It had been a restless night for Irene as she couldn’t shake the thoughts of her mother and brother away; her night was full of prayers of their wellbeing as she looked over at Yeri and Wendy who were soundlessly sleeping. Wendy had no choice but to sleep or else Irene was sure Wendy would be up frantically pacing whilst puling the hair from her scalp if their roles were reversed, Yeri was tired it had been a long times since she had exerted so much energy hence Irene was glad she was able to sleep for she was worried about tomorrows climb. Due to her thoughts the night had gone by and the sun had risen signified by the chirping birds.

“Yeri it’s time to wake up.” Irene called lightly shaking Yeri who woke up.

“Now?” Yeri questioned to which Irene only nodded her head once the duo had readied themselves they walked outside to be greeted by a smiling Joy and sleepy Seulgi who was lightly slapping herself to wake up.

“Here’s breakfast your majesties.” Joy exclaimed dramatically throwing an arm over the two bowls of porridge she had managed to conjure up for the sisters. “It’s not as extravagant as what you eat but I do make a pretty good on the go porridge.” Yeri took a bowl gladly as she felt hungry however as soon as the porridge touched her taste buds she grimaced at the taste that coated her taste buds.

“Ewww what happened to this porridge?” Yeri asked putting it down, Irene couldn’t help but slightly grimace as she had the first spoon, too much water and it seems like the sugar was replaced with salt. Joy laughed as she saw the reaction she received, it was more of a dry chuckle as she also tasted the porridge and realised how bad the porridge had turned out.

“You know it’s missing something.” Seulgi stated in her croaky morning voice that caused Irene’s attention to shift towards the younger girl, guess it was true when people said morning voice is y voice Irene thought as she listened to Seulgi speak, she quickly shook her head to get rid of these thoughts afraid that Seulgi might know what was going on through her mind.

“What is it?” Yeri asked glaring at the porridge bowl.

“Magic.” Seulgi replied causing the glare being directed at the porridge bowl to be directed at her, with a wave of her hand over the bowls Seulgi signalled everyone to eat once again.

“It tastes so much better.” Yeri said thankfully digging in to her food quickly as if it would change taste again. Joy also dug in to her food forgetting that she had messed it up initially, Irene had to shake her head once again before eating causing Seulgi to look at the older girl in confusion as she rubbed her eyes once again to wake up.

The girls had packed up after eating and continued their trek to the mountain by noon it would have been 24 hours since the sisters of royalty had been missing, it would also have been a day since Wendy would have been under the sleeping curse. Seulgi looked at the floating Wendy by her side as they walked through the forest, she couldn’t help the memories that rose to her mind as recalled what pain Wendy would go through if they didn’t reach the mountain fast enough.

The Queen of Olbas had made it to Luxor just before noon, she had sent a note to alert the King of Luxor she would be arriving to which he bid a safe journey.  The journey to the kingdom was smooth without so much as a hitch going wrong surprising the Queen as she thought the people of Vesalis may attempt to ambush them on their journey.  However here was the Queen looking up at the large walls that guarded the Kingdom of Luxor, the whole kingdom had an eerie feeling as the skies seemed to remain grey since the beginning of time. It seemed the suns’ rays were fearful to penetrate the kingdom with its heat and light, the steel doors opened as soldiers rushed around to allow the Queen entrance in her horse and carriage. Not much had changed in the kingdom since the Queen’s last visit with her husband, it was still cold, the air was murky and the citizens walked around with their heads held high ignoring the very few homeless individuals that loitered the streets. Shops were bustling and whispers could be heard as the Queen made her way forward some were friendly whisper whilst others believed the Queen had come to bring trouble as it seemed the kingdom of Olbas had been having issues with enemies for some time now.

The castle had come in to view it was old, gothic, intimidating, matching the vibe of the owners of the castle. The castle had its coat of arms proudly floating between the statues of gargoyles that were plastered to the walls, one of royalty could immediately tell the castle had never been renovated since its construction all things the royals of Luxor had deemed important would be found in the castle hence the Queens journey. No flowers greeted the guests in the courtyard as most would find in royal gardens, there was simply concrete which the Queen stepped on.

