41 42 43 44 45 46...
Isabelle lost count of how many times she had counted to 100 just to repeat it again as if trying to create a loop she could trap herself in.
Isabelle was already halfway to Aila yet her heart refused to admit that she had left Christencia afterall. The journey was not punishing her for moving forward ,it was punishing her for daring to. The sky above the caravan burned a cruel shade of gold, glaring at every traveler who tried to challenge its dominion. Even the wind felt judgmental,as if it carried the heat of a sun that knew no mercy.
'promise me' she had begged
'Your Majesty' pleading
'Uncle,he knows nothing, nothing. Promise me, you'll take care of him won't you. I can rely on you to protect him, can't I' holding onto his old hands.
'I will,as long as a descendant of Whitmore still draws breath,the royal family will stand strong forever' Minister Clien's old hands patted those shoulders,it was lean,the shoulders that Fate had forced to carry such burdens.
'Look..I have prepared these,I spoke to Declan,as long as I can keep the other end placated, Christencia would do just fine. When he comes back,tell him to follow these accordingly' Isabelle said retrieving a document from the table and handng it over.
'Your Majesty' Minister Clien calls out to the woman who didn't even realize she was being fussy
'And this...'
'Your majesty'
' if he follows this,the Bhovir's would surely keep their own end of the deal'isabelle says picking up another document.
'Your majesty?..' he tries again but she was lost.
'Ellie'He finally calls her softly holding her by shoulders and turning her around.
Holding her hands in his, patting them softly trying as much as possible to bring warmth to her cold palms
'You've done your best,my girl,good job'he mutters audibly in the dark night.
Isabelle looked at the wrinkled face,old age had definitely left its mark on him,even now he was trying to offer her his best smile that was said to light up the world just like 10 years ago.
'Uncle, I'm tired'
He was helpless,he had become old.
'Old friend am sorry I couldn't protect your little girl'Minister Clien thought.
'When will he get to Christencia?'Isabelle says going to stand before the window.
'According to the last information we received,3 days'
'He'll take care of Aiden right?'
'Of course'
'How many years has it been?'
'9'
'...'
'Do you have anything to say to him,I can help....'
'No'
Declan Moore had resigned himself to his fate,his fate of being a coachman. He had been surprised when Isabelle had asked only for a carriage,not one guard nor mais came with her. She was leaving her kingdom alone.
The journey had been quiet,they had not spoken to each other since their last meeting.
'Have a seat Sire'she had said when he entered the study pointing to the seat opposite her on the work table filled with documents. Not caring,he plopped himself into the seat.
'Say it,what does Aila want' The Young Queen had invited him over to her study in the middle of the night.
'I said it before your majesty,a marriage alliance'Declan had said.
'To the ruler of Christencia?'She had asked yet again,seeking confirmation for something
'Is it important?'Declan had asked too unable to accompany her in beating around the bush any longer.
'Christencia has no Queen'Isabelle said matter of factly causing him to raise an eyebrow.
Not caring 'Christencia has never had a Queen,look here if you don't believe me'she said placing a document in front of him.
Hearing this he sneered,his indifferent facade drops, it was still indifference but there was unconcealed pride and arrogance in the room as the temperature dropped degrees. His entire being reeked of inherent nobleness as he leaned back into the chair. His eyes had dropped low.
'You think we want something from Christencia?'he said as his lips curled in mockery.
'So you're saying,ten years ago,you were appointed Regent over Christencia,to rule for ten years. 5 years ago,your tenure was up and the ruler of Christencia became your brother Prince Phillip' he said bored.
'No,Philip had been King since then years ago but he was young and unable to rule so I stepped in to rule as Regent untill he came of age,but he had matters to handle that is why I held onto the throne for him'Isabelle explains. 'So if Aila wants to marry the Queen of Christencia,then I'm sorry Christencia has no Queen,only a Regent princess'Isabelle explains not minding the mocking expression of the man before her nor the or the fact that the entire room screamed danger now.
'Isn't it ironic,your highness' Declan Moore had said causing Isabelle to frown. 'Few hours ago in the courtroom, Queen Isabelle had told me that Christencia had no princess nor noble daughters befitting of my king's status'Declan Moore say up placing his hands on the table.
'The only thing Aila wants from Christencia is You_ Isabelle Idelle D'Christencia,as for any other thing.....' he said dropping his lashes 'Are you worthy'his voice dropped low.
