16 Journey Towards North

All previous happiness of hearing a familiar voice was gone. Her eyes fell, and she dropped the idea of going inside. Silja put her hand down and resumed walking towards her previous destination.

Silja was standing on the open terrace, which was at the end of the corner. The castle was very big and was divided into different parts. Apart from Silja and Benji's private place, there were king quarters and the main building for the throne and other administrative work. The castle also has big towers and high building structures.

The hall in which the current party was located was in a two-story building which was used for entertainment purposes and for guests to stay.

Silja stood near the railing looking above at the sky. It was a full moon and the sky was clear, letting the white moonlight fall on the ground.

After an unknown time passed, a maid came to inform her that the celebration was over. Silja then bid goodbye to the remaining guests and retired to her courtyard.

"The wind is getting cold and cold." Murmured Mira on their way. She put the thick layer of the shawl on Silja to protect her from the cold.

Suddenly Silja stopped in her tracks as her eyes fell on something shining near the tower. At the foot of the tower, there was a small glass jar that was shining brightly in the dark night.

"What is that?" Mira also followed Silja's sight and saw the lighting jar.

Silja curiously walked towards it and saw the jar was filled with small fireflies. Her eyes instantly brighten up looking at the countless small light bulbs flying the glass jar. The jar itself was placed on the thick stack of yellow paper.

Silja took the jar in her hand. The shine rays from the jar reflected in her hazel eyes, making them look bright yellowish.

"They are so beautiful." Silja murmured.

"What is this?" Mira, who was standing by the side, her eyes fell on the old book on which the jar was placed.

Silja gave the jar into Mira's hand and took the book in her hand. The book was bound with red thread. The upper cover of the book was made of polished wood. Mira held the jar in her hand and with the light coming from the jar, it was enough to see the letter written on the book. She untied the red thread and opened the book. There was extra paper Inside the book, which was a little unmatched with the rest of the paper.

With the elegant letters, a small note was written on it.

"A small gift for you. Light to brighten your path and knowledge to brighten your future. Happy birthday, princess." In the end, the sender's name was written.

Brandon Leh.

Silja's eyes shone looking at the words. He always knew what she wanted.

Silja ran her fingers on the elegant letters carved on the wooden cover of the book

"Wings and Fire: The Dance with Dragons."

###

It has been three days since Silja's birthday. Benjamin had woken up late that day since he had returned late the previous night.

There was some emergency at one of the cities of Atlanea and he has gone for the last two days there to handle the matter.

After waking up that morning the first thing he did was to meet his father to give a report of the situation. But to his surprise king, Evan wasn't in the castle that day.

Benjamin returned from the main king resident, confused. After that, he left for Silja's courtyard and surprisingly found it deserted, which was odd.

"Where is sija?" Benjamin asked one of the maids, who was holding a bunch of books in her hand.

"Princess Silja left early in the morning with the king and queen, my lord." Said the young maid, bowing her head.

"Where?" Benjamin furrowed his brows.

"I don't know where." The maid replied hesitantly.

Benjamin became more confused and dismissed the maid.

"Wait." But before the maid could go any further than a few steps he stopped her.

"Where are you taking those?" Benjamin pointed at the stake of the book in the maid's hand. She was walking out of Silja's room.

"Queen Doris ordered me to transfer them to the library since Princess Silja won't be able to use it anymore." The maid replied with her head down.

"She won't be able to use it anymore?" Benjamin asked no one in particular. But something snapped in his head and he walked inside Silja's room. He looked at the side and saw that most of the things had been taken away from the room. He walked more Inside and saw some of her favorite books were not in their palace.

Benji's face hardened at the realization.

"They sent her away…" he gritted his teeth.

Silja ran her fingers again and again on the book title as she felt smooth carving in her fingertips. Her eyes were staring straight at the vast ocean in front of her while her body slowly swayed in the harsh wind with the rhythm of the ship which was sailing in the middle of the sea, towards the Northern kingdoms.

North: A kingdom of dragons.