Everyone around bowed hurriedly, Rairin gave off a bright image but his expression was a bit frightening.
Alba pursed her lips – What do you mean by that Your Majesty?
Rairin approached to take a look at Long, meanwhile, calmly answering his cousin's question – Izrun will go to the palace, I need to check some things with him.
– He's just a kid...
At that moment, everyone looked at her, then looked at the gigantic ice structure behind them in disbelief.
– I know, and that's why I need to check it properly, I'll return him to you… – After a while in silence, he sighed – At least you're not so bad as a tutor.
Alba was silent, then looked at Izrun with a smile – Very good young man, I'll be going then.
Izrun watched as she left, not taking his eyes off her until she was completely gone. Rairin watched him do it.
Once everything was resolved, they returned to the capital, but this time, in a much less flashy way.
Alba continued walking along the road, and finally out of sight of the soldiers, she entered the forest. Walking for a while, she heard laughter and a wail she knew all too well.
– That way, Rairin would be able to hear you even if he was in the capital, you're lucky he's too busy with the prince.
Alessa looked at Alba, laughing and talking in an animated way, not caring at all about her speech – That was amazing, this boy is just… I have no words to describe him…
Alba rolled her eyes – Don't overdo it.
– He has the same powers as the old guardian, what do you think they will do when the others realize that?
Looking around, Alba clicked her tongue – They won't do anything, I won't allow Izrun to be submissive to current laws. He will honor the history and true laws of our people.
Alessa nodded, getting serious listening to her – He must also convince the other brat to do the same.
– How I didn't notice, their eyes are identical… – Karayan huddled next to a rock until that moment.
Alba and Alessa stared at him, Alba then asked, a little confused – What's with him?
Shrugging, Alessa picked up a stick and threw it at Karayan, who had no reaction – He's a little perplexed by what just happened.
– Both look like their parents, how did I not realize that... not so long ago…
Alba approached him, extending her hand in front of his eyes, attracting his attention – Forget it, my friend, we have other matters to resolve, I can explain everything to you later.
Karayan, feeling a bit upset, nodded slightly.
– Did you find it?
Karayan nodded again to Alba, removing a small stone from his clothes and handing it to Alba – This is the purest one I have. And about the corrupted jewels, I found out who corrupts them, he is currently on the east coast of the empire, I have the location, we can go later.
– Go where? Alba can't leave, I don't know how Rairin didn't arrest her for disobeying him.
Karayan sighed, looking at Alba with a tired expression – Are you still restricted?
Alba smiled sadly, nodding.
– I understand. Me and Alessa will check it out then.
Alessa frowned – Hey. What do I have to do with it?
Karayan rolled his eyes – First of all, even to testify in her favor, you didn't serve, at least once in your life, do something useful and help your family.
Alessa mumbled something for a moment before turning his face away – Okay, whatever.
Smirking, Alba nodded – Thank you, dear cousin, may the ancestors bless you and give you your long-awaited dignity – And saying goodbye, she left under Alessa's irritated gaze.
– What do you mean by dignity? I am very worthy!
Alba didn't respond, leaving quickly. As soon as she was out of sight, Alessa asked as he sat down on the floor – Do you think she was purposely framed?
At his question, Karayan rolled his eyes – I thought this sounded obvious, do you think Alba would kill her older sister?
Alessa shrugged – Nobody liked that woman.
☙✨❧ ☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧☾☙✨❧
The immense ice structure would take a while to completely melt.
Rairin watched for the 5th time in a row as a doctor checked on Long's condition, unfortunately, his position as king made him think first of Long's powers, and not his health in full.
Long, as crown prince, needed to be strong enough to protect the people and himself. In addition to these strange happenings and terrorist movements within his empire, Rairin had been noticing some groups of potential traitors, asking Bavellis to keep an eye out so that a possible attack could be avoided.
He wasn't too worried about it, as long as he was here, no matter what they tried, the throne would remain under the control of the Soleil family.
Izrun was sitting in an armchair, alternating his gaze between Long and the king, they didn't look much alike, perhaps because Long had more traits from the queen's family, which were the dragons of the east.
Looking down at his own feet, now clad in black boots, Izrun thought of what had happened, should he let Alba know about Alessa being there?
Izrun felt a little more comfortable, in the palace he received the care he received in his own home. New clothes appropriate to his status, and a good meal.
Jiaohui entered at this time, walking quickly to look at his son – How is he?
One of the healers made some more notes while answering her – He should wake up soon, my queen.
Rairin approached – And his powers?
Jiaohui looked at him with a fixed gaze, and feeling the air a little suffocating, the healer coughed lightly – The little prince's gifts are in order, without any damage.
Rairin nodded, motioning for them to leave.
Many footsteps were heard as everyone rushed out of the room.
– His powers are more important than his life?
Rairin approached Long, avoiding his wife's gaze – You know the reason I asked the question, I also worry about his life, but I won't be here forever.
Jiaohui frowned – We still have plenty of time, don't talk nonsense.
Rairin sighed, touching Long's forehead to feel him. Thinking it was a little too bright, he lifted his gaze to the window, locking it suddenly with the cyan eyes staring back at him.
Meeting his eyes, Izrun lowered his head. Jiaohui looked at him too, a little shocked by his presence there as they hadn't noticed him.
Rairin narrowed his eyes – Izrun.
Izrun nodded.
– Look at me, you don't have to be afraid.
Izrun lifted his head, looking at Rairin and then shifting his gaze to Long.
Seeing that Rairin's presence was a little intimidating for the boy, Jiaohui approached, sitting in the armchair next to him – So you are Long's new friend?
Izrun nodded slightly after hesitating for a few seconds. Jiaohui smiled – Thank you for protecting him.
Rairin watched them from the other side of the bed – Do you know what that creature was that was chasing them?
Looking at Long, Izrun shook his head. Taking courage, he told what happened, and thinking of Alba he ignored Alessa's existence, accidentally telling only about the man who "helped" him.
Rairin frowned – This man, do you know his name?
Izrun couldn't really say, as the man could have used a false name: "Who would use their real name in a place like that? Well… Alessa used it, the two seemed close… maybe I shouldn't have said about him".
Izrun shook his head.
Thinking that Izrun wouldn't hide something from him, Rairin sighed, the holes there were in that plot irritating him somewhat.