King Olis opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly paused before he could actually let the words he planned on saying slip out from his already parted lips. He couldn't resist contemplating over his daughter's unexpected suggestion, based on the issue concerning Anna lately.
He had chosen to bring Annalise into his kingdom after being notified that no one in Euphrasia was willing to adopt a child who bears an unknown mark.
In addition, her father has done a lot for his kingdom and the only reason he agreed to keep Anna wasn't out of pity, but for the fact he owed that much to her father who remained loyal to the kingdom when he was still alive.
Calista on the other hand, carefully observed her father's reaction without saying a word, knowing how he hates being disrupted most especially after bringing up a topic as fragile as this. So with that thought in mind, she patiently waited for his approval or even a nod of his head.
Something to signify that he agrees with her. Afterall, they'll be doing this for Anna's well-being, if not more.
Just as he was about to give his response, a royal guard hurriedly marched into the dining table, bowing before his highness who instantly averted his gaze from Calista and turned his attention to the guard who showed up out of the blue.
It literally caused a little frown of disappointment to appear on Calista's face, knowing her father would give her no response to the suggestion she brought earlier due to the guards intervention. What does the guard want now??
As annoyed as she was, it didn't stop her from noticing the grim look on the guard's face, a look he always seemed to carry when he had something serious or crucial to report to her father, thus ruining the whole conversation as well as changing the mood.
"Forgive me for the interruption my King," the guard politely apologized while keeping his head bowed, "but I have some important news to disclose to you, if his majesty permits."
"Can't it wait until after our discussion?" Calista lightly inquired, indirectly insinuating that she was having a conversation with her father before they got interrupted, but the guard shook his head in response, still keeping them in a low bow.
"Forgive me princess, but it's something that needs the king's urgent attention."
"But…"
"Go ahead Bryan." The king permitted in a prompting manner, causing Calista to give up due to the finality she sensed in her father's tone and drinking her juice with the same annoyed look lingering on her expression.
The guard slowly raised his head at the king's permission but didn't dare to look him in the eyes.
"My king, something unfortunate has been happening lately in Euphrasia….. and it seems the chaos is only starting to get even worse by the day" he informed, causing the King to knit his brow at the guard's quick alarming tone.
"What?"
"Seven more people were killed last night, close to the river bank. It happened again."
He sadly broke the news, causing the king's eyes to unknowingly dilate as the information became clearer to his ears, how is that possible??
"Seven people?"
"Yes my King, they seemed to be severely stabbed by something and some…." He paused midway, the dreading look in his eyes was enough for the king to guess just how horrifying the scene must have been.
Immediately getting to his feet with a look of seriousness flashing before his eyes, he announced, "Inform the people to avoid stepping out of Euphrasia for the meantime, as for the dead bodies, I want to see it for myself."
"Sure thing your highness."
With that, he walked out of the dining room with his second trustee following his trail. Calista's expression remained frozen, clearly taken aback as she pondered on the guards word. Her mouth suddenly felt bitter just thinking about the dead bodies. First it started with two, then three, then five and now six??
The number of deaths occuring in Euphrasia keeps increasing day by day, it got her really worried about what the mysterious deaths happening could actually signify. Clasping her palms together, she closed her eyes and said a prayer.
"Dear lord, please keep my family and the people of Euphrasia safe from the dangers ahead."
~
"What's a forbidden temple?" Annalise curiously asked while watching the old physician who stood before her window, blankly gazing at the outside scenery of the palace.
She's heard of the forbidden temple before but barely knows the history behind it or its name. People always ignored the topic and would shush the rest of the people who had enough courage to speak up. Even her mother refused to tell her what the forbidden temple was and what brought about the name.
To be honest, Annalise metaphorically saw herself as the temple cause just like it, she was equally being avoided like some dangerous disease.
"The temples," the old physician finally began, "statues and walls were built long ago as defensive bulwarks in the eternal conflict between humanity and the beasts often referred to as the creature of night." He shook his head with a pitiful gaze, a gaze which Anna barely understood. "Although many people may have forgotten or chose to ignore the main purpose of these landmarks, those who dwell in it have already sensed its terrifying power."
Annalise nodded slowly to his remark about the temple but still had one important question in mind, "Then why is it forbidden?"
"The temple holds a secret, a forbidden secret that mustn't be let out to the world, some called him a beast, a vampire, some called him a demon and while some even called him…. A devil."
Annalise could feel the hairs on her back stand at the way the physician described this forbidden being. She finally understood why the temple was said to be Forbidden. So the temple is Forbidden because it holds someone within it?
"Who is it?" She pried further in full anticipation, "who is this beast?"
The physician looked at her, he was actually expecting to see fear in her eyes, just like the rest he was expecting to see her tremble but instead, this girl seems to be even more interested in figuring out everything.
He wanted to say something when a knock on the door stopped him, cutting their conversation short as their gazes traveled to the door. Annalise found it pretty strange cause people from the palace barely come near her doorstep.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"Annalise, your presence is needed at the main hall, orders are from the King himself." he informed, causing a little dread to settle in Anna's chest as the situation didn't seem right. Why would the King request her presence.
"My presence?"
"Make yourself available and don't keep the king waiting."