Chapter 1
1054 Words
Soira is preparing lunch for Devan, Klei and Hara. She made a roasted chicken and boiled corn, Devan's favorites.
It has been five years since they escaped from the Maho kingdom. They passed the border, and Hara found them at the Heil Village near the desert, both of them were unconscious. Hara took them in and took care of them. The old lady and her son let them live with them.
Heil Village is part of an independent county named Desolate land in between the two kingdoms, Maho and Sueno.
Soira introduced the little prince as her son, Devan, and that her husband died during war. Hara's son, Klei, courted her and they fell in love. They got married when Devan was one year old. He treated him as his real son.
"I heard the news from a Suenian trader, that the Maho kingdom is experiencing drought and famine. Some small villagers have unknown diseases spreading, and the Maho capital is locked from outsiders, even for traders." Hara sat on the chair and placed a potato on Devan's plate who was quietly listening to them. "You came from Maho. What exactly is happening there?"
Soira has not told the story about her past life, Devan's family and the traitors who organized civil war to oust King Harold, Devan's father. "It was unruly back then, and I don't have any idea what's really happening now."
"What I heard is that the former king and queen were announced missing, and the current king took over with a decree from the former king. Nobody knows what really happened." The old lady sighed. "It's a prestige to be part of the royal family, but it is also a heavy burden to protect the throne and the people."
She does not remember any decree from the king assigning Glaicus as the new king. All she remembered was the king telling her to wait for the queen at the old well near the forest mountain. It was located right behind the palace. The decree is probably forged. "Where are Devan's parents?" she asked herself.
"Is the Sueno kingdom also experiencing the same problems?" Sueno is also one of the most powerful kingdoms among seven kingdoms in the mage realm. It is difficult to cross the border of another kingdom because of the protective magic barrier each kingdom has. The only way to cross was through the desert where no one survived without powerful magic.
The barrier in the desert is already damaged because of the powerful unknown magic hidden in the sand and the weird weather condition. That is how the traders can cross in each kingdom, but they risk their lives in every trip they do. Soira was just lucky the queen blessed her with wind magic and she was able to use it when they escaped from the hands of Glaicus.
"Devan, we have training later," she reminded her son of their training. She is teaching him how to tap his hidden powers in him.
"I still do not understand why you train your son to be a mage, but I will support you, Soira." The old lady took another few spoonfuls of mashed potato and placed it on the kid's plate. "Devan, always listen to your mother and follow her teachings, okay?"
"Yes, grandmother." Devan put a spoonful of mashed potato and ate it all.
"Be careful, you might choke!" The old lady took the tea pot and laughed hard while pouring tea on his wooden cup. "Here." The child took the cup and drank the tea.
Soira smiled. The old lady accepted and treated Devan like her own grandchild. They had a simple, happy life. They were too far from the chaotic Maho kingdom. If only they could be like this their whole life, why not; but Devan's not her son, and the child had his own path to take as the true prince of Maho kingdom. He was written in the prophecy of the kingdom's fate. Soira knew she could not be selfish.
"I'm lucky to have you as my son, at least for a while..." she whispered. A tear dropped from her eye. She quickly wiped it with her hand and turned around to get busy in the kitchen.
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