Kings and Ministers

Liam could hardly believe his eyes as he stared at Alexa, who stood cheerfully before him. Yesterday, when he received Ludwig's message about Alexa's return, Liam immediately set off back to Fortunalia, the land of the Fire Fae Kingdom.

"I just..." Liam was at a loss for words. "I just can't believe that you're alive and in one piece."

Alexa narrowed her eyes at him. "Well," she said with a sigh, "just because I don't fight like the rest of you doesn't mean I can't hold my ground. I am still a Witch, lest anyone forget."

"I know that," Liam replied. He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I'm just happy and surprised that you're here, back with us..."

Ludwig leaned gracefully against a nearby wall, silent. When he noticed Liam's questioning gaze, he quickly filled him in on the details.

"Hiyasmin and I searched for Alexa at the Forgotten Fjords as planned, but after three long weeks, we failed to find her. I returned to Fortunalia for more supplies and reinforcements. We also needed medication because our knights' wounds weren't healing on their own."

Liam grimaced. When a Fae couldn't heal on his own, it usually meant the wound was cursed—a truly dire situation.

Ludwig sighed heavily, lowering his gaze. "We were preparing to return to the Forgotten Fjords, better equipped this time... but..."

Ludwig's expression changed suddenly. He looked irritated, but this wasn't his usual moodiness. It was something different, something Liam couldn't quite place.

In a firm voice, Ludwig added, "I was summoned to Colossus to meet with their Elders. They suspect one of our kind is burning their villages..."

Liam and Hiyasmin, who was seated nearby, furrowed their brows.

"What?" Hiyasmin asked.

"Do you have any specifics?" Liam added.

Alexa remained silent, preoccupied with the feast before her.

"We'll discuss it later," Ludwig said, standing upright. "For now, we have other pressing issues to address regarding our Kingdom."

Ludwig gave Liam a firm, unwavering gaze, and Liam immediately understood what he meant. They had to deal with the Ravager quickly—the sooner, the better.

Ludwig looked away, lost in thought. "I found Alexa after meeting with the Elders," he said, glancing at her as she continued eating. "Which reminds me, Alexa. Of all places, what were you doing there?"

Liam grinned, still in disbelief that his cousin—someone he always fought with—was safe and sound, happily eating. "You haven't changed a bit, Alexa," he said. "You're still as hungry as ever."

Once Alexa noticed that Liam was standing rather than flying, her eyes widened in surprise. "Why aren't you flying? Why are you walking?"

Alexa's tone suggested it was a miracle that Liam was walking instead of flying, which made him smile. Whether he admitted it or not, he had missed his cousin's peculiarities and playful nature.

After more than a month of disappearance, she was finally in front of them. One less problem on their long list of worries.

However, Liam's eyes narrowed when he noticed that Alexa seemed thinner. A sudden wave of concern washed over him. He wondered if she had been able to eat properly.

"Why are you so thin, Alexa?" Liam asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Alexa glanced down at herself. "Did I really lose weight?" she asked, confused, as she inspected her body for confirmation.

Liam stood abruptly. "Come here." He gently pulled Alexa towards the kitchen. "Eat all of this to regain your strength."

Alexa laughed, knowing that the feast on the table was far from finished. Still, she followed him. Now, even Ludwig and his queen, Louise, had walked towards the kitchen.

While they sat at the table, Hiyasmin and Louise bombarded Alexa with questions. They were desperate to know where she had been, how she had survived in the Forgotten Fjords, how she had ended up at Colossus, and more.

Alexa was already a bit annoyed. "I've already told you before, right? When my room exploded, I was suddenly transported to the Forgotten Fjords. I was unconscious for a few days. Then I met a friend who brought me to Colossus. At first, I didn't know we were at Colossus, and without my Spell Book, I couldn't conjure a Teleportation Spell to return. Then…" Alexa sighed, breathing heavily. "Ludwig saw me at the gathering, and we just came home." She looked at Hiyasmin and Louise, whose faces were etched with curiosity and concern.

Ludwig's curiosity deepened. "Who is this friend you're talking about? Were you treated well?" he asked, his tone bitter.

Hiyasmin crossed her arms. "And why didn't you send any message when you realized you were at Colossus? We could've rescued you immediately if we'd known."

Liam remained silent, observing, fully aware that his sister was equally worried about Alexa's weakened state.

It wasn't that Alexa was excessively thin. It was just that she shouldn't have been this frail. Insufficient nutrients could endanger her life, a risk none of them were willing to take.

