8 ✨ C H A P T E R S E V E N ✨

Chapter Seven

Nobody has to know what's behind this closed doors.

~*~

Avarus agreed to be Lyma's escort. He did not even ask the reason behind the request. Because he was more focused on boasting it to Vidia. In fact, after he agreed he instantly pulled Lyma and looked for Vidia. And as soon as they found him, Avarus immediately dropped the bomb. Lyma can only nod when Vidia ask for a confirmation from her. And then she left as soon as the two started to strangle each other. But Lyma did not realized the lash back of that decision until the next day.

Lyma is currently preparing for the Temple visit. Lily helped her with her dress then she did a two way crown braid for her hair.

"Your highness. There is a strange rumor that circulated yet again." Lily is putting flower pins on her hair.

"A rumor?" Lyma inquired raising a brow.

"Yes, Your highness. Rumor has it that your highness have broken up with Prince Vanus."

Lyma almost choke up with her saliva. 'What?!'

Seeing her reaction Lily continued. "A servant overheard Prince Avarus talking about you asking for him to be your escort on today's Domingo Ball. And because of that some speculated that your highness broke up with Prince Vanus. While some guessed that your highness just had an argument with his highness."

'Don't laugh.' Lyma told herself. 'Don't laugh.' She wanted to laugh so hard her face twisted trying to suppress it. And Lily thought after seeing her expression that she got angry so she silenced herself. When Lyma was able to calm her desire to laugh out loud she let out a sigh. "That almost got me laugh my heart out."

"Your highness?" Lily was confused when Lyma mentioned the word laugh.

"I wonder what would happen later at the ball." She sighed again. "Ah. It would be tiring to hear them whisper against each other. It's like listening to a thousand bees buzzing inside my head." Then she look towards Lily. "Any news about your errand?"

"Yes. I gained some connections and was able to ask for assistance in searching beyond the borders. But as for now, I only have one for Reafian and Eunis for they are the nearest ones. I will get to them after five days."

"That is a good progress. But if you can reach out to someone in Krefja as well that will be great."

"In Krefja, your highness?"

"Yes. I believe will be able to find something there."

Lily wanted to say that it will be difficult to reach out to someone in Krefja. Since it is known that Cockaigne and Krefja don't have a friendly relations yet. But nonetheless she still nodded. "Yes, your highness."

After their preparations, Lyma went to the Main Palace where she met up with the rest of the royal family. All of them are dressed in a simple white clothing as per rule when visiting the temple. And as tradition, there will be a procession from the Fortalitia to the Temple. The procession will be headed by the three temple clerics followed by the white knights of the temple. Then the carriage of the king followed by his knights. Then the carriage of the crown prince followed by his knights. The carriage of the second prince tailed by his own knights. And lastly, the carriage of the princess followed by the Sapphire Knights.

The Royal Family only visits the Temple every year or when a new royal will received a sacred name. It is because the current king does not have a great relationship with the Temple. The conflict started when the king married the princess from the Reafian Country. Reafian is known to have connection with nature and it is said that Reafians have dryad blood in them. Especially the royal family who have the strongest connection. The Temple does not recognize such 'belief' and thus condemns it. And to make the matters worse, the king brought in a Maggi from Krefja and appointed him as the Head Healer for the Royal Family. It became a huge blow for the Temple as they opposes the use of magic as they deem it as the work of the Fiend. It became a big deal that the kingdom was separated from the Temple Loyalist and the Throne Loyalist. But in the end no one can question the decisions of the king and dared to challenge the throne.

It is Lyma's first time visiting the Temple thus she is a quite excited and anxious at the same time. It is also her first time outside the Fortalitia herself. 'I did not give much thought about the Temple's affairs.' She thought as she look over the huge crowd that is lining beside the main road as the procession progresses. Everyone is bowing as the carriages passes. Then Lyma noticed something in particular. There are groups of civilians standing in the shadows of small alleyways. 'There clothes are rather…ragged.' She cannot see their faces clearly because of the crowd but she noticed that most of them are males with good built. 'Are they beggars?' Even though they wearing ragged clothes Lyma cannot shake the feeling that they are not just ordinary beggars. But as she was about to ponder more about it a loud horn sound echoed signaling that the procession is entering the Temple grounds. And from where she is she can already see the Temple sitting atop of the hill.

