The moonstone

She agreed. It was only a marriage proposal, one that was in effect until the war was over. To the public, she was his bride-to-be. To them, he was courting her. They would only get married if she agreed. That sealed the deal for them. The terms she proposed were debated and a middle ground was established. The document was signed and the alliance was in effect.

"Your imperial majesty, since we already have an alliance, is it okay if I ask you something?"

"Of course Olivia, go ahead"

"How can we unlock the moonstone?"

"What?"

"The moonstone has only been working at basic levels for a long time. How do we unleash its power to a level you have?"

"To answer that question, well...."

"Mother, I'll take it from here" Irilium cut in, saving Olivia. He knew if he let his mother decide, she might exchange the information for her to marry him. IT was worth that after all. But, he wanted her to marry him of her own accord. It would truly give him joy. Vaya could only nod, she could hardly deny him what he wanted.

"Do you know where the moonstone is Olivia?"

"No"

"It's inside you"

"What?"

"The reason you were chosen as crown princess, the reason why your father calls you his treasure. The moonstone is carried by a vessel determined by the guardian spirit of the stone. The bloodstone for example, in inside me. I unlocked the power of the bloodstone, like my ancestors before me. I'm sorry but I cannot help you unlock yours. The way to unlock the stone is different for each person"

"Then can you at least tell me how you unlocked the stone?"

"I'm sorry but that's a secret I can't tell even you. Nobody knows how not even me. Only the one after me can know how I unlocked it like I only know how my ancestors unlocked it. I can only give you a tip though. Try connecting with the stone. If you're ready for the trials, you will be able to unlock the stone or die trying. If you fail, the werewolves die with you"

"They...die?" she asks, her heart beating fast. Irilium knows he has shocked her but he had to tell her.

"The moonstone is tied intricately to the life source of the werewolves. That is the price they used to obtain it. It's the same with the bloodstone and the magestone. If you were to fail the trial, it would be destroyed and the werewolves would all perish"

"I..see. Thank you for telling me. If you would please excuse me" she stood up and left. Vaya and Rie sighed while Jonathan felt his heart bleed.

"Do you love my daughter?" Jonathan said a while after she had left. His question was directed at Irilium. He was caught off-guard and turned into a blubbering mess, to the shock of his family. They enjoyed this rare sight of the prince who was calm and collected, no matter what.

"I'm not blind. I can see how you look at her. Do you love her?"

"I do"

"Then take care of her and protect her. As her father, it's all I ask"

"I will do my best"