The Key

Aura and Harold followed the stranger as he began to make his way deeper into the shadowy lane. The man looked scary, but Aura made the choice to follow. She felt as though she had been directed to follow the man by something. In case things took a terrible turn, Harold maintained his grip on the scabbard. The man arrived at a wooden door without saying another word the entire time. The exterior of the house appeared a little worn out and old. He rapped on the door three times, lingering for two extra seconds before the final knock, as if in a code. A few shuffled footsteps came from inside, and Harold reached out to shield the princess.

The door was opened for them by an elderly woman. Her cheeks and forehead were wrinkled, and the majority of her hair was grey. She gave the man a friendly smile before facing Aura and Harold. "Who are these young and lovely people?" Aura gave the lady a timid smile, while Harold was ready to throw up his hands at any minute. His thoughts began to turn negative. What if they deal in human trafficking or, worse still, sell organs? Despite his hands trembling, Harold kept his position.

"They were alone as they walked along the dark alley."

"Oh no, do you not realize how dangerous it is? Anyway, come on in." The woman invited Aura and Harold inside, but they hesitated. Aura scanned the area for anything that could be able to aid her find her position or signal the troops. Her eyes widened, though, as she noticed a handpump next to the old house. She recalled her maiden talking about a house where the advisor, Mr. Levin, lived next to the handpump in the shadowy lane. No reason to be alarmed if this is the location she was referring to and Mr. Levin lived here. " These fragile knees can only withstand so much." While rubbing her palm over her right knee, the elder woman exclaimed.

"We desired to speak with Mr. Levin. Can you let us know where he will be?" Aura spoke.

"Harold? Princess? Why are you two at this place?" From behind, a voice cut them off. "First, let us go inside." With a bag of food in his hands, Mr. Levin spoke. He was followed into the old mansion by Aura and Harold. "You two are fortunate that I bought some extra food today," Mr. Levin said as he set the bag down on the table and took each item out one at a time. The elderly woman and the man were staring at Aura and Harold as they sat still on a wooden seat. " So, who informed you of this location and why are you kids here? He questioned as he set the meal down and turned to face Aura. He had his arms crossed across his chest. "Following your departure, I overheard the maiden mentioning this location." Aura spoke quietly while carrying heavy guilt in her heart. In answer, Mr. Levin snarled, and Harold gave Aura a puzzled look.

"What if you get lost? You're aware of the danger, right? You've already suffered consequences for this in the past."

"The troops are in the market; I didn't run here."

"She's a princess, right? I believe she has a royal appearance." Old woman questioned.

"Yes, mother, she is our princess Aura." Both the man and the elderly woman covered their mouths as they gasped. The kingdom princess was sitting before them casually but why? "A princess at our door." Mr. levin slowly nodded his head.

"I want to know about the king Alaric Josen….my….my father." When Aura called someone else her father, she stumbled a little because it felt strange to her. At a young age, she ceased referring to Ezekiel as her father, and now she has been informed that he is not even her father. But neither Savannah nor Ezekiel was able to correct her misconception. Mr. Levin was ready for this since he knew this day would eventually arrive.

"I anticipated your arrival, but I had no idea you would need a month for that."

"Better late than never."

Mr. Levin inhaled deeply before joining the elderly woman in her seat. Aura was attentively listening to every word Mr. Levin said as the sun began to set. She smiled as she heard about her mother and father's love story; she had always thought of them as her godparents. She had been informed about the curse that had killed her mother. She nearly felt sorry for her mother's death in her defense. And because to that curse, her father has been gone. But if she had been cursed, why was she still alive? She was being kept alive by who?

"The key?"

"The state healer stated that as the "key" once you were born. He said that you were born with the key to achieving the greater good. Alaric went in search of the warlock who could provide us with the answers even if we were unable to understand what he had said. We knew we had to keep you safe. We're merely using a blindfold to try to strike a bullseye." Levin responded. "You are our only remaining hope." The senior added

"The pressure is already getting to me." Aura laughed pitifully.

"When he was crowned, your father made the same statement, and now that he is serving his family and nation, he is already giving of himself. I think you're capable of anything. You are after all Alaric's daughter." Mr. Levin looked at the elderly woman and the man, who nodded in accord, and chuckled. Aura gave them a glance. Nobody ever brought up Mr. Levin's mother. Aura was curious because he had always said that the castle was his only family. " I can sense that something is on your mind. What is it?"

"Uncle Levin, you have never before brought up your mother." Looking at the elderly woman, she enquired. Before turning to face Aura, Mr. Levin and the woman exchanged looks.

"Actually, she-."

Knock.

Mr. Levin halted his sentence and motioned for silence by placing his pointer finger on his lips. He got to his feet to peer through the door's little crack, but there was nobody there. "Probably the guards to announce their presence." Harold and Aura exchanged perplexed looks. "We are in a dark alley. A guard arrives to rap on the doors each evening." After pausing for a moment, he added, "You should both go. You must be on the troops' radar. Brutus will lead the two of you out of the shadowy passage." The man nodded in answer after he gave him a look.

The moon was just beginning to shine, and the sky had begun to turn a deep blue color. The fire torches were lit to illuminate the path. The town was more beautiful because of the lights. Aura wondered how long it had been since she had last gone outside in this manner. She recalled going to the town with Coco, and ever since then, she hasn't ventured outside the castle. "Thank you very much, Uncle Brutus." Before heading to the main town, Aura waved the man off with a smile.

Aura and Harold remained silent the entire way back to the castle as they deliberated the new knowledge they had learned. Harold made a promise to himself that he would do whatever it took to keep the princess safe. Aura wondered what Mr. Levin meant when he said "the key,"

"Where have you two been?" After discovering that the princess had left, Savannah had arrived at the castle's entrance.

"While on a trip, I need to assess my domain." Deadpan, Aura said. "Before I take over." She moved past Savannah. Princess Savannah received a bow from Harold, who then followed Aura. "Good night, Princess Savannah."