Pearl Scepter

They sat on the ground, their troubles mounting with each passing moment. Alexa's disappearance, Hiyasmin's unconscious state, and the uncertainty surrounding Louise's true identity weighed heavily on their minds. Added to this was the looming threat of Amelia's ultimate plan and the urgency to retrieve the Ones from her grasp. They were also grappling with the dilemma of identifying allies from foes within the castle, unsure of who could be trusted and who might be working against them as spies or enemies in disguise.

Liam rubbed his temples, feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of challenges they faced. The kingdom was in jeopardy, with dwindling food supplies and a looming sense of impending destruction if the current situation persisted for much longer.

A heavy silence settled between Liam and Ludwig as they contemplated their next steps. Amidst their thoughts, Liam couldn't shake off what Louise had confided in him earlier. 

Liam recounted to Ludwig what Louise had discovered, but even as the words left his lips, he struggled to believe the full extent of what they were facing. Moreover, he was taken aback by the plan Ludwig had devised in response to these revelations.

Accompanied by their trusted Commanders, Leonel and Rivalz, Ludwig swiftly organized the evacuation of Hiyasmin and Louise from the castle. Initially, Liam had reservations about this decision, but as events unfolded, he realized the necessity of it. Keeping Louise away from the escalating turmoil and ensuring Hiyasmin's safety, especially after the flower that had left her unconscious and paralyzed, became paramount priorities.

The atmosphere in the secret room turned tense as a white snake slithered into view, a sight unfamiliar within the walls of Fortunalia. Ludwig's brow furrowed in confusion at the unexpected appearance, knowing that such snakes were not native to their surroundings. Liam's eyes widened with recognition as he recalled that Alexa had a pet snake of the same kind, one she often kept hidden in her room.

The tension escalated as more white snakes joined the first, their hisses filling the once-quiet space. Their numbers grew rapidly until they were too numerous to count. To the shock of Liam and Ludwig, the snakes began to arrange themselves, using their sinuous bodies to form letters.

The message they spelled out was clear: A TRAP. DON'T FIND ME. I'M OKAY. ALX.

After absorbing the warning, the white snakes cast one final glance before slipping away under the door, vanishing as mysteriously as they had appeared.

Liam and Ludwig exchanged troubled looks, their minds swirling with the implications of the message they had just received.

After deliberating for several hours and making crucial decisions, Liam and Ludwig formulated a plan based on the information provided by Alexa. They realized that the enemies' intention was to lure them out of the castle, leaving it vulnerable to a full-scale attack. The trap was set for Alexa, counting on the fact that Liam and Ludwig would eventually search for her, thus leaving the castle unguarded.

Once their strategy was in place, Liam discreetly exited the castle. They were well aware of being under surveillance, so they ensured that their meeting with Percival's cohort went unnoticed. After their discussion, Liam returned to the castle covertly, where he gathered their men and divided the knights. Half of them were tasked with the supposed search for Alexa, a ruse to mislead the spies, while the other groups under Percival's command carried out the actual search operation.

Liam and his unit stealthily left Fortunalia and tracked Alexa's presence to the Forgotten Fjords. After ensuring they weren't being followed by spies, Liam returned to the castle unnoticed while the knights assumed their designated positions.

Following Ludwig's orders, Liam retrieved Hiyasmin from Commander Leonel and Rivalz's hiding place. To his surprise, Louise's suspicions were proven correct - Hiyasmin had been poisoned rather than cursed.

Amidst the anger boiling within him towards the person responsible for poisoning his sister, Liam was also filled with joy at seeing Hiyasmin able to walk again, albeit not as swiftly as before the poisoning. Her beaming smile was contagious, bringing a smile to Liam's face as well.

Once removed from the source of the poisoning within the castle, Hiyasmin's body began to recover, no longer under the harmful influence of the poison.

Delivering Hiyasmin back to Lancaster Castle proved to be a daunting task, given the increasing number of enemies surrounding them in the forests, just as Ludwig had anticipated. However, with the assistance of Commander Leonel, Liam managed to deceive the enemies long enough for Hiyasmin to safely enter the castle.

On the day of Prince Ludwig and Princess Amethyst's wedding, Liam swiftly made his way to the town. Taking cover atop the tallest structure, Liam carefully observed the events unfolding below while ensuring his presence remained concealed. Other knights, disguised as guards and civilians, kept a lookout for any suspicious activities. Maintaining his hidden position was challenging, but Liam managed to remain undetected for an extended period.

