On the fifth day of training,
Alora went to find Arihan in the king's garden. She curiously faced him. She was neither awkward nor hoped for him to be the man with the crescent mark.
However, a thought struck her mind. Freya admired Arihan, they would be a good match. She giggled to herself and Arihan snapped at her.
"Princess Alora, are you daydreaming?" His voice couldn't be more bitter.
To Arihan's disbelief, Alora involuntarily nodded in acceptance. It was the first time somebody zoned out and accepted so promptly in front of him.
Thinking he might scold her early in the morning, Alora ran away to start her meditation but sprinted back with a curious gaze, "He… Master Arihan, I have an important question for you." She hesitantly added, "Err… It's a bit personal." Then her eyes sparkled like jewels, "May I ask?"
Arihan narrowed his eyes at her. His whole body was screaming 'no' despite seeing her earnestness.
"Hell Master," Alora muttered under her breath as she turned around. She just wanted to know if he had somebody he fancies. Then she could have asked Freya.
She glanced at him and wondered the reason behind Freya's admiration. 'Because of his achievements? Or overbearingness? But who likes that?' Shrugging off her thoughts, she sat down with crossed legs and closed her eyes.
Arihan was expecting the same thing to repeat but his eyes were on her, watching her every reaction. She lasted longer than previous times yet she didn't faint. She didn't look like struggling either. After some time she opened her eyes on her own and looked around. She was confused for a second before her shoulder slacked in disappointment.
Arihan waved his hand, erasing the invisible circle. He didn't lose his patience as many mages had taken months. However, he did wish for this time to complete sooner.
Alora stood in front of him, without knowing what was next. Seeing his brooding gaze, she revealed what happened while she was meditating. "There was a bright light, I always tried to reach it but it blinded me every time." Thus she was fainting, "This time I crossed it but I don't know how I opened my eyes." Her shoulders innocently raised and softly shrugged.
Arihan gave a curt nod as if it was the most difficult action to do. He turned around and walked away.
Alora was confused. She was fainting every day, then waking up, eating, and rushing to the riverside for training. Now that she has time, 'Did his nod mean I have to follow him?'
Alora saw he was already nearing the corner of the corridor and then she wouldn't be able to follow him. She jogged behind Arihan calling him, "Hell master, wait, I have short legs."
Arihan: "…"
The guards who were positioned at their post started bowing to her. Alora was taken aback a bit before realizing her efforts paid off. Anyway, she quickened her steps and stood in front of Arihan.
"Where are we going?" She asked as it wasn't the way to the river.
Arihan wasn't sure if she was unaware or just dumb. On the previous day, there was such a huge scene due to her etiquette classes yet she was clueless. "Find Her Royal Highness. Your training is after lunch."
Without waiting for her response, he took a step aside to leave, Alora again stood in front of him. This time there was a hint of sheepishness in her smile, "Hell master, aren't you a bit curious to know what I wanted to ask?"
Generally, people will know the question before deciding to respond or ignore it. So she tested if he was hiding his curiosity.
Nevertheless, his indifferent voice sounded, "No." He walked away leaving her tongue-tied.
Slaying the monsters, and spilling the blood to protect the nation, Alora felt like Arihan was void of every emotion and lost the most basic human nature. She sighed.
Eugenie would be in her chambers till breakfast and there was time. So Alora went out of the king's garden, towards the river where had gone on the banquet day. After many days, she collected lots of flowers but she wasn't able to hold them.
A green basket knitted using leaves appeared in front of her. Alora looked at the slender pale fingers and lifted her head to see Edur who looked as breathing as the first day.
For odd reasons, Alora, who was always formal and polite, received the basket without a word. Edur pointed ahead for her to continue what she was doing but she walked beside him, looking at him.
"Ask away, Little Phoenix." Edur's silvery voice with the morning breeze was too pleasant.
Alora opened her lips but closed them. She had many questions about him but she knew he wouldn't respond to her. She saw him smile as if he heard her thoughts.
"Why do I have the urge to avoid mentioning you to my parents?" Although her parents never asked about her activity, Edur was a stranger and he could be a threat to her. Yet, there she was walking with him without fear.
Edur finally turned to her. His thin pair of lips slightly arched watching her eyes. "Because Little Phoenix, you don't believe I exist."
Alora: "…"
Hearing him explicitly mention it, Alora didn't have any words to refute it. Yes, she couldn't believe Edur was a real living being.
She gently bit her lips before asking another question, "Then why did you come now?"
Edur's smile widened. He stepped on the elevated rock and offered his hand to her. Alora could climb it but she give in to her curiosity, she extended her hand and felt his warm fingers slide under her fingers.
He held her in a firm grip and tugged her up as she pushed her leg against the ground and stepped up on the rock. He was real and she wasn't holding the air. She thought as she nodded to thank him.
Edur answered her question, "Because you came here to find me."
Alora was aware his words meant much more than the response. She had visited the place with Arihan but without the intention of seeing Edur.
A smile bloomed on her face when she turned to face him. She didn't have any particular reason for wishing to see him. It was just a thought if he would come or not. Anyway, she simply asked, "Maybe because I might get some other advice?"
Edur's expression changed after hearing her. His blue eyes darkened several shades like a predator watching its prey, Alora could feel he was incensed, he looked nothing but a dangerous creature.
When their eyes met, he warned her, "Don't give up."
"Huh?" Alora watched him walk away. He was passing by a tree but didn't appear on the other side of the tree. And Alora wasn't surprised.
How could she believe he was real?
'Don't give up?' She didn't understand the context he mentioned. If he knows something, why couldn't he talk like normal people?
….
When she continued to collect flowers, Catherine, her husband and daughters were in front of Orla in the courtroom.
"Your Majesty, I refuse to accept the Crown Princess's decree. I am healthy and I would like to stay behind." Catherine solemnly reported to Orla who was annoyed for bringing her early to the court.
Orla had to emotionally blackmail Lothar during the night to keep him in the room instead of going to find Catherine. As a king, he might find every reason to punish Catherine but as a father, his actions will be questioned whatsoever.
Looking at Catherine's mighty behavior, she clenched her fist and voiced, "I oppose the crown princess decree."
Catherine hid her grin while Eugenie stood unfazed. She had considered every possibility before giving her orders. If Orla was disagreeing she waited to know the reason.
Orla narrowed her eyes at the woman who wanted to escape after doing every sin, "Arrange the paddle to break her back." Thus Catherine will forever be on the bed with a broken spine.