CHAPTER 46 - KEEP YOUR EMOTIONS AT BAY

Andrew's carriage drove through the streets of the town. It was specifically eye-catching due to the royal emblem on the purple curtains which is the insignia of the royal family. Also, it was a little ornately designed, with intricate patterns carved on it.

People at a glance could tell that, this was a carriage for the rich or the royal household. It caused the people on the street, especially the young women to want to catch a glimpse of whoever was sitting inside of it.

In the carriage, the indifferent Andrew raised the curtain to have a look outside but regretted doing so. The ladies who saw his face started screaming with infatuation in their eyes, and some even started going after the carriage.

Glancing through them, his eyes coincidentally met the cold eyes of a young girl about nine to ten years of age. Being such a skillful knight and having fought a few battles, Andrew was very good at reading people. Looking at this little girl, he felt this unknown hatred coming from her which caused him to furrow his brows. He didn't think he had met this girl anywhere before. Besides it was his first time coming to this town. Did he perhaps resemble her irresponsible or strict father?

Shrugging, he let go of the curtain and they covered the window.

"How long is it to the mayor's house?" he asked the nervous-looking guard in the carriage.

"Not far off, your Highness...w...we are almost there..." he stuttered.

Andrew nodded. He was used to people acting this way whenever they saw him. He knew he had an intimidating aura that pushed even his siblings away, so he didn't mind the guard's behavior.

In the crowd, the little girl still stared at the back of the moving carriage with cold eyes.

"Diana! Haven't I warned you to know how to put your emotions at bay? I bet he detected your dislike for him..." An old lady spoke from behind. She had long silver hair with intricate braids. Her face was lined with wrinkles that reflected her lifetime of experiences and wisdom. Despite her silver hair and wrinkles, she stood straight and energetic, unlike how a typical old lady should be. She wore a rich green-colored layered garment giving her the captivating allure, and her piercing and intense eyes stared straight at Diana as she questioned her.

Those intense eyes caused Diana to shiver. She hadn't meant to act that way. It's just that seeing the emblem of the royals, made her remember how much she was taught to hate them. The mission she was being trained to fulfill, had everything to do with the royals. She was told, they were the reason the witches were in their current plight. Being forced to stay in hiding and be chastised by people calling them evil beings. Her grandmother had told her that even the death of her parents had to do with the royals. This had increased her hatred for every member of the royal family, even though she did not know them...

"Am sorry, coven mother... I lost control for a minute" Diana responded humbly with her eyes looking especially dull. The last person she wanted to disappoint was this old woman in front of her, her grandmother the coven leader. All the witches resided in one place, deep in the woods. When they were massacred and chased away, the few that survived managed to secretly rebuild the witch clan, with her grandmother being the coven leader and the sole reason for their survival. Honestly, no one knew exactly how old she was, though she had visible wrinkles, she still looked strong and her beauty could still be detected.

Maybe it had to do with how proficient she was in herbal medicines, or probably the magical power that flowed through her. Whatever it was, Diana felt that she would always be her role model. Since the witches were in hiding far from the humans, they all almost usually used teleportation skills. And these were those that had grown their magical prowess so well. The young ones like her, were still in training and could not use their teleportation stills. Others could barely use their powers, but Diana was different. She was the most powerful among her colleagues making her the best candidate to fulfill their mission.

"Well, if you're going to succeed in this mission, you will have to put your emotions in check. The first rule, be unpredictable. Never give the chance for your thoughts to be seen through. If you can at least do this, maybe one day you can take my place. Let's go..." she said and dragged her along. Though her expression was emotionless, she had thoughts lingering in her mind. Why was a royal carriage driven into this town? Have they had a clue of their still existence? Today was their full-moon bonfire night and they had come out to purchase lighters. Nothing must go wrong today.

She dragged Diana to a safe place and then teleported them both.

Andrew's carriage drove straight up a hill and stopped in front of a well-built house. It was big, not as big as a castle but enough to look like a town mayor's home.

"Your Highness, we are here..." The guard spoke, pointing to the house.

"You may leave," Andrew ordered, causing the poor guard to bow and run off alone.

John and Andrew stepped down from the carriage and walked to the entrance that was stationed with guards.

Looking at the two that have made their appearance, the guards knew in that instant that they were from the palace. And when they saw the ring on Andrew's finger, they bowed their heads knowing he was a prince. Only the prince and princesses and the king wore that ring.

You could tell that, unlike the guards at the entrance gate, these looked more experienced. Their eyes glinted in excitement upon coming face to face with a prince.

"Tell the mayor, his Highness, Prince Andrew will like to speak to him..." John said to the guards. Hearing this, one of the guards rushed to lay the message.

A few minutes later, a man with a blue robe came rushing to the gate. He looked a bit unkempt and it would be hard to believe he was the mayor. Looks like he just wore the robe and hurried in, when he heard Prince Andrew was there to see him.

"Yo...your Highness, my apologies... How dare you keep the crown prince waiting outside, you're all punished! " he said humbly at first and then shouted, turning to the guards angrily. They made the crown prince wait outside? Did they want him dead?

The guards shivered and paved the way for them to go on.

"My sincere apologies your highness, if I knew you'd be coming, I would have held a feast in your honor. But it's not too late. Valley Town has the most beautiful ladies... I can make arrangements for a few to attend to you if you'd like..." He spoke shamelessly, trying his best to cajole his way up to him.