The welcome banquet of Eugenie abruptly came to an end. The humiliation planned against her was slapped back to Catherine.
Helena was also leaving the banquet hall when her eyes fell on the Mystic flute. She fetched it and carefully looked at it. Other than the unique crystalline material used for it, it looked no different from a normal flute.
She sat down on the stairs and positioned her hands. She blew the flute but no melody sounded from the flute. She tried again but the results didn't change. It felt like she was blowing in the air.
It wasn't her first time playing the flute. Being a princess might look royal and easy to the outsider, but having a talent in something was very important to be recognized. Hence she had focused on music from a young age and learned from various reputed musicians from Anka and other nations.
Thus she believed what Evander, her brother-in-law, said. 'Just anybody can't play the mystical flute.'
Helena was further impressed by Alora. She knew the fire in the banquet wasn't because of Alora playing the music. Her music had life, freedom like a bird that could fly in the vast sky without restraint.
It couldn't create the fire, could it?
Upon that, if Alora was really a witch, wouldn't she be careful to avoid the accidents?
Why will she create chaos that will only bring trouble to her?
She expected her mother to embarrass Alora for knowing nothing. So blaming Alora for the fire was ludicrous.
She got up from the stairs and fetched the flute's wooden box that had craved to perfection. She went out to find Alora who has to be the owner of the Mystical flute.
She had reached the hallway of Alora's room when she noticed Alora running out alone. She tried to run before realizing she needed to walk elegantly as there were numerous eyes on her. But she wished to meet Alora.
Holding her luxurious heavy gown in one hand, a wooden box in another, she started running. She hesitated a bit before breaking another etiquette of a lady, "Princess Alora…" She shouted to stop Alora.
She followed a few hallways towards the exit of the palace before Alora disappeared right in front of her eyes. As if she teleported to someplace.
"Isn't she new to the palace? Then how is she so well versed with the palace?" Helena mumbled to herself as Alora wasn't confused anywhere when changing the hallways and directions. She found it strange.
Accurately guessing Alora loves nature, Helena didn't stop as the closet exit leads them to the private garden of the King and Queen and it also connects to the river, not far away. She went to find Alora.
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Meantime, at the teleportation gate outside the capital city,
The four walked out of the portal and looked at the capital that was bright with decor and the lotus symbol flags on the houses.
"The Crown Princess is really loved by people," Mirela exclaimed.
The four of them were new to the capital as they were from different parts of the nation. They admired the strong walls around the palace which was standing majestically. Numerous houses were built compactly around the market street. Not far away from the palaces, they could see the large manors in all glory.
Edvin spoke judging the capital by the information he learned from Alora, "If the largest manor of the country belongs to Darwins, then the southernmost manor and estate belongs to Darwin."
Brax hummed in response and refreshed their memories, "If not the bridge, intruders will have to face the Darwin military force to enter the capital."
Mirela pointed at the far west of the capital where they could hardly make out the manor due to a lot of trees around, "But we have to be careful of the Blewett." The Blewett often tried to have the throne under their control and failed each time.
'Neigh…'
The four turned aside with a hint of shock. They didn't realize when the horse and its owner arrived. They basically made no sound.
As soon as their eyes fell on the man who was on a black horse, the four bowed instantly, "General Darwin." The four's clear crisp voices sounded in unison.
Arihan Wilburn had met the four in a battle. Considering the four best among hundreds of mages, he wasn't a bit surprised at their arrival. Thus, he showed no reaction on his face either.
He was still dissatisfied that he was being forced to help 'Alora' named redhead lady and train the four who were going to be knights of the next crown princess.
'Crown Princess!!' As far as Arihan could recall, the little Alora had told him that she was going to be the Crown Princess and she would take him as her knight.
He couldn't bring himself to accept that redhead lady as the real Princess Alora, thus it didn't matter to him who he had to train and who they would protect. All he cared about was he wasn't going to be a knight to the redhead lady.
The four who were bowing to Arihan were completely stunned. They hadn't expected they would be trained by Arihan, the king of hell, for the soldiers of enemy kingdoms. A merciless, bone-chillingly ruthless military General who had slain the dark beasts like destroying the lifeless puppets.
They didn't need a word to know their three months of advance training was going to be in a devil's den. Nevertheless, they admired and respected the man.
"Rise." Arihaan's cold voice rang in their ears.
The four straightened their backs and crossed their hands on their backs.
The three soldiers in uniform arrived hurriedly on their horses, obviously failing to catch up with their master. The three were sweating profusely whereas no hair looked out of place on Arihan.
Arihan commanded his soldiers, "Collect their bags."
The three soldiers collected the luggage, got on their horses, and left from there.
The four: "..."
They could feel their heart beating rapidly in their chest due to excitement and also the punishments if they didn't complete the task given. Thus they attentively waited for Arihan who wouldn't repeat his words.
Arihan's eyes fell on the shadows of the four to confirm they will have enough time for the task. He was going easy on their first task.
He looked at the four and commanded, "Familiarize yourself with the capital." He was sharp and curt with his words. He fished a scroll from his jacket.
Brax quickly went up to him and received the map.
"Arrive at Darwin manor by midnight." Sparing no more words or providing no tips, he turned the horse and left.
Wayne, who was expecting horses, was bewildered. They might be able to see the whole capital from the mountain but it was too vast. Even the whole day won't be enough to familiarize themselves with the capital, much less a few hours.
He repeatedly tried to say something, and Mirela voiced his words, "Principal Zachary said we will get horses." But their trainer aka training master left them with nothing.
Wayne nodded vigorously and looked at Brax and Edvin who were busy with the map.
Brax glanced at his friends and said the obvious, "This is an assessment." They have to get off the mountain as quickly as possible else they will be stuck in the mountains till dark. Then find a way to take a look around the city and reach the manor.
It was a test to see if they will complete the task and return or return on time with the task incomplete. They will be assessed on their performance and team management.
Wayne and Mirela: "..."
The four studied the map and discussed it for more than five minutes before bumping their fists. Instead of the road, they went towards the forest.
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At Inya riverbank,
Alora was sitting on a rock, trying hard not to cry.
She had sent her parents and Freya away saying she wanted to be alone. However, sitting in her chambers, she felt more suffocated as the hurtful words repeated in her mind.
She ran away from the palace, telling nobody. She knew it wasn't safe but she couldn't stay inside. She also didn't want to worry her parents or Freya.
She reached the river thinking she could forget everything but her memory was her foe. Each word was echoing in her ears, burning her heart, filling her eyes.
She looked around through her moist eyes, blurry vision so that she could focus on something else and savor nature.
The sun was dazzling in the sky, peeping at her through the branches of the leaves. She always liked the sound of flowing water but it was disturbing her heart. The sparkling water due to sun rays filled her eyes to the brim rather than bringing a smile to her face.
Sniffling hard, Alora looked up at the clear sky. It's just the first day, Alora held back her tears, refusing to cry.
Sometimes she wished to be a witch. That way she wouldn't have felt bad hearing the people or seeing them fear her. She would have happily accepted if she wasn't the daughter of Eugenie and Zander. She didn't wish to be a princess either.
But everyone repeatedly calls her what she wasn't. Doubts her if anything goes wrong. Now she was being blamed for something she didn't do.
Why does she have to prove she was Zander and Eugenie's daughter?
She sniffled painfully, trying to dry the tears. She shouldn't keep questioning herself when neither her parents nor her grandparents are telling her anything.
She has to find the solution. "But how?" Alora mewled as the tears trickled down her cheeks without her control over them.
A fruity tone floated to her ears as if the person had heard her thoughts, read all her struggles, and found the solution for her.
"By finding yourself."