hand with me. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CEtizUYr1
"Bugsy, Bugsy," he pestered. "Can I play beside the woods?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHfRxt9Gjp
I chuckled. "Alright, but we better home before sundown. You don't want to make Aunt Inara mad. Do you understand?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwijWZ6fS1X
Carter bobbed his head as we strolled along the emerald green grasses and sat down on the sandy patches, with my legs crossed. With his arms spread out, Carter raced around the fields giddily while I watched him, advising him to be more careful. I laid on the ground and observed the clear blue sky above me, pointing at the fluffy, white clouds.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvSvMyuw8V
As I closed my eyes, Carter ran towards me and tugged the sleeves of my striped black and white shirt, waking me up. "Bugsy. Bugsy," he called. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ994YBSzU9H
I sat up and dusted my clothes, letting out a small laugh. "What is it, Carter?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe3RJMKrY3
He dragged my hands across the field and pointed at the bushes. I pushed the grassy curtains aside, revealing a large ring, sprouted with mushrooms. My jaws slacked as I fixed my gaze upon the ring, tiptoeing a little forward. "Do you what this is?" I asked Carter. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtltJidmary
He bobbed his head. "Mummy said it's a fairy ring. It's where faerie gather and parties. Mom also told me that faeries would sit on mushrooms since they're tiny."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxITiXO8bD
"It's true," my brows furrowed. "But from what I learned in Britannica, spawns of mushrooms falls in a favourable spot and sends out a subterranean network of fine, tubular threads called hyphae. So those mushrooms that grow up from this circular underground mat form a similar pattern above ground."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB4vvmXpbT
Carter's head tilted. "I don't get it, Bugsy."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX50vbwm1s
"I'll explain when we get back home," I said, carrying Carter in my arms and entered inside the ring, only to be blinded by the white, luminous light. My eyes squinted as Carter hid his face on my chest for a few seconds, before disappearing from our sight. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl3CVGsS5F
He wriggled free from my arms as he walked away from me and I followed him from behind, with my eyes widening at the sight of the field. The usual green grasses were suddenly coloured with night blue, with the sky painted in yellow topaz and dreamy purple. I gazed at the woods, with its leaves and branches coated with silver, shimmering under the neon orange sunlight. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYoxuuZc1R
"Carter," I uttered, taking a few steps back. "I don't think we're in Slaborough anymore."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKP9FiFijF
"Then where are we?" he raised his eyebrows, running towards me. I lifted my shoulders and held his road as we walked on the dirt road, our heads drooped. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyPNIjzkRi
This feels strange. What's happening here? Why is everything in different colours?580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3UGxcmu6F
From a distance, a sweet, singing voice was heard, making our heads turned. Carter and I glanced at each other and nodded, heading inside the silver forest. The song filled the tranquil forest with fireflies beaming their light like diamonds, which encrusted on the bark of the tree were glistening in our direction. The forest floors were carpeted with wildflowers, fluttering in the cool breeze.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcawXS7Rlh
An Eden green butterfly flickered around Carter, sitting on his small, button nose. Carter giggled as he tried to touch the winged creature, only it flap away from him. Chasing the butterfly, I began catching up to him, calling his name. "Carter," I panted. "Please slow down. I only have 8 toes on both my feet."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9rwNUlbgT
He ignored me and continued with his antics, making me roll my eyes. Then, the butterfly that flew in front of him suddenly disappeared into thin air, causing Carter to bump into a masked figure. With long, jet black hair and clad in a glittering, rouge gown and crimson lips, she gleamed at Carter, lowering her head towards him. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg96tIE78h2
I tried catching up with my breath and placed my hands on both knees, coughing. She looked at me and smiled, bowing to herself. "Welcome, Bugsy," she greeted. "I've been waiting for you and your brother."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffpyRhlHDx
My eyes widened and I pointed at myself. "You're expecting us? But we don't even know you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI9WssTxr2