“Good day your majesty.” The king of Luxor greeted, he seemed no different from his last appearance at the kingdom of Olbas, however the Queen could sense tiredness from his aura.

“Good day.” The Queen greeted in return with a slight bow.

“Let us make our way to my study so we may talk in private,” The Queen agreed and entered the castle, the interior was no different from the exterior it was a cold environment that was pre dominantly grey and black, the walls were lined with heads of animals the family had slaughtered and put up as a prize, making the way up the staircase to the first floor the Queen had entered the study room.

“So how may I help you?” The King asked taking a seat in his black and silver seat, there truly was no contrast between the rooms the Queen thought as she did a quick one over the room and was greeted to more black and grey.

“I was on my way here with Suho yesterday for some information regarding Vesalis however they had attacked I had been wondering what information you had?” The Queen questioned taking a seat.

“Firstly I would like to extend my deepest apologies that the princesses had been kidnapped. However there has been promising sighting near the mountains south of Ares where a group of red eyed individuals were spotted.” The Queens eyes lit up with surprise it was indeed great news however she couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to it, after all the Kings aura suggested otherwise.

“When was this group spotted?” The Queen questioned.

“2 days ago, the kingdom of Ares apprehended 3 of the 7 members, the other 4 escaped leaving a trail of 7 dead Ares soldiers,” the King replied stretching his arm out to hand the Queen a note. “The King of Ares had sent a note to inform you however the bird had been killed on its way.” The Queen opened the note true to what the King of Luxor had said the note described the group and the 3 they were able to apprehend.

“Have you been to see the kingdom?” The Queen questioned putting the note down.

“I was awaiting your presence so we could go together,” the King replied surprising the Queen, the King of Luxor was known for being quick to the action, he was never one to wait either in battle or interrogation however here he was patiently waiting for the Queen.

“Well then let us make haste at once,” the King agreed and stood up escorting the Queen towards the carriage they would be taking, guards from both kingdoms would be escorting them to make sure that the royalty within the carriage would be unharmed. As the Queen left the eerie castle and sat in the carriage she couldn’t help but think the answer wasn’t within those walls but within the man she was going to be riding with.

“We shall make it there by evening,” the King stated sitting down, his posture as straight as ever emitting the strong aura that ran in the family however it seemed heavier than normal. Almost as if it was burdening him the Queen couldn’t help but shake the feeling off of her, she had done fairly well reading people hence why the late King of Olbas had chosen for her to sit next to him in meetings. This time it would be different she would be the one dealing with the King of Luxor not her husband who knew exactly what to say and when to say it.

“How have you been?” The Queen questioned an hour later after much deliberation on how to approach the topic.

“All has been well for my kingdom, how have you been coping? Much has happened to you and your kingdom alike,” The King replied surprised by the breaking of silence which had swept over them.

“I have to be strong the only way to do so is by finding my daughters and Wendy,” The Queen replied suddenly getting swept away by a barrage of emotions she had been denying to face. “Anyway… I asked of you not your kingdom,” the change of topic suited the Queen however the twitch in the King’s eye showed it didn’t suit him very much.

“I am well.” The King curtly replied turning to face out of the carriage.

“My husband would cut me off like that saying it was for the safety of the kingdom if I never knew but it always helped when he spoke what was going on, maybe someone else could help him,” the Queen said looking at the King of Luxor and his uneven breathing pattern visibly showing his anger.

“Well he’s dead and it seemed like nobody was able to help him,” The King said harshly causing the Queen to look at him wide eyed, her simple act of being nice being thrown back at her face like a bucket load of ice.

“We have arrived your majesties.” Yunho announced opening the door.

“I apo….” However before the King could say anything further the Queen cut him off.

