Kissing the Fae

Chapter 31 - Clues

After eating, I quickly changed to my usual fit. We never had a long conversation with the Queen of the Chalice nor any one of them and I'm very grateful for it. Holding a conversation with someone who has interest in knowing my life — who clearly doesn't get a benefit from me and vice versa, was something I hated.

I don't like it. Besides, we don't have time for it. Getting to know the Queen, or her trying to grasp something from me, I don't have the energy to do that.

It was exhausting, right? Introducing yourself again. It felt like you're reading a book over and over again starting from the start to end, just to tell one person about your life.

"Rani Letisha," Rin called me as I walked down the stairs after changing. "Where do we start? Finding the old man in a place where freedom exists, do you think it would be too hard for us to guess where that is? Or who's that old man she talked about?"

"It will be hard to find it, Rin," I told her straight. "After all, there's nothing easy to beat nowadays. We need to work hard in order to achieve something we want."

"Then, I guess we have to prepare more for our upcoming journey."

Journey... We all have our own journey to take off. Every day, a phase in our lives is a journey. We learn a lesson or two from it and honestly, this is something I hated.

I hated who my father protects me from something that would possibly take my happiness away. I kinda hated how he loves me so much he have to kick me out of the Faye region to do what truly makes me smile.

I hated him... For he can't understand it was my responsibility to take over. It was an obligation I carry since then. When I was a kid, I have realized it early. That someday, sacrificing something will be needed in order to attend to my duty.

The thought that I'm able to work on it was an achievement for me. But I wasn't happy because of that mere victory.

My father values it more than me. For he didn't want his child to grow in nothingness. While I, I have already accept my fate. Is it bad to foresee the bitter future that awaits for me?

Is it bad for hating the King — my father who only wanted the best for me?

But I knew, at some point of my life, I'd be happy letting go of my throne. However, my heart would be filled with guiltiness for stepping down my position, means leaving the people who put their whole trust and faith on me.

Besides, I promised her. Breaking my promises won't make me happy. It would rather made me feel guilty. It would bring me down knowing that I break my words I've whispered to her when she die for me.

I don't want to live in vain because of it. I'd rather live in darkness, doing my duties than be stuck in a deep repentant for letting her and everyone down.

When I got to the main hall, I saw the three. I sighed in relief when the Queen of Chalice was nowhere in sight.

When they felt my presence, their eyes landed on me. I walked near them with confidence, showing them I'm ready for today's battle. Whatever it was, I'd be ready. For this won't be easy for all of us.

I'm afraid to waste another time. I'm afraid of failures, and even how much I convinced myself that there's nothing to be afraid of, I can't seem to believe it.

Pretending to be fearless was too hard. Of course, I do have my own weakness. But letting anyone knows it would be too dangerous as they might take advantage of it.

And I don't want that to happen. I don't wan't anyone else to find a hole to attack me in order to bring me down in any ways they desires.

That's the last thing I wanted. But I am hoping it won't occur to me in the near future.

"Rosie prepared something for us," Deniz uttered.

My eyes went to the bag he was holding. It was big enough to carry, and it awfully looks heavy.

I stared at Rosie. She was silent, yet a small smile stretch in her lips as our eyes met. I couldn't feel the realness on it, however, I didn't bother to think much of it.

"Don't worry, Rani Letisha. Every item and food I put there were all safe to use and eat."

"I didn't say anything," I chuckled nonchalantly because of her remarks. "But thank you for your effort, Rosie. I owe you..."

Shaking her head, she smiled again. "No problem, Rani. That's what all I can do for you guys to help you on your journey. All I wish was for you all to climb at the peak of the mountain."

I hope so, too... I hope to survive, I wish to win every needle that would stab us on the process of achieving our goal.

My gaze fell on the guys.

Until now, I'm still not comfortable with the thought that we might be in danger. I mean, it's a possibility. Each of us know that before they even thought of following me that day. Besides, Alistair has experienced this. He was given a challenge, these guys were there for him, and they probably encountered wild scheme.

And I assumed they knew it might happen again. But this time, it was me...

"Alright... I guess we need to go," Terran spoke, and sighed deeply. "Wish us luck for all of us. Pray we'd come back alive."

I saw Deniz kicked him using his foot, then they later looked at me with their apologetic smiles.

Well, I pray that, too. I mean, who among us don’t hope we’d come back alive? I assumed no one.

We all wanted to survive and come back to the Acres Kingdom to slap those directors with our victory. I wanted to give what they don’t want to receive.

A smile of triumph.

"Goodluck on your journey, guys. And yes, I hope you all can survive whatever you may face upon finding the answer."

With that, we left the Chalice's tower with our determination to win the game.