Kissing the Fae

Chapter 37

Honestly, I don’t understand how those counsels hate the fact that women can rule. Perhaps they are afraid that we might overrule them, too. I can’t think of any good reason but that only.

We walked back towards the Acres Kingdom. The Queen Mother lives just at the end of the town and for sure, she knows I am coming for her with companions with me.

“Is the Queen Mother scary?” Terran asked in a low voice.

I shook my head. “I don’t know, Terran. Maybe it depends. I won’t be there now as a granddaughter but a leader of the Faye region who has the plan to take something away from her to save me. So, we don’t really know.”

Deniz sighed. I don’t know if they are afraid at the thought of the former Queen Tatiana or what. But I can sense the tension growing between us as time passes. The nearer we get, the more my heart bangs inside my chest.

Well, I guess she is scary. My father got her traits and genes and I supposed, knowing my father as a ruthless and merciless leader, I guess the Queen Mother is someone we should be scared of.

“Well, in case... Let us all be ready,” I told them trying to lift us all up. “Let’s just wish she won’t be that scary. That maybe she can give us a consideration.”

I bit my lower lip when it shook. Even I was unsure of my words. I am scared, that’s the truth. The Queen Mother can be so scary but I haven’t seen her like that so, I must expect the worst already:

“Your father is frightening, Rani Letisha. A lioness is ghastly when woken up, a woman can be so intense when angry and challenge than men, Rani Letisha. We witnessed you being so serious and angry before and to admit, we were all scared of you. What more if it's the Queen Mother that we'll be facing?" he sounded so worried and yeah, I guess Terran was right.

I haven't seen the Queen Mother get angry nor serious to the point that it's scary. All I know is she's too calm in every situation whether it's big or small. We talked about the governance in the Acres Kingdom and in general. Sometimes, I asked for help because I know the Queen Mother is capable of giving me advice that would lead me to think of a solution. But not once she did get angry because of my stupidity or me dragging her to my problems.

The Queen Mother was kind and very humble. She gives the best advice and she loves me. She cares for me and she never got angry or even annoyed at me. She was guiding me patiently with all smiles on her beautiful natural red lips. My grandmother is the best and with that, I grew up having this impression that she's not scary. That's what I engraved inside my mind and heart, that no matter what happens, she's there for me and that, she'd guide me throughout my journey not just as the leader of the Faye region, but as the princess of the Acres Kingdom and as her granddaughter.

She hides secrets from me and it was fine... It was kind of annoying, yes, perhaps because she thought I am still too young to know kinds of stuff and that I will never understand it. How can I when she can't even tell me a thing about the relationship of the Achlys and the true reason why tension grew in between us? I wanted to know to understand each side. Not because I belong to the Acres Kingdom doesn't mean that I will completely listen and believe whatever they told me as I grew up. No.

That would be unfair. Because I believe that none of those things will happen if both parties didn't fault each other. That's how I see things... I can't just get angry just because people told me to be, I can't...

I need to hear both sides. I don't want to be biased.

I sighed deeply. My heart is racing so fast and hard as we all went silent. From our position, we can see the kingdom the Queen Mother built for herself, her safe haven. A pattern of thoughts started to invade me, what ifs' are ruining my hopes... What ifs' are flooding inside my mind.

What if she won't let me have the power of illusion? They said it's dangerous. Only a Pixie can handle the power of Glamour for it is too strong to handle. We are not yet sure if the Queen Mother possessed it or she just happens to know who and where to find the owner.

I don't know yet... If she has it, then it's either she is a Pixie or she's just so strong enough to handle the power it brought. It is dangerous, they say that it can lead you to death. That's the challenge in trying to get the power of Glamour for it might be your last day or not.

I have a high belief in myself. I trust that I can handle it... Honestly, the la Roi, I am sure he knows it. Did he think I can't win this challenge so my father was confident to give me this type of struggle? Well, maybe he doesn't know me enough.

"Just a few more steps and we will reach the garden," I told them. "The place is beautiful. It has a lot of colorful and different types of flowers. It's airy and it feels so fresh, guys. There are wild animals in the Queen Mother's kingdom but not dangerous. There is also a huge oak tree, the Queen Mother herself..."

Terran snorted beside me. "Just shut up, Rani Letisha. Let us be surprised by those things once we get there."

"I'm just you some idea," I said in a low voice. "You know, some visuals. In case you guys won't make it."

