In a vast room, one side of the wall had huge windows in arch shape reaching the high ceiling, covered with thick curtains. The hearth didn't have a fire, and the corner of the room had wooden clothes stand with pretty floral dresses of different colors and patterns.
A row of beautiful sandals was orderly and arranged next to a huge mirror. There was a stand to store a lot of jewelry. Opposite it was a large wooden bookshelf filled with books. In front of it, was a cozy cushioned chair.
There were a lot of candles in the candle holders that were attached to the walls of the room. The two tall stands were by the bedside giving enough light to brighten the room.
Waiting for Zander and Freya, Alora dozed while reading a book. Eugenie sat by her bedside, reading the same book.
She had thought staying with Alora as a family would be enough but her daughter was still bothered without voicing her doubts and questions.
For more than a decade, Alora was reading books after books to find out why she was so different from everyone.
Why couldn't she go out alone when normal humans could?
Why couldn't she learn the art of war? And many more.
There were times she was asking them hundreds of questions. Eventually, she stopped asking as she never got a satisfactory response from their lies. Thus the books became her best friends, nature became her solace.
Eugenie heard the voices of Freya and Zander, she kept the book on the side table of the bed and went out of the bedroom.
Freya argued with her father about the day's events as they walked inside the courtyard, "Father, I don't believe in coincidence." Her voice was clear and unyielding.
Zander had a complex expression. Well, he also didn't believe that Prince Agost could reach them out of coincidence. "But we shouldn't conclude as he is behind the attack." As a prince who grew up hearing no rejection, Agost must have followed them.
"How else were those monsters coming back to life when we fought but died as soon as he attacked them?"
Freya wasn't ready to believe their bloody battle was completed by Agost. She also didn't believe Agost's aid, Cyrus mentioning that Agost had battled those monsters in Crisal.
Zander halted in his steps and turned to his daughter. Although he didn't completely trust Agost, he wouldn't link between two events blindly.
"Freya, why are you hostile towards Prince Agost? Did he misbehave with Alora?" Freya doesn't come to a conclusion easily without valid proof so he considered the possibility.
'Clack.' The main door of the manor unlocked. They expected to see Alora who gets worried about them easily. But they saw Eugenie at the door.
Father and daughter stopped arguing and entered the manor. Zander removed his overcoat hurriedly when he noticed Eugenie's complexion under the light of the candles, "Is everything alright, my dear?"
"Mother!? You look pale." Freya went up to her mother when she realized how anxious Eugenie was.
Eugenie pointed to Alora's bedroom door, "Go, she was waiting for you two."
Zander got more worried, realizing Eugenie was nervous due to Alora. Freya stayed with her mother when he rushed to Alora's bedroom.
His worry and panic subsided when he stepped inside and breathed air in her room. It had a floral scent and he could also sense the rawness of green leaves.
His eyes searched the room and found an oil diffuser. He shook his head in resignation seeing her experimenting with some herbs for him and Freya.
It meant, Alora was healthy and unharmed. He calmed down and approached Alora. Sitting at the bedside, his hand caressed her head with numerous thoughts in his mind.
Alora woke up sleepily, "Father…" She forced her eyelids to open and look at Zander.
"We are home." Zander's gentle assuring voice sounded in the room.
Alora smiled as she closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber. Alora was sleeping earlier than usual, Zander guessed the oil she had prepared was easing her nerves to sleep peacefully.
…..
As soon as Zander stepped out, his eyes fell on Eugenie who looked sickly pale and anxious. This was the second time he saw her in a state of distress and fear. The first time was when everyone gave up their hopes to save their little Alora.
"Eugenie…" Zander wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder and realized she was shaking. He took her to sit on the luxurious, cushioned seaters in the living hall.
"Freya…" Before he could complete his words, Freya came out of the kitchen holding a glass of water.
Zander helped Eugenie to drink water and patiently waited for her to compose.
Freya was the only one who was composed in the room. She kneeled in front of her mother and patted her clenched fists, looking at both, "Mother, Father, whatever it is, you have to be strong. If Sister Alora sees you two like this, she will blame herself."
Because Alora thinks she couldn't help them with anything being an elder daughter. Hence she always took care of them and their little needs, which they often overlooked.
Eugenie knew she had to be strong but fear of losing Alora took a huge toll on her. She inhaled a long and deep breath before she voiced what made her so worried. "T-They found Alora. Alora could sense them."
Freya and Zander's eyes widened in shock.
'Knock, knock. knock…' The trio's hearts jumped to their throat hearing the knocks on the main door.
Just nobody couldn't find the location of their manor. So they quickly relaxed. Zander looked back at Eugenie and cupped her face, "We are with Alora." He assured her. Eugenie nodded as she composed.
