"Mother Lina said I have to go before Lord Maximus returns. My personal tutor ordered it before he left, and I've delayed it long enough. He'll kill me with his cold stare if I postpone any longer, besides, his returning in the next few days" she said with a playful smile and caressed his hair
"Then let me go with you," Thorold offered.
"You're the demon prince; you can't abandon your realm, especially now that you rule it."
He sighed, his voice filled with longing. "Two hundred years is too long to be apart."
"I need to discover who I truly am, Thorold," she replied, her voice laced with determination. "I don't just want to be the goddess who teaches and heals. I want to know my own worth, and maybe if I know my inner worth and my guardian angel, only then will I be able to access the celestial library of truth and then find out why the four realms are torn apart, since no one is willing to tell me." She paused, then continued softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry."
Thorold gazed at her, a pang of regret in his eyes. "I understand, Maze. I'm here for you, always, I just want you to be safe and okay" he paused and continued "here, take this it will keep you company and help you concentrate, and yes it will let me know if you are okay or not" he said giving her a white little dog
Mazikeen could still feel the warmth of Thorold's hand as she returned to her chambers. His love was a comfort, but now, alone, her thoughts darkened. Questions tumbled through her mind, each one more unsettling than the last. Why do I feel this emptiness? What is it that no one is telling me? It was as though a part of her soul was shrouded, hidden by layers of silence and secrecy. She wrapped her arms around herself, the weight of uncertainty pressing down as she lost herself in thought.
She was jolted back to reality by the familiar voice of her best friend. "Maze, what are you doing here by yourself? Mother Lina's been looking for you everywhere. She said you have a visitor." That was fairy Chloe's voice
Mazikeen looked up, her expression clouded. "A visitor? Who would be calling on me?" Her eyes drifted to the stack of elaborate gifts being carried into her chambers by the palace maids. "And what are all these gifts?"
Chloe shot her a look that was both amused and slightly wary. "Trust me, when you see who's here, you'll understand. But… it's not exactly a pleasant surprise." She placed a comforting hand on Mazikeen's shoulder as they made their way down the winding corridor toward the grand hall.
As they entered the room, Mazikeen's eyes settled on a tall, well-dressed figure standing by the doorway. Her expression turned cold. It was Marcellus from the Dove Tribe, the noble son of their chief, and just like his name speaks, he's warlike, never loses a battle and relentless pursuit of her.
Mother Lina's face lit up with joy as soon as she saw her. "My darling Maze is here," she announced, her voice warm and inviting.
Mazikeen approached slowly, her expression guarded. "Mother, you sent for me?" she asked, her voice calm but distant. She cast a quick glance at Marcellus, then turned back to her mother, hoping this would be brief.
"Yes, my child, come sit with me." Mother Lina motioned for Mazikeen to take her place beside her, patting the cushion invitingly.
Mazikeen sighed, settling down with all the grace expected of her, though her face betrayed none of the usual warmth. She glanced again at Marcellus, her dislike evident in the tightness of her jaw. She knew what this was about. She'd endured these orchestrated "meetings" before, each one more frustrating than the last and now it is Marcellus. She sighed in disgust
"Mazikeen, child," Mother Lina began, her tone full of hope, and excitement "Marcellus has brought such beautiful gifts from the Dove Tribe. Look at them! They speak of his devotion, his riches, and the love he holds in his heart."
Mazikeen's eyes narrowed. "Mother!" she snapped, the sharpness in her tone slicing through the room's forced pleasantries. "I don't like the gifts, nor do I need them." She turned her attention to Marcellus, who watched her with an unreadable expression. "Marcellus, your gifts will be returned to the Dove Tribe by my guards."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Mother Lina's face, but Mazikeen held her gaze steady. Rising from her seat, she continued, "If you'll excuse me, I was in the middle of packing for my departure when I was summoned."
"Mazikeen!" Mother Lina called after her, a warning edge to her voice. She turned to Fairy Chloe and murmured, "You know what to do."
As Chloe and Mazikeen began to make their way out of the hall, Mother Lina turned to Marcellus, attempting a polite smile. "My apologies, Marcellus. She's not herself today. Perhaps if you return another time, she'll be in a better mood."
Marcellus straightened, hiding his frustration behind a tight-lipped smile. "Of course, Lady Lina. I understand. Please assure Mazikeen that my affection remains steadfast, and all I want is for her to be my bride, as you already know, I will protect her from harm" Marcellus said proudly
"I will reason things out with her." She assured
Mazikeen's forced composure melted as soon as they were out of earshot, and she released a heavy sigh. "I don't know how much longer I can endure this," she muttered to Chloe. "It's as though they're determined to make my life a display for their own ambitions."
Chloe patted her arm comfortingly. "I know, Maze. But at least you stood your ground. Besides," she added with a mischievous grin, "you didn't actually throw the gifts out the window this time."
Mazikeen managed a small smile. "True. Though the thought did cross my mind."
"I wasn't mistaken" Chloe said chuckling
They walked together back to her chambers, where Mazikeen's belongings were already being packed by her attendants. Her heart sank as she looked around the room. The halls of the heavenly realms had been her sanctuary for as long as she could remember, not like she doesn't go for cultivation, but, this is the longest of it all, she was beginning to feel stifled by the expectations imposed on her. No one seemed to understand that her destiny was calling her to something deeper, something she can't comprehend and she was willing to take this cultivation seriously, despite the fact she has wasted a lot of time already
Chloe interrupted her thoughts with a gentle nudge. "Maze, you're thinking too much again. You're supposed to be excited about your journey. This is your chance to find the answers you've been searching for."
Mazikeen nodded slowly, brushing a strand of her milky-colored hair from her face. "You're right. It's just… Thorold doesn't want me to leave. And a part of me is afraid he's right to worry. I don't know what I'll find out there."