The white walls are glistening against the sun's ray making it sparkle. The tall trees that surrounds the premises helps to highlight the building. Lyma can't help but feel awe at the building. As her carriage comes to a stop in front of the entrance she took a vertical scan and she felt more mesmerized at its beauty. 'What mineral did they mix the concrete with to have such results?' She cannot help but to touch the column upon descending the coach. The wall is rough and at the closer look it is like the wall is embedded by little specs of diamonds. 'This is amazing.'

"Pandora?" She quickly turn and saw everyone is looking at her, waiting.

"Sorry." Then she immediately stand beside the second prince.

"You really like the building. It seems that every time we went here you get more and more fascinated." The prince commented.

"It's just so beautiful." She appreciated. Then she swiftly took another look at the walls.

"But you don't want your palace to be renovated. You know you can always request it to father to have the same walls." He added.

"That would be too much expense for the treasury." She declined.

The clerics together with the royal family proceeded to the inner chamber where the common prayer hall is. There, the head cleric facilitated a simple ceremony. Afterwards, the royal family went inside the transcendence chamber where they would kneel in front of the Personified Light, Divinity. It is represented by a square jarred tablet with the 'divine scripts' written on it. The tablet is placed on a stone table with the same 'divine scripts'.

Lyma is staring at the 'divine scripts' when suddenly the engraved scripts lit up and it float from the tablet into the air in front of her. 'What is happening?' She turn to her side to look at the others reactions but all of them seem not to notice anything. 'Aren't they seeing this?' She felt panic. She don't know what to do.

'I should just pay it no mind. This will end soon.' Lyma tried to ignore it but the scripts continue to float in front of her and every so often it would lit up as if telling her to pay attention to it. She stared intently at each of the characters of the scripts to the point the she can clearly see it whenever she closes her eyes. 'This is making my head hurt.'

Just then, one by one the royal family stood up. 'Ah, finally.' The scripts then started to fade until there's no longer any trace of what happened. Lyma followed her family back to the common prayer hall where the clerics are waiting for them. The Head Cleric discussed something with the king and Lyma took that chance to roam her eyes around the hall. There are several rows of long wooden seats that are divided between left and right. A small altar is up front with a replica of the tablet.

'Ah. Those scripts again.' Lyma can't help but to feel nauseous.

The hall also have large colored glass windows that serves as a light source during daytime and wall-mounted oil lamps and candle-lit chandeliers for night time. The place is decorated by a couple of big green potted plants.

"What are you looking at?" Lyma look to her side where the crown prince is standing and saw that they are already done talking.

"Nothing in particular." Then she hugged the crown prince's arm. "Let's go." The crown prince then patted her head.

"Too much skinship." The second prince whispered but it is intended to be heard by the two. The crown prince smiled teasingly at him. While Lyma just simply smiled as he grabbed Gustave's arm linking the three of them. The sight of them earned curious looks as they exited the inner chamber.

***

"Do you really think that is the case!?" The man with the grey robes shouted. Vanus' stone face dimmed. The two figures are inside a room in an inn somewhere in the capital. "Make sure to get that princess before anyone else!" The man instructed. "If we lose this chance it will be a great loss for the kingdom. This is your responsibility as the second prince." He reminded. Then the man neared Vanus and patted his left shoulder. "The kingdom's future lays on your shoulders." He whispered then the man went out of the room.

Vanus clenched his hands and closed his eyes trying to suppress his emotions. "I know you're there." He whispered and the closet door opened revealing the third man in the room. Sidus came out with a serious look on his face and not with the usual playful one.

"You should have punched him." Sidus commented. "I don't even need to touch you to know how dark your emotions are." He added.

"Stay out of this." Vanus instructed him. Then he walked towards the room's window. He look down on the busy streets of the capital. Several stalls are already set up for business and some of it are familiar to him. Being the prince of the kingdom that centers on trade he is well acquainted with big and small merchants that crosses the borders to sell their goods.

"You always say that. But I know it's difficult for you to-…" He refuted at him.

"Sidus!" Vanus cut him. His voice bombed the entire room. "You don't have anything to do with this. This is my responsibility and mine alone. So stay out of it." He argued. He is still looking out the window but his gaze cannot focus on something particular outside.

Sidus heaved a deep sigh. "No. This has anything to do with me." He refuted back. "You are my brother and she is my friend. The both of you are important to me."

Vanus massaged his temples using right thumb and forefinger. "I need to do this. It's an order. Besides, whether you help me or not nothing will change."

Sidus slumped himself on the small bed. The bed made a creaking sound as his large build fall on it. "You don't have to. How many times have I told you that you don't have to do his bidding?"

