Chapter 9: Broken Hearts

- 3RD PERSON'S POV -

"Are you sure about this decision, your highness?" The messenger asked while waiting for Estes' answer who is currently staring at Miya leaving the castle through the window.

Estes faced the messenger and nodded, "Yes. Spy on her and make sure she's okay. Once you found her mate, I want you to kill him immediately. If anything goes wrong, I'll kill you and him myself. You got it?"

The messenger slowly nodded and bowed down, "Y-Yes, your highness. I won't let you down."

"Good. You may go."

For the last time, he bowed again and ran quickly to his horse to catch up with the goddesses.

×××

Odette is hysterical about what happened a while ago and Miya is trying to calm her down.

"Odette it's okay. Nothing bad will happen to you when you get home to your Kingdom. Estes won't do anything that will harm my friend. He won't tell your plan to your father." Miya assured her.

They did not notice Estes' presence right away since they were too preoccupied with their discussion. He was listening and heard everything they talked about.

He explained why he was listening to them. He was passing by and accidentally heard them talking. When he was about to leave, Miya mentioned the Underground Kingdom that sparked his interest and currently the reason why they're leaving the Moonlight Kingdom.

"And in return, he wants us to get this weird Orb that is located under the Sacred Statues." Odette pouted.

"Oh! About that, what is that Orb for?" Miya asked.

"It's called the Twilight Orb." Gusion suddenly said who's riding on the horse with Tigreal on another horse while Miya, Odette, and Guinevere are inside the carriage.

Guinevere frowned, "The Twilight Orb? Is that the Orb that can cast any impossible spell even though your power is weak since the Orb will provide it for you? How about the Twilight Goddess? She will die if the Orb's energy is consumed. This will spark another war, not just with the Dark Empire but also with the heavenly gods and goddesses. The demons might be awakened again if that happens. We should head back—"

Gusion shook his head, "We can't do anything about it, Gwen. Our King, Zilong also wanted the Twilight Orb. He already made his decision and no one can ever change it."

Odette groaned out of frustration, "I thought the Twilight Goddess is fine, it turns out she's in danger all the time. Tigreal, you're one of the council members. Can't you do something?"

Tigreal sighed, "That is the King's final decision. All we can do is follow his rules."

"And what if we don't?" Miya blurted out. I

Four pairs of eyes landed on Miya after she asked that silly question.

"You know what will happen, Miya. We'll be kicked out of the Empire or worse, the death penalty." Tigreal said.

"As much as I want to agree with you Miya, but you know the consequences of our betrayal will lead us to our own death. I'm sorry, Miya." Odette held Miya's shoulder and shook her head, showing that there is no other way but to follow the King's order.

Miya sighed and did the most foolish thing she can do, "Stop the horses. I'm getting off the carriage."

"What?!" Guinevere's and Odette's eyebrows furrowed.

The two men frowned but focused their eyes on the road because they might bump into a big rock or a tree.

"If taking this Orb will also take away an innocent life then I'm out of here. I don't care what you all think of me. Good luck on taking the Twilight Orb." Miya said and seconds later she turned invisible while opening the door of the carriage then jumped off.

"No!!"

The moment the carriage stopped Odette jumped off and tried to find Miya but there is no sign of her anywhere since she became invisible.

"We lost her." Guinevere mumbled.

Odette faced them again, "We should split up and find Miya! We're near the border and there might be other creatures lurking around here. I'll go with Tigreal. Gusion, take Gwen with you."

Disapproval is evident on Guinevere's face, "No. I'm going with you, Odette. If something bad happened to you, my brother will kill me."

Tigreal frowned, "Are you doubting my abilities?"

Guinevere's eyes widened, "No! That's not what I meant. I'm sorry if you feel insulted. It's just that..." Guinevere looked at Gusion's direction who's staring at her intently while waiting for her answer.

She quickly diverted her gaze to Odette, asking for help through her eyes. Guinevere is trying to avoid Gusion the whole time, but the King's order brought them together in one place again.

Odette was about to speak when Gusion took his swords, "It's fine. I'll go solo. You three can go together. Let's meet up at the Sacred Statues in fifteen minutes. Be safe." Then he quickly disappeared.

Guinevere felt guilty so she left Odette and Tigreal then tried to follow Gusion.

"Okay... We better hurry. NIighttime is near. Early in the morning, we need to get back to our Empire."

Odette nodded and followed Tigreal from behind.

Guinevere was panting after she ran so fast just to follow Gusion who is sitting calmly above a rock while eating an apple he picked up from a tree.

"As expected, you followed me." He said coldly and stood up then threw the apple. Gusion picked up his bag and started to walk.

She sighed, "You know why I'm trying to avoid you."

"And fate is making us closer to each other. Gwen, I can talk to my father about your marriage with my brother. Instead of marrying him, you'll marry me." Gusion faced her and held both of her hands.

Guinevere blinked many times and still processing what Gusion just said.

"What?!"

"I love you, Gwen. I'll cut my ties between my mate and make you my queen." The coldness of Gusion's voice earlier suddenly faded away and turned into a sweet and gentle voice while caressing Guinevere's hands.

She snatched her hands away from him and took a step backward, "You don't know what you're saying. You reek of alcohol, that's why."

"Or maybe I'm just telling the truth. Gwen, can't you understand? I love you. You love me too, right?" Gusion asked, his eyes glowing.

A tear escaped Guinevere's eyes then another fell until she can't stop herself from crying.

Yes, she loved Gusion and she doesn't want to hurt him. If only telling him that she already found her mate is easy then they don't have to reach this stage anymore.

Gusion was alarmed when he saw Guinevere started crying. He held both of her cheeks while wiping her tears away using his thumb.

"No, no. Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong? Shh, don't cry. I'm here." Gusion hugged Gwen while caressing her back.

A pang of guilt struck to Guinevere's heart. She can't take this anymore. He needs to know.

She pushed Gusion away and placed her hand to her mouth to keep herself from sobbing.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Gusion. I can't marry you. I found my mate. Let's end this. I don't want to see you hurt anymore."

Gusion froze because of what he heard from Gwen. He felt his world just collapsed. His heart broke into millions of pieces.

How many broken hearts do we need to end this? Will there be a time where everyone will be happy?

Life is full of surprises? Yes, because you are not prepared yet, that's why. Our life is already written, all we need to do is act and accept what fate gave to us.