Timeless | rorasa

Chapter 7: The Dream and The Reality

The morning light peeked through the curtains as Rora lay in bed, a faint smile of relief on her lips. It had been days since she last dreamt about the faceless woman whose life felt unbearable to witness even in her sleep. Despite never seeing the woman's face, Rora had always known she was beautiful. She was a princess, with a voice that lingered in Rora's mind.

As the morning light grew brighter, something clicked in Rora's mind. The voice... it sounded exactly like Asa's. She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding. "No," she murmured to herself. "It can't be. It's just a coincidence. There are plenty of people with similar voices."

But even as she tried to dismiss the thought, it clung to her, persistent and unsettling. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. It had to be just a coincidence. After all, dreams were just dreams, right?

Rora got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, where she found Asa already up, preparing breakfast. The sight of her brought a strange mix of comfort and unease.

"Good morning, Rora," Asa greeted, her voice carrying a melodic lilt. She moved gracefully around the kitchen, her presence exuding an almost regal charm.

"Morning," Rora replied, forcing a smile as she watched Asa with curiosity. Could it really be just a coincidence?

Noticing Rora's contemplative demeanor, Asa paused, her eyes filled with gentle concern. "Is there something troubling you?"

Rora hesitated before replying. "Just a strange dream I had. It's nothing, really."

Asa tilted her head, her gaze as warm as it was inquisitive. "Oh? Dreams can sometimes reveal more than we realize. Are you certain you don't wish to share?"

Rora shook her head. "No, it's fine. Just one of those odd dreams you can't quite forget."

Asa accepted the response with a nod, but her poised demeanor seemed to hold a deeper understanding. As they sat down to breakfast, Rora couldn't help but notice how Asa's grace and mannerisms echoed the princess from her dreams.

Asa, maintaining her gentle elegance, served the breakfast with a subtle flourish. "I have prepared an array of traditional dishes from my homeland," she said, her tone casual yet refined. "I thought you might enjoy the variety."

Rora gave a small smile, trying to set aside her doubts. "Thank you, Asa. Everything looks wonderful."

As they enjoyed the meal, a comfortable silence enveloped them, but the lingering questions remained unspoken. Rora knew she needed to explore the mystery, but for now, she was content to savor the moments of connection and the growing sense of intrigue surrounding Asa.

---

After breakfast, as Rora and Asa were getting ready to leave the house, Rora took a deep breath and turned to Asa, her expression serious. "Asa, there's something important I need to tell you."

Asa paused, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it, Rora?"

Rora hesitated for a moment before continuing, her tone serious but gentle. "In the industry where I work, you can't trust everyone you meet. People can be manipulative and deceitful. You need to be cautious and not too trusting. Especially, don't tell anyone about your true identity." She paused, knowing that even she still had doubts about Asa's story.

Asa nodded slowly, absorbing Rora's words. "I understand, Rora. I promise to be careful and keep my true identity a secret."

Rora felt a sense of relief wash over her. "Good. I just want you to be safe."

Asa reached out and squeezed Rora's hand reassuringly. "Thank you, Rora. I trust you."

---

The drive to the arena was filled with Asa's wide-eyed wonder as she took in the bustling cityscape, the towering skyscrapers, and the throngs of people going about their daily lives. For Asa, it was a stark contrast to the quiet streets of her kingdom, where life moved at a slower pace.