"Girl, you are talking to us. We won't be taken down that easy," Deniz sounded cocky. "So, you don't really have to give us some visual, you say. We can and we will see it ourselves. Nothing will happen to us. We will make it and we'll be back in our region all breathing and kicking."

"You are so confident..." I let out a weak smile. "Keep that going... I know no one will wither."

I looked at the Little Fairies. I know they are all worried about me. We are all worried for each other's safety and I just hope for one thing; to come back alive bringing home the bacon.

"You guys are amazing," I genuinely told them. "I honestly don't know what to do without you."

"Yet you were telling us to go home and just leave you alone," Terran rolled his eyes.

My lips pouted. "Yes, and I know you... You won't listen to whatever I have to say and I just gave up and let you join me, right?"

They smirked at me. I love the attitude. We are soon gonna face the real challenge yet we still have time to joke around, to mess around... After this, one is waiting. A challenge is waiting for me and I just really hope that I'd succeed. I don't want to disappoint anyone.

"No matter what happens, Rani Letisha... You will still be our princess and the Acres Kingdom's beauty, we will still be proud of you."

I looked away. I feel like crying because of their words. I am truly grateful to have. I can't replace them and they are irreplaceable. No one compares to the friendship we have and I am thankful that despite what happened, we are still here supporting each other. I love them so much...

"You guys are making me cry," I sniffed to stop the tear from falling. "I feel like this is the last time we're gonna see each other. Is this a sign of us bidding goodbyes?"

Deniz quickly slapped me on my forehead. He looked at me with dagger eyes, obviously, he didn't like my words. I smiled awkwardly.

"I was just joking..."

"It wasn't a good joke, not funny..." Terran replied.

"Let's just go and finish this once and for all," Deniz uttered.

I nodded and again, we started walking now getting near to the Queen Mother's magnificent garden. No one bothered to talk again. I felt like there was tension in between us and all were... serious. My heart was stuffed with heavy objects in every step, I am worried and anxious. It's normal but I shouldn't... I should remove the doubts I have for myself for it won't help me reach the goals I set.

No one will wither and no one will go home defeated. I need to sacrifice something and even if it means my life, I will. It is the price of possessing the power of illusion after all. I am aware that my life might be in danger and I have considered the thought and I accepted it as the consequence. In our world, one has to sell her soul to get something that would make her more powerful and stronger.

The reality is that nothing is free anymore. Now I wonder if it's also the same in the other world. In the human world, are people also greedy like some of the officials here in the Godlic? Well, no one really knows. And I am dying to know and study the people there. Is the other world better than us? What is it like to live there like a normal human being? Away from magic.

"You looked so worried, Rani... Loosen a bit, will you?" Deniz noticed. "Don't pressure yourself too much. I know it's scary and the challenge is not definitely a game but please, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"I can't..." I admitted. "I tried to but it's too hard to control the emotions and thoughts from invading me. What ifs' are killing me softly. I can't calm myself down even how hard I try to."

We stopped. Deniz faced me and held both of my arms. He made me look at him which I did. I am really nervous and I felt like my heart will explode soon due to immense pressure.

“Breathe, princes...” he said and I did.

Slowly, I exhaled and inhale. I tried to dismiss the thoughts playing on my head, it is stressing me out and it’s frustrating. It doesn’t help me look at positive ways but then, what should I consider as positive when I felt like everything isn’t?

I groaned and Deniz snorted at that. He pinch my arms which made me glared at him. He did the same, too. I sighed in defeat and do as he says.

Closing my eyes, I breathed again.

“Relax, okay? You are not alone, princess... You are not alone...” he whispered with intensity. “It’s okay to feel scared as we are, too. We feel the same but I know yours are more stronger. But I believe in you, Rani. You can do it... Your fear is normal and I know you can overcome it.”

I opened my eyes. “Why do you believe in me so much?”

It helps me... Because slowly, my hope is crashing. I believe in myself but there are just some thoughts that makes it so weak and them, telling me this... It helps a lot.

It’s the kind words that matters. No matter how old or repetitive it may seem, it still motivates me.

“You are not alone,” he said. “We believe in you because we know and witness your determination, Rani Letisha. We grew up together and I know you are strong but always remember, whatever happens, we will still be there to applaud you, okay? You have our back, Rani Letisha.”

“Thank you so much, Deniz...”

I looked at them all and smiled thankfully.