Chapter 1

Alessia's POV

Everything was not easy, especially since there was a huge scandal in the kingdom. Elijah's failed marriage to his sister spread throughout Valeria.

My sister locked herself in her room and did not receive any guests. She was shutting us down and we all know the reason.

I felt guilty for what happened. I know that I am part of the sin because I let Elijah go. My agreement to entertain his feelings was the root of this mess. If I didn't agree, if I was stubborn, maybe my sister would be happy now.

I don't know if it's a great relief to feel that they don't know that I'm the reason. But for some reason, I know my sister is suspecting me. He just couldn't confront me because he was still recovering from the damage from that huge embarrassment.

Everything went back to normal after that. Elijah acted as if nothing had happened. Rostov and Natalia returned to their respective kingdoms. Natalia's face shows satisfaction that Elijah and her sister broke the agreement. He's a potential enemy once he finds out I'm a girl.

That's why Elijah immediately called a meeting of the three of us to discuss the mission to find the relic.

We are now in the king's office. Forced to remove whatever memories I have of it. Now talking about how to get the first relic that is in a volcano. I didn't know that there are so many places where relics can be placed, even under the volcano.

Inactive volcanoes are still dangerous because they still have lava. Even if we say that it doesn't explode, it's still deadly when you make a mistake. It has tectonic plates, vulnerable to breaking, and has lava in it.

"We will be heading to Eleftheria tomorrow. But we have to take it by land since we cannot disturb the perimeters by using the armageddon." Elijah said and the three of us looked at the map.

It points to a mountain located northeast of Valeria. I frowned because based on the distance, it was too far and I knew that it could not be reached in just one day.

"W-why can't we use an airship?" I know he already said that the area around Eleftheria can't be disturbed but is that not possible? That would be the fastest way to get us there right away.

Elijah looked at me. His expression was blank and I was very grateful because it followed what I wanted to happen. Don't flirt with me in front of others and don't let me know that there is anything between us.

"We cannot disturb the winged baboons. They will attack our ship if we are in Eleftheria's domain." He answered me and I understood why we were not going to board the airship.

"Does it mean...we are safer on the ground?" I ask again but who am I fooling? There is no safe place in the forest of Valeria. There are always beasts and monsters lurking, waiting to ravage you.

"No Ales. But it's a safer die than breaking your neck from a heavy fall." Stefano laughed at me so I glared at him. Stefano and I have gotten along well. I don't know why, but since Elijah and Ate broke up, he has been nice to me and doesn't hold back whatever I feel. "I'm just kidding Ales. Of course, no one will die." This messed up my hair and Elijah took a quick bite which caught the attention of both of us.

"You're not coming, Ales," Elijah said, frowning at me. I'm not sure if I heard correctly.

"What?" I hope I misunderstood.

"You're not coming. It's too dangerous there—"

"What if it's dangerous now?" I directly asked him.

"Ahem, your majesty." Stefano suddenly promised that it seemed to remind me that I should respect him because this is a king I am talking to.

"Your majesty..." I felt like I was struck by a match because I forgot to show respect. As much as I was thinking, I forgot to respect him.

"Ales, I won't put you in danger. That's final." He told me that I can't seem to take back his decision.

I didn't speak. I'm annoyed that he doesn't want to let me. I know it's dangerous, but I want to come and help.

"Then what's my point of being here and finding the clues? It's fine, I won't go with you but you find the remaining clues. Don't ask my help." I promised him coldly and turned to leave Elijah's office.

"Ales," Elijah called me but I didn't listen.

I went straight out disgusted. I understand why he won't take me with him, because he just doesn't want me to get hurt, but something is pushing me to come along and I want to see what happens. That's why I don't understand myself, why I feel so sullen. Why did I feel bad when Elijah said that I would not be included? If that's the norm, I won't care if I'm included or not.

I just went to the library to read a book about Eleftheria. Maybe there is information there about the volcano. I will just pour out my anger and annoyance there. I am being immature and I don't understand myself either.

The Palace library is spacious. Even if I spend a year reading it I won't finish all the books. Fortunately, it's easy to find what you need to read here because there are names.

I went to the row where there were books about different parts of Valeria. I saw there a book about Samona, Caracass, Avalone, and Valencia. There was also a book about monsters in the Valeria forest and Eleftheria caught my eye.

I immediately took that as well as the book of monsters. Both books are made of leather and they are heavy. I carried the two books to a long table that I often use whenever I study.

The surroundings were quiet and I made myself comfortable before opening Eleftheria's book. I read the first page right away.

Mount Eleftheria is the highest mountain in the world. At a scale of ten thousand feet, it is beyond the clouds.