'What's in for Aila' Isabelle continues to ask not bothered by the man's condescending tone.
He looked down on her.
PEACE
'Nothing,I think the only thing of value Christencia has is you,as for the rumours.....' he states 'We don't need weapons to capture any city or kingdom we want'
Thing
She did not like that word, Declan was glad he could get a subtle reaction from her.
' What's in it for Christencia?' Isabelle asks leaning back on her seat.
The flickering candle flames cast a faint glow in her face, despite the breath taking view right in front of him,he didn't think she was beautiful. Her blue grey irises was so shallow,just like a vortex it reminded him of a certain violet irises.She was a master planner. Tsk,so alike,truly alike.
The numbers in her head tasted safer than the road beneath her. Counting was the one thing she had control over. Heat, sand, fate, Aila, politics… none of those obeyed her. But numbers did. Still, even math betrayed her eventually. The loop never closed. It only circled wider, like a noose she kept trying to tie neatly around chaos. The lantern swayed ahead of her, rocking gently with each uneven step, mocking the rhythm of her thoughts. If she focused hard enough, she could almost believe the swinging light was a pendulum marking time in Christencia's palace halls.
She tried to close her eyes,it was dark, Declan Moore had warned her ahead of time that they barely had time to rest. So that they could leave Christencia by tomorrow noon. She knew that he was frustrated because he had to travel slowe,and she was the reason,but did she care? Not one bit.
It had been awhile since she had a good night rest,she stared at the roof of the carriage,it seemed nature pitied her as the wind lulled her to her first peaceful sleep in month carrying her gently into the dream realm.
"What's in it for Christencia?" she had asked, leaning back, arms folding not defensive, but tired of riddles.
Declan didn't answer immediately. He rarely did when he knew silence could bend a room faster than words. Instead, he reached into the inner coat of his dark uniform, the fabric stiff with the scent of cold nights and noble birth. When his hand emerged, it carried a scroll sealed in blood-red wax old enough to suggest what it was.
He slid it toward her across the table, slow, deliberate. The wood didn't creak. It almost bowed.
"This is what's in it for Christencia," he said at last, voice low and unamused, but edged with something quieter—duty.
Isabelle eyed the seal. "Aila doesn't issue favors."
"No," he agreed. "But it does issue decrees."
The Queen--Regent--Princess, whatever history chose to call her, broke the seal. The scroll unfurled like a judgment, letters inked in a language older than diplomacy itself.
DECREE OF THE CRIMSON STATE
Issued by His sovereign Majesty of Aila
By this decree, Christencia is placed under
The protection of The Golden sands.
No night creature ___Wer-state,coven,shadow
republic,or bloodless empire shall lay claim
lay claim,harm,siege,enchant,provoke nor feed
from there herein.
Failure to comply ??
BECOME A GUEST TO THE SOUTH OF AILA
— SIGNED
THE SOVEREIGN OF AILA ___ISHEKIRN.
The room grew colder. Not because magic was used, but because power had been mentioned by name.
Isabelle swallowed, once. A small human sound in a world that hated small things.
"You expect me to send this to THE COUNCIL?"
Declan leaned back into his seat, eyes half-closed again, lashes low like he was already bored,her reaction didn't satisfy him.
"No, Your Majesty," he said with faint smile returning to his lips"They must have received theirs by now,the imperial capital would soon receive it own as for this..." he pauses, raising his head, Isabelle could swear that for a minute his brown eyes flashed a hint of purple
"I expect you to carry it forward to a kingdom that will soon owe its survival to you,Ravencrest"
The horses grunted, low and irritated, jerking her fully awake. Sand glitter clung to her lashes. Declan's words lingered sharper with cold precision dressed in noble boredom.
A voice jolted her awake as her heart sank deep into her stomach.
Wasn't it in 3 days time,WHY
Declan studied the young man sitting straight on the warhorse. He was tall and imposing without trying. His ginger brown hair,a shade of smoldering copper kissed by the bright sun,fell in thick unruly waves just above his pauldrons(armor pieces that cover the shoulders). It wasn't styled for beauty yet it accidentally achieved that. His blue grey irises,the same rare irises his sister carried. While his sister's were like a vortex__ trapping inside,his gaze was pulling out,compelling and observant . His face was sculpted in noble angles,a straight nose,high cheekbones and his lips naturally curved. On his dusty armour__silver etched steel etched over a dark velvet tunic__the insignia of Christencia sat, roaring dragons encircling crossed over flames. He was definitely her brother okay,they could pass off as twins, identical twins.
