XV

It's the day when we leave the Golden Kingdom and back to our kingdom. Maverick is already in his kingdom. So, it's just me, Claudia and Evander. The King and Queen already prepare different wagons for us. We asked if we can go with the same wagon but they forbid us since Evander is a vampire and I'm a normal human. They are afraid if Evander lost control and Claudia won't be able to protect us since she knows nothing about witchcraft. So, we just follow the order. At about 10.00 a.m., we started to move to our kingdom. Separately.

"Thanks for the hospitality, my King and Queen," I bowed to them.

"It's my pleasure. Live your new life happily," said the Queen.

"Princess Serenity Gloria, right?", someone takes me to the wagon.

It's weird hearing my name with 'princess'. If I didn't focus, I might don't realize that it was my name. The wagon seems luxurious. It's comfortable. I might fall asleep in it. The journey between the Golden Kingdom and the Azure Kingdom is not too far to the east. But, to the Shadow Kingdom is far. The Shadow Kingdom is located far behind the mountain in the south. Before the Shadow Kingdom, there's the Mauve Kingdom where Azazel leave. To the west of the Golden Kingdom, there's the Emerald Kingdom. To the north, there was the Carnation Kingdom which it already fallen to the ground.

"Till we meet again," I said to Claudia and Maverick.

"Same here. Remember what I told you last night," Claudia whispered to me.

I nodded. It's worth trying.

"I hope you are happy here, Maverick."

"I will. And please never forget me."

"I never forget all of you."

After exchanging hug, I go to Evander since he's not with us. He's waiting at his wagon. Is he that excited to go?

"Are you excited to go?", I asked him.

He's holding a book with a black cover.

"You're reading again? What's now?”

I take the book. It's about vampires. Evander wants to learn more about himself.

"Before I live there, I better acknowledge something. The decision to go there is too quick. I don't manage to know anything!", he's mad.

"Chill. You gonna be fine."

"Easy for you to say 'cause you're not the one who is vampiric."

Even if he's mad, at least we were able to talk with each other. You know it's hard to have a chit-chat with Evander.

"Hopefully, we meet again," I said.

He just looked at me without expression. He's still the same cold guy. Then, he gets out of his wagon. I move a few steps back. He put his hand inside his pocket.

"What if I say I don't want to meet you again," he smirked.

"That's cruel of you."

"I know. Now, give me your hand," he asked me.

"My hand? For what? You want to bite me?", I panic.

"Woah relax! I don't even have fangs to do that!"

It's logical enough. He doesn't have fangs to do it. So, I lend my hand to him. He grabs it and puts something inside my palm. He closes it and lets go of my hand. I keep my hand hanging due to shock.

"What's this?", I asked.

"Keep it with you. I have it long before we go here. I want to give it to you but I hesitate to do it. So, today is the right time to give it to you."

I opened my palm. It's a small blue star pendant. I looked at him confused.

"You know we use to live at the Azure Kingdom. Underground the kingdom, there are a lot of pendants. People said that one is rare. But I manage to find it. I accidentally find it. Since Claudia told me you like blue, so I give it to you," he explained.

What is this mean? Did he like me too? Or it's just a sign of friendship? I can't help but blush.

"Thank you! But, if I don't like blue, do you still gonna give it to me?"

"I'll find the blue one," he replied with a smile.

My heartbeat was fast. It's our last day together and he gives me this star pendant! Why it's only now? In a few minutes, we'll be separated!

"I hope you like it," he continues.

"I love it!" as much as I love you.

"Princess, we need to go now. Your parents are waiting."

I nodded. This is my last time with him. It's could be rare to meet him again. So, I run to hug him.

"I'll miss you."

. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .

"Welcome back to our kingdom, our princess!", the King and Queen of the Azure Kingdom welcome me.

I don't know what to feel. Should I be happy after being abandoned for 13 years? Should I hate them as much as I could? Should I run away night? What should I call them? Are they my parents?

"Thank you, my King and Queen."

King Ferdinand and Queen Mikaela look at me in disbelief. Maybe they were shocked because I didn't call them my parents. I saw the Queen's eyes full of sadness. I want to apologize but what they did truly hurt me. I was in the same kingdom but they still can't find me.

"Please, I'm your mother. Call me 'mama'," said the Queen.

I didn't reply to anything. I just look down at my feet. My heart throbbing.

"It's fine. I'm sorry. Please come inside. I'll show you your room," said the Queen.

I follow her into the palace. It's huge but not as huge as the Golden Kingdom's castle. It's still luxurious. I wondered why this kingdom is the poorest but can manage to have this big castle. A few moments later, we stop in front of one of the rooms. It's on the third floor west side of this castle. As far as I know, this castle has been divided into two. The west side is where the royalty lives their life and the other side is where the events will be held. The ballroom, big dining room, and the great hall are on the other side.

"This is your room Serenity," she said while opening the door.

My room. It's huge! The bed is put on a sky-blue bedsheet. I step inside the room. It's full of blue decorations. Somehow, I love it cause it's all blue. How can I resist something blue? Queen Mikaela then opened the closet.

"These are all your clothes. We buy you clothes every single year, hoping you'll come back even though some people told us that you won't. This is the same closet you use 13 years ago. Same bed and same dressing table. We never change anything. It reminds us of you."

I was seven when I leave the castle and the decoration doesn't seem like I was seven. It looks mature.

"Is it true that I was seven at that time?", I asked.

"Yes."

"But if you didn't change anything, why this room doesn't look like a seven-year-old bedroom?

"Because you hate kids' items. Every time you went to shopping with us for some decoration, you always choose something that doesn't suit your age. So, I just agree with it since it's your room. But, you did a great job with decorating it."

"Is she here already, mama?", someone appeared at the door.

He calls the Queen mama. Maybe he's my sibling.

"Yes. Serenity, I'm introducing you to our crown prince, Prince Khai Chester Viotto. He's your eldest brother," the Queen introduce me.

"My eldest brother? You didn't send him away?", I asked.

"No."

"Why?"

"He was fifteen at that time. He needs to fight with us. We need him here since he already gains enough strength to fight," she explained.

Prince Khai smile at me. I believe he is 26 years old now. I bowed to him.

"Eh, you don't need to bow to me. You're my lost sister! I wait for so long for you to come back to us!", he said.