Forbidden Lake 2

They stayed in each other's embrace for some minutes, staring at the moon. "Your coming of age is on the Crescent Season, right?" He asked. "What's the Crescent Season?"

"Oh, I guess they're trying to hide the history. The Crescent Season is a season when the crescent moon is out, and a time when the power of a destined child in the prophecy is awakened." He explained. "But I do have my powers already."

"Hm, that's true. Well, whoever it is, all I know is, the prophecy does not lie. Maybe you ain't the destined one."

"Father, please. I don't think I can survive without her. I do apologize, but I love her so much, I can't watch her get married to that man. Furthermore, I guess it's time to settle the long-running feud." Jayden paused, trying to read his father's expression. "You know we were never the real enemy. Let's end this, father. If they succeed in getting him married to Iryz, then the royal family— the pure blood will be wiped away completely, and they'll come after us." He persuaded.

"Are you planning to kidnap me? You know that's not even possible. Cross and be caught. And yes, what are you really planning? What's with the confidence and boldness in your eyes?" She asked curiously. He seemed calm, as though he were not bothered about the situation. "You worry too much, my love. Trust me on this one, you will not marry him." He smirked. He leaned over to kiss her. "Princess Iryz! What in the icy world are you doing here? With our enemy?" Gideon thundered. He was infuriated, for Iryz never glanced at him, even with his advances, yet, here she was, with the fire Prince. "Who are you to stalk me, Gideon? I already clarified it for you that I dislike you, and I will never." She backfired.

"Father, please do something!" Gideon narrated all that transpired between them at the lake. No one knew that the barrier was broken because Jayden had concealed it. "I'll do something about it, do not worry. I did it the last time, I'll do it again. All you have to do is follow my instructions, keep your cool. You'll get married to her, and while you get busy with the throne, I'll take care of the royal family." He said with a sinister smile.

"Your highness, let her get married to the groom you choose. We need to hurry." Lord Kyle said. The dukes were perplexed as to why he needed to rush matters. "Is there anything you're not telling us, Lord Kyle?" Duke Xavier asked. "No, nothing at all! I was only suggesting."

"Why do I feel like Lord Kyle is yo to something?" Duke Lennon voiced out after the meeting. "Yes, I feel the same way." Duke Clark said. "But what could it be?" Duke Chen asked. "We have no idea. Let's wait until the princess' coming of age." Duke Wayne added.

"You should be happy, Princess Iryz." The sorceress said, as she brushed her hair. "Let welcome Princess Iryz Lyon Lotharios." Lord Kyle announced. They clapped and stood up to show respect.

"Let's rise, as we crown the princess." He slowly placed the crown on her head, and they applauded. The hour had come— the hour Lord Kyle had been waiting for. As the suitors came out to be tested. Lord Kyle had succeeded in his manipulation, Gideon was the chosen one. Iryz was nervous and sad. Her eyes were fixed on the door, waiting for her love to open it and come to her rescue. She crossed her fingers, and prayed silently.

"Do you, Sir Gideon, take Crown Princess Iryz to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health?" The sorceress asked. She, too, was hesitant, she was suspicious of the father-son duo. "Yes, I do." He quickly replied with a mischievous smile.

"Do you, Crown Princess Iryz, take Sir Gideon to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health?" Iryz felt like the ground should open up and swallow her. She felt a pang in her heart, though she knew nothing about Jayden's animosity towards Lord Kyle and his son.

"I'd rather die, than marry this bastard!" She thought. Gideon narrowed his eyebrows as sh took long to reply. "What's keeping you? Answer, will you?" He whispered, gritting his teeth. The sorceress asked again, Iryz knew that there was nothing she could do, other than to accept her fate. She opened her mouth to answer, when the door flung open, and a voice came through. That voice! "No, she does not. She will never marry that traitor son." All eyes flew to the door, the Fire King and his Son. King Azul walked in with an aura that was enough to send chills down your spine. "How dare you set foot in my kingdom?" King Lyon thundered. "King Lyon, nice to meet you again. It's been three decades, it's still the same old you." The fire king smiled. Iryz had lost all hope, until now.

"We do not mean any harm, King Lyon. We came to make peace." Prince Jayden spoke, calmly as always.

"What nonsense! My King, they are our enemies, remember? They have a motive to—" Lord Kyle tried to speak. "Yes, we have a motive, and that is to reveal who the real traitor is. I, King Azul Dracula, the Second, of the Fire kingdom, thereby, promise you that I will only reveal the truth without igniting war." He declared. The tension in the hall had reduced, for they were afraid of engaging in such a surprise war.

"On the Crescent Season, the Fire and Ice kingdom had dined together. My intuition told me something was wrong somewhere, and immediately, Lord Kyle left. I followed him, and he passed through several passage ways— I assumed it led to the royal secret library. I hid behind a pillar and I saw him reading a book— The Book Of Prophecies. His expression had a mix of emotions. I tripped, but regained my poise. "The fire Prince and the ice Princess shall be together." My eyes caught sight of the last sentence, as he left to secure the passage—"

"Lies. You lie. That's absolutely balderdash." Lord Kyle sputtered indignantly. His secret was about to be uncovered, he sought for another way to manipulate the situation.