Chapter 7 To the Quillion’s Palace and the future?

Cerys POV

"We greet the Princess of Zenobia." Ryne, together with her family and servants greeted me. After 4 months! Yes, 4 months before my father permitted me to go outside since they are still investigating the incident. I'm grateful to Ryne who visits me every now and then, that I look forward to tomorrow and fortunately, I don't have nightmares after this incident, not like when I was 5. Or maybe because I have the accessory that Ryne and I invented when we were kids, though it's mostly just her.

"Thank you for accepting my request. I hope we'll have some fun with each other." I said and dismissed their courtesy. I looked at my best friend and she smiled, why so beautiful?! She's in her dress and not in her knight suit. Then they guide me to the garden where foods and drinks are being prepared by the servants.

~~~~

"Finally!" I said and lay down on the bed. I heard someone chuckle. I looked at her, she's on the side of the bed. "What? Your parents have a lot of topics. You know that I just wanted to hang out with you, that's why I requested to visit your estate." I said.

"Pardon me." that's the only thing she said and knelt down to remove my shoes. When she first did that, I was completely embarrassed since it's not her responsibility to do what the servants should do. I remember, I was complaining that socializing is so hard and boring and my feet ached. Then she excused herself then removed my shoes which led to some bickerings and laughter. "Would you like to come with me outside the palace to try some commoner's foods and games? I heard that there was a street that is popular for great foods." I came back from reminiscing about the past.

I sat down, "What time? I want to go." I said excitedly. This will be our second date! The first one was before she went to battle, but will that be called a date if it's between friends? It's fun and I always enjoy when Ryne accompanies me.

She chuckled again. "We can rest for an hour and then prepare, you have to change your clothes. I'll ask the maid to prepare later."

"Understood." I said and went back to laying on her bed. Her bed smells like her. Is this lilac? I close my eyes to feel more of her bed then I open my eyes. "Is that new?" Her room's ceiling has a painting of stars and moon. Pretty!

"Not really. I did that 2 months ago. I can see the night sky with stars even though it's raining and cloudy during the night. Wait, I'll show you something more interesting. Just lay down there." she said and she walked towards her windows and closed the curtains. It's pretty dark. Then I heard her snap her fingers then, "Now, look at the ceiling" her dark room began to lighten a bit. Like the light of the moon and stars at night.

"It's so beautiful." that's what I just uttered. I feel relaxed just looking at it and I feel sleepy. But I can't, we will have a date later.

~~~~~~

Azmaveth POV

I look at the sleeping princess on my bed. She's really beautiful. I hope she will not get bored of my presence and naughtiness.

I sat down on a chair beside my bed after instructing the maids to prepare later and just looked at the princess. Not knowing that the time runs fast that it's time to prepare for us to go out.

There was a knock and a maid said "Lady Azmaveth, I'm here to prepare the bath and give the clothes for your activity outside."

I stood up and walked towards the door of my bedroom. I opened the door and let the maid inside. "The princess is still sleeping. I'll wake her up as soon as you finish preparing the bath. Thank you." I instructed.

"Yes young master." she said, and walked towards the bathroom. After 15 minutes, she was done. I opened the window curtains and walked beside the bed.

"Princess Atasha." After calling her name for the 4th time, she slowly opened her eyes.

Time to prepare.

_-_-_

"What are those?"

"If you want to get the prize, you have to play. If you hit the bullseye, you get the big prize. 3 arrows in the bullseye, you get the biggest prize or the most expensive prize." The shopkeeper explained when we stopped by.

"Alright. I want to try." The princess excitedly said. She gets the crossbow and try hitting the bullseye. "I think I got it." That's her 5th 'I think I got it.' I smiled seeing her enjoying at the same time being a bit frustrated because she can't hit the bullseye. "Give me some tips Ryne." She said while getting the 6th arrow. She squinted her face when I laughed at her.

"Haha. Alright. Do this position." I show it to her for her to imitate my position. My elbow on the table while my hand is supporting the crossbow. "You see this thing. Focus above the bullseye a bit. Then shoot."

"Yes! I got a prize!" she happily said.

"Here. this is for you." I said and handed a bracelet with a ruby on it.

"This is nice. Where did you get this?" She asked while examining the bracelet.

"I won it. It is a legit ruby." I replied. She thanked me and we continued our strolls. We tried some commoner's food and had some games.

Seeing her happy makes me happy. I hope that this closeness between us will never end. I'll always protect her. I took a personal oath that whenever and whatever happened to her. I will protect her. I will prioritize her if she needs me. I don't know when I started this feeling but it's been a while and I don't see myself loving someone more than her.

It is taboo on this empire about loving someone who is your same sex. I don't know where it began. I tried researching about it but I cannot find an answer. For now, I will hide this feeling, support her and love her as much as I can. Maybe in the future, she will let me love her as a man loves a woman, however, I will not expect it.

"Look Ryne. What is that tent for?" I looked at where she was looking.

"Let us see. Come." I said and we went inside the tent that has a color violet.

"Welcome. Please sit down ladies and pick 3 cards each." and yup, it is a fortune teller. I looked at Atasha and saw if she would like to have a fortune teller tell her fortune. Though I don't believe in it. She looked at me and smiled.

"There's no harm in knowing what your fortune is." She then shrugged and sat. She picked 3 cards and let the fortune teller explain the meaning of the card.

"You have a beautiful and successful future, you may have some difficulties but you will overcome them especially there is someone is protecting you. Your future with that person has its ups and down. There is a warning that you should know your allies. Your future partner is not that far from you." the middle aged fortune teller said.

"Hmm.. not bad. Will I die if I choose the wrong allies?" Atasha asked. Seems like she is interested to know more.

"There is a possibility." the teller said. "How about you, young lady? Would you like to know yours too?" the teller looked at me smiling.

"Go Ryne. Let us know what fortune you will have in the future." I guess I don't have a choice to say no. As the princess said, there is no harm in knowing. I sat down on the chair beside the princess and picked 3 cards.

"Oh my…" when the teller saw the cards I picked, she looked anxious? What's the meaning of those cards?

"Are there any problems?" Atasha asked since the teller looked like saw a not so good card.

"A-ah. I'm sorry. You must take extra care young lady. You have the yin and yang on your body and soul. Controlling your emotions will help you succeed in your quest of life." the teller said. That's normal since I was born according to the prophecy. My powers are half holy and half demon. I must put up the barriers of the kingdom and win over the demonic beasts but I must take extra care because if I go berserk and not control my emotions, my wrath will kill anyone, not just demons.

After that we pay the fortune teller. But she stopped me when Atasha was already outside and I was about to step out. "Your cards are full of death and negativity. Perhaps you are experiencing what a few are experiencing. I pray to the Gods that you will overcome the death that lingers your very soul, your Ladyship." I looked at the woman and before I could say something.

"Ryne?" I heard Atasha call. I left taking into my head what she said. Let's write that later.

After that we had dinner in the Vintage Restaurant. And I made sure that she was comfortable before going back to our palace.

Tomorrow, I will go to the church to learn my saintess duties and holy powers and stay for a couple of months. Since this is my duty, after learning about holy powers, and the history of it, I will visit the Tower of Magic to learn about spells and demonic beasts.

But before tomorrow comes, I'll enjoy my time with my dear princess.