* Neighhhh..*
*Clip-Clop* * Clip-Clop *
It wasn't long before the carriage reached the garden .
Even though the garden was not much further from the palace but being a prince, it was a sort of constraint for Ray to ride a carriage.
The coachman got off the carriage and opened the door for them.
After picking up Ray, Valerina stepped out of the car.
" Thank you sir "
Having thanked the coachman, she headed toward the entrance.
There were quite a few guard present at the entrance but seeing the royal insignia on the carriage they already made a way for both of them .
At the entrance of there a huge board that said
' The Lost Eden of the Mist '.
Looking at the sign Valerina asked Ray .
" Young master, are you familiar with the history of this garden "
Even though Ray never really likes to brag about it but his intelligence was not something that even a scholar can match up to and this was really terrifying since he was just a 5 years kid.
" I remember mama once told me about it "
Valerina actually wanted to tell Ray the story about this garden , but since he already knew about it she decided to hear it from him instead.
" Than would you like to share it with me "
" Sure "
" So it goes something like this .... "
* * *
Long ago, there existed a mysterious forest that sheltered a variety of powerful beasts and exotic plants.
Within the forest there was a spirit that watched over the whole forest.
She treated all plants and magical beasts as her own and everyone respected her as their own mother.
One time, a group of humans entered the forest looking for food.
The forest was full of resources so they figured it might solve their problems. But it didn't take long for them to realise their mistake .
The difference in strength between them and the animals was immense.Even after overwhelming them with numbers, humans couldn't win . It wasn't long before the group was on verge of death .
Seeing the Humans suffering the Spirit decided to help them and offered them her blessings.
But it wasn't long before the Spirit realised her mistake .
Humans were too selfish and covetous.
When they got the food they wanted shelter, when they got shelters they wanted clothing, than they started making weapon and slowly and gradually they started clearing the forest to make towns .
They learned to wield mana even better than before .They started hunting down beasts, even if they didn't need food .
The forest that once looked so beautiful didn't look like it anymore.
The Spirit could no longer endure it and told the humans that if they did not stop destroying the forest, she would take away the power she gave them.
But arrogant humans thought that with their weapons, their shelters and the new magic they learned, they could handle those animals easily.
Left with no choice the Spirit took away the blessings she gave the humans, and soon after the beasts who used to fear the humans because of the blessings attacked them over and over again killing hundreds .
When the humans were on the blink of extinction a man went to the spirit and asked .
" O.. Great spirit I do not seek forgiveness because I know that I don't deserve it "
" But my family, they're innocent please let my family leave the forest safe. "
" And in exchange, I am ready to offer my own life "
" Please Great Spirit "
Seeing the man's self-sacrifice for his family, the Spirit decided to give humans a last chance .
She divided the forest into two parts, gave the outer part of the forest to humans and the rest of the forest of the beast
The Spirit than gave this man a duty to make sure that neither of the humans entered the inner part of the forest and in return offered him a mysterious crystal .
The Spirit along with all the beasts left for the deeper part of the forest but before leaving she again reminded humans not to enter the inner part of the forest or else she might not be so kind the next time .
* * *
" As for the man "
" He eventually built small town and became its lord "
" But he was always concerned about people trying to enter the forest out of greed, there were even cases of people disappearing into the forest after they entered. "
" So he built this garden at the edge of the interior forest "
" And established a rule according to which he and only members of his family could enter the forest. "
" As years passed and generation went slowly and gradually the town developed into huge a city "
" And his small family which which consisted of his wife and children become a royal family that rules over an entire Kingdom "
By the time Ray finished telling the story they had already arrived by the lake side.
" Looks like we are already here "
Looking at the Valerina said . She than placed Ray down .
" Young master I will go and set up our camp till then you can play here "
" And remember don't go too far "
" Don't go running off here and there or else you might fall and get hurt "
" Don't go too close to the lake, you can't swim and it's dangerous "
" and don't even think about going near the forest "
For some reason he could see a reflection of him mother inside her.
" I know sister Rina I am not a kid anymore "
" It's good that you know "
Saying that she ruffled his hair .
" Ok then I will go and build the camp and remember than I have my eyes on you "
" Ok sister Rina "
* * *
While Valerina was building the camp, Ray way laying in the field of chrysanthemum without a care if life.
Even though his clothes were getting dirty, but he couldn't care less about it.
He closed his eyes, feeling the cold breeze flowing through his hairs and the sweet scent of chrysanthemum brushing against his nose.
After laying there for a while Ray opened his eyes and looked at the sky .
It was still quite early in the morning and with clouds like balls of cotton covering almost the entire sky the sunrays were very mild.
" huh.... I wish I could spend my entire day laying down here and doing nothing "
Slowly and gradually even without him realising drowsiness started taking over and soon he fell asleep .
After taking a dozing off for a while, Ray opened his eye. Even though he was still in the chrysanthemum field, but he realised that the ground below his head didn't feel as hard .
He tried to get up but was held down by a pair of hands.
" It's alright young master can sleep more if he wants to "
Ray soon realised that it was Valerina's lap that he was laying on.
" Sister Rina, sorry I fell asleep without even realising "
She patted his head and started caressing his hair and while doing that she said.
" It's alright, but if young master wanted to sleep you could have at least asked me to put mat for you "
" But it feels much more comfortable to sleep here in the field "
Even though Valerina wanted to argue with him, tell him that there are bugs and insects in the field and it wasn't good sleeping here but knowing how stubborn he is she just gave up .
" Ok now that young master is up how about we have lunch "
" Lunch...? "
Ray was confused, he ate breakfast not too long ago and now lunch.
" Sister Rina isn't it too early "
" What are you saying young master, it's already an hour late from lunch time "
" And hour late "
" Wait, how much did I sleep? "
" Two hours .... no maybe three "
" Wait, then why is the sun, when did it become so cloudy ..? "