Using the chaos the girl had caused, Lucian dragged Nate in the direction he saw the girl. He wanted to know who she was.
"Am sensing a strange aura where we are going..." Nate said still looking around.
"I know, that's why we are going there..." Lucian answered. The girl had stopped and had run into the woods. But it was not difficult for Lucian to find her. Also, because of their training, they moved faster than ordinary people. They immediately got up to her and Lucian grabbed her hand.
In the cottage, Anna continued her story.
"So I became very wary of those two girls and Something told me the purpose of that drink was not to lessen any pain. Luckily, my lost mother left Andrew and me some pills. She said they were precious and they could render anything that could harm us, as long as it's not very strong, ineffective. Although we didn't believe her, we still kept those pills. They were the only things she had left with us anyway. I excused myself and went into the bathroom to swallow one of the pills. When I came back, they were still watching. To prevent them from thinking I found them suspicious, I drank what they gave me. It tasted awful and it caused me to feel slightly dizzy, but nothing else happened. And I reckoned the pill had worked. I also guessed the drink was probably meant to put me to sleep. So I played along. I fell on the bed, pretending to have collapsed. Thinking I was gone, they got closer to me to change my clothes. That was when I heard their conversation.
'So she's a red elf? I never thought I'll ever meet one...'
'Yes, she is...her father is so generous to give her out to the Lord. Her blood will cause our Lord to finally evolve'
I had no idea what they were talking about. But three things were clear.
I wasn't really human, I was going to be a sacrificial lamp and my father had a hand in this. " Anna spoke with her eyes weld up in tears. Arthur wiped them off with his thump. His heart ached and he felt so much regret. He shouldn't have left.
"After dressing me up, they left the room. Am guessing to bring in whomever is to collect me away. I stood up fast and changed into Louisa's maid uniform and quietly escaped the palace. I don't know what happened after that, but he has been searching for me since. "
Anna said and smiled sadly ending her story.
"Anna, am so sorry I hadn't been there for you when I should have... I shouldn't have believed that sinister brother of yours..." Arthur said fuming.
Anna chuckled.
"Why are you laughing, it's not funny. If he hadn't told me the whole wedding was your idea, I wouldn't have left... I would have faced your father even if I had to..." Arthur said, his face was full of regret.
"You can't blame Andy... Actually, he's not bad. He had been brooding since you and Andrew got so close and he felt left out. I think that's why he did what he did. Besides, am glad he did that. You might have lost your life, if you had gotten involved in all this."
Arthur sighed and suddenly remembering something, he looked up and asked.
"What about Lucian? Is he really your son? "
At the mention of Lucian, Anna paled but had a genuine smile on her face.
"Will you believe it if I told you? " Anna asked, looking straight at Arthur.
"Do I have a choice?"
"Of course you do... What am about to say sounds strange and I don't know if you will believe..." Anna said while fidgeting.
Arthur held her hand.
"I believe you Anna..." he assured her.
Anna sighed, looking at the large palms covering hers...
"When I run out of the palace I entered into the forest...and kept running I think... I don't know... it was dark. When I opened my eyes, I was in this cottage. And I found out, Liz found me unconscious in the woods and brought me here. A few days later, I realized I was pregnant. I didn't know how. I had and still have no memory of what happened. But Lucian is the best thing that has ever happened to me... I know he's strange, but so am I " Anna said and looked at Liz, who smiled too.
Arthur was speechless. So Anna didn't know who the father of her son was?
"Does Lucian know this too? " He asked instead.
Anna chuckled...
"You can never hide anything from Lucian..." Liz responded instead
"Unless he doesn't want to know, you can never hide anything from him..." Liz continued.
"Yhh, he's the weird one. I have never seen anyone who can't see but is better than anyone who can... His golden eyes prove he's out of this world. I liked him and Nate, the first day I saw them. Their friendship reminds me so much of Andrew and me back then..." Arthur said solemnly.
"Do you think Andrew will forgive me? I hurt him back then..." Arthur asked sadly.
"I think he already has. Knowing Andrew, he is probably missing you too..."
Hearing this Arthur nodded. He hoped so. Then turning to Liz he asked.
"So Liz, am guessing you're the one that cast the spell. Was it to protect yourselves? Has it always been like that... I would have turned around if I had come alone...I truly thought it was a forest..." Arthur said seriously.
"Yes I did, but it has not always been like that... I just cast the spell not long ago. We've found out the king is bringing his men to this town. We had no choice but this one..." Liz explained
Arthur furrowed his brows. Had the king always been that evil? Going after his daughter to have her killed.
"I think your Father has made a deal with that man, and it's now biting him. Am guessing he has to bring you to him, or he gets killed. It has to be that, or he wouldn't be so desperate. If am right Andrew is leading the search" Arthur analyzed and Anna nodded in agreement. Andrew was currently the best knight in the kingdom. Since the situation is critical to the king, he wouldn't let any other person apart from Andrew, lead the search.
"I think we can tell Andrew when he arrives here..." Arthur suggested.
"No, it will only bring him troubles. We can let him find out. But not during the search. He needs to search like normal and go with no information." Liz refuted.
"Anna, I know I can't do much. I never protected you when I should have. But now that am here, I promise to do my best to protect you all..." Arthur stated firmly.
"Arthur, you can't fight my father and especially that man. Liz can't be the only one protecting us all so I've decided..."
"I've decided to find a way to awaken the blood of the red elves in me..."