Eternity With You

21. Wish granted

"Saved you?" Irene looked at her stunned and she placed her plate beside her. "What had happened?" She could imagine what Reyna must have gone through when she had been attacked by someone. She too had gone through the same in her original life. However, unlike Reyna, who had a savior to rescue her, Irene had been completely alone. She was completely helpless, unable to help escape from her predicament.

"Milady, that..." Reyna bit her lip and took a look at her mistress, only to find her already looking at her in concern. "My family lives in the next village, and I need to pass by the jungle to reach the village. On my way back, I was attacked by an unknown man." Reyna trembled visibly as she recounted the dreadful day when she had had a close encounter with death.

"I am still unsure as to why he had attacked me. All I heard from him was that it had been a long time before he had a good hunt."

Irene too felt shivers run down her spine, and she hugged Reyna immediately, not caring about the plate in her hand. She held her tight, patting her back to comfort her.

"It was His Highness who saved me from him. He pulled us apart and threw him far away. My attacker then ran away, and His Highness escorted me back until we reached the capital where people were still walking around." Reyna smiled softly as she recalled how the King had saved her and had walked back with her silently. Though they had not spoken a word the entire time, for she had been nervous in his presence, Reyna did not feel it to be awkward. She found the silence to be assuring and comforting.

"How do you know that it was His Highness? Did he have his face covered just like today?"

"Yes, Milady. Just like today, he was wearing his silver mask and nobody else in the kingdom of Vlei wears a mask, let alone a silver one at that which is meant solely for His Highness. I could not be mistaken about it." Reyna stated with conviction, and Irene now was certain that it was the King himself who had saved her.

"If what you are saying is the truth, then His Highness sure is a good man and he did his duty by protecting you well," Irene commented. "I agree with you. He is not wicked or vicious at all." Irene added, agreeing with her words. She had seen the gentleness in his eyes, amidst the ocean of other emotions swirling in his eyes. It was as though he had finally found the person he was looking for and what he needed was right before him.

The King's eyes had been shining brightly, depicting how happy he was, and Irene wondered what had happened for the man to be this joyous. Even though his face was hidden behind his mask, she could still make out how ecstatic he was.

"Yes, Milady. Some people also say that he and his men secretly guard the kingdom and the people at night, saving everyone from the danger that lurks around us. But nobody has seen them. However, I believe it is the truth. The King sure must be guarding us in secret. Otherwise, a lot more people would have lost their lives, especially while walking by the jungle."

Irene let the girl go and she picked up her plate again, choosing to remain silent, for she did not know what to say. Other than the impression she had of him after today, she did not know anything about him. So, she decided to test him out herself before she took her stand.

"Reyna, why were the people stunned when the King announced that he has finally met his Queen? Isn't it a joyous occasion for the King to meet his Queen?" Irene voiced out the confusion that was eating her mind for a long time.

"Milady, it was said that the King would never have a Queen for life. Yet, His Highness never lost hope. Every year, he would light the cauldron, waiting for it to give an indication about his Queen. It is said that His Highness makes a wish before he lights the fire in the cauldron and the color of the flame tells if his wish would be granted or not."

"Do you believe this?" Irene had never expected such a backstory for the King to light the cauldron. She had assumed it to be a part of the ceremony, one that they had been following for years.

"I do, Milady. I do, especially after today. I do believe it." Reyna nodded her head fervently. "At first, nobody knew what His Highness was wishing for until one day a rumor spread that he was wishing for his Queen. Every year, the fire would burn normally. This is the first time that it has taken such a mesmerizing color of red. Also," Reyna turned to face her mistress, who by then had finished eating her dinner.

"Didn't you hear what His Highness said after the flames erupted, Milady? Didn't he say too that we have finally got our Queen? I presume that his wish has been granted, and the Kingdom of Vlei will soon get our Queen." Reyna cheered as soon as finished speaking, and her contagious smile made Irene smile too.

"I hope he gets the girl he likes. The man must have suffered for a long time, waiting for his Queen all these years. He should get the happiness he deserves." Irene wished for him sincerely and watched Reyna eat her last spoon of rice.

"Yes, Milady. He should. He definitely needs someone who would fill his life with happiness and love." He has already suffered a lot in his life. Reyna thought to herself. "Let me clear the plates, Milady." Reyna picked up both their plates before she walked towards the door, only to be stopped by her mistress.

"Reyna, you can go back to your chambers. I presume Father is still at the castle, and it would take him some time to return home. I want to sleep until then and accompany him when he returns. Wake me up if possible when he returns home."

"Yes, Milady. Good night."

"Good night."