Helga Knows?

In a pub in Shoma - the capital of Loistava

"Master, do not react much. Just keep that composure," it was Jaser's words, but who? Marcus once again stared at the couple who were seated right in front of him, it was indeed Jaser. But disguise magic? Jaser doesn't have magic so it must be the woman beside him. She is a mage? observed Marcus.

"Wow! Magic disguise, guess the woman with you is a mage," said Marcus acting normally

"Yes, My name is Pompie Torta, I am a mage in the Egur royal palace, currently I am working for Prince Vera." she introduced as her old lady disguise chuckled innocently.

"You are well with magic portions, I think," responded Marcus

"Yes, my lord,"

"Why did you call me? You are lucky since you contacted me through Alica however, don't ever drag her into this, Jaser," Marcus warned.

"I apologise master, but there are a lot of eyes around your room in the palace, so contacting you through Lady Alice was the only way. It won't happen again, that's the reason why I called you, master," replied Jaser

"What is it?" Pompie took out another magic crystal chain, identical to the one she gave to Vera. "My lord, this is a magic communication crystal. It works with one's prana. When it gets fully charged and blinks, you can contact me and Prince Vera by simply calling our names. We each have one crystal bonded with this one. Others won't be able to find the energy of this one, it is made out of Egur's hidden magic crystal, Kar," explained Pompei

"So, I can contact any of you by feeding this Kar crystal a little of my Prana?" asked Marcus

"That's right, my lord,"

"Well, it is very intriguing and surprising that idiot allowed me to use his personal possession. I only heard he treasures Kar crystals like a chest dragon. The Kar magic crystals of Egur are Kaisar's pride, this is that... Anyway, it's a good thing you two came here. I want you to deliver a message for me."

"Your Highness, if it's for Prince Vera, then you can--" Pompie words were interrupted by Marcus. "No, it's to the King of Vagmur," he said. Both Pompie and Jaser were baffled.

"Why the Vagmur king?" asked Jaser perplexed.

"After knowing Vera's existence Logan is anxious. He already sees him as a challenger and a mortal enemy. Thus, he is in desperate need of power, he thinks Ostrova is not enough. He is going to conquer Vagmur," stated Marcus.

"Oh my, if he conquers Vagmur, Egur and Utshani will have a difficult time. And we are still far behind Inci in using magic in the military. We can't let him conquer Vagmur," Pompie stated.

"That's right if Vagmur joins with Logan, Egur and Utshani will fall. We will not be able to fight against Inci, Ostrova, Vagmur and Loistava. Moreover, Vera still needs time to get used to this world of magic and royalty. So he will crumble under Logan's hands. However, if Vagmur joins hands with Egur and Utshani before Logan strikes we can manage the wounds and rise again. We can also buy some time for Vera. We will have a chance against him," said Marcus as he gave a sealed letter to Jaser.

"I can't stay here any longer. I only fooled the eyes of my stalkers for a few minutes. I will leave now, you two reach Vagmur safely. Water will be safer than land," Marcus left the pub in a rush and entered the nearest bookshop. He purchased some books and spend some time until the spies found him. Then slowly moved to the palace.

So, I have to wait until the Kar crystal is full of my prana to talk with his highness. Kar is still unknown to Loistava, so I can use it as an accessory. My father didn't have any magic core but my mother's family possessed it, so mine is really small. I can nearly feel my own prana. I didn't have a good teacher so it took me years to unlock just my Archi level. My tongue is my channel, that's why I can deceive anyone with my words. Not many know about my magic power. I have a manipulative tongue. I think it takes about five to six minutes for the Kar crystal to get charged. Marcus talked to himself as he walked to his sister's chamber. On his way, near the rose garden, he saw the crown prince weeping.

"Your Highness, does something occur?" he asked

"Go away... I wish to be alone," he yelled

This kid... She is so cruel to him. How can she beat him to the extent he bleeds? He is at least her only son. "Your Highness, you need to see the royal physician now, I shall call one,"

"Don't bother yourself, just walk away like everyone," Willian shouted.

Marcus thought of a scene from his childhood. After Alice left Ostrova, Lucus constantly bullied Marcus. He cut the allowances and resource ratio. He humiliated Marcus in front of everyone, at parties, courtrooms, houses and even publically. Everyone would look at him pitifully but no one tried to help him or comfort him. I only survived because of Jaser and my will or resentment towards Logan and my brother. I cannot let this child become someone like me or Logan.

"Stand straight, your Highness, you are the crown prince of Loistava, you cannot be seen in a state as this. You need to fight, whatever miseries you encounter in your life, you need to survive. The world we live in doesn't have a tomorrow. It can be very distinct from today. There is no one around you that cares for you. These people of Loisatav will never accept you as their prince. You only have you, prince. Live as you want." Marcus said as he walked away.

Willian was stunned by those words, it was the first time he met someone who said those words arrogantly at him. He was more furious than before. What did he say? Why? he was baffled.

