"I'm sorry everyone"

Aura was feeling the effects of the regular ruling sessions as well as the introduction of the decrees. She felt as if she had been crushed beneath a mountain of duties, unable to move one inch. She found it somehow daunting to receive everything at once. Every now and then, she was taken to the courtroom to see how it was conducted. She watched intently as the directives were given to Ezekiel first, then the advisers. Ezekiel weighs the opinions of his advisers before making the final decision and stamping the paper with the king's name inscribed on it. She must not have bothered because she never noticed Alaric's name on the stamp, which was odd. For a few years, Alaric's disappearance went unnoticed because Ezekiel seldom ever appeared in public. Mr. Levin had stated how crucial it was to keep it hidden from others, but no matter how hard you try to drown the truth, it always rises to the top, Aura recalled. Despite everything that had occurred, Ezekiel continued to stand with Aura.

Ezekiel had finally readied himself to leave his chamber after shutting himself inside for a full month. Aura had just returned from the shadowy alley with Harold when she saw Ezekiel standing by the door to her apartment. She initially attempted to bow formally and enter her chamber, but Ezekiel stopped her. "May we speak?" Aura was taken aback, but she begrudgingly nodded and extended an invitation for him to enter her room. Following the cue, Harold stood where he was supposed to outside the chamber. Like he was entering the space for the first time, Ezekiel took everything in. He was partly right; he had been gone for so long that he had missed the small alterations to her chamber. Her tiny outfits or toys weren't dispersed across the bed. On her desk and bed, though, were books. "This space appears a little different." Ezekiel made a nervous remark, and Aura hummed in return.

"You haven't been here in years." She expressed it with a blank expression, her emotions unadulterated by irony or sugarcoating. Ezekiel regretted it and acknowledged that years had passed; he then swore at himself for failing to be a good parent to her. Aura remained in her position next to the bed as he sat down on the chair.

"I heard you were out on an excursion." Ezekiel's lips parted in a deep chuckle as Aura nodded in agreement. "How did it turn out?"

"It was good, but..."

"But?"

"The Dark Alley." Ezekiel sighed, indicating that he is aware of the place. " Why is it this way?"

"Come here." At first, Aura was hesitant. "Sit down." Ezekiel indicated the vacant space on the bed. Aura sat down opposite to him after dragging her feet. After such a long period, interacting felt strange. Now that she was aware of her biological father, it felt strange and out of the ordinary. "I don't have many memories. It began when I was only 3 or 4 years old. There was a witch, but I can't recall her name." Mr. Levin had began by telling her about the moment her father ascended to the kingdom. However, this knowledge existed prior to it. "Witches and humans have long lived on the periphery, harboring animosities for who knows what causes. The witch who broke into our castle and was likely in responsible of the advisor's abduction was punished for her actions, and before she passed away, she cursed the entire land. Aura gave her a perplexed look as she observed him. That doesn't explain why the alleyway is so deserted, though. "Years later, nothing happened. We assumed her curse was as hollow as her entire existence until my father's missing advisor was discovered murdered in a dark alley with no trace of his family." He stopped to stare at Aura. "People have avoided the region ever since it was reported that his lifeless body was covered in black soot."

"The witch didn't die?"

"She did. No one goes there, and people avoid it. Although we are unsure, it is said that her son may have killed the man." Aura nodded without asking any additional questions. Ezekiel held her palm in his after she remained silent for a while. "I imagine you have questions concerning your father." Aura gave him a surprised-looking stare but remained silent. "What can we do? I never anticipated you'd find out about it this way," he said. " You share your mother's amber eyes, which are full of curiosity and bravery. And headstrong like your dad." They exchanged a wry giggle before Ezekiel tenderly stroked Aura's cheek. " I'm fortunate to have seen you grow. Even though you no longer refer to me as your father, you will always be my princess." Aura's eye began to tear up, and she began to cry. "I'm sorry, princess; it's all my fault." Aura shook her head.

Following that conversation, tensions between Aura and Ezekiel began to ease. Still refusing to refer to him as "father," Aura teased him by using phrases like "Your Majesty." Ezekiel also assisted her in comprehending the proceedings in court. Savannah gave them both a small smile as she observed them. The situation might not have been that horrible. She expressed her gratitude to God for reuniting the father and daughter.

Aura limited her travels so that she wouldn't be questioned because she couldn't constantly leave the palace to see Mr. Levin. Ezekiel occasionally accompanied her on these occasions. She occasionally questioned Mr. Levin about her father's whereabouts and whether he had sent any additional letters. However, there was none and no information on when he may return. Aura felt a little sadness at it. Days went by like this, though people still talked badly about Aura, the rumors never stopped but she opted to ignore them.

