Alessia's POV
Everything was not easy, especially since there was a huge scandal in the kingdom. Elijah's failed marriage to his sister spread throughout Valeria.My sister locked herself in her room and did not receive any guests. She was shutting us down and we all know the reason.I felt guilty for what happened. I know that I am part of the sin because I let Elijah go. My agreement to entertain his feelings was the root of this mess. If I didn't agree, if I was stubborn, maybe my sister would be happy now.I don't know if it's a great relief to feel that they don't know that I'm the reason. But for some reason, I know my sister is suspecting me. He just couldn't confront me because he was still recovering from the damage from that huge embarrassment.Everything went back to normal after that. Elijah acted as if nothing had happened. Rostov and Natalia returned to their respective kingdoms. Natalia's face shows satisfaction that Elijah and her sister broke the agreement. He's a potential enemy once he finds out I'm a girl.That's why Elijah immediately called a meeting of the three of us to discuss the mission to find the relic.We are now in the king's office. Forced to remove whatever memories I have of it. Now talking about how to get the first relic that is in a volcano. I didn't know that there are so many places where relics can be placed, even under the volcano.Inactive volcanoes are still dangerous because they still have lava. Even if we say that it doesn't explode, it's still deadly when you make a mistake. It has tectonic plates, vulnerable to breaking, and has lava in it."We will be heading to Eleftheria tomorrow. But we have to take it by land since we cannot disturb the perimeters by using the armageddon." Elijah said and the three of us looked at the map.It points to a mountain located northeast of Valeria. I frowned because based on the distance, it was too far and I knew that it could not be reached in just one day."W-why can't we use an airship?" I know he already said that the area around Eleftheria can't be disturbed but is that not possible? That would be the fastest way to get us there right away.Elijah looked at me. His expression was blank and I was very grateful because it followed what I wanted to happen. Don't flirt with me in front of others and don't let me know that there is anything between us."We cannot disturb the winged baboons. They will attack our ship if we are in Eleftheria's domain." He answered me and I understood why we were not going to board the airship."Does it mean...we are safer on the ground?" I ask again but who am I fooling? There is no safe place in the forest of Valeria. There are always beasts and monsters lurking, waiting to ravage you."No Ales. But it's a safer die than breaking your neck from a heavy fall." Stefano laughed at me so I glared at him. Stefano and I have gotten along well. I don't know why, but since Elijah and Ate broke up, he has been nice to me and doesn't hold back whatever I feel. "I'm just kidding Ales. Of course, no one will die." This messed up my hair and Elijah took a quick bite which caught the attention of both of us."You're not coming, Ales," Elijah said, frowning at me. I'm not sure if I heard correctly."What?" I hope I misunderstood."You're not coming. It's too dangerous there—""What if it's dangerous now?" I directly asked him."Ahem, your majesty." Stefano suddenly promised that it seemed to remind me that I should respect him because this is a king I am talking to."Your majesty..." I felt like I was struck by a match because I forgot to show respect. As much as I was thinking, I forgot to respect him."Ales, I won't put you in danger. That's final." He told me that I can't seem to take back his decision.I didn't speak. I'm annoyed that he doesn't want to let me. I know it's dangerous, but I want to come and help."Then what's my point of being here and finding the clues? It's fine, I won't go with you but you find the remaining clues. Don't ask my help." I promised him coldly and turned to leave Elijah's office."Ales," Elijah called me but I didn't listen.I went straight out disgusted. I understand why he won't take me with him, because he just doesn't want me to get hurt, but something is pushing me to come along and I want to see what happens. That's why I don't understand myself, why I feel so sullen. Why did I feel bad when Elijah said that I would not be included? If that's the norm, I won't care if I'm included or not.I just went to the library to read a book about Eleftheria. Maybe there is information there about the volcano. I will just pour out my anger and annoyance there. I am being immature and I don't understand myself either.The Palace library is spacious. Even