Long was guided by his older sister, arriving in a distant corridor, she began to search the shelf in front of her, and pointing to the opposite shelf, she said – Search there, something like, speech spell or, truth spell.
Long nodded, helping her look up the spell.
Two hours passed when she spoke suddenly, breaking the silence between them – I found it.
Long ran to her, asking her to show him the spell.
After reading everything, the young woman frowned, worried – Long, this spell is a forbidden branch of magic…
Long looked at her, confused – Forbidden? Why?
– Any spell that isn't a gift, that goes against someone's will, is forbidden magic. If it is something that forces something from another, be it a speech or an action, the spell becomes lethal, both for the user and the victim of the spell. Even as a gift, that was dangerous.
Long looked at the book for a while – So, I can die if I use it?
She read for a while longer before answering him – Not exactly... give me your pulse.
Long extended his arm to her without hesitation. Her sister placed her fingers under his skin, feeling his magic.
– You have evolved a lot, maybe because you have royal blood from two pure-blood dragons... this spell won't really hurt you...
Long got excited – Then I'll use it!
She shook her head – This spell won't hurt you, but it requires a lot of magic, you have enough to use it, but it's just enough if you use this spell. Your power will take at least a few months to get back to how it is now.
Long pursed his lips, without hesitation, and with a firm expression, he replied – If it will help our father, it doesn't matter to me to be without it for a while.
She shook her head – Even if you don't mind, the King and Queen would be very angry if they found out.
Long lightly bit his bottom lip – They won't, I promise!
Rubbing her temples, the young woman sighed, when Long put something in his head it was almost impossible to make him give up. Thoughtful for a moment, she said – Okay, I'll explain how it works.
Long smiled, watching the gestures she made, her sister calmly explained how to use the spell – The pronunciation must be done correctly, otherwise, the spell will not work. You will only be able to do it once, after that, you won't be able to use any more magic.
Long paid attention to everything she explained, and only after confirming that he understood several times that she let him go. She watched him as he left, thinking: the king would definitely know about this, what good is a promise from a boy only twelve years old?
Even if Long didn't tell, the king would come to her and punish her for harming her younger brother, for harming his loved son, and probably because of that, she would be even more hated by the queen.
With a shrug and an indifferent expression, she returned to her books
Meanwhile, Long hurried back to the dungeons, happy that the meeting wasn't over yet.
Now the prince was gone.
After the meeting, the guards made an immense uproar as they searched for the prince. The great leaders, who were about to leave, noticed the problem and gladly helped.
Long will be the future king, the boy already showed great skill and they couldn't waste such good blood.
After hours of searching, Long still hadn't been found, this time making Rairin and Jiaohui extremely worried.
Jiaohui ran everywhere, the more she didn't find him in places where he usually was, the more scared she felt. Long was her only child, the most precious possession she had in her entire life.
Her servants, in addition to worrying about the prince, still had to worry about her, with the queen running around everywhere. Her appearance was a mess, her jewelry and hair accessories had long since fallen off, leaving her looking disheveled.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Izrun looked around, his eyes were shining as he watched the people walking in the streets.
Alba was worried, the city was quite busy today, she didn't remember any events that could be taking place at this time of the season.
She looked at Izrun and pursed her lips, holding his hand, she said – Don't leave my side.
Izrun nodded. They walked the streets for a while until Alba pulled him into a small shop.
Both were hooded. Acting suspiciously, it was obvious they would attract a few glances from closer guards. The guards looked at each other for a brief moment, nodding to each other, they walked towards the store.
Staying close to her while still seeming to be just going about their own work routines.
Inside the store, Izrun looked around, observing the different flowers scattered around the place, there were flowers of the most varied types and colors, he looked around curiously when he suddenly heard a voice.
– We're closed – the clerk said when he heard someone enter, busy reading a book, and when he received no response from the person who had entered, he looked up.
Alba ignored the clerk's previous words, speaking calmly – I would like to buy some flowers.