"I'll be OK, Your Majesty, plus I've got your most dependable bodyguard with me." Harold chuckled sheepishly and bowed as Aura smiled at him. After a year, everything appeared to be in order, but was it really? Every time things seem to be going well, something terrible occurs, and everything is turned upside down. Ezekiel gave her a final wave before getting back to work. He wasn't prepared for the dejected expression Aura had when she returned. But what happened on the excursion? That evening, Aura appeared dejected and buried in her own thoughts.

"What's wrong, Princess?" Aura turned to face Ezekiel and smiled sadly before explaining that she was simply exhausted and that today hadn't been as productive as she had hoped. Have some rest, princess; it's all right." In response, Aura hummed and went upstairs to her room, Harold trailing behind her with the same grimace. Ezekiel disregarded it, supposing that these kids were simply having a bad day.

Aura, on the other hand, walked more slowly than usual as she mulled over what Mr. Levin had said to her today. The most crucial aspect is that she cannot reveal it to anyone without evidence. "Are you all right, Princess?" Her feet came to a halt, and she took a long breath before turning her head.

"Would you mind keeping me company tonight?" Harold posed the straightforward question as his cheeks instantly became hot and a blush spread across them. He had trouble speaking. He was at a loss for words, so he merely nodded and followed Aura inside her chamber. He took his normal seat on the chair beside the bed, while Aura lay down on the bed, her eyes wide open. "How are we going to track down this person?" Unfortunately, Harold was equally clueless about the solution to Aura's question. He shook his head and pouted as he thought about what Mr. Levin had said.

"That day, he returned feeling extremely worn out and confused, as if he were someone else and unable to talk. I offered him warm water since I believed he could have a sore throat, but it didn't help, and he lost his voice. "He didn't even recall what occurred; it was if every memory of him working for the monarch had been erased by someone," the elderly woman added. " He never again visited the castle. He kept going back to what was on the window sill. And that's when our dark days began." Harold and Aura sat still, not wanting to disturb the story. "Two of our children passed away even before birth. Here in this gloomy alley, we began to live our lives. Back then, it was referred to as "farmer's alley. He never spoke to us again while we were living in secrecy. Years later, I found out I was expecting once more and was terrified. However, I believe he was a fighter since a lovely kid entered my life although he couldn't speak as well." She remembered her son and laughed. " However, nothing is everlasting, not even our bliss." She gasped as her face instantly dropped. Her hands shook. "One day his father rushed inside and began collecting our belongings, he was just two years old. He wouldn't listen when I asked what was wrong, but I kept asking, and eventually he wrote on the paper. 'I can recall everything.' I followed him since he wouldn't explain why we were leaving, but..." She stopped and her voice broke. " The witch was standing there. I missed seeing her. Our cart overturned and I tumbled through the valley... What happened afterwards is not anything I can recall. I woke up after a week and discovered myself in a strange house." she remarked with a shrug. " I first encountered Brutus then. I was only saved by him. When I returned home, I discovered a dead body covered in soot. He was there. People left because no one moved his body and said it was cursed. There was no sign of my son." Aura started crying at the thought.

"What about your son? Did you ever find him? Did he pass away?" Aura questioned while sobbing uncontrollably.

"I had the same thinking, but no." The woman responded while smiling. "After all these years, I miraculously found him again. With his endearing smile, he appears the same."

"Aren't you interested in learning who he is?" Mr. Levin enquired while beaming broadly. In response, Aura nodded. " Years later, we found a boy who was mute and took him to the healers, where we learned that he was bound by a curse." Despite her desire to avoid making any assumptions, Aura was only able to imagine one person as a result of all this information: "Coco." She let out a gasp at the mention of his name and glanced at Mr. Levin in disbelief. " Prior to the witch being able to approach him, his father whisked him to a secure area."

"I gave him the name Callouses, but Coco is also lovely." As Aura's eyes began to tear up, she was too shocked to speak

"Every letter he writes, he inquiries about you and remembers you." Mr. Levin retrieved a few sets of papers from his desk and handed them to Aura. She examined the letters that Coco had sent to Mr. Levin. She sobbed as more tears began to flow. Harold gave Aura a small smile as he did so. Even though she was crying, she was joyful. But why did he feel envious of Coco? They are only friends.

"Aura, there's something you need to know, and it's crucial." The atmosphere abruptly became somber, and Aura brushed away her tears before settling into her seat. She braced herself for the worst, and sure enough, that's exactly what she heard. "Witches still exist, and one is after you. I don't wish to worry you, but he/she is within the castle, waiting for your demise. Before the witch gets you, you must find them."