if I spend a year reading it I won't finish all the books. Fortunately, it's easy to find what you need to read here because there are names.I went to the row where there were books about different parts of Valeria. I saw there a book about Samona, Caracass, Avalone, and Valencia. There was also a book about monsters in the Valeria forest and Eleftheria caught my eye.I immediately took that as well as the book of monsters. Both books are made of leather and they are heavy. I carried the two books to a long table that I often use whenever I study.The surroundings were quiet and I made myself comfortable before opening Eleftheria's book. I read the first page right away.Mount Eleftheria is the highest mountain in the world. At a scale of ten thousand feet, it is beyond the clouds.Eleftheria has a cool climate. Lots of trees and wild grasses. Above all, it is infested with animals that are not seen in ordinary times.They call those enchanted beasts. Flying monkeys, giant spiders, and more. Eleftheria is a place that ordinary citizens should not visit. Death awaits anyone who attempts to enter Eleftheria.I swallowed what I was reading. From the very beginning of the page, it tells us not to go. Eleftheria is dangerous and it is not a place where you can go for a walk. This is the land of the beasts.Now I understand why Elijah didn't want to take me there. It turned out to be more dangerous than I expected. Maybe I should listen to him and I won't sulk if he doesn't take me on walks like this. It's not like he's a killjoy, but more like he's just protecting me from impending danger.I've lost the will to read so I just got depressed and closed my eyes. Why did I sulk so easily earlier? Why didn't I apply my understanding to whatever Elijah's purpose was?I just sighed and thought of grandpa again. I haven't talked to him and there's no sign of it. I'm not sure if he's still in the Philippines or if he's already here in Wysteria. I have no way of knowing that, if not from grandpa himself."Are you sleeping?" I woke up when I heard Stefano's voice.I didn't notice him come in but I won't be surprised because I know he can do that."What are you doing here?" I asked him and pretended that I was reading a book but that didn't enter my mind.I heard his soft laugh before he sat next to me but there was a space between us."I just missed you. I've been sulking with you for a long time, but you didn't even ask me to." There was sullenness in his tone but I knew he was just acting.I rolled my eyes because of what he was doing. We have had disagreements several times, but it still boils down to greetings as if nothing happened."What are you, a woman to seduce?" I promised him with a raised eyebrow and closed the book. I'm done pretending to read."Kid, it's not only women who have the privilege to seduce. Sometimes, women should also seduce, it's not just us men who do it." He complained to me that I didn't know what he was getting at because he said things like that."Stefano, that doesn't suit you. It's like you're begging for attention." I will make it difficult for him. I agree with what he said that women are not the only ones who have the privilege to be seduced, men are too. But I haven't tried that yet because I haven't made any male friends or been in a relationship.He gave me a smug smile. "Me? Seeking attention? Maybe you're forgetting that a lot of people like me." He brags to me."The wind here is so strong, it almost blew me away." I was pissed at this and I saw that Stefano frowned."But I'm different, Ales. Now that the dear king won't marry Lady Roselle, what will you do?" He asked me. I'm not surprised why he asked that question, because even I was asking myself what I was going to do. But my conscience is screaming."I won't do anything, Stefano," I answered him and stared at the table. I feel like my soul is going to hell because of my lie. Elijah and I have this understanding that only the two of us know. But I can't say that."Are you thinking about what others will say? Because Lady Roselle is your sister?" He confirmed with me.I took a deep breath before speaking and looked at him. "That's not the only reason, Stefano. You know what the reason is."Stefano was shaking his head. "I thought you were smart?" He asked me if I felt that he simply insulted me.I quickly raised my eyebrows at him. "What do you mean?" I tried not to sharpen my tone because I didn't want Stefano and me to argue again."Ales, who do you think your majesty is doing this for?" He asked me."Of course, for Wysteria," I answered him sarcastically. What kind of question is that?"Yes, that...but that's not the main reason." He told me that was the reason he got my attention. "Elijah is planning