Knock, knock, knock.
The Queen knocked on the grand white door.
"Come in," replied a voice from behind the door.
The Queen entered and carefully surveyed the room.
It was an opulent bedroom with a large and luxurious bed, illuminated by a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The incredibly soft red carpet covered almost the entire floor in the room, and a comforting fire crackled in the fireplace.
The Queen gazed towards the back of the room.
Her husband, who was also a king, was sitting in a chair behind a mahogany table. Several scattered papers lay on the table, and he was reclined in his chair, his head facing upward.
The Queen, standing near the door, shook her head slightly and then sat on the bed.
Sensing something unusual in his wife, the King sat upright and wiped away the remnants of tears on her cheek.
Initially hesitant to share, the Queen, after seeing her tired husband's gaze, began to tell him what she had heard from Tania. She also mentioned that she would be meeting her brother the next day.
The King was deeply moved, and sadness welled up in his blue, teary eyes. It was a heavy burden for someone who had saved him and his kingdom to face such a trial. It was also a great loss if such a remarkable person couldn't pass on their knowledge.
Zerenia was meticulous in selecting students to impart her magical knowledge, as the King had heard.
"If only Zerenia had a child," the Queen said, looking seriously at her husband.
She gently caressed her stomach; the Queen was actually two months pregnant, and her slim frame didn't show it.
The King held her hand and stood up.
"For someone who has sacrificed their life and body for the kingdom, I don't mind giving all my wealth if he asks for it," commented the King.
The Queen gazed at her husband, who looked so gallant in her eyes, and decided not to say anything.
The King walked towards her and gently caressed the Queen's head. "If your brother agrees, I don't mind giving our child," he said.
Upon hearing this decision, the Queen was overjoyed and embraced her husband.
"But with one condition," the King added.
***
The next day, two strong horses pulled a luxurious carriage with two doors and four wheels along a road that crossed a forest toward a high mountain in the western part of the Bajalekat kingdom.
They passed by several white tents along the road, where knights rested. The soldiers who saw the carriage paid their respects by bowing, showing their appreciation for someone inside.
A few minutes after passing the white tents, the carriage stopped in front of a small wooden house with a chimney emitting smoke.
The Queen, dressed in a dark purple gown, got out of the carriage, accompanied by two soldiers. They walked along a path in the middle of a garden filled with various vegetables and fruits. The Queen was very familiar with this place. She looked around to find someone.
"Why did you come here, Sierra?" asked someone in a dark green robe as they emerged from the house, gazing at the Queen with their green, mystical eyes.
"Brother!" the Queen ran towards him, kicked off her sparkling red shoes, and leaped onto the strong and mature body of her brother, despite his aged appearance.
"Even though I came all this way," the Queen commented.
The elderly person released his embrace from the Queen. "This place is dangerous, you know, right? If you want to meet me, just send a letter as usual," he said.
"You've always been stubborn," he commented. "Come on, come in; I'll make some tea," he added.
The Queen looked at the soldiers standing behind her. She made a gesture with her wrist, moving her hand up and down, signaling them to move away.
After the soldiers bowed and went toward the carriage, the Queen entered the house and sat in a wooden chair in the living room.
The person the Queen was visiting was Zerenia Striem, a hero often referred to as the 'Hero of the Empire.' He was the Queen's pride, and he had led an incredible life as an explorer, adventurer, and fearless fighter. Although they were separated by different duties and responsibilities, their family bond remained strong, and their reunion was a highly anticipated moment.
Two glasses of tea, with a fragrant aroma, were placed on a beautiful wooden table. The Queen and Zerenia sat facing each other in the quiet and simple room. Their faces bore smiles, revealing their happiness at finally meeting after a long time apart.
However, there was an underlying tension beneath their smiles. While the love and longing were present in this meeting, Zerenia had suspicions about the Queen's visit. Something felt strange to him, something he couldn't quite place. He had learned not to underestimate his instincts, especially after years of adventures and experiencing the world in all its beauty and cruelty.
The Queen attempted to start a conversation with a sincere smile. "Brother, it's been a long time since we last met. I've missed you and want to spend time with you."
Zerenia took a deep breath, feeling relieved that the situation wasn't as serious as he had initially thought. He asked, "As the Queen, isn't it your duty now to take care of refugees from the Baratana kingdom? I never taught you to shirk your responsibilities."