“You were right let us go inside and find out what they know.”  Yunho helped the Queen down and couldn’t help but glare at the King of Luxor, he never heard the Queen cut someone mid-sentence neither had he heard her sound so harsh.     

“Ah King and Queen it is great you have come please follow me.” The King of Ares said the Queen sighed as she walked beside the King of Luxor this man aggravated her like no other as he walked with his head held high, this was going to be difficult but she needed to do it for her daughters and Wendy, she needed to find them alive and well.

“Ergh why is it raining?” Joy complained wiping her forehead.

“It’s not rain your sweating like a pig.” Yeri simply replied causing Joy to gasp as she heard Yeri’s reply, the group had made it to the mountain at noon so they decided to climb up without rest wanting to make as much distance as possible within the day. However the heat slowed them down causing them to slow down considerably and sweat like pigs in Yeris eyes, well the only one sweating so much was Joy.

“How could you say such…? I’m older than you,” Joy stated turning to the side to look at her chuckling companion who enjoyed making fun of her.

“I know your wrinkles told me,” Yeri struck another blow to Joy’s pride causing Seulgi to laugh loudly whilst Irene turned around in attempt to calm Yeri down from making any further comments.

“Excuse me my flawless skin has no such impurity unlike your saggy skin, sometimes I wonder if you truly are younger than me,” Yeri turned to look at Joy who shamelessly poofed a mirror out of thin air so she could admire her feauters.

“Don’t look at it for too long it might crack,” Yeri laughed as Joy threw the mirror away and began to run after the younger girl.

“Get back here, you need to know how a child behaves with an adult,”

“Shouldn’t we stop them?” Irene questioned to the laughing Seulgi.

“No where they stop will be where we make camp, this part of the mountain is easy, further up its narrow and rocky then we can’t have them running off,” Seulgi replied watching in amusement as Yeri was still running around whilst throwing comments about Joy’ old age.

“Have you been here before? You seem familiar with the mountain,” Irene questioned causing the younger girl to momentarily lose her smile.

“Come on looks like they’ll pass out if they don’t get water,” Irene looked over at the duo who were now laying on the taking deep breaths, Irene quickly took out a water bottle and ran towards Yeri whilst Seulgi walked towards Joy.

“You should be careful, we’re on a mountain one wrong step and you could fall,” Irene said her motherly instincts coming out as she helped Yeri drink the water.

“Why don’t you help me drink the water?” Joy questioned as she took a sip.

“You’re old enough,” Seulgi simply replied causing Joy to pout.

“You’re too old to pout and think it’s cute,” Seulgi chuckled and walked a little ways away to set a fire up, there was enough room to set up the two tents they just needed to be extra careful when they entered and exited the tents. Once Seulgi found the tents she flicked her wrist causing the tents to set themselves up, with another flick Wendy’s body floated to a tent to lay down.

“I’m tired I’m going to bed.” Yeri announced walking to the tent with Irene following her telling to eat.

“I’m going to bed too that running session drained me,” Joy said stretching her arms.

“Here take a plate for Yeri as well and if she asks magic prepared the food,” Joy laughed as she took the plate to the tent, Irene left the tent satisfied that Yeri would be getting some food.

 “Is your response always going to be magic?” Irene questioned as she gratefully took a plate of food from Seulgi.

“Well it’s an honest answer,” Seulgi replied chuckling with Irene as they ate their food in silence.

“You never answered my question,” Irene said once they put their plates away and sat side by side near the fire.

“Which one?” Seulgi questioned.

“Have you been here before?” Irene watched as Seulgi’s smile was gone once again but only for a moment before she turned to look at Irene.

“Once before,” Seulgi replied looking deeply in to the fire.

“How come?” Irene questioned truly interest in Seulgi’s life.

