Chapter 3: The Encounter

"Mr. Rolando, are we still far from Mount Olibo?" I asked. We just left from the Garden of Akkamane.

"It's still a bit far but not too far, about 8 kilometers your majesty."

I nodded. Maybe I'll just take a nap for a while before we reach Mount Olibo.

I closed my eyes but when I closed the face of the woman I saw earlier keep back and forth before we reached the Garden of Akkamane. How can I take a nap if all I can see is her face? What shall I do?

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

"Huh?"

"I said, who are you? Are you deaf?"

I frowned. "No! I'm not deaf."

"Eh, your name is Mr. deaf."

"No. That's not my name. Who are you as well?"

"I was the first to ask so you should answer me first."

The woman still folded her arms as if she were a queen.

Her eyebrows rose. "What?"

"I'm Rich. You, who are you?"

The woman only smiled after she disappeared from my sight.

"Hey, wait a minute, where am I?"

I just heard something shaking me. "Your majesty, wake up. You were just dreaming."

I sweat when I open my eyes. It was just a dream.

"Here drink this.”

"Thank you."

"Are you alright, Your Highness?"

I nodded to him and thanked him.

"We are here at Mount Olibo." Felix.

"Welcome to Mount Olibo Your Majesty."

I smiled at Mr. Rolando then he guided me to where we will live while we are here.

Mount Olibo is the oldest mountain in the Akkadian Kingdom. It is surrounded by a variety of plants where there are plants that can cure human diseases and there are plants that give poison. There are also trees but not as many as there are plants. So no one can come here unless there are activities going on like this test of mine. It's hard to destroy the beauty of Mount Olive.

"How was the trip Dear Prince?" General Melchor, the leader of the soldiers.

"It's fine! No problem."

"Good. Because your mission starts tomorrow. I hope you can handle the challenges. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"That's it! Fighter is our Dear Prince."

They applauded. I smiled. I'm just honored and proud of the support they gave me. I will never let you down.

"Let's eat, your majesty." Invited by Mr. Rolando

"It's even better that you can rest early, Dear Prince, because tomorrow we will be early for your test." General Melchor said while drinking wine.

"Alright, thank you! I'll go ahead of you. I'll see you tomorrow."

He just smiled and nodded.

I entered my temporary residence, a tent. After a while a waiter came in to bring my dinner. I know it smells good. I smiled. This will be a great adventure and I know my God will bless me, guide me, help me nor forsake me.

I started eating when I heard someone playing the flute. The music played was beautiful. So I speed up eating the food because it might disappear. I quickly left the tent and followed the voice of the music. They didn't notice me because they were also eating while joking, laughing. I saw Felix in the distance eating while looking at a lotus flower. Turns out he likes flowers.

I seem to be far away from them. I must return immediately because they might think I'm missing. It's hard. This mountain is really vast.

I froze when I saw a woman. She's the one who played the flute. She's sitting on a grass near a tree. I still thought it was a man who played the music. Unbelievable. But she's great. Who taught her? Why is she here on Mount Olive? Doesn't she know she's not allowed here? And it's late, why did she think of playing here? It can be at their house. I have to do something if this girl is not going to get hurt. I was about to say it. I haven't seen her face yet because she has her back to me.

"My flute, with me all the time, I sympathize with my problems and lean on me in my trials. I miss mom and dad already."

After she said those words she played again. Very beautiful. Fascinating. It's like my whole being is being absorbed by her music. I shook my head. It shouldn't be like this. I should have stopped her playing and sent her home for her safety.

She stopped playing. She must have realized that she was with someone else. So I immediately hid in the gardens.

"Get out there. I know you've been here for a while."

She knew she was with someone right from the start. I came out of my hiding place. I tried to smile at her. She still has her back to this day.

"What do you need? Why are you here?"

I smirked. "I'm the one who should ask. Don't you know this place is dangerous?"

"I know. And you don't care about that."

“Why!” This girl, I answered. No one has ever answered me like that. She will find what she is looking for.

"I care because I........"

I couldn't finish what I was going to say because when she appeared, I was stunned. The girl I saw earlier is in front of me now. My lips parted. I couldn't believe this that I will see her again and here on the Mount of Olives.

"Why are you so stupid?"

I cleared my throat. "No!"

"It's obvious, you know."

This girl is a different kind of blockhead. It would be nice if only there were curses.

"I heard that?"

I frowned. "Which?"

"What you said." I didn't get her point but I realized. My eyes widened. She can read minds.

She smirked. Then she smiled. My jaw dropped from her smile. She has the best smile and damn... she's beautiful. I just cursed. I have to calm myself because I might lose my mind.

She laughed out loud. Oh, shit...I forgot, she can read minds. I should block it so that she cannot read again what's on my mind.

"You're so funny."

I glared at her. Did she just say that? Hmmm......

I just grinned at her. This time baby, you cannot read my mind. I blocked it from her. I saw her grin then her face became serious. Hmmm.... you're surprised baby, I can block you so you can't read anymore.

"What are you doing here? Why are you here?"

She sighed. "I want to be alone with my flute. But now, I'm not alone since you're here."

"You? Why are you here?"

Should I tell her the truth? I hesitated because it might be an enemy or something. But she doesn't look like an enemy. I think I can trust her.

"I'm here for my mission. That is to pass all the trials and struggles in order I can ascend to the throne of Akkadian."

She got shocked at what she heard. She even bowed and apologized.

"It's fine. It's not your fault."

"I didn't know you were the heir to the kingdom."

I nodded to her. I extended my hand. "I'm Aldrich!"

She smiled and extended her hand. "I'm Eurylice."

Our hands hung in the air. I'm shocked. The girl that I saw earlier, the girl that I met today, and the girl that Ivorie told me are the same. She is here with me now.

"You’re.... Eurylice?"

She nodded and smiled.

Eurylice...... what a beautiful encounter.