Chapter 14
Linda, still dejected, says, "Is it that we're not meant to be together?"
But, all of a sudden all the happy memories they shared together started flashing in her mind.
Linda smacks herself and says, "I must snap out of it and save him… before it's too late…"
Then she searches and finds the fruit, and cuts it in half. Linda approaches the Griffin.
"Help me find my husband and in exchange I'll give you half of this fruit." Says Linda carefully.
The Griffin approached closer and looked into Linda's eyes and what reflected back was her sincerity. The Griffin then took the fruit and laid down, so Linda could climb onto its back.
The Griffin started to take flight and flew in the same direction as Princess Robyn. But, the Griffin isn't as strong as the dragon Princess Robyn summoned, so it took several breaks. And on each break, Linda took care of the Griffin and their bonds grew stronger each time.
After several days, they finally reached the Velcent Kingdom, Linda had the Griffin land in a nearby forest, so they wouldn't attract any unwanted attention.
Linda walked the rest of the way, and when she finally reached inside the Velcent Kingdom there was news all over about the marriage of Princess Robyn and King Leonardo of the "Forest of Capet".
"W-what? Did he forget about me? No, something must be amiss…" said Linda worryingly.
Linda came across a bulletin board where there was news of a ball opened to everyone to celebrate the marriage.
"This might be the only chance I'll get to actually see him… my beloved." Linda says determinedly.
On the night of the ball, Linda panicked as she didn't have anything to wear.
Linda, worried, says "Heaven help me…"
Then she remembers the little box adorned in gold that "The Sun" gave her. And when she opened the box, inside was a dress as radiant as the sun itself and a golden veil that hides her identity.
Linda was amazed and mumbled, "This has to be the most beautiful dress I've ever seen, and this veil will come in handy to evade Princess Robyn…"
She then puts on the dress and veil, and pays for a carriage to take her to the ball.
Once she entered the ball, Linda's radiant dress caught the eyes of everyone at the ball, especially Princess Robyn.
"I must have that dress." Thought Princess Robyn.
Linda was thinking of a way to approach both Princess Robyn and Leonardo without looking suspicious. But, she didn't have to for long because Princess Robyn had one of her aides to approach Linda stating,
"The Princess wants to speak with you about your dress."
"This is my chance." Linda Thought.
She was now in front of both Princess Robyn and Leonardo, who were sitting on their thrones.
Linda curtsies and introduces herself,
"I'm Evalayah Goldwood, how may I help your Majesty's?"
"Evalayah Goldwood? From the way she curtsied she seems like a noble… Maybe she's from another Kingdom? Doesn't matter, I want her dress…" Princess Robyn thought.
Princess Robyn smiles and says, "I'll get straight to the point… I want the dress you're wearing. How much do I have to give you to part with it."
"I will not sell this dress for gold or goods, I am sorry your Majesty."
Linda then looks at Leonardo and notices,
"His eyes are glazed over, like he's unconscious… What has she done to you…"
"Surely you jest, there has to be something you want?" Says Princess Robyn.
Linda took a minute to think about her response,
"I would like to speak with the Bridegroom, as I have prior engagement with him."
Princess Robyn glared and asked, "What prior engagement?"
"I'm afraid I cannot disclose that with your Majesty." Said Linda while bowing.
"I really want that dress…" while smirking, "I guess I'll have to accept her request…" Princess Robyn thought, then she said, "Very well, you shall meet with His Majesty in his chambers." While smiling.
"Why his chambers?" Linda then looks directly at Princess Robyn, "She must have planned something…" Linda curtsies and says, "Thank you for your generosity, Her Majesty."
After the ball, Linda changed out of her dress to give to Princess Robyn aide after her meeting with Leonardo, but she decided to keep on the veil to hide her identity. But when she finally entered his chambers, she found a sleeping Leonardo, seemingly unable to wake up from anything.
"So this is what she planned." Linda mumbled aloud.
Linda then walked up to him to take a seat next to his bed and says,
"What am I supposed to do now? How can I communicate with you when you are unconscious… What has she done?"
Then, she remembered the holographic egg that she received from the "Moon" and broke it open.
Inside was a diamond shaped, bejeweled, holographic bottle with an elixir inside that was as clear as a full moon.
"If I give this to Leonardo… will this help him… there's only one way to find out…"
Linda opened the bottle and poured the elixir into her mouth, then she lifted Leonardo's head and fed him the elixir.
Leonardo's whole body was casted in a bright light that soon broke like glass being shattered. And then he woke up.
"W-Where am I?"
Tearfully Linda hug him and says,
Finally… we're finally together…"
Recognizing her voice, Leonardo removes Linda's veil and kisses her.
"Yes… we are finally together."
Then a knock on the door startled them.
Linda worryingly says, "What do we do now… how can we escape…"
The knock continues and then a voice saying,
"Miss Evalayah, your time is almost up."
"That… sounds like the voice of the Chamberlain. Maybe he can help us out of here…"
Leonardo goes to open the door and the Chamberlain is shocked.
"H-How are you awake?"
"None of that matters now, will you help us escape?" Leonardo says while his purple sharp eyes peer into the Chamberlain.
"Y-yes, I'll help you escape… Your Majesty. Besides, I don't agree with what My Lady has done to you."
"Glad we agree on something. But, if you plan on any tricks… I will not spare you." Leonardo glared at the Chamberlain.
"Don't worry, I'll get you guys out of here safely." With determination in his eyes, Leonardo partially trusts the Chamberlain.
Leonardo goes back to Linda and says, "We'll have the Chamberlain's help to get us out of here, but how will we go back to "The Forest of Capet" with no escort?"
"You don't have to worry about that, I have a Griffin waiting for us in the neighboring forest… as long as we leave the Kingdom of Velcent… we should be fine." Says Linda.
Leonardo grabs her hand and says,"You went through so much because of me… I'll make up for it by getting us out safely amongst other things."
Then, they get ready to leave the chambers.
-End of Chapter 14