Alexa's patience was wearing thin. "I already said, I was staying for free and felt embarrassed to ask for money to send a Missive Crow. I was also scared that if I sent a message, the enemies might learn I was still alive and come after me. Plus, I couldn't risk you getting attacked while trying to save me during the war. Weakening our forces could have led to our defeat. Even the peaceful citizens of Colossus could have been affected. Luckily, I could communicate with my Snake Daemon…"

"But the war is over, Alexa," Ludwig said firmly.

"How could I have known that at the time?"

Everyone fell silent, lost in their thoughts. A moment later, Hiyasmin broke the silence. "So, who is this friend of yours again?" she asked.

Liam just shook his head. He had many questions for his cousin as well, but since she was still being grilled by Ludwig and Hiyasmin's relentless barrage of inquiries, he decided to remain silent.

It was clear they were all worried, especially Ludwig, who had numerous questions as the eldest of the Royal Family. Hiyasmin, ever talkative, seemed to have an endless supply of them.

"Knight…" Alexa mumbled, stuffing more fruit into her mouth to avoid further questions, her cheeks reddening slightly.

Liam, Hiyasmin, and Ludwig were far from finished with their inquiries, but Alexa, busy sustaining herself, couldn't answer them all.

Liam's eyes flickered as he silently observed Alexa. There was something different about her, he thought. She seemed greatly weakened. He couldn't sense her presence as strongly as before, which was perplexing. She was right there in front of them, yet he struggled to feel her essence. Perhaps she had not been well-treated or fed at Colossus.

"Oh, by the way, where are Rivalz and Leonel?" Alexa asked, looking around and noticing their absence, which was unusual. They treated them as family, so it was concerning that they were not present, even at Lancaster Castle.

Since Liam brought Rivalz and Leonel to the castle, they had grown close to his cousins. They were both the most trusted knights of Ludwig, and to Liam, they were like brothers.

"Leonel is at Primotheus Capital," answered Liam after a moment, catching Alexa's curious glance.

"When you were gone, Louise was kidnapped by Amelia. We managed to kill her and her companions, except for a Ravager who escaped. We're currently hunting him down. Leonel is helping with that mission, which is why he's there. That Nysander must be captured."

Alexa paused, then sighed. "Liam, I know your mission is important, but I worry that Leonel is too young. Even though he's the greatest knight we've ever had, he's the youngest among us, like Hiyasmin. You could've let him come with you so he could rest for a while."

Liam's gaze lowered. He couldn't respond. He felt guilty. That was what he used to do, but now, he couldn't bring Leonel there at the moment. No one else he trusted could guard and protect Agatha and Aiden.

While his other knights were skilled, Liam felt comfortable knowing that Leonel was with them, even discreetly. He was confident Leonel wouldn't let anything happen to Agatha and Aiden.

Liam's mind drifted back to his argument with Agatha before he left for Fortunalia. He clenched his fist as he remembered how the Metamorph stared at her. When he kissed Agatha, she pushed him away hard, then protected Albus. What was really between them? He desperately wanted to know so he could eliminate the Metamorph once and for all.

"The first thing on my list when I get back home," Liam whispered to himself.

Liam had not been able to talk with Agatha before he left because she was still at Albus Hotspot when he received the letter. He waited for hours, but as the night deepened and Agatha still hadn't returned, Liam left in frustration, saying nothing. In his fury, he realized they might argue again, so he decided to depart and seek peace back at Lancaster Castle.

"Why do you look so angry, Liam?" Alexa asked suddenly, her forest-green eyes locked on his.

Liam looked away and shook his head. "Just thinking about the problems of the Water Fae Kingdom…" he said hesitantly.

"Oh right," said Alexa, a realization dawning on her. "Ludwig hasn't told me yet why you're now the King there. Is Rivalz there to help you? Is he already the Royal Commander? What really happened while I was away?"

Louise lowered her gaze, caressing her knuckles. She almost seemed about to well up, so Ludwig, beside her, immediately rubbed her back to soothe her, whispering comforting words. When Alexa noticed their intimacy, her face filled with confusion.

"R-Rivalz…" Louise stammered. She cleared her throat. "I think I… transported him somewhere else," she added very softly, still unsure.

"Huh?" Alexa didn't immediately grasp Louise's answer. They needed to explain everything that had transpired while she was missing. They recounted all the events until noon seemed to pass quickly.

From the betrayal of King Philippe to Ludwig's marriage to Princess Amethyst, they spoke of the war now known as The Ember Clash, Hiyasmin's recovery, Rivalz's disappearance, Amelia's kidnapping of Louise, Louise's power and identity, Amelia's demise, Liam's ascension to the Water Fae Kingdom's throne, and the reason they were pursuing the elusive Ravager with red and gold eyes. They talked about it all, until it seemed too much for Alexa to fully absorb.

