CHAPTER 7 - SOUTHEAST

"Long time ago, we have many Gods and Goddesses. But it was believed that when they learned how to love, some of them, especially the Goddesses disappeared after they gave birth with a human," Lola Pacing stated.

Lola Pacing is known as the nation's storyteller. She recently transferred to this place. Community men rumors that she was a Goddess who escaped the paradise to live like a human. She was believed to be searching for her daughter who happens to fell in love with a human.

Princess Bella asked, "Are they forbidden to be with a human, Lola?"

"Our little Princess, does your Ama knows you are here?"

"No, Lola. Ama won't let me out because the Princes of the North will come and he wants me well-dressed."

"So what are you doing here? You should prepare."

"I want you to answer my question first, Lola. And promise me you'll tell me that story again until the end.

"Okay, I Promise! Yes, Princess. Goddesses are forbidden to love humankind. They will die after they give birth."

"Is that so? My Ina died after giving birth. Ama told me that Ina was like a Goddess of Beauty because she was too beautiful that made him fall in love even Ina left us already. But Ama clarified that she is not."

Tears suddenly fell from Lola Pacing's eyes. She hugged Bella so tight.

"What's the problem, Lola?"

Lola didn't feel anything.

She smiled, "I just felt like doing it. I felt the same way when my mother died. You grew up so well, Princess Bella."

A loud cry of a little girl suddenly burst. All residents there know if Madam Flaur is hitting Ade, while the Chieftain is away. It caught her attention that's why when she looked back to Bella it was gone.

She pulled Adelaide inside her tent, "What's the problem, Ade?"

Adelaide immediately hugged her that made her feel someone and it reminds her of her daughter.

"Ina was trying to force me to drink something that smells so bad," she continued to cry.

Every time Adelaide cries, it was like the sound of the thunder that everyone will be startled and worry.

"Calm down now. You are safe here. Your Ama will be home soon right?"

"Yes, he will."

"If that's the case, would you like to join our storytelling time?"

Adelaide sits with the other kids.

"As of now, there are four remaining Gods and Goddesses. First is the Head Goddess, she looks over the younger Gods. One is the God of Patience, another is the Goddess of Conceiving and the Goddess of Hope and Dispatch."

"Why is it that the last Goddes has two roles?" asked Adelaide.

"Because she is special. She was made to take care of the whole east. But she can't be found anywhere."

"Why is that so?"

"The God of Patience told the Head Goddess that she was last seen with a human, and she didn't return to paradise anymore. But the Goddesses feel that there will be an addition to them sooner or later. They all believe that the youngest member of Gods will make a legend herself. She will make everything right and will fight the evil. She will fight for power and equality."

"You are such a good storyteller, Lola," said Adelaide.

Everyone clapped as their way of giving thanks to Lola Pacing. In just a glimpse, Adelaide disappeared.

Someone rushed inside Lola's tent.

"Lola, the Chieftain! He needs medication!"

She hurriedly went to the Chieftain's house. She saw Adelaide and the Chieftain lying on the floor.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Everyone believes that it was Madam Flaur's. A special kind of poison was found in one of the drinks. She was targeting Adelaide but the Chieftain exchanged their drinks."

She suddenly remembered what Adelaide was saying to her a while ago. She sniffed the glasses trying to examine what poison it was.

"It was mercury. There is no way the Chieftain will survive. He drunk lots of it."

They held a funeral for the chieftain headed by King Charles himself. It was his way of returning his kindness towards his wife, Gabrielle.

"We have searched the whole nation together with the assigned groups everywhere. The kid and Madam Flaur were nowhere to be found, Your Highness," said the soldier.

"I guess we just have to wait and pray for their safety," said the King.

While on their way back to the palace, a stray boy suddenly crossed the road. The driver tried to avoid it and stopped. The King and Bella immediately get off the car.

The boy was kneeling, "I'm sorry, Your Highness."

"Get up young boy," the King ordered, "Where are your parents?"

"Their gone, Your Highness. I am trying to survive on my own."

Bella pulled his hand and asked, "Ama, can we bring him home with us?"

The boy surprisedly looked at them.

"That's a great idea, Bella. I would like to do that." The King helped him to stand up, "Would you like to live with us in the palace?" he asked.

The boy cried, "I would love to, Your Highness!" and he hugged him. Bella joined them.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Ace, Your Highnesses."

Years have passed, Ace and Bella get along well. They trained together, travel together, study together like real siblings.

Ace grew up so well that nobody imagined he will be this handsome. Many would assume that he was the King's son. No wonder why Bella developed an admiration for him. He was a great Marksman and a swordsman. He was intelligent in all aspects and has all the qualities of a true leader.

"I like you," Bella said to Ace.

"I like you too, Bella," he answered.

"Really?" she was shocked.

"Of course! You are like a sister to me. You are my best friend. So why would I hate you?"

"That's not what I meant, Ace. I like you as a man. I think, I love you already," she confessed.

"Bella, look—" he wasn't able to finish what he was trying to say when the servant came.

"Sir Ace, the King wants to see you."

"Okay," and she left Bella alone in the library.

"Good day, Ama."

"Hello there, My son. I just want you to know that I will give you a special mission."

"I will greatly accept it, My King."

"As the head of the Armed Forces, I will send you to Mythical Island. They want the Crowned Princes or Princesses or the High Ranking Young Official to participate in their activity. We cannot send Bella there as you see."

"I fully understand, Ama. I will not allow Bella to go there also. Our men found out that the reason behind its request was still unknown. We are not sure if they would promote unification or the other way around."

"I'm sorry that it had to be you, my son."

"No, Ama. I am truly thankful that you chose me. I have been watching this island for a while. And I also want to go."

"Why? To avoid me?" Bella butted in.

"Why would he avoid you, Bella?"

"Because I confessed to him, Ama."

The King was clueless, "Confessed what?"

"That I love him, Ama."

"Bella, are you trying to frame us up?" asked the King.

"No, I am serious Ama."

Ace bowed, "I will prepare my things that I will be bringing to the Mythical Island. See you later."

"I want to marry him, Ama!" Bella shouted.

Ace stopped and faced them.

"But he will not be around for a long time, Bella."

"I will wait, Ama."

"What can you say about that, Ace?"

He was left without a choice. He doesn't want to turn down the King's question. It was Bella who asked his father to take him home with them and he got to live a life far from what he had before.

"How can I not accept it, Your Highness."

"Well, I think it's settled?"

"Answer it directly, Ace," Bella ordered.

"Yes, Bella. I will marry you."

He turned his back without hesitating.