17 Disturbing Thoughts

Seth hadn't seen Ruby in a long time. He kept going to train in the woods, looking out for her in the river she liked to bathe but she hadn't come.

"I hope she is okay"

"I wish I had followed her that day to know where she lived", he said to himself.

Now, he didn't know how to check if she was fine or not.

[Maybe I should just follow the path I had seen her walking towards the last time I walked her]

He didn't know what to do but he was restless. He was missing someone he had only spent some time with.

[Those few times are so precious to me]

Seth had told his brother one day, during one of their duels, "I met a girl"

"Ooouu"

"What is that sound?"... they both laughed.

"I am happy about what you just said, Seth. At least, the way you began, I know it is not a flimsy relationship"

"It is not a relationship yet though. But I want it to be"

"What's her name?", Sek asked.

"Ruby. I like her a lot, brother"

"Hmm... the prince with the snake eye is in love", Sek mused.

Seth punched him on the shoulder and they began crossing swords again.

* * *

Ruby and Anthony were almost in The Tatterra Kingdom.

"Let's rest and first thing tomorrow morning, we go to the king. I am tired", Ruby said to Anthony.

They found a traveler's inn and Anthony paid for 2 rooms just like they did in The Predor Kingdom.

"Come, Anthony, let us talk for a bit before you retire for the night".

"Sure, Princess. I suggest you freshen up a bit while I go tell them to feed the horses and get hem set for tomorrow. I'll be back in a bit, Princesss Ruby"

"Good plan. Thank you", she said to Anthony

"For what, Princess?"

Ruby just smiled and went ahead.

* * *

She was a bit distressed with this particular visit.

[Why was I disturbed? My other visit went so well... I don't expect this one to go any different]

She prepared herself that morning and her mind went to Anthony. She hoped that he would be allowed to enter into the palace with her. She had an uncomfortable feeling but she had to do this. She strengthened her heart and firmed her will.

Anthony knocked on the door to the room that Ruby stayed in.

"Come in"

"Good morning, Princess. I was expecting you outside already. Didn't think I would have to come knock on your door"

"I don't feel good about meeting these people, Anthony"

"How do you mean?"

"I don't even know. Let's go and get this over with. I cant wait to be back at our little cottage"

Seth flashed through her mind.

[What was that?]

* * *

"The Princess Ruby of The Ziviel Kingdom"

Her stomach flipped. She held it and watched the golden doors open.

There were too many soldiers in and around the palace.

[Why? It was like they were at war]

She stepped into the throne room dressed in a pitch dress which was decorated with a dark pink corset that hugged her waist tightly. The rest of the dress flowed from beneath the corset in folds all the way to her feet. Her hair was parked up in a bun on top of her head to show the details of the gold embroidery on the shoulders of her outfit.

She looked graceful and confident but she was far from confident within her.

The King and Queen sat staring down at her.

There was an awkward silence before the king said with an equally awkward smile, "The beautiful Princess Ruby. It is our pleasure to have you here. Isn't it, my queen?", King Vasso turned to his wife and Ruby didn't miss the wink he had winked at her.

[The flattery was irritating and what was that wink for?]

The queen stood up and smiled at Ruby. The most sincere smile Ruby had ever seen in her life. There was something about how the queen stared at her, like a predator who had found its prey. It was unsettling to Ruby.

Something was going on here that she was in the dark about and she didn't think it would be too vain of her to think she was the subject of the tension. The whole thing was odd.

"King Vasso and the beautiful queen. I greet you and thank you both for having me in your court", Ruby curtsied in the most poised manner.

The queen licked her lips. [Such a beauty. A rare, rare beauty], Queen Vassi thought.

[So this is the so-called princess that got away?], King Vasso thought.

"My dear, to what do we owe this visit?", he asked Ruby.

She began immediately... Ruby couldn't wait to leave their presence, "Your Majesties..."

She narrated everything she had told the other king and presented the same request to King Vasso.

"Hahahaha....", he burst out laughing.

Ruby was in utter shock but masked it well. It took everything in her not to walk out of that place that moment.

"Pardon me, sweet dear. But we can not possibly spare troops now. You see, my dear..."

[If I hear him use that 'dear' word again, I would puke right here], Ruby thought.

"...What if the people that attacked your kingdom come for mine? We need to be careful and be at alert. That is how to avoid the fate that befell you and your kingdom"

"I wish you all the best... Princess Ruby ", The Queen slurred. The first time she was speaking.

King Vasso looked at his wife. He was very aware of what was going through her mind right now.

"Thank you, King Vasso. May you live long", Ruby said.

[Long enough to see my success and the ascension to my throne], she completed inwardly.

She bent a knee, turned and walked out of the palace.

* * *

"Anthony!!!!"

He was waiting for her just at the base of the stairs coming down into the courtyard of the building.

"How did it go, Princess?"

"I don't want to talk about it... just get me out of here"

"Are y-"

"I said, I am not talking about it, and I am not spending another minute in this kingdom. Let's head for The Red Kingdom now, I need to rest. I should have followed my guts. This place was a bad idea. Something is off about them here". Ruby looked around as she said this, then hopped on her horse. She didn't even take off her pretty dress, she just rolled it up to her knee and, "Hiyah!"... the horse galloped away.

* * *

Seth had a dream.

In the dream, an old woman... whom he perceived to be a witch or some kind of diviner, was trying to talk to him, but he couldn't hear what she was saying.

He only heard one word amongst the many things she was uttering.

He had heard... "Mother"