Chapter 11 - We will try
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Nate and Vince followed after the king.
He doesn’t look well today.
They were all silent as they sat on chairs. The children waited for the king to speak.
“We do not know if you will be able to appear at their palace or some other place.”
Nate nodded. “I will still try to imagine the throne room, my lord.”
“Of course.” The king agreed.
“We’ll hold hands to try and make sure we appear on the same place together.” Vince’s main concern is this.
“And if we still get separated?” Nate asked, not wanting to burst his bubble but she has to be realistic.
“We’ll see each other at the castle.”
The king interjected, “The castle will remain your point of reference. If you end up somewhere else, you move towards the palace. If you get separated, you move towards the palace. If the place you end up in proves to be dangerous, you come back here immediately. Use the enchantment again. You must memorize it.”
“And if we end up somewhere else upon using the enchantment again?” Nate hates being the voice of terrible possibilities.
“Keep using it until you end up here.” The king replied.
Nate took a deep breath. For some reason, her head is starting to ache.
“You will have to use the enchantment, too.” The king reminded Vince, and the prince nodded.
“We’ll hold onto you.” He was adamant that the king comes with them.
“We will try.” He understands his son’s desire. He has that desire, too.
“Right. Be careful when you memorize it. Think of something else when you’re nearly on the last word. Utter a different word, otherwise…” Nate emphasized the importance of this one.
Vince reached out his hand over to her, offering it. “Just in case.”
She turned to the king and his expression was grim. She sighed.
And so, they spent the rest of the morning memorizing the lines, while holding hands. His majesty copied it, too.
Their lunch was subdued. Her head is truly hurting now and she leaned it against her hand. In no time, she would loudly speak a random word to prevent herself from completing the enchantment. Vince must think she’s going crazy. Mid-afternoon, she gave up and slumped on the table. She groans as the headache remains.
“Rest. We will continue tomorrow.” The king settled.
“We are in no hurry to accomplish this. Don’t push yourselves too hard.”
Though he said that, Vince thought they were in a hurry for a completely different reason. He wanted to see his mother. There was no danger for them to hurry, only their desire to see her.
If Vince is honest, his own head is starting to hurt as well. They stored the books away and retired to their rooms early.
Nate cocooned herself in Vince’s cloak, pressing her head on his side. She still groans from time to time. He called on a servant to procure medicine from the palace doctor.
After they have rested for a few hours, they woke up just in time for dinner. They had to accompany the king.
Nate was still clutching her head on the bed.
“Would you like to remain here? I will bring your meal.”
“Hmm.” It was her only reply as she laid back on the bed, propping a pillow against her head. It would seem the medicine didn’t do much for her.
If she had to describe what she’s feeling… that enchantment has stuck to her head. It kept repeating itself and she could almost hear herself saying it. She can’t. She purposely left out the last line for fear of accidentally using it. Vince proved to be better than her in this situation.
The next morning, she managed to regain her energy. They stripped the enchantment from the book. They stood in the middle of the recreation hall. Vince held her hand. She reached for the king on her other side.
“Ready?” Vince asked. Nate nodded with determination.
“Remember what we discussed.”
“Yes, father.”
When the lights enveloped them, they were hopeful.
At the fae kingdom, Elise requested her father to issue the order. They had to report to her immediately if any human is sighted. Be it the same girl from last time or someone else. She can offer gold to anyone to do this favor for her. She’s willing to give as much gold as necessary. She could almost see Edward shaking his head at her.
The letters she wrote, she kept them on her side. She has decided to start wearing cloaks over her dress, to conceal the purse in her waist.
Erik kept pestering her with questions. He only stopped when she threatened to banish him for being annoying. She’s already crowned princess and do hold a higher authority than an ordinary princess.
Her father called for a discussion. How should they treat a human that will come to their territory? It’s funny how the prophecy has been around for decades and yet no one prepared how to deal with the prophesied individual. They only waited. Hoped someone will indeed come, and may have expected that everything will suddenly return to the way it was from their appearance alone. Alas, that’s not how it is.
“We cannot expect them to want to remain here and fight a war they have no involvement in the first place.” Elise stated, recalling what happened with the young girl. They actually thought to imprison her. The repercussion of that would have been terrible. Said human wouldn’t desire to extend help. She knew what Erik was thinking, patterned to what she went through. Keep her here until the war is won. Having experienced it herself, she knew it would not have the desired effect. She wanted to return to the human world. In recent ages, it faded from her mind. It was the girl’s words, calling her queen, that made her desire return with such intensity.
She will try to find a way. If she cannot return, maybe she would be able to communicate with them.
“They must have a reason to help us.” King Florian agreed. Even he wouldn’t randomly help the human world if he has no stake in it.
“Reward. We can offer them rewards.” Prince Erik raised.
“Only a poor with nothing to lose save his life, and everything to gain, would agree to fight for a reward.” Elise replied. If this problem could be solved with treasures, they would willingly give them up.
“Infiltrating their domain alone is difficult. It’s heavily guarded and their warriors are ruthless.” The king related again. It’s a known fact.
The word “ruthless” reminds Elise of her husband. She inhaled deeply. She kept thinking about them these days. She’s glad she could still recall how he looks. Their son, though… she could barely remember the child’s features.
“Isn’t there anyone who would volunteer to do so?”
“Would you?” Elise returned her brother’s question.
“I’m a prince.” He reasoned.
“Exactly.” She rolled her eyes at him. He has a long way to go.
Erik was about to retort when they appeared.
They saw the lights in the middle of the throne room. Elise instantly recognized the girl. Her heart thumped wildly. This is her chance.
- Writer