Vanus spun around with his face dim. "And I told you I need to do it." He ran through his fingers on his hair. Closing his eyes he heaved a deep sigh. "I'm the Second Prince, Sidus." He stated putting an emphasis on his title. "The next in line for the throne after the first prince."

Sidus clenched both his hands. "We are human! We are human before we are royals." Then paused before heaving a deep sigh as well.

"That's not true." Vanus contradicted shaking his head. "We are royals before anything else. It will always be the kingdom before ourselves." Sidus knew this too. It was always been the case for them as they grew old. Too much expectations and responsibilities that almost suggest that royals are no longer human beings. Especially in a kingdom such as Eunis were Royals are dependent on power and connections.

"Sickening." Sidus whispered. His voice strained because of anger.

"What can we do?" Vanus smiled bitterly. "We are born of royal blood where freedom is not free." He was again reminded of someone he envied because of her freedom. An image of her running around smiling carefree in a field of flowers flashed inside his mind. She's wearing a white flowy halter dress that highlights her pale skin more. Her black long hair untied and is swaying along with the wind. "I don't even want to succeed." He whispered to himself.

Sidus turn and look at his brother.

***

The luncheon at the Temple ended fast and thus Lyma is back to the palace planning an escape route while doing hide seek with her personal attendant, Lily. She is currently hiding against the big bush that separates her palace and the Main Palace Garden. She can hear Lily calling along with several servants of the Smaragd Palace.

'Any time now, it will reach the other palaces that I am nowhere to be found and a full scale hunt will begin.' She ducked her head lower and slowly made her way through the garden to the Opalus Palace. Running. Ducking. Crawling. She made it through and is now at the edge of the bush looking for the roving knights of the Opalus Palace. There are two knights stationed at the entrance of the palace just like any other. "How should I pass them?" She whispered turning her head left and right to look out for the roving knights.

"Hmmm…if you're aiming for the wall it would be impossible on broad daylight." Her heart hammered inside her chest at the sound of the voice behind her. She felt like a bucket of cold water was splashed on her back. She quickly turned to her side and was about to shake the person behind her when large strong hands gripped both her shoulders in place. "Calm down, wild horse. I have a proposition for you."

Lyma sighed, defeated. His hands are like iron chains. Once you're captured you can no longer escape. "What is it?"

"I'll help you go out of the Fortalitia. And in return you'll allow me to tag along anywhere you'll go." He whispered still locking her in place.

'If I'm going to have a guard then what is the purpose of me escaping?' Lyma wanted to counter. But still pondered on the proposed deal. She only have a maximum of two hours of spare time before she needs to prepare for the Domingo Ball. "Fine." As soon as the said the word she was instantly freed from those shackle like grip. "But you'll not hinder me!" She added then turned around to face the man who is currently smirking at her.

"Sure." Then he handed her a folded robe. "Wear this and follow me. Try not to show your face."

Lyma nodded as she grabbed the robe. She placed it around her and worn the hood to cover her face. 'It was a wise decision to wear the spare of my hunting attire.' She thought looking down at herself. The robe is not completely covering her attire and if she ever did worn a dress it will be noticeable.

They walked through the stone path directly to the main gate. Lyma can't help but to feel anxious for the possibility of anyone finding out. But still she maintained to walk normally a step behind him. Some knights just gave them a passing look and some did not even bother. It might be because of the social status of the man walking in front.

Malus Sebastian Vulpecula. Though he is the third prince of Vultre Kingdom no one really regards him as such. Born not from the queen but from a maid servant, he is the bastard son of the king. He spent his childhood running around the streets of Cain, a border town between Vultre and Ital, and was only brought to the capital at the age of five when the news of the legendary twin swords were granted to him by the Weapon Tower. It's not an everyday occurrence for the Weapon Tower to grant weapons and much a legendary one. As news traveled everywhere faster than he could even master the swords his past was unraveled. And as much as the queen's evident disapproval against accepting him as a prince he too don't want to be part of something that once toss him and his mother aside. He rebelled and escaped towards neighboring kingdoms. Seeking refuge in those obscure streets for two years. And learned to survive as a free person void of any identity. But his free life ended when he was captured for slavery.

Lyma pulled her hood lower as they approached the main gate. Malus only spoke with the stationed knight for a little before the knight opened the small gate beside the bigger one. She hurriedly stepped out and took long strides as soon as the gate closes. She only heard a low chuckle from the person beside her as he matches her strides. She ignored him and focused on her goal for the day. 'I'm going to find myself.'

