With Second Princess Meira’s wedding over, the new bride had to bid farewell to her homeland. From now on, she was no longer a part of the Ilven Royal Family, but the Cromwell Royal Family.
Amidst cheers and tears from family and friends, she left with the royal entourage headed by the Queen of Griven. Though Arlan arrived in Abetha with Drayce and company, they would be parting ways for now as he would be accompanying his people and returning to his kingdom.
The day passed by in a blink of an eye, and Seren had been informed that the preparations had been completed for her coming of age. She needed to go outside the royal palace, to a special place arranged for her, and this was passed to her through a secret missive sent by King Armen through his most trusted knight, Sir Berolt.
According to the letter she later on destroyed, King Armen had made the arrangements for her to leave in the darkness of the night. It was imperative she arrive at that special place on the day of her birth, so that on the exact time she was born, marking the eighteenth year of her life, she would be protected.
For protection and safety, words that described her life as a prisoner in the tower.
Seren let out a quiet sigh.
Currently, she was together with Drayce and King Armen, heading towards a discreet exit leading out of the palace walls. She didn’t know how to feel as she stared at the back of the man clad in ordinary clothes. It was the first time she had seen King Armen wearing something not befitting his status, and it must have also been the first time she had interacted with him this closely.
Though she remained quiet, she overheard from his conversation with Drayce that King Armen himself was going to leave with them as some ‘messages’ were being sent to him and he was the one who knew where they were going.
They passed through a secret underground passage of the palace where at the other end ordinary-looking carriages were waiting for them.
pA(nD)A no ve1
There was one more person accompanying them who was of great importance— the silver-haired High Elf, Yorian. Drayce had vouched for Yorian’s identity and capability, that he wouldn’t bring any harm but will be of help to Seren. Thus, King Armen trusted Drayce and allowed the elf to accompany them.
“Take care of the things till I return,” King Armen talked to his son who came there to see them off.
“Rest assured, Father. The kingdom is in good hands,” Cian replied before looking at his sister who was standing with her husband. “Take care, Seren.”
“I will, Brother,” she replied and Cian looked at Drayce who offered him an assuring nod.
Afterwards, they sat in the carriages and left the capital through the thick forest at the rear of the palace. With that land belonging to the royal family, no one would notice their movements easily.
Besides, even if something unexpected were to happen, the presence of Drayce and Yorian made King Armen more confident about his daughter’s safety.
Inside the carriage, Seren was sitting quietly with her husband.
Drayce caressed her hand. “Are you scared?”
“A little,” she answered honestly. There was no need to lie to her husband. “I am not sure what is so special— or should I say scary?—about me reaching my eighteenth birthday.”
“It will be over before you know it.”
A bitter smile appeared behind her veil. “Why can’t my birthday be just an ordinary celebration like any other girl who comes of age? Pretty dresses and good food and music and dancing… Why does it have to be like this? I feel like a fugitive running in the night…like, like I did something wrong…”
Drayce circled his arm around her shoulder and rubbed it gently to comfort her. “You did nothing wrong, and on your official coming of age, you will get to receive an ordinary albeit extravagant celebration.”
“I mean…”
“Do not worry about anything else. As long as I am with you, there is nothing to worry about. Think of this just as an exciting outing.”
“I know, but…all my life, I only want to live an ordinary life like that of other ladies. I don’t want to worry about what the next day would bring me, whether I would be the target of some mysterious beings.”
“It will happen. I promise. There will be a day when you won’t have to worry about things aside from what to eat next or where to go next. We will have a peaceful life.” His words were calm and reassuring. “Do you trust me?”
“I do. I trust no one but you,” she replied and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying herself in his comforting embrace. “Did the King Armen say where he is taking us?”
“Somewhere safe, a place guarded by the ones who want to protect you,” he replied.
“Who are those? Why do they want to protect me?”
Drayce had the answer at the tip of his tongue, but he hesitated to tell her the complete truth at this moment. He didn’t know how to tell her that she might get to meet her birth mother soon.
‘Will it be fine to tell her this when King Armen didn’t say anything regarding this?’
“There are people who want to protect this world,” he started vaguely, “and what is hidden inside you can bring harm to this world. So these people are the ones who wished to keep the peace of this world the way it is. For them to achieve their goals, protecting you is a priority.”
Drayce felt her sighing against his chest as he heard her mumble, “I hope this hellfire inside me can be removed so I can be at peace.”
“We will search for a way,” he assured her once again.
