Dear Dad,578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZkMri4Yz8
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauNPZzrb2m
I can't wait to see you once the war is over. We all miss you so much.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl4YYCd9pe
With love,
Bugsy.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK4nuGQ3Ck
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jrm4igjCa
"I'm going to the post office, auntie," I answered. "I'm sending a letter to dad."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a0dUYwkgO
Aunt Inara nodded. "Alright, but you'll have to take your little brother with you."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzHWQWf0Tb
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4yXHrSmdo
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeQnjXwAyY
"Hey Carter," I said in a sing-song voice. "Wanna follow me to send letters to daddy?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hUzXlzebi
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwkApqWECG
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM6bTIGzgr
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1emSNdrLF
"8674," the officer's voice boomed. "8674, please report yourself at table 10."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTESP7kVYz
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvgry8yVhH
"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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PavpgEG2n
"Bugsy, Bugsy," he pestered. "Can I play beside the woods?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr1dV2RrDw
I chuckled. "Alright, but we better home before sundown. You don't want to make Aunt Inara mad. Do you understand?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63E4aIY4mV
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7GZDORDdE
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsERfn6h10k
I sat up and dusted my clothes, letting out a small laugh. "What is it, Carter?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6xeKF5uBa
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpl2UoCyQI
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs2wvA69zn
"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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdyACFTSI9
Carter's head tilted. "I don't get it, Bugsy."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwgLFMFSQX
"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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3rYQKSb6c
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfVyDqotfU
"Carter," I uttered, taking a few steps back. "I don't think we're in Slaborough anymore."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkWk5abusz
"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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOLmkO3JsO
This feels strange. What's happening here? Why is everything in different colours?578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKRE3v8hYD
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJw8Ou9JAH
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5OyduWqSk
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1XQvmlKur
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cx4qCKWOX
My eyes widened and I pointed at myself. "You're expecting us? But we don't even know you."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfUikYO0io
She nodded as her fingers intertwined with each other. "That's right. You and Carter are formally invited to attend a royal ball."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8cJ5q9PlN
"How did you know our names?" I asked, with sweat pouring from my forehead. "And who are you?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJqna3DFSr
"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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIplAOm9bT
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5zWomvXKJ
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 smile578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpMa1VDwJg
"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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKDG6Ag0e3
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1si2a7f4SX
"You should open the chest," she gleamed. "There's a surprise for you."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5el50mmQqq
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?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX7t5DEFkh
"I know everything about the both of you," she answered, unlocking the closet door, and revealed a navy blue, tulle gown. "For you, milady."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QXa8NWiDZ
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWXu7s82rE
"He'll be fine," she said. "Now I'll have to dress you up."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqsxR5kXx2
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9ZKWhin2o
"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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbyrhFh9IP
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStQuHisik3
I smiled and squeezed his nose, making him snicker. "And you are so handsome with your tuxedo, little buddy."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ9GkrntjO
"Looks like the guest has arrived," said the lady in red, glancing at her pocket watch. "Come, we must not keep the prince waiting."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS9iq80G1S
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYDK5mBwUv
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAQ3OD3cwc
"May I introduced you to Prince Nicholas, heir to the throne of Arendia."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhm426LawR
I lifted both sides of my skirt and bowed. "Your Highness, it's an honour to meet you."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkaOWgURYt
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bugsy," he took my hand and gave a peck, making me blush. "You look exceedingly beautiful, milady."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ULnt4tvCv
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQznOoqbXFZ
"Shall we talk at the balcony?" he whispered in my ear. "You'll love the stars and the moon."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvsAKuzGQS
I glimpsed at my brother, with his mouth stuffed with candies. "I can't leave my brother all alone."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xXqzSNLxu
"He'll be fine, my love," insisted Nicholas. "My mother will watch him."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHdkaTZFVc
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz6uKZgs0t
"It's quite common here," he spoke. "Stay here forever, and you and your brother will see this moon every night."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc2sP53r0B
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr9dqhHcby
His warm expression on his face suddenly became sour, giving me a cold shoulder. "You can't leave Arendia, Bugsy."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDqfMvWnM3
My eyes narrowed feeling goosebumps all over me. "What do you mean?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbP3CDNO2h
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?"578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLPb3Lkhx7
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."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4EK7yAswc
"Who cares about all that?" his voice quivered. "You can just leave all that and be mine."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHhuUTEGiV
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL0zTQWlpM
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJCv46pogg
"We will get married, Bugsy," threatened Nick. "Whether you like it or not. Now come on."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R8xrzTNse
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. 578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwcHuDWPPx
"Bugsy," a familiar voice called me. "Bugsy, wake up."578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAvZ6JuEJ7
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqrLgpsHAU
"There's something I need to tell you, auntie, and it was horrifying."
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