“My mother had been placed under this sleeping curse, I found out what to do 2 days later so I journey here and climbed the mountain within 2 days but it was too late. My mother had always been emotionally weak coupled by having a life of nightmares even her happiest moments had a gut wrenching pain in them. She wasn’t strong enough to endure the pain, so I watched the pain she went through, her breathing stopped but her heart was still beating, her face would go blue then purple, her nightmares would cause her to scream octaves higher than one could fathom. Then with one last scream I watched as a green liquid came out of disintegrating her body by burning her.” Irene sat in silence as she listened to Seulgi’s story never ad she expected someone as kind and genuine as Seulgi to have gone through something so terrible.

“I’m so sorry Seulgi,” Irene said giving a hug to Seulgi one which the younger girl melted in to.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Seulgi said pulling back from the hug to look at Irene’s eyes. “I want to save Wendy I could never wish of someone to die like that. I will do everything in my power to protect Wendy,” Seulgi said inching closer to Irene her hands still cupping the older girls face, “I will protect Yeri,” Seulgi inched closer once again giving Irene the opportunity to turn away, however the older girl was in awe as she listened to Seulgi, the girl with red eyes, the eyes who everybody associated with evil, but Irene saw no evil in them eyes. “And I will put my life on the lie for you Irene,” Irene closed her eyes as she watched Seulgi close the distance however it seemed nature had other plans as a loud screech pulled them apart causing Seulgi to pull out a sword. Her eyes scanned the vicinity left right and centre however she could see nothing.

“We should get going to our tents the creatures will be attracted to the light of the campfire,” Irene reluctantly nodded as she stood up before she entered her tent she turned to look back at Seulgi, the taller girl stood rooted over the fire with her sword still drawn she was honest about protecting them as she continued to look around for the animal that made the sound. Once Irene entered the tent she saw the fire had gone off causing her to sigh out loud as she thought of what could have happened, what she wanted happen, what she was willingly allow to occur after much deliberation with her head and heart but maybe it wasn’t meant to happen. Clutching her heart Irene made her way to her bed and thought back to the almost kiss, she wondered what Seulgi was thinking; was all of this just a game for her or was it just the heat of the moment for the younger girl.

“So you’re telling me Vesalis does not have the princesses?” The Queen questioned, she had been stuck in this interrogation room for the past hour without an answer after persuasion from the King of Luxor and his tactics which left the boy in the seat being interrogated bloody and battered he answered the question everybody had been wondering but it left them with a bigger question where could they be?

 “No,” The boy answered shaking his head.

“Then who else could have them?” The King questioned slamming his hands down on the table scaring the boy, he was younger than them and much weaker emotionally compared to the other Vesalis members.  

“I….I do.. don’t know, but Vesalis has also been confused they sent out a search to find them that’s why we were out near the Ares mountains,” the boy replied King of Luxors aura intimidating him.

“Thank you for that we’ll come next time we require further information from you,” The Queen smiled at the boy giving him a small sense of peace from the pretty lady, the King followed the Queen outside where the King of Ares stood.

“What are the next steps you are going to take,” The King of Ares asked the Queen.

“I’m unsure of this moment but I will send out a wide scale search for the princesses whilst thinking of further steps to deal with Vesalis,” The Queen replied, both her family and kingdom were important she needed attention on both ends but now that the girls were confirmed not to be with Vesalis the Queens attention would be split. “I should get going the kingdom is restless if I stay out for too long I fear they will be unsettled,” The Kings agreed and walked to the carriages, the Queen would be travelling separately in her carriage so it would quicker for her to make it to her kingdom without a pit stop in Luxor.

“I apologise for my attitude earlier I was out of line and should not have said such things to the late King,” the King of Luxor apologised as he walked the Queen to her carriage the Queen was once again surprised by the King’s attitude, he never apologised even when he knew he was wrong but now here he was apologising to her.

“It is quite alright but if you do require help I am here as well as my kingdom to aid yours, my husband wanted unite all five of us kingdoms for the reason of peace, and I will respecting that wish of his,” The King of Luxor nodded his head and bid the Queen farewell before closing the door of her carriage. Even if he doesn’t listen the Queen knew her words had gone through a part of his thick skull, now it was time to see if he would take a step to confront her.