FROST

TREMBLING TRUTH OF REALITY

The atmosphere inside the wooden cottage was suffocating as the heavily weaponized guards of the kingdom stood and encircled the witch. She can kill everyone present in the room with a snap of her fingers but she has something else cooking in her mind.

She stared warmly at the Prince and asked him, "what brought the Prince of Verglasia at the steps of my exiled home?" The sense she made was working, but she tried to mock the Prince calmly without pissing him off.

The young Prince observed the witch carefully before stepping inside the cottage. He signaled his guards to investigate the place.

"Check everything carefully, anything found suspicious will be brought to me." He commanded them and turned his eyes back to the witch.

Carmen looked calm and fluctuated her thick lashes repeatedly.

"You haven't responded to my query, sire?" She asked him again.

Zohar's eyes stern at her and placed the dagger on her slender white neck, "I need not respond to the exiled creatures like you. But, now you have asked, let me ask you something, what were you doing when we knocked on the door?"

Carmen bursted out laughing loudly and stated, "what should I be doing at this time? Sire! I was taking a rest after finishing my daily chores." She replied gracefully so she won't get suspected. 

Zohar smiled bitterly at her and grabbed her arm roughly, dragging her to a corner with the dagger placed on her neck, "do you think am I a fool to you?"

He hissed at her, "there is no fair reason for sending you here to rot, I very well know about the creatures like you. Your race can do anything to survive. Now tell me, what were you doing?"

Carmen sneered but did not object to his actions, even though she was bearing pain.

“I have told you i was resting and i wasn’t wearing anything. It took me time to dress properly before presenting myself in front of you. More, I rarely get a chance to treat the guests at my house, so would you like to have a cup of tea?” she smiled like a pure soul.

Zohar’s eyes constricted at her but he let go of her arm and neck. She sighed in relief.

The guards approached the Prince and informed him, “My lord! We have found nothing suspicious in the house.”

Zohar glared them with his shooting gaze and turned to face the witch, “we received information of a man spotted in the forest. Do you have any idea who he was or where he went?” Zohar asked Carmen.

Carmen furrowed her brows in confusion and responded, “My Prince, the Forest is as big as the world to me. If i had noticed a man here I would have sent a messenger by myself to the kingdom.”

“Don’t try to act smart! You are not an ordinary witch and I know that you must have known something about him.” Zohar tightens his grip on her arm and Carmen bit her lower lip in defending the pain she is feeling.

“I know nothing about anyone. Yes, I did feel a strange entity’s presence here but before I could approach him, he left the place in the dark. I can’t cross the border and couldn’t go to look for him any farther.” she gritted.

Zohar slapped the witch and she fell on the vacant chair next to her. She glared at him but lowered her gaze immediately after the guards pointed their sharp spear at her.

“If you knew he was here then why the f**k you did not informed any of us? Or it was you who made his escape easy?” The voice was dangerous and fear flushed over Carmen's body.

“He was out of reach and I was scared that the authorities would question me.” she stuttered.

“And what the f**k is happening right now?” zohar spatted on her face while grabbing her hair roughly.

One of the guards spoke, “My lord! The queen will be disappointed if she finds out you mistreated a woman.” 

Zohar's eyes turned to him, “nobody asked you to overstep between my negotiations with the witch. Mind your tongue!”

The guard stayed quiet for the rest of the investigation.

“Where is he?” Zohar asked him.

“I don’t know!”

He slapped her again, “I won't give you another chance to correct yourself. Now tell me the f*****g truth?” 

“I told you i don’t know where he went. If you want to kill me then kill me right now. I have suffered enough in this exile and i will be grateful to you for sending me to a place where i can live peacefully.” she cried out loud.

Zohar clutched his knuckles hard and bent down to her level, “the man abducted the royal princess, if you know anything about them, just tell me. This time I am asking you very politely, and I hope you can return me the favor as well.”

“I am sorry for the loss of the kingdom but i can’t help you in this case. I am banished to use my magic. But if I find any clue about him or the Princess, I will send the information first handedly.” Caren mumbled under her breath.

Zohar stands up and about to leave the cottage, “your words are imprinted in my mind, Witch. I will come to hunt you if I find you guilty of the abduction of the princess.”

He left the cottage and slammed the door hard. Carmen stands and locks the door quickly before anyone appears again. Her hands trembled and the throat dried. She gulped water directly from the jar placed on the slab.Suddenly, a wicked smile erupts on her lips.

Zohar turned to his guards, “keep an eye on her. I don’t trust this b***h at all. It will be good if you try to extract the truth from the other creatures too.”

The guards saluted the prince and left behind on the orders of the Prince. Few of them returned back with Zohar on the icy ground of the kingdom.

Zohar entered the throne hall with a heavy heart. His gaze fell on the royal crown of the king who was standing facing his back to him.

“Your majesty!” he called the king.

Lucian turned to face Zohar, “tell me Zohar that you brought some clues, a news or anything about my daughter.” the pleading eyes of the king were depressed with sorrow and remorse.

Zohar lowered his gaze in refusal, “I am sorry my king! I failed you. I failed to save the young Princess.”

Lucian put his hand on his shoulders and made him stand on his feet, “no! It was my fault. I am not a deserving king to this kingdom. In my rule, my own daughter is kidnapped. If i am not able to save my own child then how come i will save the whole kingdom. I should resign from this position.” Lucian stated with his eyes closed.

“No! Your majesty! You are an amazing king to this kingdom. No one can handle this situation like you. Even the queen is in shock and hasn't recovered from the pain. If you will think about the oods then who takes care of the progeny?”

“My little Abria! How am I going to explain it to my loving wife? She is already half in grief and I doubt she will die if I tell her that we failed in retrieving her back.” Lucian cried.

“We have to tell her the truth, no matter how hard it will be. She has to forget about the Princess.” Zohar stated and Lucian left the chamber to see his queen.

Silver was sitting on the bed with a stuff doll in her hands. Her eyes are red and swollen from the tears she shed while remembering her daughter.

As soon as the door opened, she immediately wiped her tears and smiled at her husband.

“Lucian! Did you find anything about her?” she asked in a hope.

Lucian was in a dilemma whether to tell her the truth or not but he decided to tell the truth anyway.

“I am sorry, Silver but he hasn't found any clues about our daughter.”

Silver eyes widened and she fell subconsciously on the bed again. She started crying again and Lucian held her.

“Stop it! I can’t bear the tears in your eyes. I know i promised the safety of you and the children but…” he was out of words.

Suddenly Daphne entered the room and apologised to disturbed them, “I am sorry, my lord. there are these tribals who may know something about the princess.” she informed Lucian.

Lucian immediately rushed to the hall and Daphne took care of Silver.

“Silver! I know what you are going through but please, don’t forget that you have your son with you. He is your child and he needs you. Don’t be so selfish, you're abandoning him over your daughter.” Daphne scolded.

Silver stated, “I have lost Elijah on the battlefield, and now my daughter is abducted from my hands. How can you call me selfish for grieving over my loss.”

“She is not dead and I have sent warriors in search of her. We will find her soon but what was Dwyn’s fault in that? He is your son, at least take care of him like you did previously.”

Daphne holds her big belly and sits next to him, “I have lost my brother and his only child too. But life doesn’t stop here. We have to live till the day we take our last breath. You should focus on raising your son.” Daphne suggested and hugged her tightly.

It was hard for her but Silver smiled at her, “you are right! I will raise my child with all of my love, I can't bear another loss.”

Her eyes shine with the water erupting in her eyes.