It was already late afternoon by the time their discussion ended. Alexa decided to rest early, still exhausted from her long journey back.

Liam stood on a balcony, staring at the night sky, when Ludwig called for him. He headed to Ludwig's study chamber, already knowing the topic of discussion. Hiyasmin and Louise were also there when he arrived. Although quite tired, Liam tried to be as attentive as possible.

"What's the news?" Ludwig asked, sitting calmly in a large chair at the center of the room. They were surrounded by shelves of books, though not as many as in the library.

Liam immediately recounted what had happened. He told them about Agatha and Aiden but omitted some details he deemed unimportant. The crucial point he shared was that Nysander, the Ravager, was Aiden's father. Nysander wanted to capture the boy from Agatha to cure himself of the Ghostfire Venom that Rivalz had inflicted on him during the Ember Clash. However, since Nysander was not to be trusted, Agatha did not cooperate with him and was now on the run.

It was almost midnight when they finally finished planning. After bidding each other farewell and goodnight, Liam tiredly made his way to his own bed.

Liam's body was exhausted from traveling, but despite his fatigue, sleep eluded him. Something was bothering him. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the argument with Agatha and how they had almost broken apart before he left for the Fire Fae Kingdom.

He replayed the events over and over in his mind, unable to pinpoint where he had gone wrong. He just wanted to protect her. He liked her. He had made his feelings clear when he told her he wanted to court her. Agatha had kissed him back, which he took as a sign of her consent. So why had she pushed him away?

Liam touched his soft lips with his fingers, caressing them gently. As he stared at the ceiling, he thought, "Was I a bad kisser? Should I have been gentler?"

A chill ran through him. He knew Agatha had more experience than him. She had a son and worked in a gentleman's hotspot, while he had never been with a woman. Because of what happened to his mother, Liam couldn't bring himself to be with any woman. He had lost his appetite for intimacy. Despite the many women who desired him, he kept his distance.

Liam didn't want to believe that his kiss was the reason she pushed him away. There had to be something else, an underlying reason he wasn't aware of. She had kissed him at first. He felt that she enjoyed it, so what had changed? What happened?

As he lay there, restless and confused, his mind raced with questions and doubts.

Liam clenched his fists, wondering if Agatha had feelings for Albus. 

Was that the reason she pushed him away when he kissed her? Was it why she didn't seem truly happy on their date? Could it be why she couldn't feel their Fate Bond? Had she given up on it? Did she already love someone else, someone who wasn't him?

It felt like a knife was piercing his heart with each thought. It seemed impossible. If Agatha really had feelings for that Metamorph, then he shouldn't feel the Fate Bond anymore. Yet he remained obsessed with Agatha.

The truth was, once a creature became pregnant by someone who wasn't their Fate, the Fate Bond would be severed. And if they fell in love with another, the Bond would be lost forever. Those who lost their destiny were known as the Fateless.

Lost in his thoughts about Agatha, Liam belatedly realized that the sun was about to rise. He knew there was a high chance she was still mad at him, so he resolved to return as soon as possible, to apologize and ask for her forgiveness. He also needed to ask about her real relationship with Albus. He hoped for clarity. If his fears were confirmed—that Agatha and Albus loved each other—he would step aside and never meddle again.

That was it. He would do it out of respect for them and for himself. How hard could it be?

Liam shook his head, recalling what he had done. Yes, he was a Fire Fae, but he didn't usually explode in anger like Ludwig did. But he couldn't stop himself in that moment. He had almost lost control, something that had never happened before. If he hadn't calmed himself, he feared he might have set the whole building ablaze. He knew Agatha could sense his immense anger. Everyone could feel it.

He sighed. He had to make things right. He had to find peace, for himself and for Agatha.

It wasn't intentional, though. Liam was trying hard to suppress his Fire Lineage because he had seen firsthand what Fire Faes were capable of when their fury became uncontrollable. He had witnessed Ludwig's destructive rage and was determined to avoid a similar outburst. In fact, Liam often used Water elements to counterbalance his fiery nature, but no matter what he did, his Ragnarrson lineage emerged on its own.

Liam sighed in frustration. Shopping and gifts hadn't worked with Agatha, so how could he apologize upon his return? She also disliked it when he gave Aiden gifts, so that was out of the question. He considered ordering a nice meal as a peace offering, but ever since Aiden was poisoned, everyone had become more cautious, making it impossible.