The warhorse's hooves shook the ground as Philip dismounted the horse with practiced precision, though his shoulders still carried a hint of restless energy,the kind the 21 year old his beneath steel and duty. He brushed a hand through his copper hair, leaving it tousled.
He approached the carriage gently stopping right in front of it.
He was grown now
Isabelle thought as she looked at the little boy that used to follow her around,her heart felt full. She couldn't move. She could see him through the curtains but she was sure he couldn't see her.
"Ellie"he called out softly, longingly
That single word carried a huge dent in the resolve she had made,her carefully built strong walls started to crack,it tugged at her heart. Tugging at every feeling she had buried.
"It's happening again, isn't it"Philip continued softly
"..."
"Philip said desperately fighting to keep his voice steady but the tremor failed him.
"I've been well,I grew up well,Damin is doing well. I still don't know where Devin is but from his letters, he's still alive" Phillip said.
"I will take care of Aiden" he continues,he reaches his hands for the drapes that separated them but instead of lifting them,he tested his hands on the beam of the carriage.
" I'm not worthy at least not yet"he said more to himself than to her
"...."
"You need not answer me,I feel you. Just listen"Philip said desperately fighting to keep his voice steady but the tremor failed him.
"Ellie...I can take care of your Christencia now,I can protect the people now" he said more of a promise than a statement.
" Ellie.. there's no other way,is there?"
" Wait for me, you owe me an explanation. I will definitely come to hear it. Trust me this time,will you??" He begged.
"Mmmm"Isabelle voice drifted out in agreement making the tears Philip held back to fall
"Will you protect the people of Christencia with your tears. You've promised me,you had better still be seating on that throne till I come back"Isabelle scolded.
"Mmmm"Philip agreed nodding. "Sister...stay safe"
Philip said stepping outside.
Declan Moore whipped the reins,to move the carriage.
Not able to resist,Isabelle opens the window,sticking her head out,she saw him there, kneeling,his hands clasped together,his head bowing wishing her farewell,she whispered.
" You've done well"
Putting her head back in,she wiped the single tear that had rolled down her eyes. Her blue grey irises were filled but only one could escape.
Isabelle exhaled, slow, quiet, invisible—yet the world seemed to hear it. The wind shifted slightly, as if offended by the weakness she never showed aloud. Her anklet glinted beneath her hem, catching a beam of hostile sun, a reminder that royalty wasn't always announced with crowns and standards. Sometimes it was a girl, tired, stubborn, and still walking into a desert that wanted her humbled. She adjusted her reins, eyes narrowing toward the road ahead. Aila wasn't her destination. It was her confrontation. And she would reach it not because fate demanded it, but because she wanted to look fate in the eye and say, "Try again."
The horses galloped away.
Crossing the boundary of Christencia,she thought she heard Declan Moore say something,she closed her eyes,she was tired.
Declan Moore's eyes glinted a bright golden despite the bright sun. He muttered.....
'SLEEP ETERNALLY'
AILA:THE CENTRAL
"My wife is so cold,I'm so scared,but what can I do she's mine after all" Ishekirn said for the umpteenth time today causing Eastern to roll his eyes.
"Ayy,Beastie,tell me do you think my brother in law would like the gift I prepared for him?" Ishekirn asked the man who was bored staying with him but had no choice than to keep guard over him. Not like he couldn't leave if he wanted to but he didn't want Simmy to nag. Sighs he really had it worst, didn't he.
"Ishekirn!you old demon you've gone too far!! My name is Eastern,it's fine when you call me Eastie but what do you mean Beastie" Eastern said unable to hold it in anymore.
" Yes,yes my bad, little East is the best"he says perfunctorily
Eastern was speechless while Western who had walked in when he was rambling looked at him with disgust.
" Your Majesty,Declan says he knocked her off,he's carrying her back,there be here in 2 days" Western says
"I know " Ishekirn says with a wide smile causing Eastern to snort.
"Isabelle.....I'm waiting for you" he said looking out of the window his Violet eyes glinting.
Isa...we meet again.