4. Mage

As the morning light struck my face, I immediately woke up and languidly stretched my arms.

I can't believe I am a queen again, but I won't let anyone drag me down this time.

This time, I won't be a pushover. I will fight for what I think is right. I will fight for the people under my dominion.

This time, I will be stronger. I will be the Luna everyone will look up to.

As soon as I got up from my bed, I heard knocks on my door again. I looked at the door and took my hand on my head as I remembered what happened last night. I need to strengthen the security in the palace.

"Please come in!" I shouted.

Immediately, a lady-in-waiting barged into my room. Her name is Flora. Apparently twenty-two years old, six years younger than me. She has short, curly brunet hair and a round face. Her eyes are also round and brown. She's cute, I must say.

She bowed down as soon as she saw me and gently uttered, "Queen Johannes, you have a visitor downstairs."

I scrunched my brows. Who could it be?

I don't have much to do today, so I will accommodate visitors, even if the visit is unprovoked.

I sighed as I opened the closet of former Queen Valeria. I saw some dresses here, but I shook my head as I realized I don't like wearing dresses.

I want something more like a prince's suit. I guess I'd have to tell the tailors about it. But for now, I'll wear one of Queen Valeria's dresses.

I picked up a blue dress covered with jewels. It was a simple one with puffed sleeves and a squared neck.

This will do.

My ladies-in-waiting helped me fix myself. They also placed light make-up on my face and braided my long black hair.

The women around me are so kind. They smile and tell me stories about some of the nobles. They also talk about their spouses and sometimes complain about working so much.

I told them I would protect and help them in every way.

As I finished fixing up, we went down and greeted the visitors. To my surprise, the visitor was a man.

He was peering at me while I was walking toward him. I don't think I know him, though. He doesn't have many expressions embedded in his beautiful face, so I don't know what he was thinking.

He stood up and finally arched a smile at me. He tilted his head and bowed down.

"Hello, my Queen," he spoke deep and softly.

I also bowed back at him.

"Hello, gentleman."

He was a tall guy with broad shoulders. His hair is dark with gray highlights. His eyes are colors of the sunset, partially orange and brown, and his face is starkly angular.

He looked just fine.

We exchanged glances for a while, and then he broke the silence.

"I want to be your consort," he said. It was casual. I felt like he was adamant about it.

I tilted my head forward and to the side as I looked at him bewilderedly.

Why is everyone asking to be my consort?

I sighed. "Pardon, gentleman, but I don't need any consorts," I said. My voice softened.

He took a few steps closer to me and leaned forward. His face was already a few inches away from mine.

"I am a mage, my Queen," he said, and raised his right hand. His palm was stretched wide. "Behold."

His palms emitted a cloud of black smoke. It was tiny, but it made my eyes want to look at it forever.

And then he snapped.

We had already been transported to a place I am very familiar with.

"What are we doing here?" I asked. My voice was fainting. I hope he didn't notice.

He grinned at me. "Just showing you what I can do," he uttered. "Want to check on what your former mate is doing right now?"

I glared at him and bit my lower lip. He is giving a very ominous vibe that I don't want. How does he even know about Michael being my former mate?

Well, he's a mage, and he wanted to be my consort. He probably searched through my history.

He transported us to Edington. Inside the castle, where I was married and was dethroned. As I gazed around the place, I couldn't help but feel sorry and sad. I miss this place. This was my home.

Then I saw Michael walking in our direction, but he wasn't looking at us.

"Nobody can see us here," the menacing mage beside me spoke.

I gasped. I can't believe there's power such as his.

"Yes, my Queen. There is."

I gasped even more. You can read my mind?

The mage looked at me with his golden-brown eyes and smirked. "If you're in my dominion, I can see through you. Everything, my Queen."

I diverted my gaze from him. He's not a very lovely person. This man is definitely not going to pass as my consort.

"Is that so?"

He snapped his fingers again, and we were now inside an unfamiliar room. I am lying down on a blue bed with him on top of me.

He smirked at me and lowered his face to mine. Our cheeks touched.

"Don't worry, my Queen, I am definitely not what you're thinking. I can give you anything you want."

He traced my fingers on my face and suddenly snapped again.

I guess it can't be helped. He will keep snapping and snapping until I get dizzy, overwhelmed with new places every minute.

"How is it, my Queen?"

When I opened my eyes, we were back at my palace, to my surprise.

I raised my chin at him, pretending I wasn't bothered by his unprovoked intrusion.

"You won't do that again without my consent, Mr. Mage," I sternly said, making sure my voice was loud and clear enough for him to hear me.

"Philip Rey Mysterio. Please consider taking me as a consort, my Queen. You wouldn't want to waste such magic," he replied. His voice was still soothing and soft as usual.

He straightened his back and smiled at me for the last time. After, he vanished out of my sight.

I've been with mages before, but I have never met someone like him. Someone who could travel to places.

"Queen Johannes, are you okay?" Flora asked, immediately coming to my rescue.

I raised my palm at her. "I'm very fine, Flora," I assured her.

"QUEEN JOHANNES!"

Both of us looked in the direction where that loud voice came from. It was from one of my ladies-in-waiting, Ameera.

She is the same age as Flora, except that she is shorter, has black eyes, short black hair, and tan skin.

She was hardly breathing before she reached us. She inhaled and exhaled for a minute, then ran in my direction.

"Queen Johannes, a message from the Kingdom of Edington." Ameera handed me an envelope. It looked simple but elegant—definitely from Kingdom Edington.

I opened the envelope and unfolded a note.

A note I never expected.

A note that made me feel utterly abhorrent.

Greetings, Queen Johannes, or should I say, my former mate. I want you to know that I'll never give up until I get you back. I need you back. I'll be your mate again, Ritchelle.

I didn't mean to do the things I did to you before. Trust me, I did those because I love you. And I apologize.

Please come back to me.

Sincerely, Michael Veruz.

Kingdom Edington