Lyma pulled out a black handkerchief and tied it around her head to cover half of her face. Malus didn't say anything but he watched the action with curiosity. She turn to him and look intently at his face before saying. "We need to cover that face of yours. Do you have a handkerchief with you?" Malus shook his head.

"Why would I need to cover my face in the first place?" He cannot help but to be curios. "You only need to cover your face when you do not want others to recognize you." He thought that that is because they have escaped without warning from the Fortalitia and knights are now in the look out for them. But he know there is more to it than just that. It's because his over-observation enables him to see through anybody's thoughts and actions. That is also the reason how he found out her intention to escape.

"I will try to meet people that must not know my identity." She explained not really divulging unnecessary information. She look around them and tried to spot a shop or a stall that might sell a scarf or something.

Malus' curiosity just grew because of her reply. "Then I have an idea." He then pulled out a ring from his pocket. It is a silver ring with an embedded blue stone. He wore the ring on his left ring finger.

Lyma stared at him confused. 'Why would he need to wear a ring in this situation?' Just then her question was answered when slowly his face started to blur. She squinted and rubbed her eyes two times but her vision of him is still blurry. "What is happening?" She questioned.

Malus showed her the ring on his finger. "This ring is embedded with magic that cast mist on the wearer's face. It will also help the wearer to be easily forgotten or unnoticeable."

Her mouth hung open. 'Magic! I really am correct! Magic is the answer.' Then she looked away to ponder more. 'I would certainly find myself in Krefja.' She thought as she unconsciously brought her left hand to touch her chin. 'But Lily don't have connections there. Then it would be best to go there myself!'

Malus looked at her silently trying to read her actions. But all he could see is the serious look in her eyes and her fingers caressing her chin. "Are you thinking about something?"

Lyma turn to look back at him as if she was just pulled back to reality. "What is the fastest route from here to Krefja? Is it through the Puti Hrycg?" She asked unconsciously. And as soon as the questions were out of her mouth she cannot help but want to smack herself. 'How could I just toss that question so blatantly at him?'

Malus can't help but to frown at the mention of that certain place. But more than that he was more concerned on the idea flashed inside his mind because of her question. "Are you planning on going to Krefja Kingdom…" And base on her next question, Malus deduced that she wants to avoid entering other territories. "…alone?"

Now more than ever Lyma wanted to be miraculously swallowed by the soil where she is standing. 'What is wrong with me?' She scolded herself. "I'm planning to. But it's not exactly right now that I want to go." She said honestly. But the look on his face says he is not buying anything of what she just said. "It's not personal though. I am thinking that it would be good to have solid relationship with Krefja just like what Cockaigne have with Eunis and Reafian as a neighboring kingdom." He is still not buying what she is saying. But an idea flashed inside his mind. It's like dots of information were suddenly connected themselves.

"Is the reason you are meeting people that must not knew your identity is because you want information about travelling to Krefja Kingdom?"

Her eyes grew big. 'How did he sum it like that?' But her amusement immediately vanished as soon as she realized it. 'Wait…that would be the right thing to do now.' Initially, Lyma only wanted to ask for updates from the people that Lily had made contact with regarding her request.

"Thank you!" She blurted. A large smile plastered on her face. Even though she don't need such information at the moment but once she is done dealing with Pandora's business then she can start finding herself. And when that time comes the information will then be useful to her.

Malus is still confused at her actions his brows knitted. "Pandora." He somehow felt like he must stop her. The idea of going to Krefja alone is not sitting well in his mind as he knew far too well the relationship between the two kingdoms. Though the current king is trying to bridge the two kingdoms, there are factions that opposes the idea might it be in Cockaigne or in Krefja. "You must not go alone." His voice is serious.

Lyma felt the gravity on his voice. She knew that Malus can be carefree but once he got serious he will get down to business, hard. "Of course. As a princess I need to have an envoy with me. Don't worry too much."

Malus is still doubtful. He knew Pandora's character and how she loved adventures. But he didn't pushed the idea further. "You better be."

"Alright! Let's get going." And both of them threaded through the streets filled with people. And it did not take long for them to reach the place Lily have mentioned before. The building at the end of the street where pubs and hostels line up. The only building that sticks out like a sore thumb. The weapon's shop called 'Likha'. Unlike the other shops that are already filled with a lot of people the shop is somehow deserted. The exterior is plain and simple unlike the flashy signs used by the shops in the same street.

