"Hey.. where are we going? It looks like where on our way out of the village" Niah said while Cora was still dragging as she noticed that they're quite far from the area where people are gathering.
" Just chill Lady Niah! we are about to arrive in our old house"
In a few moment they finally arrived in a small abandoned tent.
"We did you chose this place?" she curiously asked the little girl.
"I .. " she paused for a moment while inserting her hand in her pocket to get a match so she can kindle the lamp on the center table.
" Since my parents and Vera, my older sister, died because of some goons who attacked our village 2 years ago I am not able to go back here in our old house because I am afraid and no one wants to go here with me so I used this chance so you can accompany me in exchange of telling you about the things that I have read in that book" she pointed to the book Niah's carrying.
"Oh .. I am so sorry for that" she sadly said.
"It's fine Lady Niah, Lord Theon said that they didnt die for nothing"Cora stated while starting to open some of the cabinet to start her search.
"Soooo you are close with that Lord Theon?" she immediately asked after hearing his name.
"Mmmm.. I can say yes.. because he's the one who saved me that day goons attacked our village, I idolize his bravery and kindness above all" she replied while continuing her search.
"So it means you already seen his face?" she eagerly questioned.
"FOUND IT!" Cora stood up while holding the butterly brooch she have found inside the drawer.
"Cora have you seen his face?" but Cora ignored her and continue to carefully inspect the brooch.
"Its still beautiful just like the same day my Mom gave it to me"
"Answer me, have you seen. his. face?" she persistedly asked.
" Lady Niah why are you keep asking? hmmm you are charmed in his smile too arent ya?" Cora jokingly said that made Niah blushed as she remember Theon's smile despite of having a half faced mask.
"W-what?! No! Ofcourse No! I am just curious Cora duh! learn about the difference of a charmed by him and being curious about his real face behind his mask" Niah defensively answered.
"By the way, what is that brooch for?"she added to divert the topic.
"This is my mother's last birthday gift for me, she said that I should give this brooch to a man that I want to be with all my life, and in that case I need you"
"Wait, what? me?"
"Yup! I love to have a prince charming as charming as Lord Theon! but.. there is no prince here in our village that was also in my same age range" she dissappointedly uttered.
"And? what can I do for that?"
"Since.. you are a Princess and you are going to the Main Kingdom .. It means you are going to meet a loooot of Princes that I can marry"
"Huh?" Niah weirded out replied.
"Pick the best and handsome man Lady Niah and gave him my brooch then tell him to visit this village and find me"
"But Cora--"
"Please Lady Niah .. in exchange of this book please" the little girl pleaded.
Niah took a few seconds to think and then she finally agreed even though she doesnt know how she will do that but the fact that Cora will give her the copy of the freak book made her say yes. Cora giggled happily and started to open the book beside her on the table to start narrating all the things she have read from the book while Niah turned her serious mode on so she can listen carefully and be able to retain it later.
"This colossal kingdom is divided into two group, the lower and higher kingdom. 20 years there is a contest for who will be the next clan who will reign the Main Chief Kingdom, all of the male 18-20 sons of queens and concubines from 7 Higher Kingdoms including the own son of the Main Chief Kingdom King's Sons will compete for the crown and the ownership for the royal harem winning candidates which will also be competed by the female royal blooded women from different clan from lower to higher kingdoms, the leading candidate out of hundreds of women will be the next primary Queen and the second will be the Primary Concubine, then the rest will be the 3rd,4th and 5th will be the secondary concubines." Cora paused making sure that Niah still getting it correctly the she continued.
" Your clan, the Lysandrius sent you to be their main candidate because you are the only daughter of your parents and the other 44 female candidates from your clan are your cousins or cousins from your male relative's concubine. In this book you were described as very talented and intelligent lady that was so eager to get the crown because of its contained power that may elevate your kingdoms economic and health state. Some of the candidates from your clan died because of your first ambush after you crossed your Kingdom's border line. You were saved and brought by the masked men in a village then attended a feast like what we have tonight. You do--" Cora was cut by Niah's intervention
"Crown? power?" Niah questioned.
"The crown of the queen was described here as a powerful crown that can give your heart's greatest desire" Cora explained.
"So it means if I desired a portal to go back home, it will grant it?"
"Maybe? I dont even know its just that what I have read in the description of the crown from your belief and motivations for claiming the crown"
"But wha--" Niah was shocked when Cora suddenly blewed the candle out that made the surrounding a real pitch black and only the lights from outside the tent are visible.
"Shhh" she whispered into Niah's ear while she carefully and suddenly guide her to her hiding spot near the large cabinet compartment.
"What's the matter?" Niah asked through whispering.
"Cant you hear it? there are unusual movement near the fence, thats the same thing I have noticed before"
"Before what?"
before Cora answered Niah's question they heard a coming footsteps around their tent.
"Are you sure you havent seen the dim light I have seen in this tent earlier?" said by the unknown male voice.
"I havent seen it so stop bugging me, all of the village men are busy having their feast at their activity area, little do they know thats the last feast they will take because tonight will be their last night hahahahah" the other male voice said before Cora and Niah heard their finally walking far from the tent.
"Lady Niah .. what we should do?" Cora fearfully asked while trembling as she remembered the night her family were massacred.
"Shhh We cant let them kill another innocent people" Niah said while calming herself from incoming danger.
"But how? they might caught us.."
"Trust me, they wont.. so here is the plan" as she whispered her plan to Cora.
- - -
Who are those goons planning to attack their village?
Can Niah and Cora warn the celebrating people from incoming danger? or it will be too late ?