The clerk looked at her with narrowed eyes, asking – What types of flowers are you looking for?
Alba spoke as she looked around – The ones that only bloom under the moon.
The clerk then opened a smile, leaving behind the counter he went to a door in the corner, bowing slightly, he opened the door - We don't have these in the store at the moment, but I can take a look at the stock, as they are very rare, your sale must be discussed directly with the manager, would you accompany me, miss?
Alba went to the door without saying a single word, taking Izrun with her.
The clerk looked at him, and smiling even more broadly he closed the door.
They followed the clerk down the dimly lit hallway, down some stairs along the way. Izrun felt that this place was quite mysterious.
Stopping in front of a door, the man turned to them – Our manager is waiting for you inside.
Alba nodded. The clerk looked at Izrun a few more times before walking away.
Alba, before opening the door, squeezed Izrun's hand, making him look at her – Don't worry, and don't leave my side, whatever's inside, don't look, don't listen.
Izrun looked at her confused, before that look, Alba hesitated, shaking her head, she looked for something in her small bag. Taking out a small headband, she lowered Izrun's hood and tied the headband around his head, covering his eyes, and then, to hide the boy's flamboyant hair, she put the hood back on.
Izrun was uncomfortable with the lack of vision, involuntarily bringing his hand to his eyes, to adjust the band that tightened it.
Alba thought he was trying to take it out, holding his hands – Don't take it out, I don't want you to see anything inside, we'll be quick, I'm only going to talk to this person.
Izrun stopped fidgeting, nodding. Alba took his hand again and pushed open the door – Ignore any sound you hear.
Izrun didn't understand. The moment they entered, a strong smell emerged, followed by laughter and strange noises.
Alba walked in a hurry, pulling Izrun.
The people inside were looking at them with hungry eyes, Izrun felt the eyes on him, pursing his lips he moved even closer to Alba, squeezing her hand and holding her dress with the other.
Alba pulled him forward, glaring murderously at the people who were smiling at her seductively.
Dodging the furniture in front of her, Alba approached a small room, closed off by a curtain. Pulling it, she entered. There were four people, one man was sitting and the others were almost on top of him.
She couldn't quite tell what they were. They were laughing as they talked, their sweet laughs and seductive voices.
– Alessa – Alba called.
The man poked his head, looking at the intruders who had disturbed his moment.
He recognized who it was by the voice, smiling excitedly – My sweet Alba, how good it is to hear your voice, do you want to join us? The more people the better.
Alba rolled her eyes, giving off a frightening aura. The air suddenly cooled, and the people inside the room shivered thanks to the few clothes they wore.
Looking at the person in front of them, they left quickly, scared and cold.
The man frowned, pretending to be upset as he got up, pouring a glass of wine and drinking, he said – Jealousy? Although my body belongs to the people, my heart is yours alone.
– Cut the small talk, I'm here on business – Alba made a gesture for him not to approach, looking away and putting Izrun a little behind her, Alba continued – And put some clothes, it's making me nauseous.
The man chuckled lightly, with a mocking look he donned his clothes. Glancing back towards Alba, he noticed the child behind her, speaking – How unnatural, bringing a child to a place like this…
He stopped talking suddenly, looking at Alba with a complicated look – You had previously turned down selling some of your girls to me, have you changed your mind?
Alba took off her hood, looking at him with contempt – You are disgusting.
He smiled – Oh, it looks like you haven't changed your mind, how annoying… – He stopped, looking at Izrun while placing his hand on his own chin – And this young lady then?
Alba looked for a place to sit, looking with a disgusted expression at the places where the man had been sitting before.
Seeing her expression, the man walked to a corner of the room, placing his hand on the wall a small opening appeared, he lightly pushed the camouflaged door that was there and called Alba – Let's talk in a more appropriate place.
Alba clicked her tongue – You seem to still think straight sometimes.
He chuckled again, gesturing for her to enter – Ladies first.
Alba walked past him, Izrun was still blindfolded, and just listened carefully to the conversation.