to gather all the relics to summon the sacred weapon and kill the dark lord before the summer solstice." He told me and my eyes widened. "In his plan, it's too clear that he's aiming for you, no one else."I seemed to be weakened by what I found out. Elijah said that we will make our destiny. Is this what he meant? To find the relics and kill the king of darkness within a year? Can all that be done in one year?"B-but that's impossible. How can he finish all of that in one year? He needs to get married and have children so he won't be affected by the summer solstice." I told Stefano that I felt like I heard something stupid.Stefano was shaking his head. "I told that to your majesty, but he's determined. He doesn't want to give you worry, it's time for him to be selfish with you.""Isn't he still selfish in that situation?" I asked him with surprise because, for me, Elijah had established his selfishness when he stopped whatever he and his sister had.Stefano grinned at me as if he was hiding a dark secret."You haven't seen Elijah's other side. The possessive, greedy, and passionate, when it comes to the one he cherishes. You still haven't seen that side of him, Ales. He's reigning it tightly because he's afraid it may scare you ." He told me that I swallowed it on purpose and it seems that I swallowed my voice because of what he said. "The question now is, will you be ready... face an Elijah who will make you hate others?"That stunned me and I felt like his words were a warning. This a beautiful and exciting warning.Alessia's POV"I have no time for this kind of talk, Stefano," I promised and I quickly stood up and took the books to put them back on the shelves.I felt heat on my cheeks because I felt ashamed for some unknown reason.I quickly walked away from the table but Stefano immediately followed me, he didn't seem to want to be held back."When will you have time? I don't know what's stopping you. You just have to go with the flow. Because life is like a flood, if you go against it, you'll have more trouble. So just go with it in the current, enjoy the flood instead, there might be some debris but at least, you won't be hurt badly." He promised me that he still followed. He's insisting that I should do it with Elijah. We already cheated, he just doesn't know and I don't intend to let anyone know that. What's so fun about cheating? That's not proud."You're right, life is like a flood, if you enjoy it, you'll get leptospirosis," I answered him and I know that he doesn't know what that means
Alessia's POVElijah and I walked together but he followed me. Everyone we pass looks at us and bows. Elijah and I both didn't speak.Just a few more steps and we will reach my room. I immediately saw the door of my room so I sped up my steps and reached for the handle and turned it to open.When I opened it, the smell of flowers immediately hit me. No, it's my fragrant lingering in this room. I don't know but I smell like that, it smells like tulips I don't know why.Estrebelle immediately stood up and greeted Elijah and me."Estrebelle, can you go out first?" I asked him.I didn't see any reaction in his eyes and Estrebelle quickly obeyed as if she had to do it.Estrebelle quickly closed the door so Elijah and I were the only two in the room. I looked at the tree, I knew that it would not be noticed especially and that it was blocked by the curtain of my bed."Come on." I babysit Elijah and I lead him to walk.Elijah calmly followed me and I went to the tree and stopped in front of
Alessia's POVAnisto is now standing in front of me and he has placed a bottle of medicine made of crystal. That medicine became familiar to me and I remembered it. I saw it was one of the things that Elijah was drinking.What I do know is that he is taking this medicine to keep his powers from disappearing. There had already been an incident where Elijah's power was lost and almost wiped out the whole of Valeria, or it would be more correct to say the whole of Wysteria. But that was a long time ago and seems to have become a legend.There are times when Elijah can't control his power and he feels symptoms so he immediately takes medicine to calm him down and also his power.He is powerful, but it is also a struggle for him to control his power before it controls him."His medicine has run out, Ales. I'm afraid that this mission will be a ploy to reawaken his dormant power that can destroy the entire Wysteria. It must be delivered to the dear king as soon as possible." He promised me