The Queen's face immediately changed after hearing this, and she smiled ruefully, unable to deny it.
As usual
, her brother's words struck right to the point, thought the Queen.
"I came here because I'm worried about you," the Queen changed the subject.
"I admit I'm old, but... I can still kill a pack of horned wolves that come out of the Boszeven Gate with one spell," Zerenia replied.
The horned wolves Zerenia referred to were evil creatures emerging from the demon gate. Unlike wolves in this world, they were larger and distinctly different, mainly because they could breathe fire.
As for the Boszeven Gate, it was a massive gate, 400 meters wide and 100 meters tall, located at the foot of Mount Ka'el. The gate separated the human world from the world of demons.
Surprised by her brother's statement, the Queen looked at him in admiration.
"I actually meant to invite you to move to the castle; won't you agree?" the Queen asked, with a hint of doubt in her voice.
Zerenia's eyes widened, "Of course! I won't leave here until I die!" he said emphatically.
Silence.
Zerenia gently took his tea, still emitting a fragrant steam. He took a sip, feeling the warmth and savoring its taste deeply. After enjoying the flavor for a moment, he delicately placed the cup back on the saucer.
Silence.
Seeing the gentle flicker of the fire in the corner of the room, hearing the crackle of wood in the fireplace, and the rustle of the trees added a touch of warmth and comfort that enveloped the entire room. The Queen pondered, her eyes fixed on the cup of tea in front of her, now cold from being forgotten for too long.
"Don't you want to raise a child?" the Queen asked.
Zerenia looked at his sister's face seriously, his eyes filled with expressions as if he had just received a deep blow that hit him. Every word he shared in that conversation felt like a heavy burden pressing on his chest. However, despite feeling heavy and squeezed inside, Zerenia tried to maintain his appearance of calm. Shaking, he picked up his tea as if reflecting the emotional tremors hidden within him. Then, slowly, Zerenia took a sip of his tea again, attempting to control the waves of emotions that swept over him. And when the cup touched the saucer with a faint echo, his trembling hand placed it carefully down, as if undergoing a complex dance of emotions with each movement.
"What do you mean?" Zerenia asked.
The Queen gazed into her teacup, where her face was reflected. "As I said. I fear that you might regret living in this world without an heir," she said.
Taking a deep breath, Zerenia lowered his head and closed his eyes with his right hand. In an instant, his heart shattered from the words uttered by his younger sister.
Zerenia's breath became heavy. "Yes, you're right. At this point, I am very desperate... Confused... Should I be grateful for not having a child or not?" he said.
Seeing her brother, the Queen was puzzled. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"If I had a child, they would have a huge responsibility for the power I would pass on... for this kingdom... for this world... for my deity... Can they bear that responsibility?" Zerenia said.
The Queen remained silent, not wanting to comment.
"I feel ashamed, Sierra... I feel extremely ashamed when I pray to my deity, asking for a child. I fear that if my prayer is answered, but I fail to be a good parent, how will I face to my God later?" Zerenia said.
Tears fell into the teacup, and the Queen cried without a word, wiping her wet cheeks.
"I once thought about becoming immortal so I wouldn't burden anyone," Zerenia said.
The Queen slammed the table hard enough to spill her tea. "I won't forgive it... If you intend to become immortal... Even the gods forbid us from becoming immortal... That's enough, brother! You don't need to suffer anymore. Please." she said emotionally.
Zerenia looked at his sister's face. "I know it, Sierra." he said.
A strong wind blew through the window behind the Queen, calming her a bit, then sit back. Looking at Zerenia's old face.
"I'm currently pregnant with my third child. I thought of giving it to you if you're willing to care for it as your own," the Queen said.
Zerenia's eyes widened upon hearing that. "I don't mind, but what about your husband?" he asked.
The Queen played with her hair, twisting it around her fingers. "Actually, I've spoken with him, and he agreed," she said.
"How can you—never mind, I consider it destiny. Thank you, Sierra, I am very grateful to have your child," Zerenia said.
After that they shared the knowledge they had carried out in the Boszeven forest or in the Bajalekat kingdom. Not as queens or guardian of the devil gate, but as harmonious siblings.