Later that night, Vera was taking a bath after all the training at the confusing confession of Ceasar.

"If he loves her then why he refused to hear her reply? He says he will wait until we win this battle. Shouldn't people do things they love before they die? No, It doesn't mean he will die. Then why is he doing that?" confused she submerged herself in the warm water.

"Hana... bring me clothes and prepare something cold to drink," she said loudly as she stepped out of the bathtub, bare. Her exposed back and the long wound split the eternal flame mark into two were clear.

"Brother, Hana just went out. Shall I come in?" It was Helga's voice. Vera was startled and confused about what to do.

"Helga?"

A few minutes ago, Helga heard from Laisa that Vera was also present at the time of Ceasar's confession. She understood that Vera was not very fond of the idea of Ceasar and her dating from their words. Helga came to Vera's chamber as Hana went to get cold drinks.

"Brother?" she called once again holding Vera's garments.

"You can leave it at the door, Helga," Vera answered, flustered.

"Yes, brother, but I wish to talk something with you, can I wait here?" she asked as she put the clothes in front of the door.

"Yes, why don't you wait on the balcony? I will be there in a minute," Vera tried to move Helga from the room.

"Yes, brother," she replied. Her footsteps faded. Vera slowly opened her door and grabbed the clothes. But then;

"Brother, I forgot to give you the trousers," Helga came back with brown trousers in her hand, completely bewildered and frozen by the person, bare in front of her.

"Ahh!"

"Ehh!"

"Bro-ther?"

"Helga!"

At the same time, Hana came in; "I brought you drinks, your high---," There was a pause in time. The three glanced at each other puzzled.

Presently, Vera and Helga are sitting speechless, face to face in Vera's chamber.

"I--I, umm... I didn't mean to hide, but this was the only way," Shudder, Vera said.

"So, you were not a boy. Our father raised you as a boy and my mother asked you to remain as a boy. It is true that you can earn respect and support as the male heir. It is something we can't change, that's how is our society. However according to the prophecy the eternal flame should be a male heir, right?" Helga asked.

"I don't really know much about the prophecy. We will have to wait for Jugo's return. And about our people and society. My mother used to tell me that every night, I didn't grasp its meaning then but now I understand, it was my story. There was a wolf inside a dense forest which a deadly Lion ruled. Every creature inside the forest feared the Lion king and obeyed his every order. There was no happiness or compassion. It was all out of fear. Then a wise wolf decided to put an end to the rule of the Lion. He disguised himself as a Lion and became the advisor of the king. Under his intelligent advice, the kingdom flourished. Animals started respecting the Lion, but it was really because of their fondness towards the wolf. Finally when the Lion finds out that his subjects respect and like his advisor and wish him to become the king. The Lion king orders his guards to kill the wolf publically. That exposed his identity, as a wolf. The Lion humiliated him but the animals who enjoyed freedom under the rule of the wolf supported him. They kicked the Lion and family out of the forest and made the wolf their king. I know it's a silly children's tale yet people are not fools not always," replied Vera with a smile

"So, you will rule the country until your true identity is exposed. Then if the people wish you as their king again, you will continue, is that it?" asked Helga.

"That's that plan for now, but honestly I wish to live a quiet life, alone or accompanied, somewhere on a mountain, I wish to own a small cabin. But I erased those when the moment I became Vera Willard Leighann. Now I am your brother, the future king of Loistava," her reply made Helga grin but she was hurt inside.

"I understand, I will not speak about this ever again, brother," Helga responded

"And about Ceasar, I will support your answer. However, no marriage right now," Vera wickedly smiled.

"Brother! I wished to talk about that, he is someone so stubborn and proud. I will respect his decision and express my heart after everything is over and yes I won't marry until I turn eighteen,"

"Helga, do you love him?"

"Yes," blushed Helga replied

"Then why did he say that? He probably knows your feeling, yet he refused your answer,"

"Because he is a good man who loves me a lot. He knows my heart yet he refused to hear my answer. He knows me better and respects my life decision. He wants me to follow my dreams. He said those because he gives importance to me rather than forming a mere relationship," Helga's reply didn't make any sense to Vera. Why is love so difficult to comprehend? she pondered. Abruptly Vera's Kar crystal started beaming.

"Pompie?" she called

"It's not Pompie but Marcus your highness," a sound came through the crystal. It was only audible to Vera like it resonated in her ear.

"Marcus, did you meet with Pompie and Jaser?"

"Yes, I got your messages and this crystal also some potions," he replied

"Huh! Good, how is everything going in the palace?"

"Something bad. I took the liberty to send Jaser and Pompie to Vagmur," he said

"Why Vagmur?" asked Vera

"Your Highness, Logan has decided to conquer Vagmur," his words made Vera tremble.

"WHAT? WHAT DID YOU SAY? WHAT DID LOGAN--?" astonished Vera yelled. Startled Helga; "What is it brother?" inquired.

(TBC)