Chapter-14

"No." Auden turned her face aside, clearing her throat as the heat rose unbidden in her cheeks.

Elias withdrew at once, composed if seeming somewhat bereft. "Very well. Proceed and attempt, then."

"Attempt what?" Still dazed, she blinked in confusion.

"Close your eyes," he instructed, "and will the rain transform to ice."

"It proves not simple," she protested.

Without warning, Elias drew his sword and swung it. Auden flinched but failed to protect herself, resulting in a small cut on her cheek.

Frightened, she fell to the ground and yelled, "What did this mean?" in a screeching voice.

It had been raining heavily for a while. The castle, the house roofs, and the land was drenched. Amidst the frost that surrounded Elias and Auden, everything slowly turned into ice. Each tree, each piece of ground, and even the bunny that had been with Eve a few seconds ago was frozen in time. Auden got up and grabbed Elias's shirt, screaming in desperation.

"What is happening? How can this happen?!" she repeated the question.

The raindrops that touched Auden also turned into frost, leaving only the castle, Elias, and her. "Your power," Elias finally spoke. "Your blood did this," he said.

Everything fell silent, and Elias stretched his arms and snapped his fingers, stopping the rain. Once again, the sun came out, and Auden stopped bleeding. Slowly, the ice melted away.

Auden's legs went weak, and she stumbled backward, grasping onto Elias for support. The ground began to spin around her, and she felt as though the earth was shifting beneath her feet. She tried to catch her breath, but it felt as though a weight was pressing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Suddenly, everything went black, and Auden felt herself falling. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the floor, and Elias was calling out her name. She heard voices calling her name and felt hands lifting her up and carrying her inside the castle.

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"Through countless assumptions, I had abdicated this responsibility to you, Prince Elias," Eve stated with a glare. They stood in the hall outside Auden's room, with two guards behind them as silent spectators. Maids hurried in and out of the room. Eve looked at Elias with nothing but resentment, while on the other hand, Elias appeared consumed with guilt. The sun had set, and the castle was now engulfed in the city lights.

"What have you done, Prince of Aersia?" asked Eve once again.

"I was merely attempting to awaken her as quickly as possible. I was unaware that there could be such complications," Elias spoke in a low voice.

"You knew!" Eve screamed. "You were well aware that, regardless of all the methods or alternatives that Your Highness could use, you chose the most perilous one."

"I offer no excuses. I am ashamed of what I have done but if the heavens provide me another chance, I will do it again. We need her to be back now." Elias had no sense of conviction.

"Shall it be! It was my culpability to trust it when you said you cherished her." Eve glared as she moves past Elias.

Before leaving Eve ordered the guards to escort the prince back, to which Elias gladly complied.

Eve gracefully bypassed the vigilant sentinels, entering the chamber with a regal air. Her gaze fell upon Auden, reclined upon the opulent bed, presenting a countenance as pale as a delicately faded photograph.

Amidst the unyielding stillness of the room, the sole occupants consisted of those who eagerly awaited her misfortune. How splendid it is to be deemed deserving of such unwavering attention. Not even a dutiful watchman would dare permit her the mere act of inhaling and exhaling. Did she bear animosity towards those of humble origins? No. However, did she hold disdain for their audacious impertinence? Most assuredly, yes.

The pressing inquiry now lingered: to what extent would matters proceed? Her contemplation delved into the depths of whether the masses would permit her continued existence. Eve gazed upon Auden, her heart a void of emotion. What were the depths of human sentiment? What were the intricacies of the known emotions? At that moment, as she stood by Auden's side, a connection, fragile yet profound, bound them together. It was as if a shared emptiness resided within their chests.

If one were to inquire of Eve the source of their unity, she might speak of the abyss that dwelled within their beings. This silent understanding did not disturb their souls; rather, this tragic affliction and unyielding anguish had long become a dwelling place for those acquainted with such depths.

How far was she willing to journey? Was she even capable of traversing the tumultuous path ahead with a heart rendered vacant of sensation?