Agatha wasn't like other women who were delighted by gifts. She wasn't like Louise, who loved books, or Alexa, who smiled at receiving quirky items. Nor was she like Hiyasmin, who thrilled at the sight of a handmade, high-quality sword.

Agatha was different from any woman Liam had ever interacted with. He didn't know what she truly wanted, making it difficult for him to connect with her. Despite the few weeks he had spent with Agatha, he still had no idea about her preferences, aside from what Aiden had told him.

Liam smirked discreetly. "Right…" he whispered. He decided to ask Aiden what Agatha liked and wanted. Surely, as her son, Aiden would know how to make his mother smile.

With this plan in mind, Liam's morning became somewhat peaceful, even though he hadn't gotten much sleep, only a brief nap. His energy drained again when he learned he needed to return to the Water Fae Kingdom due to its myriad problems. He didn't want to deal with these issues but was forced to do so. He yawned and sighed.

As the sun rose, Liam stood on the balcony, the cool morning air brushing against his face. He looked out at the horizon, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.

It was almost noon when Liam reached the Orient Palace. Despite the sophisticated decor, from intricate doors to well-sculpted walls, and the palace being grander than Lancaster Castle, Liam felt uneasy. The castle grounds were bustling with servants, and the first light of day cast a golden hue over everything. Every corner of the palace seemed to forcefully remind him of the things he desperately wanted to forget.

"What kind of King abandons his kingdom for a month?" Lady Winslet greeted him sharply in the main chamber.

Liam hadn't even had a chance to rest from his journey, despite sleeping in the carriage. He was still exhausted.

"You're abandoning the citizens," Lady Winslet shouted, her fury palpable. "You don't care about the Water Fae Kingdom. Why don't you just give the throne to someone else so our lives can flourish?"

She had more to say, but Liam already tuned her out. Engaging with her would only create more chaos.

He shook his head, frustration simmering. Who had thought it was a good idea to place the throne in his hands? He never wanted to be king. He had other dreams, dreams that now seemed impossible.

Liam entered his study chamber and took a moment to compose himself and clear his mind. Suddenly, a Werebeast from Percival's cohort appeared at the door.

The Werebeast was as tall and muscular as Liam, his arms covered in tribal tattoos. His dark hair flowed down his back, and he wore an all-black outfit.

"King Liam," he said solemnly, acknowledging Liam's presence.

Liam, seated in a chair, glanced at him. "What's the update?" he asked, gesturing for the man to sit nearby.

When Liam's knights couldn't locate the remaining Blue Blood of the Water Faes, he had sought Percival's cohort for their special tracking services. Known for their skills in Quailsham, they were costly to hire, but Liam didn't hesitate.

The man took out a scroll from his pocket and handed it to Liam.

"She was eight or nine years old when she left the Water Fae Kingdom. She stayed in Elderwood for seven years before returning to the Water Fae Kingdom. But she only left a trace for a few days. She had someone with her when she came back, but her companion's presence was unfamiliar."

Liam's forehead creased at this information. Werebeasts were known for their highly sensitive primal senses, so to hear that the Werebeast couldn't identify the presence was both confusing and unexpected.

The Werebeast continued, "It wasn't a Fae, a Ravager, a Wyvern, a Werebeast, a Metamorph, or any other creature we could easily identify. We suspect it might have been a Witch or an Elven capable of hiding its presence." He paused, reflecting. "After they disappeared, the last trace we tracked was at the Forgotten Fjords."

Liam massaged his throbbing temples with sweaty fingers. The Forgotten Fjords were vast and uncharted, making the task of finding the last Blue Blood there daunting.

"Can you find her?" Liam asked, his gaze fixed on the Werebeast, scrutinizing his expression.

The Werebeast met Liam's gaze with a determined look. "We'll do our best, Your Majesty. The Forgotten Fjords are challenging, but not impossible. Our skills have taken us through worse terrains."

Liam nodded slowly, a mix of hope and anxiety churning within him.

The Werebeast blinked thoughtfully. "If she had stayed in a normal place, it would've been easier," he admitted. "But we're talking about the Forgotten Fjords here."

Liam acknowledged this with another nod. The Forgotten Fjords were treacherous, a perilous expanse where survival was nearly impossible. The fact that Alexa had survived there was nothing short of miraculous.

"But…" the Werebeast interrupted Liam's thoughts. "If there's no strict deadline for finding her, we might still be able to locate her…"

Liam looked up, intrigued by his words.

