Sophie has never felt that truly happy, with the person she had loved for so long, was the most amazing and sweet feeling in the world.
She didn't believe she would ever experience that joy again, holding hands with a loved one.
He felt the same, it was visible on his face. He looked at her with the most charming and happy smile he had, and everything was as wonderful as it was before.
After a while, they arrived outside the palace. It was fantastic, like a dream. It was made of amazing sea crystals that reflected the light and instead of metal, there was silver. It gave the impression that it was made of ice.
The two young people looked amazed by its beauty. Sophie would often look at it and try to paint it, but every time she looked at it, her breath stopped. Axel was also amazed, hadn't seen it in a long time.
Then he looked at Sophie next to him. She was so beautiful as she looked at her stately home. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I always marvel at this architecture. It's so beautiful!" she expressed her admiration.
"Yes," he replied, still staring at her. " Really, really beautiful," he smiled at Sophie and turned away before she noticed him ashamed.
But Sophie had already noticed him looking at her and said that she was very beautiful until he turned away from her.
It warmed her heart, but she didn't show it, ashamed. Then they went inside. It was just as majestic and beautiful there.
Unlike the exterior architecture, which looked like an icy one, it was very warm and cosy inside. A gentle light illuminated the place. Unique-strange lamps flew in the air in the shape of lilies. Everything was so fabulous and amazing.
They headed to a room at the end of a long hallway that had a little more silver detail and knocked on the door.
"Enter! "an impressive, loud, feminine voice was heard from within.
Sophie and Axel went inside. In front of them on a wonderful throne decorated with thousands of shells and scallops, stood a majestic woman in a beautiful ball gown decorated with sea crystals and shells.
She had long beautifully styled dark brown hair and a face with a serious expression, almost black eyes, with a crown on her head of silver, crystals and shells in tone with the dress - Her Royal Majesty, Queen Selena Rainfire, Sophie's mother.
"Daughter, hello, my dear. I see you saw our new guests and old friends" she looked at their hands and they were embarrassed and let go. "Good to see you, prince. We haven't seen each other in ages. It is good that you accepted the invitation to participate in the Tournament."
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'm amazed that you invited us at all. After all, it's been nine years, and you've invited us to your house."
"Because... because of the sad circumstances, this is how it happened. From the end of the Tournament, when it takes place in our kingdom, there are no Fire people to participate in it.
Now is the year my daughter can officially participate as a future heiress to the throne. I thought it was time to forget about the feuds and see you again as old friends.
Speaking of which, where are your mother and father? Didn't they come with you?"
Axel could barely suppress his laugh.
"When I saw your daughter, we immediately decided to come. I haven't seen her in ages, and I wanted her to show me around the palace. I'm sure my family will be here in a very short time. My brother and the servants are there. They will help them with their luggage, "he explained in a calm tone.
Axel had an older brother, Lucas. He was only two years older than them. When they were little together: he, Sophie, Axel, the Princess of the Earth Nation and Sophie's best friend Isabelle, a year older, and her brother of their age, Thomas.
Axel and Thomas had a bit of a bad relationship. They often argued about Sophie. They both liked her, so Axel was jealous.
A year after the incident, Thomas was delighted to acknowledge his feelings, but she cut him off. He was angry. He claimed that "that fool" didn't deserve her. That angered Sophie, too, and from that moment she hated him. Then they never spoke again and didn't even know what was going on with him.
Sophie and Isabel were still best friends. They were like sisters, but they weren't talking about her brother.
Sophie was glad to know Lucas was coming too. She has been pairing him with Isabelle for a long time, despite their strange relationship. When they were younger, Lucas and Isabel were always fighting about everything.
He annoyed her, and if a boy tried to woo her, he would get angry and find a way to pull him away. Iza complained to her best friend, claiming that she hated him, but Sophie responded with confidence that it was how he expressed his love for her and that this hatred was only the beginning of strong love. She was even angrier and categorically denied it.
Now, after a long time, she will be able to try to match them again and the thought of it almost makes her laugh.
"Well then. I will let you talk. I will see you later. You're free." waved her hand to the door and they left the room.
"Well, as always, your mother is wise and good," Axel said admirably.
"After my father's death, she became more trapped in herself and devoted herself to the kingdom. Too bad it happened. Come on, let me show you around," Sophie replied.