Claimed by King

“ …Juliana?” “Umm” “Lady Juliana!” “Oughummm” “WAKE UP MY LADY!!” The old nanny, Sarah, bent down to snatch the princess’ blanket away. Juliana hummed and turned away to the other side, utterly refusing to get up. “My lady!” Her nanny shouted, stomping her foot on the ground and huffing. “At this old age I am bound to die early if I keep on working like an energetic nanny…” Taking deep long breaths, she sat down beside Juliana, stroking and untangling her dark curly hair. “It pains me to bid farewell to you as well… but my lady, we should not go against his majesty's order!” Juliana buried her face in her pillow, swallowing her cry. “Huhh, aigoo.” Her nanny hugged her tightly while crying. “M-My lady, you must live.” Cupping her face in both her hands, wiping her tears away, her nanny placed her head in her lap. “My lady, the next few years are going to be very hard… but, once this situation with the werewolves settles, his majesty will call you back. How can he abandon his only offspring?" Gazing into her clear hazel brown eyes, the nanny smiled, caressing her face. “My lady. Above all, you must remember how lovable you are.” And with one last act of farewell, her nanny kissed both her hands. And prepared her for departure. … The rattling and clanking along the calmness and silence of night, with the distant growling and voices of wild animals, kept reminding Juliana, she had been exiled to the forsaken land. The land of darkness was cursed by the great dragon hundreds of years ago. The chill wind, one old carriage but a lavish carriage, her butler, two maids and a coachman - these people could not help but accept their fate of being exiled with the princess on the pretext of her protection and comfort. “Jasper, Where will we stay in these forsaken lands?” She asked her butler as she gazed out the window. “My lady, there used to be many lords' territories in these lands, before they were conquered and left cursed by the great dragon, we have been ordered to stay and investigate the territory of Baron Lex, since, it is the root of this curse, his lordship strongly believes, that you, my lady holds the sacred power to find and undo the curse fallen upon these lands.” The butler explained, holding her gaze firmly. “You want my lady to believe that his majesty sent her here to lift this curse, rather than to kill her?” One of the maids scoffed, and in frustration argued back. “I, too, believe that this is but a ploy, head butler. Just because my lady possesses the blood of an elf, she cannot lift this curse that has remained for about a thousand years! Many saints, saintesses and even lord elves have died here, trying to reclaim this land where the werewolves now live.” Nora, the other maid, questioned and bantered out of her desperation to save her lady. The lady she had served since she was born. “Silence.” Juliana intertwined. Knowing very well the reason why she was banished, and what she must do. “We must not fight among ourselves. We are here to survive. We will remain steadfast till this war ends. And we leave this place alive and well.” Juliana stated after a long inhale at the sight of the Baron's castle. “As much as I understand your despair, our lives and safety come first.” The long journey of a hundred and thirty-two days had come to an end. In nothing but silence, anger and awkwardness. The food had already run out as well as drinkable water, with only a few weapons and a few pairs of clothes. The rattling carriage came to a halt, and with an extended hand for escort, the twelve-year-old Juliana stepped out, into the place designed for her death. … It had been a year, Juliana, now in her restlessness, had started wandering around the baron’s territory. Picking up some herbs from places and roaming around the dark forest. Though she had been warned each time, she could not help but leave that castle whenever she could. She had gained quite a few survival skills. Except for the dark, thick and heavy fog surrounding these lands, she found nothing strange, but only her. The rest of the people suffered greatly whenever she left them alone. Claiming they remained safe with her around, perhaps because of her divine energy. Just recently, she had gained a new piece of information. Right around the western border, this territory was another completely strange place, covered with heavy hallucination spells. She had decided to cross that spell to see what lies on the other side. Now that she had been cut off from the whole world, the only information remained of the places where werewolves currently resided. And this place was completely unknown. Filling her bottle completely from the river, she buckled up her things and slapped her face. “Yush. Juliana, let us go.” Throwing her fist into the air, she made her way near the spell barrier. Last time she had come here with Bill, her guard. Who was thrown feet away by a mere touch of this spell. But surprisingly, she and he had touched it at the same time and her hand had gone through. Which she kept a secret. Again after a deep inhale, she placed her hand lightly and pushed through very slowly. Moving through a haze of fog, to a sudden clear sky. A very beautiful territory came into view. Holding her breath in, she completely passed the barrier. Entering a clear, bustling and breathtaking territory. Her eyes traced the people walking around the streets going about their chores, the market bustling with customers. She put one hand over her heart, her mouth opened a little in awe, her eyes followed each small cottage home, followed by mansions, gardens, palaces and a large castle standing on top of the hill, blessing her eyes and keeping her standing in shock. Her heart beat fastened with excitement, and she did a little jump dance by the entrance, clasping her hands. She had entered a well-developed and beautiful space, unbeknownst to the world. Like a hidden treasure. Just when she decided to start her adventure around the area, a few men in uniforms came to receive her. The headquarters had been informed of a trespasser who had come without a pass or an invitation… An elf had entered their territory after a thousand years… the second ever to enter, after the one who cursed the rest of their land and the great dragon… Grabbing her firmly from both her shoulders. They put cuffs on her wrists. Just then the man, seemingly their head, said without looking at her. “Arrest the trespasser and make her the subject of public punishment!”