Zander opened the door of the manor and found the king's aide at the door. Cuillin was a man in his fifties. He was serving the nation since his adolescence.
The aide bowed to the three respectfully, "Greeting to Your Royal Highness, the Crown Princess. Prince Zander, Princess Freya. I apologize for arriving at this time." His experienced, aged voice was polite and respectful.
Eugenie stood up, respecting the man's age, "Rise." Her bearing was confident and her voice filled with elegance and calmness.
Cuillin stepped inside and closed the door behind him without showing his back to the royal members.
"I am sure there is something crucial." Eugenie pointed to the couch for the aide to sit.
Cuillin didn't sit, he delivered the news straight away, "Your highness, Her majesty has sent word to you all to return to the court immediately with Royal Princess Alora." He passed a sealed envelope to Eugenie.
Freya and Zander looked at each other. Their hearts were strangely nervous at the news.
Eugenie quickly ripped the envelope and went to the study room. She grabbed a small crystal bottle from the bookshelf and poured a colorless liquid on the paper. The letters started appearing on the empty paper.
[Dear Eugenie, it's time.] Time for Alora to be known as the Princess who will be crowned.
Eugenie knew going back to the palace wasn't safe for Alora. But it's time Alora returns to where she belongs, to claim what is hers.
'There is going to be a long battle.' Eugenie thought, hoping Alora could beat the odds.
Eugenie went out of the study and instructed, "Freya, we are returning to the court. Grab what is precious." She looked at Zander, "Please wake up Alora. I will write a letter to Father Linwood to take care of the academy."
Freya started packing Alora's flute, lute, and harp. Then she rolled the family portrait they made recently. Cuillin stood helplessly watching the members of the royal do their work on their own.
Zander woke up Alora who leaned on him and continued to sleep. "Will you be comfortable in the nightdress if I take you to the Royal palace?"
Sleepy, Alora refused to go to the palace, "Father, it's good here. I don't like to be locked in a palace with guards everywhere."
Zander caressed her head and brought up one of her dearest people, "I am sure your grandfather will be holding his breath, looking out of the window while waiting for you."
Alora jerked up and got off the bed. She grabbed a dress and ran behind the folding screen. "We shouldn't make the King and Queen wait."
Zander only laughed at her excuse. He looked at her bookshelf, "My dear daughter, I don't think you will get time to read books anymore."
Alora peeked at her father, "Father… Please…" She didn't want to hear that she wasn't allowed to read anymore.
Zander chuckled, "My daughter will not be having any time when learning new things."
Alora's eyes sparkled hearing she was going to learn, "Sword fighting!?"
"Yes."
She got excited, "Horse riding?"
"A must."
She grinned, "Boat riding?"
"Why not!"
She put up an ultimate wish, "Going out… alone!?"
"Err…." Zander wasn't certain about that. 'Maybe one day.' He thought.
Alora giggled as she came out of the screen in a pretty blue dress, "It's alright, Father. I understand."
Her 'I understand' meant that she had no special power to protect herself so she will not put forward such a request.
Alora was wearing her earrings when Zander kneeled in front of her and extended his hand. Alora smiled as she placed her pearly white delicate foot on his big warm palm. Zander indulgently put on the shoes for her.
He sighed as he stood up, "My daughter will have her ladies-in-waiting from tomorrow. I won't be able to help you again." He made her sit on a stool and brushed her long silky hair.
Alora fell silent. She knew about palace life. She will have to mind her walking, eating, sitting, standing, talking, smiling, and everything. Probably it was going to be her last time being her.
But why should she be bound to the rules?
Is etiquette more important than her happiness?
What happens if she goes against the royal practice and has her own choice of life?
Alora smiled looking at her reflection, her eyes filled with a new dream, "I am going to be different."
Zander's eyes brightened hearing his daughter. Though it was going to be hard on her, he encouraged her heartily, "Alora, the world will try to make you like everyone else. You will have to be brave enough to be yourself."
"Father and daughter are having their moment without us," Eugenie complained at the door.
Alora giggled as she ran around in her room, filling a box with herbs and dried flowers. She paused in the living room, noticing Cuillin who stood up at the sight of her, "Your…"
Alora held her skirt and shifted her right leg behind and greeted the old man, "Greetings to Lord Cuillin."
Cuillin: "..."
Then Alora rushed to Freya's room, packed Freya's favorite sword, and picked up her favorite cloak. Then rushed to her parent's room and fished for her mother's favorite bracelet gifted by her father. She packed them and twirled around to face everyone, "All set."
Everyone burst into their last unrestrained laughter.