She nodded as her fingers intertwined with each other. "That's right. You and Carter are formally invited to attend a royal ball."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNp03yKfdY
"How did you know our names?" I asked, with sweat pouring from my forehead. "And who are you?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKAPTHQXOY
"All of you questions will be answered soon, princess," she chortled as she climbed into a pumpkin-shaped carriage. "Now we shall depart together, for we cannot keep the young prince waiting."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKsiQ9PcQQ
I sighed and lifted Carter in my arms as I climbed into the carriage and sat down, facing the raven-haired lady. We rode on the carriage along the forest for hours before arriving at an enormous mansion, which was twice the size of the town of Slaborough. A white-haired man in a mask opened the carriage, and gave his hand to me. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPuXdSEhWq
Reluctantly, I took his hand as I climbed down from the carriage, gazing at the palace. The lady in red escorted me and my brother inside the building, with its walls gleaming with sparkly gems and floors made out of crystals, I slowly spiralled around the elephant-sized hall, with a huge smile in my face. The lady in red placed her hand on my shoulder, giving me a slight smile580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIREq45TV7i
"We can't let the prince wait all day," she said, leading me and Carter upstairs. "We have to dress you both for tonight's event."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZNLnfKKpS
Opening the door of the guest bedroom, my brother and I entered, with both our jaws dropped. "Woah," he exclaimed. "It's so big. I could run around here all day long."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3kulpI3Ur
"You should open the chest," she gleamed. "There's a surprise for you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHSDx1GXdX
Carter lifted the lid of the chest and gasped in marvel as he grabbed a bubblegum pink ball from the chest, bouncing it on the floor. "I love it," he smiled. "How do you know pink is my favourite colour?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB4SKWZVVd
"I know everything about the both of you," she answered, unlocking the closet door, and revealed a navy blue, tulle gown. "For you, milady."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMIBbybzAv
I stood there, frozen on the spot as she took out the dress and hanged it on a mannequin, before escorting my brother out of the room. "Will he be okay?" I asked with concern, as the door was shut tightly. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEgfOu7cuV
"He'll be fine," she said. "Now I'll have to dress you up."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNewFvDhEmi
I nodded as I removed my shirt and jeans and folded them, placing them on the queen-sized bed. I stood still as I put on the gown, with the lady in red zipping the back of the dress. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and gasped, covering my mouth. The silk caressed my rectangular figure, with its hemline a couple of inches from the floor, with the off-shoulder sleeves baring both my arms and gold glitter decorated on the top part. "Oh my gosh," I exclaimed, looking at her. "This is the most beautiful dress I've ever worn."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6lzpZk12o
"You're not done yet," she said, opening a small box, revealing two pairs of cream-coloured gloves, which was elbow-length. As I worn the gloves, she invited me to sit down and untied the ribbon off my ponytail, brushed my golden locks and tied my hair into a half ponytail with my ribbon. Then, she powdered my face and applied blushers on my cheeks, before brushing some orange eyeshadow on my monolids. She painted my lips light pink and smiled, letting me get up from the dresser. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB5UkRmsRV
The room door burst open, revealing the masked butler, holding Carter's hand. Wearing a charcoal black tuxedo and bow-tie, Carter waved at me. "You look pretty, Bugsy," he praised.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAezxM1NjT
I smiled and squeezed his nose, making him snicker. "And you are so handsome with your tuxedo, little buddy."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnGFqUcLzN
"Looks like the guest has arrived," said the lady in red, glancing at her pocket watch. "Come, we must not keep the prince waiting."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYXOtjuXfr
We were ushered to the ballroom and witnessed thousands of guests inside, minding their business. I cleared my throat and brought my brother to the table, filled with myriads of desserts and sweets, to Carter's delight. He tried reaching for a cupcake with his small arms, to no avail. I let out a small laugh and grabbed a cupcake, handing it to him. "Try not to eat too much of sweets," I winked. "You wouldn't want to spoil your dinner."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvrqvDOzxa
