The Hidden Realm

Chapter 36 – ALSACHERI PRINCESS

THE celebration formally started. Alva became occupied with partying and dancing. Eleand did not mind her that much; he just focused his attention on the foods on his table. And he occasionally scrutinized every faerie he encountered.

He knew if the faerie came from Noyuh, others mainly were unfamiliar to him. Maybe they came from Argia or Gwiazda. He even saw shorter faeries, only his waist-high in height. But faeries from Alsache had a distinctive color of having white hair. Some were dark-skinned; others were fair.

Eleand identified Lord Arion. He thought he was an older man since he was five thousand years old. But he appeared only a few years older than him. His eyes were like Winzi’s, brilliant silver. His wife was equally stunning, Lady Sereia. She may be in her old age, but she looked like in her mid-thirties. Even the heir to the throne, Prince Wallace, seemed strong.

He momentarily paused when he was about to drink his water when he saw a faerie came to Lord Arion.

It was Winzi!

She bowed down, and Lord Arion embraced her.

Eleand got up. Right in timing because Alva just went back to their table. She looked wondering.

“Where are you going?”

He smiled. “I guess it’s my time to dance,” he winked.

Alva tilted her head. “’ Kay.”

A FEW moments ago, inside the Golden Palace, Winzi hurriedly dressed up to attend the celebration of his father’s birth. Although she would visit them from time to time, she would always find ways to avoid his father since they would always end up in an argument. He wanted her to go back home, but she didn’t want to. She was happy in Mirasaen along with her friends.

Whenever she was in Alsache, her movement had always been calculated. She had to follow all the rules in the Crystal Palace for being a royal princess. All eyes were set on her, waiting to make mistakes.

When her father arranged her marriage to an Argian Prince, she opposed the idea, but she couldn’t do anything about it. Her father was desperate for an alliance. He wanted to make sure that Alsache would be stronger in case of a civil war.

But she was not happy living as the Princess of Alsache, so she ran away on her wedding day. She knew the consequences, and she never went back to the Crystal Palace for many centuries. She had shamed her family and the entire Alsache. And faeries made fun of her, but she did not mind.

Winzi had been thankful to Aserah. She accepted her service in Noyuh as a seer and a healer. She could not find a place to live in comfort, but here in Mirasaen.

When her mother finally talked to her a century ago, she was told that her father was not mad anymore. The time she started visiting Alsache from time to time. Even it always ended in an endless argument with her father, at least her older brother would explain her side. Wallace adored her so much.

“Have fun!” Nahil allowed her to go.

“I can’t, maybe next time.”

“I understand.”

Nahil could not come with her because duty comes first. She took charge of guarding the Golden Palace. Since Aserah was in Argia to aid Branigan.

Winzi was uneasy to walked inside the Crystal Palace when she arrived. Faeries who knew her paid their respect. Some were whispering at each other as if surprised to see her there.

She immediately strolled to the grand hall, and she saw her family sitting on the stage. At first, she was hesitant, but she gathered all her courage to face them along with the crowds.

“A pleasant day of your birth, Father.” She arched her head down.

She was surprised when he held her shoulders and embraced her.

“My daughter, thank you for coming here,” he gently tapped her back.

She was teary-eyed when he let her loose. This was their first embrace after moreover two hundred years.

“Please forgive my stubbornness, Father.” Her eyes welled up.

“Princess, it’s all right. I finally understood that you want to get married because of love, to find your mate, just like your mother and me. I’m sorry, too. I was hard on you, and I don’t want you to spend your immortal life hating me.”

“I will not.” She smiled in tears.

She embraced her father once more, and she felt peace. She observed her brother looking at them. Wallace winked at her, and he looked happy.

Winzi hugged her mother and brother. Wallace asked her for a dance, which she gladly obliged.

They enjoyed dancing, and they had caught up with each other’s whereabouts.

“I’m glad you made it here,” Wallace said.

“It took me a while to decide.”

“Welcome back.” Wallace made her twirl gracefully, but they were interrupted after a while.

“May I have this dance with the princess?” a husky baritone voice reached Winzi’s ears. Wallace smiled, and her eyes widened when she realized who it was.

“Eleand!”

His hands held out, asking permission to his brother, and Wallace agreed.

“Thank you, Prince Wallace.”

The insolent mortal gently grabbed her hand and pulled her waist closer. She was lost of words upon seeing him. He looked dashing in his suit. She could not believe his aura. He appeared like a real faerie prince. She silently studied his face as their body moved in the soft beat of the music.

“What are you doing here? Are you out of your mind? What if somebody here finds out about your real identity?” she murmured emphatically.

The mortal smiled. And for some reason, it punched a hole through her heart.

Winzi averted her gaze. Honestly, she found herself missing him in the Golden Palace. She just loved to bully him whenever she got a chance.

He appeared more confident now. There was no hint of fear in his face. She couldn’t read his thoughts. His mind was perfectly sealed. She could feel the intimidating amount of mana resting inside him.

If only he knew, there were times she would visit Velidia just to oversee his magic training. She witnessed how dedicated he was. Just as her vision showed her that Eleand could wield the fire.

The only thing she didn’t like in his stay in the Winter Region was Eleand’s familiarity with Enkille. She had seen how genuine his laugh was every time he was with her.

After that incident, she never came back to Velidia to spy on his training. She had a lot of errands to do than wasting her time on the stupid mortal.

This dumbass didn’t have an idea how worried she was when she saw him crawling in the icy ground in the forest of Velidia, the time he had encountered Muhlerian Shadows. Thankfully, Zanti was with her. Everything went well. But Althy and Rade needed more of her aid, the reason she came to them first, even she wanted to tend to him.

“How are you, Princess?” he said smoothly.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m perfectly fine, strong enough to kick you out here.”

“Whoa, that would be unethical. You look alluring in your dress, by the way,” his lips twitched to smile and displayed his perfect teeth.

“I know,” her one brow raised, “What is your problem? You badly hit your head on your training?”

“I just realized that I missed you….” his eyes tantalized.

“E-Excuse me?” she remained composed. She couldn’t figure out if he was just fooling around. If only she could still read his thoughts.

“Yes, I miss you—Nahil, too. Everything in the Golden Palace.”

“Ah,” she lightly nodded. She almost gave a different meaning! She tried to intrude in his mind, but her power bounced off and could not penetrate.

“Don’t push your luck. Aren’t you happy to see me here? Because I’m ecstatic to be with you right now.”

“I prefer not to see you.” She looked at him dangerously.

His eyes narrowed and met her gaze, then grinned. “That’s harsh. You’re the only faerie I knew here. Of course, I’m so happy!”

Winzi gritted her teeth. Her blood started to boil for many reasons. If they didn’t have an audience right now, she probably threw him out of the palace. She just didn’t like this mortal testing her patience.

“This is enough,” she flinched to get away from his arms, but he pulled her closer.

“Later, let’s catch up. It’s been a while since we’ve been together,” his smile teased her more.

She let out a sigh. “We have nothing to talk about.”

“You know, I never had the slightest idea that you are a princess. You’re hot-headed and inconsiderate. But when I learned your story, I finally understood your situation.”

Winzi was stunned in silence. This must be the reason why he didn’t appear surprised upon seeing her. Most probably, he already knew about what she had done before. Why would she give this lowly creature a chance to pry and interfere with her life?

“That is none of your business.”

“I know but hear me. True love is never easy to find. And remember, love is always a decision,” he seriously said.

Eleand did not protest when she excused herself. She wanted to talk with her mother. At the same time, he went back to his designated table.

Winzi instantly frowned when she recognized Eleand’s companion. It’s Alva—the Priestess b***h.