"What can I serve you esteemed customers?" They were instantly greeted right after they entered. The shopkeeper is in his late forties and is dress with white sleeves topped by a black dusty apron. He is wiping his hands with white cloth as he walked towards the newly entered individuals. Lyma pulled out a small gold coin with an intricate rose flower carving on it. The moment the shopkeeper saw this he straighten up. "This way please." Without further ado the shopkeeper opened the door at the back of the counter. Both of them followed him without a word even though their each curiosity is rising at every step. This is the first time for Lyma to be in such place. And while Malus have spent years in the streets and have heard a lot about underground places. It is his first time to visit one in this kingdom.

The door lead them to a workshop where they saw three other people who are busy crafting weapons. The three men didn't bother raising their heads to take a look and just focused on their individual work. As for Lyma and Malus, they followed the shopkeeper to another door that leads to a staircase that goes down.

"I can only lead you up to here. I still need to man the shop." The shopkeeper explained. Lyma nodded then handed him a bronze coin before he walked back towards the shop's door.

Lyma lead the way as they descend the steps of the dimly-lit stairs. Until they reached a wooden door with a sign 'Enter' hanged on the door. Lyma pushed the door open and was greeted by a small study. Shelves of books lined the room's walls and one small office table is at the far corner of the room with a wooden armchair. In front of the table is a small sofa and a small coffee table. There was no one inside.

As they entered, Lyma roamed her eyes around the books in the shelves. There are different types of books present. Just then a small door that can be easily missed opened and both of them turn to look at the person who emerge from it. "Greetings!" The man dressed in a suit welcomed. "Please do take a seat." They both followed the man and sat on the sofa. The man then sat on the wooden armchair. "I was informed of golden rose's arrival. But I was astonished to find two unfamiliar figures. One is hiding through a thin layer of cloth while the other is using a magical tool. I must say this line of work enables me to meet different kinds of people." He clasped his hands together as he leaned on the wooden office table. "Well? How may serve you?"

Lyma was about to answer his question when Malus suddenly hold her hand through her robe and so she stopped and looked back. And even though she cannot clearly see his face she can somehow tell what he wanted to say.

"My master wanted to travel to Krefja through Puti Hrycg. What is the safest route?"

The man's eyes went wide then after a few beats he laughed out loud as if he find the question humorous. Lyma's brows knitted at his actions. She cannot understand what is humorous in Malus' question and wanted to ask him to be serious. But Malus' hand on her tighten, signaling her to wait. She sigh faintly and wait.

After a few wipes of tears off his eyes, he stopped laughing and calmed himself. "I apologized. I just thought it is funny that people still believe there is a 'safe route' in Puti Hrycg. That place is death itself. No amount of thick clothing can shield you from its frosty wind. A minute there and you'll freeze to death."

"You say that but people have crossed it several times." Malus argued.

"Yes. Crossed. As if! People tend to forget that before Puti Hrycg is another ridge. The Pula Hrycg that is known for its mineral rich stones. That's what the people have crossed and not the real Puti Hrycg. But I understand people mistaking some parts of that ridge for Puti Hrycg since the frosty winds of Puti Hrycg can blow further to almost half of Pula Hrycg." He explained.

"Are you saying, we can still arrive at Krefja through Pula Hrycg?"

"Of course not! Pula Hrycg covers the boundary between Cockaigne and Eunis. So if you cross Pula Hrycg you'll arrived at Eunis Kingdom." He explained further. "But if you follow the ridge' outline towards the other ridge you can arrive at Krefja. But I don't advise you doing that. Even on its edges, Puti Hrycg's frosty wind is still fatal." He warned them.

"So there's no way to arrive directly to Krefja." Malus confirmed.

"Yes. But why do you want to go that far just to go to that kingdom? You can always travel to Eunis and then to Krefja. That would be the safest route." He advised.

***

As soon as the two figures went out of the front door, the shopkeeper immediately went to the office in the basement. And as soon as he entered he saw the man sitting idly on his wooden armchair with a lit cigar in between his fingers. The room is half-filled of the smoke from the cigar and the shopkeeper can't help but to cough a few times as he approached the man.

"The Master have instructed us to send her there. Why didn't you tell them the route?" The shopkeeper reminded. His voice raising out of confusion.

"It's not yet the time for her to meet with the Master. She is still lacking." The man defended blowing another puff of smoke into the air. "We need to stir the flow."

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