The broken strings were reconnected, everything fell into place, and she understood how she had survived the curse. Harold and she both struggled to get any sleep that night. Their terrified eyes were wide. There is a witch in the castle, and they have no idea who she is or how they will find out. The fact that Aura was kept alive as a scapegoat so the curse could be finished bothered her the most. She wasn't alive due of some magic. She had the idea to execute herself, but what about the key Mr. Levin had mentioned? She forced herself to close her eyes since she wasn't sure what she was going to do.

Aura awoke the following morning and a few others with a frown on her face, doubting anyone who even looked at her. Ezekiel approached her after noticing her unease. "Is there anything I need to know, Princess?" Would he believe Aura if she told him something?

"I haven't felt good recently," Therefore, she said a lie.

"Are those nightmares returning?" And in response, Aura nodded. "Follow me, please." She was escorted to her own room by Ezekiel, who then instructed her to lay down. " I cannot do much but-." He tenderly stroked her head as he sat on the side of the bed. "When you weren't even born, your mother used to sing this song." He closed his eyes and smiled, and Aura followed suit.

Here lies a lovely rose,

so little and lovely,

with a lovely nose.

Born with love and care

And just like this rose,

My love is pure and rare.

Perhaps because she required it, she slept soundly and comfortably that night. The days that followed went by without her feeling stressed out. Aura pushed aside the thoughts of the witch living in the castle. She will come out when the moment is right, and Aura is more than prepared to meet her. Months passed while Aura only focused on the etiquette and laws she had been taught as the days turned into weeks and then into weeks into months. Additionally, she received instruction in swordplay and self-defense. She was so busy during these times that she was unable to visit Mr. Levin for additional information. When she finally had the chance, no one was present in the dark alley. The house was deserted as it continued in this manner. Mr. Levin had left without telling her. She occasionally asked Harold to see if they had returned, but he always reported the same thing. "There is no sign of them." They vanished into thin air, just like that. He wouldn't go like that, according to what Aura knew about him; there had to be a valid cause.

Years passed with no word from Mr. Levin, and Aura was unable to locate the witch. In a week, she would turn 16 years old. Due to the fact that she would soon become a queen, Ezekiel had even begun to approach neighboring nations for her marriage. Even if Aura detested it, it had to be done, if not now, then perhaps in a few years. In the recent years Aura helped in solving the problem faced by the people, a number of channels were constructed to offer the farmers irrigation facilities. Given that Aura would now be crowned in a week, the security of the palace was increased even further. Aura was hoping to see Coco, but it had been three years and she hadn't even caught a glance of him. Her nightmares had become more intense. She experienced the collapse of the world and she ends up standing in the middle of woods. every time she closed her eyes. She occasionally caught herself sprinting through the woods. No matter what she dreamed, she would inevitably end up in the midst of the woods. Perhaps this explains why she fled the castle in search of the answers.

She kept riding through the woods without knowing where she was heading. She might be following a clue from her nightmares. She came to a stop close to her mother's grave. It was spooky listening to the wind blowing and the night crickets chirping. Escape from the strict security wasn't simple, but it wasn't impossible either.

She may have been unable to sleep as a result and found solace on her mother's lap. Aura entered and sat next to the effigy. She didn't know why, but as soon as she started to ease out, she started crying. "I'm at a loss for what to do. Nothing about it feels right." She sobbed as she held the effigy. And perhaps her dreams did bring her someplace, since the next thing that caught her sight surprised her the most. She noticed a pointed wooden hairpin with a ruby inset in it next to the effigy. "It's the same exact thing." She mumbled.

It was true what someone once said about how difficulties seem to come up all at once. Just when Aura was beginning to feel secure, a fresh issue was waiting for her at the door. She thought more about it as she looked at the hairpin. What about the hairpin that is resting on her dressing table if this is the one her mother left for her? There was only one person who could provide the answers she needed.

She clenched her fist around the hairpin and yanked the reins from another hand. The cold breeze stung her cheeks, turning them pink. She galloped through the woods as quickly as she could, and in her haste, she missed the splintered tree lying on the forest floor. Pulling the reins to get the horse to stop was a little too late, and the two clashed. Aura was launched forward by the collision and rolled a short distance. As her leg impacted the stone, she moaned in agony. The hot liquid that poured through her knee was most likely blood. She fought to get to her feet as a tremor ran down her entire leg. Her horse, which had been part in the collision, was lying unconscious on the ground while the sky was already growing darker. A tear trickled from her eye as she tightly gripped the hairpin and closed her eyes. She can't recall how long she had been sitting there, but a slight sway of the bushes made her spring to attention. Now that her horse was standing, she was unable to move her leg, and a howl could be heard. She was unable to see clearly around her because the night had already painted the sky dark. She attempted to move, but she was unsuccessful. "Perhaps that's how I'll die." She breathed out and rested her head on the tree's tusk. " I'm sorry everyone." she whispered as she lowered her eyes.