CHAPTER SIX

Daylight came and peeked behind the curtains in the princess’ chambers. The sun’s rays made its way towards the peaceful face of the princess as she lay on her red quilted bed. Birds chirped outside of the windows, signaling another day that seems to be wonderful in itself.

Auria blinked the sleep off and managed to slowly sit on the bed. She looked at her hands and then brushed off her hair from her eyes. She thought back to what happened last night.

Admittedly, she was thinking of using something else on the intruders. She was planning to use the wind to make sharp weapons to hit them at the back and make them lose their footing but the thing is she couldn’t summon the wind. Panic set in and the princess tried to call her secondary element, fire. But her tutor was suddenly struck down.

The thought of never seeing her obnoxious tutor, of learning things on her own, immediately flooded Auria’s whole being. She realized that she had been complacent. She believed that things would always be like this, that change would not come into her little world. She knows about people dying, of people being wrenched from their home or missing for days. Of course, her other maids would talk. It was their only solace from the constant work to and from the castle. Auria made the misconception that her life would not be like them. How wrong she was.

When she saw her tutor fall from the strike of the knife, Auria felt the pain slice her into two. It was as if a part of her was forcefully ripped from her. Albeit it was the first time she felt the heart wrenching effect of losing someone close to her and she was never truly close to the woman. But it seems it was almost too late that she realized that her tutor cared what happens to her. Even if she would try to escape from the castle to pursue her walks, she knew Lady Gwynn would wait for her until she came back from her wherever she might be.

The only emotion she felt when she saw her tutor die before her was that she couldn’t bear the loneliness. She didn’t want to be alone in her huge room where her only companions were her books, the birds in the morning or the rays of sunshine passing through the curtains. She wanted to be free. Free to be who she was meant to be. Free to give love and not let anyone take it from her.

The sudden burst of energy was so overwhelming that time that she was confused on how she was able to call upon that much energy. She was not even aware of what she did after the energy burst forth from her hand and into Lady Gwynn’s body. She did not know that it was able to bring her back although she did hope that it would have that effect. Her only goal was to at least remove the wounds that were inflicted on her tutor. When Lady Gwynn spoke up, she couldn’t help crying her eyes out.

But why though?

What kind of energy was it? She knew it was neither elemental not physical as she would have identified it as soon as it took over her energy. But it was a mystery that she intended to unlock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Auria muttered quietly.

The door burst open and Thania came in.

“Oh good, you’re awake. I am glad you are doing well, my lady.” She curtseyed before approaching the bed. Auria nodded before moving the covers to get down from her bed. She chose to wear her satin slippers before making her way to her study table. Thania gestured for the maidservant to bring the tray in. They placed the tray of food onto the table and Thania thanked the maidservant before closing the door. Auria picked up the cutlery before cutting the meat in bite sized pieces. While she was daintily eating her food, Thania approached the table.

“The king wishes to speak to you, my lady. He told me to relay to you that if you are feeling well, then could you meet him in his office after eating.” She said while smiling slightly as Auria gobbled the food.

“Maybe later. I want to see the prisoners.” Auria muttered in reply as she wiped her lips with the napkin. She stood up but Thania shook her head.

“They were executed a while ago, my lady. The king ordered it.”

Auria sat back with a thump. She should have expected it. After all, her life was threatened but then she would have expected her father to at least get information from them if they were really Gildan assassins.

“Were they even questioned? What did Leo do?” Auria asked, clearly in distress. She wanted to be there for the questioning. She knew she had the right.

Thania shrugged her shoulders.

“General Leo was with them during the execution. As for how they were executed, I do not know. I was only given the message by Mildred who in turn received it from General Leo.” She softly replied.

Auria looked down at her plate. She had wanted to confirm something with those trespassers but it seems her own grandfather wants them dealt with. By why the rush? It’s not like they were threatening the crown, although they did want to take her somewhere. She was too young to be a threat to anyone although some would find her existence a threat in itself.

She looked at Thania in the eye. The girl straightened since she recognized that look. It wouldn’t bode well if the princess was dissuaded from what she wants but Thania also knew the king. Mildred had been specific when she told her word per word what the king wants. The princess was also needed to prepare for her formal presentation to the people of Illumia but then she also knew the princess. She might be able to hold her back from she is planning.

“Call General Leo. I need to speak with him.” Auria firmly said as she pushed her plate aside. Thania breathed in relief. She thought that the princess would demand to see the bodies of the executed intruders. Since no one was executed that would be a big problem.

“I will try to bring him to you, your highness but I’d like to warn you that he is currently doing border patrol with the Illuvian knights. After what happened last night, he has been very adamant to check everything as a precautionary measure.” Thania replied as she made her way towards the door.

When Thania left, Auria was left brooding on what she should do. Since her uncle is busy with border patrol, she might not be able to see him earlier than expected. She sighed. She knew she needed answers but from whom should she get it?

Auria stood up and started to lay out her clothes for the day on her bed. Even though Thania and Mildred would always be on hand to help her dress up, she would never require them to dress her up like a made up doll. She was actually the only royal who bathes and dresses herself. She would only follow the requirements needed for decorum but it was well-known within the castle who doesn’t order the servants around like most of the royals that would visit Castle Durin. She was more like King Lucius in this matter. Both were independent of their valets and handmaids and do not flounder about on what to wear. They were both comfortable and confident in their own choice of clothes.

While Auria scrubbed herself, she thought about the role she would assume today. Here in Illumia, a royal would assume their respective roles once they reach the age of ten and they would be expected to learn the so-called ropes in ruling their respective quadrant. Once a royal assumes the role of Heir Apparent, then the expectations of the people would supersede the personal wants of a royal. Restrictions would be placed on the heir’s movements until he/she comes of age, which would be 18. By then, he/she would ascend the throne and would follow the guidance of the previous monarch until such time that he/she can rule on their own. In her case, her grandfather wants her to ascend the throne as soon as possible as he is no longer that young.

Auria scoffed as she brushed her hair.

If anyone would call her grandfather old, then she would hit them repeatedly until they see reason.

The doors opened and Thania came back.

“Your grandfather is expecting you.”

It seems she would have to get her answers from the king himself.