Eleftheria has a cool climate. Lots of trees and wild grasses. Above all, it is infested with animals that are not seen in ordinary times.

They call those enchanted beasts. Flying monkeys, giant spiders, and more. Eleftheria is a place that ordinary citizens should not visit. Death awaits anyone who attempts to enter Eleftheria.

I swallowed what I was reading. From the very beginning of the page, it tells us not to go. Eleftheria is dangerous and it is not a place where you can go for a walk. This is the land of the beasts.

Now I understand why Elijah didn't want to take me there. It turned out to be more dangerous than I expected. Maybe I should listen to him and I won't sulk if he doesn't take me on walks like this. It's not like he's a killjoy, but more like he's just protecting me from impending danger.

I've lost the will to read so I just got depressed and closed my eyes. Why did I sulk so easily earlier? Why didn't I apply my understanding to whatever Elijah's purpose was?

I just sighed and thought of grandpa again. I haven't talked to him and there's no sign of it. I'm not sure if he's still in the Philippines or if he's already here in Wysteria. I have no way of knowing that, if not from grandpa himself.

"Are you sleeping?" I woke up when I heard Stefano's voice.

I didn't notice him come in but I won't be surprised because I know he can do that.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him and pretended that I was reading a book but that didn't enter my mind.

I heard his soft laugh before he sat next to me but there was a space between us.

"I just missed you. I've been sulking with you for a long time, but you didn't even ask me to." There was sullenness in his tone but I knew he was just acting.

I rolled my eyes because of what he was doing. We have had disagreements several times, but it still boils down to greetings as if nothing happened.

"What are you, a woman to seduce?" I promised him with a raised eyebrow and closed the book. I'm done pretending to read.

"Kid, it's not only women who have the privilege to seduce. Sometimes, women should also seduce, it's not just us men who do it." He complained to me that I didn't know what he was getting at because he said things like that.

"Stefano, that doesn't suit you. It's like you're begging for attention." I will make it difficult for him. I agree with what he said that women are not the only ones who have the privilege to be seduced, men are too. But I haven't tried that yet because I haven't made any male friends or been in a relationship.

He gave me a smug smile. "Me? Seeking attention? Maybe you're forgetting that a lot of people like me." He brags to me.

"The wind here is so strong, it almost blew me away." I was pissed at this and I saw that Stefano frowned.

"But I'm different, Ales. Now that the dear king won't marry Lady Roselle, what will you do?" He asked me. I'm not surprised why he asked that question, because even I was asking myself what I was going to do. But my conscience is screaming.

"I won't do anything, Stefano," I answered him and stared at the table. I feel like my soul is going to hell because of my lie. Elijah and I have this understanding that only the two of us know. But I can't say that.

"Are you thinking about what others will say? Because Lady Roselle is your sister?" He confirmed with me.

I took a deep breath before speaking and looked at him. "That's not the only reason, Stefano. You know what the reason is."

Stefano was shaking his head. "I thought you were smart?" He asked me if I felt that he simply insulted me.

I quickly raised my eyebrows at him. "What do you mean?" I tried not to sharpen my tone because I didn't want Stefano and me to argue again.

"Ales, who do you think your majesty is doing this for?" He asked me.

"Of course, for Wysteria," I answered him sarcastically. What kind of question is that?

"Yes, that...but that's not the main reason." He told me that was the reason he got my attention. "Elijah is planning to gather all the relics to summon the sacred weapon and kill the dark lord before the summer solstice." He told me and my eyes widened. "In his plan, it's too clear that he's aiming for you, no one else."

I seemed to be weakened by what I found out. Elijah said that we will make our destiny. Is this what he meant? To find the relics and kill the king of darkness within a year? Can all that be done in one year?

"B-but that's impossible. How can he finish all of that in one year? He needs to get married and have children so he won't be affected by the summer solstice." I told Stefano that I felt like I heard something stupid.

Stefano was shaking his head. "I told that to your majesty, but he's determined. He doesn't want to give you worry, it's time for him to be selfish with you."

"Isn't he still selfish in that situation?" I asked him with surprise because, for me, Elijah had established his selfishness when he stopped whatever he and his sister had.

Stefano grinned at me as if he was hiding a dark secret.

"You haven't seen Elijah's other side. The possessive, greedy, and passionate, when it comes to the one he cherishes. You still haven't seen that side of him, Ales. He's reigning it tightly because he's afraid it may scare you ." He told me that I swallowed it on purpose and it seems that I swallowed my voice because of what he said. "The question now is, will you be ready... face an Elijah who will make you hate others?"

That stunned me and I felt like his words were a warning. This a beautiful and exciting warning.