"Yes, it will take time because of the challenges in the Forgotten Fjords. But there's still a possibility we could find her," the Werebeast continued, grumbling something unintelligible. What he had said was enough to spark a glimmer of hope in Liam. At least there was still a chance, and perhaps, he could finally step down from the throne and reclaim his freedom.

Liam hadn't expected them to continue the mission despite the dangers of the Forgotten Fjords.

"How much is the additional payment?" Liam inquired.

The Werebeast's expression darkened, and he raised an eyebrow. "Are you insulting us, Fae? The payment was settled before our work began…"

Liam narrowed his eyes in confusion. "It wasn't part of the agreement to find the Blue Blood in the Forgotten Fjords, so I thought additional payment might be necessary."

The man shook his head firmly. "We never back down from an agreed-upon task, whether it's in the Forgotten Fjords or any other part of Quailsham."

They continued discussing the details for a few more minutes before Liam headed to the gathering that the Ministers had prepared for his arrival.

Unlike other continents in Quailsham with multiple Ministers, only one group managed the entire Etherealis. They had to ally and unite for the sake of the Kingdom, along with the Kings.

When one Kingdom fell, the balance would be lost, and chaos would ensue.

As Liam arrived, he saw the Ministers—Quagmane, Isaac, and Wilhelm—already seated. Due to the betrayal of Minister Ksaver, they had yet to choose a successor for the Minister of War. Rivalz had been a candidate, being one of the strongest and wisest knights, but his absence left the position vacant.

It was crucial to replace him quickly, but the aftermath of King Philippe's demise left the Water Fae Kingdom's knights preoccupied with internal troubles. The same situation applied to the Wind Fae Kingdom, where the new King Zachariel was still too young.

King Daemond couldn't offer his best knight either, as he was searching for the King's child who had been missing for decades.

Though Leonel was skilled in combat and strategic warfare, he was too young to be considered for a Ministerial role, which could spark disagreements.

"Have you found your Fate yet?" Minister Quagmane greeted Liam before he could even sit at the head of the large feast table.

Liam halted his graceful arrival, taken aback by the sudden, unexpected question.

Gritting his teeth, he responded, "How is that relevant to our discussion?" he asked, striving to remain calm. Despite his confusion and irritation, he kept his composure.

"King Liam…"

Liam sighed at the formal address but, due to his exhaustion, chose to ignore it and focus on the more pressing matters at hand.

"There are twenty citizens poisoned because of the water from the Lake of Musk," reported Minister Wilhelm.

Liam furrowed his brow in confusion. The Lake of Musk was the longest lake in Etherealis, stretching from Fortunalia to the Sunfire Wasteland, connecting all four Fae Kingdoms.

"The other Kingdoms don't seem to be affected, only the Water Fae Kingdom. We're concerned about the state of your Fate Bond…"

If Liam had been confused before, now his expression was unreadable. "What do you mean, Minister Isaac?"

Minister Quagmane cleared his throat, drawing Liam's attention to his long-bearded face. "As the holder of the Pearl Scepter, you are the one who sustains the largest lake on the continent. When you meet your Fate and acknowledge your Fate Bond, the Lake of Musk will reflect that bond. Its poisoned state indicates that she has not yet accepted the bond…"

Liam felt a surge of anxiety. He knew Agatha was resisting their connection, but hearing it from the Ministers made it even more troubling.

"She will accept me," he whispered to himself as he walked to his seat, clenching his fists. Despite trying to reassure himself, he knew the reality was bleak. Agatha seemed to have chosen someone else over him.

Liam wanted to roar in anger but restrained himself. He needed to stay focused for the sake of the innocent citizens depending on his decisions.

"What is the condition of the poisoned citizens?" Liam asked, curious about their current state.

"The numbers are increasing," answered Minister Wilhelm. "Most were saved quickly because they had companions who acted fast. However, there is one critical case—a child. His body is struggling to purge the poison. He's currently in the Infirmary, under the care of our medical practitioners."

Liam leaned back in his chair and massaged his temples. 

Minister Isaac added, "With Lake Musk poisoned, our citizens can't fish. Most of the fish are dying, impacting their livelihoods. Nearly half of our citizens rely on fishing for work. We're also concerned because the former King depleted our funds. The Water Fae Kingdom supplies the entire Etherealis, so our economy will suffer."

"In short, we're facing a crisis," Liam summed up.

"There are no Galleons entering the Kingdom as our domestic production has halted. We're struggling to feed the citizens out of work and save those poisoned, and those who might be."

The Ministers nodded in unison. "So where's your Fate, Liam, so we can resolve this crisis once and for all?"