David and Astraea had no choice but to walk; their horses, once a source of freedom, had been stolen. Astraea, having spent her life within the palace walls, had only a modicum of stamina, but her determination pushed her forward. Though David delighted in carrying her when fatigue struck, she insisted on toughing it out, eager to prove her strength and resilience.
As they meandered through the small town, they passed merchants selling their wares, each one met with hopeful inquiries about the whereabouts of the most powerful monarch in the land. Their journey brought them to a quaint settlement believed to be the home of the only and strongest vampire-witch in existence—a destination shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
Astraea was panting heavily by the time they reached a patch of grass beside the road. Despite her noble upbringing, fatigue claimed her, and she sank down, seeking respite. David, his heart heavy with concern, contemplated picking her up but knew that she desired to prove herself. Instead, he settled beside her, stretching out on the grass, the cool earth a soothing balm against his skin. A serene smile crept across his face as he surrendered to the tranquility, momentarily forgetting the day's trials.
Astraea cast a fleeting glance at David before joining him on the grass. As she lay back, her gaze drifted to the bright blue sky, a canvas unmarred by clouds. In that moment, she envied the clarity and beauty of the sky, wishing her own life could reflect such simplicity. A sad smile tugged at her lips as she turned her head to steal another look at David, who appeared peaceful and carefree in slumber.
In her heart, Astraea understood that David's attentiveness stemmed from more than mere duty; his affection for her was evident, an unspoken truth between them. Despite the confinement of her royal upbringing, she was perceptive enough to recognize his feelings. However, her own heart was conflicted—she felt only gratitude towards him, leaving her troubled by the emotional disparity.
A sense of unease washed over Astraea as she grappled with the realization that she could not reciprocate his feelings. David had shown nothing but kindness and had risked his life for her escape, choosing to stand by her side instead of remaining in the safety of the castle. Yet, the connection she yearned for eluded her grasp.
She found a strange comfort in this detachment. After all, her fate was already sealed; she was destined to marry the king of their nation. If she were to develop feelings for David, it would only complicate matters. Astraea pondered the prospect of loving the king, wondering if he might grow to love her in return. But the thought of convincing him to marry her filled her with dread, and she realized she had no plan in sight.
With a weary sigh, Astraea closed her eyes, surrendering to the fatigue that enveloped her, drifting off into a light slumber.
---
Meanwhile, in the council room, Prince Astrophel occupied the chair at the head of the table, his voice cutting through the tension. "Did you find her?" he demanded, eyes sharp with urgency.
"No, your highness. However, we have discovered that they were seeking directions to the nation of Zlork. It appears the princess intends to stay there for a while," the man reported, his voice steady despite the gravity of the news.
Astrophel nodded, a calculated plan forming in his mind. "Send a contingent of guards after her. The guard who abducted her is formidable, and if the princess is harmed, it will cost you your heads," he warned, his tone icy. The man departed swiftly, and Astrophel turned to the council, signaling for them to proceed.
"With all due respect, your majesty," began Jafar, one of the oldest council members, skepticism etched on his face, "I believe you are hastening the coronation."
"Jafar, the coronation must proceed to quell the unrest among the people of Valens in the absence of the royal family," Astrophel countered firmly.
"You speak of avoiding uncertainty," Anastasia, the youngest council member, chimed in, her voice steady but laced with doubt, "but would not a rapid shift in kings create confusion?"
Astrophel met her gaze, momentarily captivated by her resolve before regaining his composure. "We will issue a statement claiming that King Alon is ill and has chosen to designate me as king earlier than planned." He paused, gauging their reactions before continuing. "We must act swiftly to uncover who killed the King and Queen. Our only lead is the guard who took my sister."
The council members exchanged glances, nodding in agreement, their expressions shifting from doubt to resolve. "Let us issue the announcement tomorrow and plan the coronation for two days hence," Astrophel concluded, his voice resonating with authority. Though some still hesitated, the weight of his words hung in the air, uniting them in purpose until they could secure Astraea's safety and solve the mystery surrounding the royal tragedy.
---
Astraea stirred awake, her stomach growling ferociously, a reminder of their meager provisions. Embarrassed, she caught David's gaze, her cheeks flushing with a mix of shame and hunger. Rising to her feet, she brushed off her gown, the fabric whispering against her skin as she regained her composure. "We need to find food quickly. Let's head into town," she urged, her spirits lifting at the prospect.
David nodded, falling into step beside her. As they approached the town gates, Astraea's heart raced with anticipation. The sign above them read 'Welcome to Zlork,' and she quickened her pace, a smile blooming on her face.
However, the guards at the gate halted her. "Pay the fee," one commanded, their expressions unreadable. Astraea rifled through her pockets, her heart sinking as she realized she only had a few gold coins left from her last visit, uncertain if it would suffice. Then, a glimmer of hope sparked within her as she remembered her royal ID.
She retrieved the card and presented it to the guards, her photo and details embossed with the royal seal. Their eyes widened, recognition dawning. "We apologize for the inconvenience, Princess," they stammered, bowing low. "Might we inquire why the princess is here without the King and Queen?"
Before Astraea could respond, David stepped forward, his voice steady. "We ventured out for a brief excursion and became separated from Their Majesties." With a nod from the guards, they opened the gate, allowing the pair to pass unimpeded.
Once inside, a guard signaled to another, their expressions grave as they relayed Astraea's arrival to the palace. The soldier trudged towards the castle, fatigue evident in his movements. Upon reaching the palace, he knelt before a servant, whispering urgent words that prompted her immediate haste to the king.
As she entered the throne room, head bowed in deference, the king, a striking young man of twenty, lounged upon one of the thrones, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Ah?" he mused, intrigued by the news. "The princess of Valens has arrived, estranged from her family?"
A wicked smile curved his lips, the thrill of potential conflict igniting a dangerous excitement within him.
---
Astraea and David, oblivious to the intrigue unfolding in the castle, navigated the bustling streets of Zlork. Astraea, often admired for her beauty, had brushed off compliments with grace, her thoughts consumed by the promise of food. They soon found a quaint eatery, the savory aroma wafting from within making Astraea's stomach grumble again.
Seated at a table, they ordered the simplest fare, their shared goal to conserve their dwindling resources. A waitress, cheerful and attentive, approached them with menus, and as they placed their order, Astraea reached into her pocket to produce a royal gold coin—a token of her status she had yet to fully comprehend.
The waitress's eyes widened as she recognized the coin's value, her jaw dropping in astonishment. "This is worth ten times the amount of regular gold coins!" she exclaimed, struggling to contain her excitement. "I'm afraid I cannot give you change for such a rare piece."
Astraea, sensing the girl's overwhelming gratitude, smiled softly. "Keep it," she offered, her kindness shining through the situation.
"Thank you so much, Astraea," the waitress beamed, a lilt of joy in her voice as she hurried away, clutching the royal coin like a treasure.
Once they had eaten, Astraea and David exited the eatery, feeling momentarily satisfied. However, their reprieve was short-lived. Outside, a group of guards in royal uniforms quickly recognized Astraea, their demeanor shifting from passive to alert.
David exchanged a glance with Astraea, the gravity of their situation settling upon them like a cloak. With a sense of urgency in his voice, he uttered a single, fateful word: "Run."