The Guardian Prince

Chapter 33

"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.

"I'm back!" Klei said while entering the house.

"Father!" Devan ran towards his father and hugged him on his waist. Klei bent and carried the child.

"How's my son? Are you eating well?" He patted his son on his head. "Are you kind to your mother and grandmother?"

"Yes, I am, Father," he said proudly. "You told me to be kind and obedient."

"You are a good son, Devan. Always be kind to all people." He hugged his son, then looked at his wife and mother.

"There are mages around the village, looking for the Maho queen and her son." He put down the child. "Are you aware that the queen and the prince in your kingdom were missing?"

"N-no," she said. "I-I need to tell you something. I need your help."

"Are you hiding something from me?" Klei asked.

She looked at her son, who's staring at her. "Devan, can you go to your room with your grandmother?"

"Yes, Mother." He stood up, and Hara took him to his room.

"Klei, I am sorry if I hid this from you..."

"Devan is not your son? I know because you were a virgin on our first night." He held her hand. "Tell me anything, so I could help you."

"Devan is the prince of Maho. He is destined to save that kingdom. The royal mage master took over the kingdom, and I do not know what happened to the king and queen." She felt weak. She sat on the chair. "I am the maiden of Queen Beatrice."

"You should have told me from the start, so I could protect you." He took her hand and pulled towards their room. "We will leave now and move to another village, far from here."

They left Heil village and moved to Rusalka village, the northern part of the county. It is located near the river that flows from Rusalka to Maho.