Gathering nearly hundreds of townspeople in the town's center, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation as they awaited the union of Prince Ludwig and Princess Amethyst. Positioned before them were the esteemed Kings of the Fae Kingdoms, their expressions ranging from solemnity to watchfulness, as Liam observed with his heightened vision.

As King Philippe arrived with his daughter adorned in a stunning long white dress, cheers erupted from the crowd, accompanied by falling leaves symbolizing respect, praise, and admiration for the royal couple.

Guarding every corner of the town were countless knights donning blue attire, representing the knights of King Philippe from the Water Fae Kingdom, ensuring the security and orderliness of the momentous event.

As the ceremony commenced, Ludwig suddenly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to fall into a respectful silence.

Princess Amethyst's expression shifted to confusion as she addressed Ludwig. "What's the matter, Prince Ludwig?" Her voice carried a gentle tone, but Ludwig's attention was focused elsewhere.

"I declare, before this wedding proceeds," announced Ludwig, his voice carrying authority and solemnity, "as the Prince of the Fire Fae, an Ascendant and Heir to the Throne of Fortunalia in the continent of Etherealis, that I officially relinquish the throne to my cousin, the rightful ruler."

Princess Amethyst gasped in disbelief, while the once-cheerful crowd fell into a stunned silence, their jaws dropping in shock.

As King Philippe tried to downplay the situation, his irritation was evident in his voice. "What is the meaning of this, Prince Ludwig?" His wrinkled face betrayed mild annoyance at the unexpected turn of events. "To whom would you pass the throne? It's widely known that no one else is fit to rule. Lady Alexa is a Witch and might be dead by now, while Liam possesses control over the water element. And unfortunately, Princess Hiyasmin—"

The King's words faltered as Princess Hiyasmin suddenly materialized before everyone's astonished gaze. She was adorned in a regal gown fit for a queen, embellished with exquisite textiles and impeccable accessories. Hiyasmin appeared conscious, standing independently without any sign of possession, her hair perfectly styled, and a crown adorning her head.

The sky itself seemed to witness the stunned expressions of the crowd, including King Philippe, as they beheld the unexpected return of Princess Hiyasmin in such a majestic and composed manner.

Hiyasmin moved with elegance as she faced the numerous crowd, although her irritation with the situation was apparent. Despite her discomfort with the arranged marriage orchestrated by the Ministers, she willingly followed Ludwig's plan.

"It is my honor," began Hiyasmin in a solemn yet loud voice that echoed across the town, "to rule over a kingdom that has remained loyal to our family for generations." Despite her efforts, a faint smile graced her lips, and Liam couldn't help but grin as he observed her demeanor, knowing well her true feelings about the situation. It was clear she was trying to maintain composure in front of the townsfolk.

Continuing with her speech, Hiyasmin cast glances at the silent audience. "I am aware that we are facing numerous challenges, but as your new Queen, I want you to know that you are not alone in this struggle. We will fight tirelessly until we restore peace and prosperity to our land." She added a touch of emotional depth, acting as if she was on the verge of tears to make her words more poignant and convincing.

"I understand that these are challenging times for us," Hiyasmin continued, her voice resonating with sincerity. "However, we have King Philippe of the Water Kingdom here today, who is willing to extend a helping hand to our people. He has graciously offered his daughter, Princess Amethyst, in marriage to Prince Ludwig, creating a bond between our kingdoms."

Even from a distance, Liam could detect the subtle furrow of King Philippe's brow at Hiyasmin's words. It was evident that he was not entirely pleased with the implications of her speech.

Hiyasmin sighed softly before turning her gaze to the groom and bride. "Through the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Amethyst, our realm will gain access to the Pearl Scepter, the Ones from the Water Kingdom. While it may not undo the damage to our environment, it will certainly prevent further destruction."

The crowd erupted into applause, showing their admiration for Hiyasmin's words and the unity she sought to foster between their kingdom and the Water Kingdom.

As Hiyasmin spoke with determination and revealed the truth about her condition, a hush fell over the crowd. King Philippe's face turned a shade of red, his anger palpable as he tried to process the unexpected turn of events.