Unveiled Secrets: The Promise of the Fae

Chapter 6 - Don't mind me

Elise was escorted back to her room. Prince Erik accompanied her.

“Why did you cry?” He couldn’t understand why she suddenly shed tears. He remembered the human calling her queen. He was too young to know the whole story but apparently, they sent his sister to the human world when she was a baby. He was old enough when she returned to the fae. He grew up knowing he has a sister but he hadn’t seen her until her return. His sister is very beautiful. A number of royal and noble fae have asked their father for her hand, but they were all refused. When he asked his father about it, he was only told that he’s too young to understand.

“Don’t mind me. You can return to your activities. I will be out shortly.” She managed to stop the tears and smile at him. He only hesitated for a moment before obeying her.

The moment he closed the door, her smile fell and the tears came out again.

She had always wanted to return to the human world. The moment she came here, she wanted to go back. Despite everything her father explained, she wanted to go back. But why is it that the fae who arranged her being a changeling has to include a promise about her return? She couldn’t return, no matter what, unless the dark fairy prince is dead.

It took a while for her to accept her fate in this world. She couldn’t raise her son. She couldn’t support her husband. She couldn’t rule the kingdom beside him. The only way to go back is to join everyone’s efforts in this war and defeat the dark fairies.

They thought they could fulfill the prophecy, which calls for a human coming into their world and setting into motion the plan to defeat the dark fairies, by having her as a changeling. She took on a human form and then they called her back. Only, her return did nothing. As queen of the north, she knows some things about leadership, as she stood beside the king. But her knowledge isn’t enough. She doesn’t have the ability to be the human the prophecy mentioned. Even her father, the king of a fae kingdom, failed in fighting them. It also took her a while to accept her father is a fae and she has a brother, too. When she wanted to come to the human world and see her family, they couldn’t do anything about it. The fae who carried her into the south castle made a promise for her. When she returns to the fae, the dark prince must fall before she can leave that dimension.

Being reminded of the world she missed and the people in it that she loved, she longs for them. She couldn’t stop herself from yearning to return. She hoped the girl would return. Maybe if she is the one in the prophecy, the war would end and she could go back.

Or maybe she could carry a message for her. She immediately dried her tears and searched for a pen and pieces of paper. She would need to be ready to give it to her when she returns. She could disappear any moment.

She kept on writing, everything that she wanted to say. She’s not sure if they would believe it, but she can try. She wrote one for the king, and another for their son. How old is he now? She tried to think of something that only she and her husband know, to prove her identity. Would the girl be able to hand the letters to them? How did she know what she looked like? The portraits. Maybe she’d seen a portrait. Maybe she can enter the palace. Elise frowned. But she has magic. Would she dare to go into the palace? She dismissed the problems for now and focused on the letters. She kept on adding to it, her hopes, her wishes…

The following morning at the north castle, Vince and Nate were waiting for the king.

When he arrived, he brought a number of books with him. All about fairies.

“I haven’t perused all these, but maybe you two can help.”

Nate grimaced. In a way, she’s starting to feel burned out from all the reading they’ve been doing since they returned. Whenever they read something related to that dimension, they would read it aloud for the others. There was a description of a fae. Another described their world. The lights are considered second-nature to them. The different types of fae, this one King Edward already read before.

“What kind of fairies do you think they are?”

Nate was momentarily startled at being asked. She hesitated, “I do not know, my lord. They didn’t… I didn’t see them do anything. Except fly.”

The king nodded at her reply and focused again on a book he picked up.

Later, Vince would read something about fae kingdoms. So, they do exist. In the book, written by someone who claims to have gone through their world, it was stated that there are at least ten fae kingdoms, ruled by kings and royals. Their locations are scattered, as expected, and the sizes vary greatly.

The only information they have on dark fae comes from another book. There are two types of them. One, fae who turned evil unconsciously. Having suffered great sorrow or pain, they are consumed by an evil intent to get revenge. They could turn back before they die. They die because of regret and a want to repent. This seems like what they witnessed before. Two, fae who turned evil intentionally. Nate would hazard a guess the dark fairy prince would be classified as the latter. They would have to get more information when they get to that dimension.

“You will come with us, right?” Vince asked his father as he closed the last book.

“If it is possible. We do not know the conditions of the enchantment.” King Edward replied with a sigh, leaning back on his chair.

“A lot of things could go wrong here, you know.” Nate voiced out.

“It’s possible that this won’t only transport you to the fae dimension.” King Edward understood it, too.

“Us. You have to come with us.” Vince insisted.

“There is also the possibility that we won’t be transported to the same place.”

“We’ll stick together. That could work.” The prince replied to her, reaching out for her hand. Maybe, he thought at the back of his mind. They should try anything and everything.

“We’ll see. We’re not sure if one needs to be able to utter those enchantments for it to work…” This is the king’s main concern.

“Or if we can bring someone to tag along…” Nate added.

Vince understood as well, but he wanted to be optimistic. They’re going to see his mother. He was both excited and nervous. Would she recognize him? Does she still want him? Why hadn’t she returned? He’d seen fairies before and they can definitely come to the human world.

“We don’t have all the answers, so be patient…” King Edward directed it to his son, seeing the changes in his expressions.

“Yes, father.” He tried to calm himself. Maybe they won’t be able to see her today. Maybe yes. They had to figure this out quickly.

“So, which one do we try first?”