Alessia's POVI can't speak anymore. I kept quiet and wondered if I was doing it right. Was it right that I made myself believe too much that we would catch up with Elijah? I knew from the start that there was a good chance we wouldn't catch up with them outside of Eleftheria. But I still hoped, hoped that they would catch up.But in this situation, there is a greater chance that they are already inside and we will not be able to catch them outside. My mind is arguing. Fear eats me, but my mind also pushes me that I need to give Elijah the medicine. I don't know if I can do it, Dustan and I, but I will try.Even though I was consumed by fear, if necessary I would let Eleftheria in, just to deliver the medicine to Elijah.I just keep watching what we are going through. With every meter the horse ran, I felt heavier. Sushi is now looking at me and I can see in his eyes that he is worried about me.I just smiled at Sushi and looked back at the road. Hopefully, we can catch up with them e
Alessia's POVI do not know how many minutes Sushi has been running. But I could feel that he was anxious and he sped up his pace as if he was chasing someone and avoiding them.I wanted to ask him if he was worried about something but I didn't. I remained silent and felt. In the minutes that passed, my feeling gradually eased and my fear decreased.Maybe, if Sushi wasn't by my side, the creatures here would have attacked me earlier. Somehow, the forest beast recognizes him as one of them that's why no one is attacking us.It was getting a little darker around and I felt tired. I can feel the pain in my back more but I can still bear it. We have to catch up with them before it gets dark because I don't know how I'll feel, if I'm caught here alone, with only Sushi.I was just surprised when Sushi suddenly jumped on the branches of the tree so I held on to him even more because I was afraid of falling. I looked down, where the road Sushi avoided. You have a lot of blood and arrows. Ther
Alessia's POVI was leaning against a large tree while the sentinels were busy lighting and roasting the animal they had caught. It was easy for them to catch the animal because the immortals did not take it away so the animals were not used to living here. It doesn't run every time we see people like us. They are even curious and moving closer to see us.Elijah was busy making the bed. He makes a bed out of the leaves he gets from the trees. I just looked at them. Sushi is back to being a puppy."Ales." Stefano greeted me with a smile that he was done with what he was doing. He also made a bed for him to sleep on.I didn't bother to make a bed, because I can sleep anywhere as long as I'm sleepy."Good thing the creatures didn't swallow you earlier." I even joked with him even though I know they can handle those things."You'd better not be the one eaten." He joked back to me and sat down not far away.My eyebrows went up. "Who's going to eat me? I'm not interested in monsters." I eve
Alessia's POVI also finished the reduction and I was careful because I might step on the crime I committed. I left there where I reduced even though I couldn't see anything."I-I'm done," I promised even though I don't know where Elijah is standing now."I know." Elijah suddenly promised that he was by my side. I was surprised by that but I wasn't annoyed or pissed off."Let's go," I promised him and he pulled me back to the group.Now I feel relaxed and my stomach doesn't hurt like before. Maybe, this will be my life in the next few days. I shouldn't be ashamed anymore because it doesn't seem like it's any of them.Unlike humans, when they find out that you have diarrhea, they will laugh at you. So it's embarrassing to say that. To them, it's natural and they don't find it funny so it's not embarrassing anymore.I just realized now, that something is only embarrassing if people around you laugh at you. Doing a thing has never been shameful, not until you're surrounded by judgmental
Alessia's POVThe horse that Elijah and I were riding began to move forward after that matter. I am now chewing a fruit they call Soursop. It's Guyabano as far as I know but they laugh at Soursop here. It's not sour like tamarind, it's sweet and juicy to be exact, although sometimes there is a bit of distinctive sourness of the fruit it tastes delicious.I just eat it while looking ahead. Elijah, on the other hand, is careful that he will defend me no matter what. We didn't talk because I was busy eating. But my eyes were busy looking around. The weather is clearer now, it seems that the overcast clouds have disappeared so it is becoming a normal forest, see Eleftheria. The horse was running fast, but because Elijah was holding me, I was still able to eat well. I'm not afraid of falling because I have a lot of trust in him that he won't let me fall.I finished it because it wasn't big but it was enough to fill my stomach. Elijah immediately wiped my sticky hands. If someone sees the t