Reina looked lost and was in distant thoughts. She felt lightheaded and went to get a place to sit in the corner.
"Do you believe me now?" Erebus asked, standing and hovering over her.
She looked up at him, teary-eyed, filled with anger. "who did it?" she asked, "who killed my parents?"
He turned away from her "That is for you to find out Princess " He threw a cloth toward her "Clean yourself up, there's a room to bath behind that door" He pointed out behind where she sat.
Reina got up and went in, there was a bucket filled with water and a small stool beside it, she took off what she was wearing and sat on the stool. Touching the water to have a feel of its temperature, it was cold, not that she had any other choice but to bathe with it. She started by washing her face with the soap he provided, it stung her face for lots of reasons, as it wasn't something her skin was used to.
Reina came out to find no one. He was gone, and he left her what to wear. Picking it up and sizing it. It looked big-It was- and it was those kinds of dresses she had seen on some ladies in town and definitely not her style.
"That's all I could find" Erebus's voice snapped her out. She smiled awkwardly.
"It's okay. Thank you"
She sat down and reapplied the paste on her foot, the wound healed faster than she expected, and she could fully stand and walk without limping. Did he magically heal it with his powers? Probably. She thought.
"Take me back" Reina stood beside him, he looked up at her confused
"I didn't bring you here, did I? I only helped" He stood up and walked away from her "You can continue your journey"
Reina was not one to beg or ask for something twice, if he is refusing, she'll just walk her way there "Okay, where's north?"
Erebus wasn't expecting that "You want to walk there?" He asked and laughed, then stopped when he saw she wasn't joking, then approached her " Listen, Princess, it'll take you months to get back to Narva, that is if you even make it"
"What do you mean?"
"Those men, I'm sure there are new ones looking for you, or maybe you might as well be killed by a beast of some kind.." He said and looked at her legs "Plus you're weak"
Crossing her arm as she had already made up her mind "I'll take my chances"
Sighing, now knowing how stubborn she was, he pulled her arm and transported her to the main gates of the Valerian castle some distance away, it happened so fast she didn't know when he grabbed her arm, and now he was gone, without a word. She sighed and started to approach the gate.
A guard noticed someone standing, having his guard up he approached that person, his eyes widened and had to blink a couple of times in shock. Is that the Princess? He was probably delusional. He thought to himself.
"What are you looking for M..i..ss?"
Reina saw the look of realization in his eyes, at least they haven't forgotten what she looked like.
"Your... Your Highness? Is that really you?" He asked and the others heard, they all rushed over. It really was the Princess. They all thought she was dead, not just them, but the entire kingdom thought she was.
Ares heard the commotion, He's a General now amongst the soldiers, basically their Leader, they paved the way for him, Reina almost smiled seeing him but she hid it well, staring at him as he tries to make sense of her presence. The next she knew, they were bowing consecutively. Yes, she is back and it is time to set things straight.
Ares led her in, it was a long walk before they reached the castle, they both walked in and the first thing Reina saw was Rowan hitting Lydia. No one noticed her presence, she walked up to them as he was about to hit Lydia again, and she grabbed his arm.
Lydia was dumbstruck, shocked and confused as well. That was her Lady.
"You don't touch my maids and friends Rowan"
He froze, eyes widened "R... Reina?" He asked
"Hi. Your Highness" Her tone was sarcastic, did they really think they could come and rule while she was still alive?
"Why are you...How... how are you here? you're alive?" He stuttered.
"Shocking isn't it?" She said, letting go of his hand to pick Lydia up, who hurriedly hugged Reina and sobbed.
"My lady? You're okay. You're alive!"
Reina caressed her hair, she was angry "I am okay Lydia" She pulled away to look at her "What about you" She could obviously see that Lydia wasn't okay, the bruises and small scars, She averted her eyes to look at Rowan and glared at him "Go clean yourself, I want to speak with the Prince".
Lydia was about to refuse but Reina urged her. Sensing the urgency of wanting her to leave, she left without question. The other maids peeked in great disbelief as the gossip of the princess being back started to spread silently till it reached the King's chambers, Donald. He rushed over taking long fast strides.
Rowan was still in disbelief himself, making him move away from her, hoping it wasn't karma turning on him.
"Seize her!" Came out his voice, loud and clear but no one moved, he looked utterly disorientated and scared, looking around. "She's an imposter, I said seize her!"
The guards were still unmoving but slowly approached her, they were looking between her and Rowan. Was she really an imposter? She does look like the princess, plus why would someone show up pretending to be the princess after all the years?
"Why are you yelling?" Reina asked unfazed, she knew that he knew she was real and not some imposter, it was just his way of trying to throw her out of her father's palace. She looked at the guards who were still contemplating whether or not to seize her.
Rowan gripped her arm tightly in an attempt to break her arm it seems. "Shut up. Who are you? What right do you think you have to pose as the late prin..."
A slap sound resonated across the room as Reina cut him off with a slap across his face. Late? how dare he? "Don't you dare!" she said pulling her arm away from him.
The room became quieter, Rowan smirked, rubbing his cheek, it really was her, the attitude and boldness, too bad it took receiving a slap for him to realize that.