Carter bobbed his head and munched on his cupcake greedily, leaving a few stains over his mouth. I took a serviette from the table and wiped his mouth, giving him another cupcake. In a moment, the lady in red towards me, with a man ushered next to her.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ckh9uON22
"May I introduced you to Prince Nicholas, heir to the throne of Arendia."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRRJCCoBT3
I lifted both sides of my skirt and bowed. "Your Highness, it's an honour to meet you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DJpodmBV6
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bugsy," he took my hand and gave a peck, making me blush. "You look exceedingly beautiful, milady."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkkBqWlqfV
I couldn't resist smiling at the red-headed prince, with jade green eyes and milk-white skin, carved with small freckles all over his face. "Shall we dance?" he offered his hand. I took his hand, and he dragged me to the centre of the ballroom, with the sparkling chandelier hovering above us. An orchestra of musicians began to play in the background, I placed my hands on Nicholas's shoulder as he placed his on my waist and twirled around the ballroom, with the guests watching us in awe. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6WiYghsK6
"Shall we talk at the balcony?" he whispered in my ear. "You'll love the stars and the moon."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrTch820V7
I glimpsed at my brother, with his mouth stuffed with candies. "I can't leave my brother all alone."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhDx59IRRd
"He'll be fine, my love," insisted Nicholas. "My mother will watch him."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2fPq6Kr7D
I sighed and reluctantly followed him to the balcony, gazing at the dark sky, adorned with billions of stars and a blue moon, shining its light at the both of us. "It's beautiful," I grinned. "I've never seen a blue moon before."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNuYwLPQhQ
"It's quite common here," he spoke. "Stay here forever, and you and your brother will see this moon every night."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0oJynLuYO
I burst into laughter and shook my head. "You're funny, Nicholas, but I'll probably have to leave soon. I don't want my family to be worried sick about me and my brother."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcovsxi0nR
His warm expression on his face suddenly became sour, giving me a cold shoulder. "You can't leave Arendia, Bugsy."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqedaqbqMLj
My eyes narrowed feeling goosebumps all over me. "What do you mean?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiMYPPgTtU
He dropped to his knees on the floor and held my hand, glaring at me. "Meredith Tan, will you make me the happiest man in the universe and take me as your husband?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwvtErsVRr
I shook my head and released my hands from his, my eyebrows furrowed. "I can't. I'm only 15 and I still have two years before my schooling ended."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWNHUsXXvA
"Who cares about all that?" his voice quivered. "You can just leave all that and be mine."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dYxd2mXC9
I took a few steps back from him and rushed to my little brother, who was lying on the floor, his tuxedo tainted with buttercream and chocolates. Carrying him, I ran out of the palace and headed inside the forest, only to have it erupt in flames. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEKpkUc4Zw
In haste, I covered Carter's nose and mouth with my hands as I braved through the forest fires towards the grasslands, only to find myself caught up in another flame. Coughing violently, I spotted the faerie ring from afar and ran towards it, only to be grabbed by Nicholas from behind, dropping Carter on the fiery ground. "Let me go," I shrieked, attempting to free myself from his rough hands. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyXQKCwS6c
"We will get married, Bugsy," threatened Nick. "Whether you like it or not. Now come on."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe47rPreWhX
Carter, who was awakened, screamed as he kicked his shin, making him scream in agony. My brother pulled me inside the faerie ring and an iridescent light flashed in a moment before my vision turned pitch black. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFIQFKwHWy
"Bugsy," a familiar voice called me. "Bugsy, wake up."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4lbtzOb8M
I opened my eyes, groaning, and found Aunt Inara staring at me, with the two police officers standing behind her. I rubbed my forehead and stood up, dusting my gown, now covered with mud and sand. "Are you okay?" she asked, hugging me.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBwQ9ud9pg
"There's something I need to tell you, auntie, and it was horrifying."
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