Alora was stunned at the sight that welcomed them when they got to Ophyrium. The kingdom wasn't very large but it was beautiful and green.
Despite the setting sun, the scenery was still beautiful and enchanting. It was like they were in the middle of paradise. Everything was green, including the houses in the village. The only thing that wasn't green was the flowers growing on the walls of each house and their white doors.
"Now I can't help but think I'm in a fairyland. I just read about Ophyrium and it was said here that the kingdom was green but I didn't expect it to be this type of green." Alora said to Zayen who chuckled.
"Well if not for the other colours, you would have thought you'd been thrown into greenland. Well despite everything being green in Ophyrium, they can't grow food." Zayen explained and Alora looked at him with a confused expression.
"How can somewhere be this green and food won't be able to grow?" Alora ceased her brows.
"Well, it is because of their land nature. Grasses can grow and some trees but the only tree that produces something to eat here are the apple trees." Zayen pointed towards the large orchard not far from the path their carriage was riding on.
Alora's lips formed 'o' when she saw the orchard and understood his explanation. "Is the land cursed or what?"
"Well no one knows. That's how it has been since Ophyrium rose."
Their carriage stopped in front of the elegant palace that was all white. Only the roof was green, showing the colour of the kingdom.
"Welcome to Ophyrium, King Ruger." A young woman walked down from the stairs towards their carriage with a pleasant smile on her face.
"Thank you very much princess Annalise." Ruger bowed.
"Lady Alora. It is a pleasure to finally get to meet you. I am princess Annalise, the first princess of the kingdom."
"Thank you so much for having us, your highness. It is a pleasure being here." Alora curtsied and Annalise smiled.
"Come along with me. The other Lords had arrived immediately before lunch. The ball is starting in two hours and I'm sure you would love to rest before the ball." Annalise turned, leading them up the grand stairs leading into the palace.
"Welcome to Ophyrium your highness." A young girl of the same age as Alora greeted them as they reached the entrance.
"Thank you so much Athena. It has been quite a while. You decided to come outside to welcome us today." Ruger smiled at the young lady who had no hint of a smile on her face.
"Young princess has been sick for quite a while now. She just got better and decided to take a walk out." Annalise explained and Ruger nodded.
Alora was led into one of the guest rooms to be prepared for the ball. Thankfully she brought her own personal maids to dress her. She didn't like the look on the faces of the maids and besides they look terrifying.
"The green dress or the red dress my lady?"
"The red one please. Thank you." Alora replied with her eyes glued to the book before her. She didn't want to notice any detail of the kingdom so she decided to keep her eyes on the book she was reading.
The ball soon commenced and everyone started to dine, meet each other and many other activities. Alora made sure she stuck to Zayen's side because she doesn't want to wander off alone and get lost in the green filled kingdom.
"It's okay Alora. Relax, nothing is biting you. Would you like to dance with me….." Before Zayen could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a feminine cough.
Athena stood behind them with her gloved hands under the green box she was holding. "Apologies Zayen." She apologized solemnly. "I just wanted to see Alora if you don't mind."
"Sure. She's okay with it." Zayen smiled removing Alora's hands that was grabbing on to his elbow tightly. "I'll be here alright? When you're done with her."
Athena led Alora to a nearest empty balcony where the noises made by the people in the ballroom had decreased.
"Well, it is my first time meeting you Alora and I couldn't send you a welcoming gift and birthday gift because I just got better a few days back." Athena stretched out the box to Alora.
Alora noticed the girl avoided eye contact with everyone. She was always looking down or looking away from everyone's sight.
"Thank you so much, your highness." Alora collected the gift.
"You can just call me Athena."
"Well I really appreciate the present Athena. Thank you." Alora smiled.
"You're welcome. It's the least I could give."
They both remained silent for what felt like a very long time but was only a minute. "I wanted to tell you something too, not only give you the gift." Athena looked up at the moon which was bright in the sky.
As Alora had predicted, the moon was full already and the light from it shone across the land, making the green scenery look more beautiful.
"No one knows I'm going to die soon. And before I die I wanted to fulfil one wish but I don't think I can." Athena sighed as she placed her gloved hands on the flowers growing on the balcony. "I want to keep this secret with you. I like Zayen a lot but I can't get him. That is the reason why I'm suffering from this."
"What… what do you mean?" Alora asked, confused.
"Well thank you Alora. I'm sure we can see later."
Alora was left on the balcony confused as she watched Athena walk away slowly and elegantly with her hands behind her.
"What was that?"