chapter 15

Leo feels as confused as they travel to the west side of Eurie. Glovia, is the second girl after Cashupia that he had feelings for before she left and he met Flora. She rides beside him as she looks at the map. Leo shakes his head when he suddenly sees Flora’s smiling face from Glovia’s. He can’t get to think straight.

“Prince Leo look, it appears that the village is wider than we thought and it is the center of trade for spices and sea foods of the kingdom. We have a bigger problem though. According to a friend that I send a letter to who went to spy for us, there are more Lebron soldiers there and there are those they call the big 3. They possess strong magic and they are highly skilled in fighting. We must be careful.” Glovia said as she looks at him then smile.

Leo clears his throat as he looks away. Glovia haven’t changed even if how many year passed when she left and returned. She is still this meek, jolly and gentle girl. She is the complete opposite of Flora. Somehow Leo’s heart aches every time he thinks of Flora.

“Prince Leo, it’s getting dark. I think it better if we all camp here tonight. The friend I contacted will meet us tomorrow just by the edge of the village.” Glovia said as Leo look at her.

“Alright we will camp in here; men prepare to make a warmer camp.” Leo said facing the 10 soldiers with them.

Leo is sitting in front of the fire as Glovia is sitting in front of him fixing her long curly sunset colored hair with a touch of faded red on its tip. Glovia look at him just for their eyes to meet and she smiles at him. Glovia suddenly stands and walk towards the dark direction making Leo stand and about op follow her.

“Where are you going? It’s dangerous to go around on your own.” He said as Glovia turn to look at him.

“It will just be a few minute. I want to do something private. When I won’t return after 5 minutes you can come after me or… send someone to come look for me, Prince Leo.” Glovia said with a smile before she turn and leave towards the darkness.

Leo waited worriedly and when it’s about 5 minutes he set off to find her but he stop when she is walking back looking slightly different. She is now wearing a shawl on her shoulders covering her neck and she smiles at him.

“Where did you go? I was about to go look for you.” He said feeling that oddly familiar presence but he just wave it off.

“I’m sorry I just lost tract of time Leo. I’m sorry if I worried you.” She said as she smile and walk back to her sit in front of the fire.

Leo feels slightly different. Glovia seemed to have changed a bit. She just calls him Leo but a little while ago she is calling him Prince Leo. But she must just be trying to call him by his name so they won’t feel like strangers. Glovia calls him Leo long ago it just changed into Prince Leo when she returned. He sits back on his seat and look at her trying to see and make sure. The enemy might be messing up with them and used Glovia’s appearance. BUT… even how much he tries observing her she is still like the Glovia. Her presence and scent are so similar like before. They were silent as Glovia hugs herself and look around.

“I haven’t said this before Leo but I am happy that you and Miss Flora are getting married and will be crowned. Everyone is so happy about it BUT… why do I feel like you two are not happy about it? You have waited for such a long time before for the problems to be settled so you two can be bonded. Why suddenly changed into what you two are now?” Glovia said making Leo look at her out of surprise.

Leo look at the burning fire and it is as if he is seeing the past into the flames. He can see how he first met Flora when she helps him fight some bandits who nearly capture his group. It is like watching his past rolling like a vision.

“I don’t know also. It all happened when we are under the dark spell of Demonica before. It brought out our deepest heart’s desires. Vlash’s affection towards Flora is brought out. Unbelievably Flora is also hiding affection towards him. I don’t know… this wedding might not happen after all.” Leo said unsure as to why he is opening up to Glovia.

“But you love her right?”

“I do, for a long time I thought I do not deserve to be love or to feel loved. Seems like every woman I’ll love they will either leave me or die. But when Flora came I tried to listen and give myself a chance to love. Now, I don’t know. I guess I will be all alone again.” He said as he tosses a wood into the fire.

“People are strange sometimes. They get easily confused by those who are standing around them. They will let go of the hand of the one who is beside them who love then deeply and they will tend to look around for something different. We question if is this really love? Is this person the one? In the end we are just confused and realized the answer when it’s all in the end.” Glovia said making Leo look at her.

Something feels oddly familiar to the way she is looking at him and her smile. Leo can’t point it out but this Glovia now feel so intimidating and strange. Is this how Glovia is and he never did get to notice her upon her return to the kingdom? He wonders… why she is giving him this certain feeling of calm and warmth. It is as if they were together for such a long time recently.

“So the problem now is Flora. She should find it in her heart and settle her emotions. Who among the two of you is the most important to her?” Glovia asks as she looks at him.

“What- What do you mean Glovia?” Leo asks making Glovia look at him then she smiles and shake her head.

“Nothing anyway we should get some rest. Tomorrow the people I contacted will meet us.” Glovia said as she stands and walk towards the side where some leaves are laid to be a bed.

Leo just watches her as she lay on the leaves and closes her eyes. Leo can’t really shake the thought off that Glovia have changed from his head. He wonders… how is Flora doing? Is she worried about him or she is just worried about Vlash? Leo takes a deep breath before he walks to the side and lay there still thinking.

“I should talk to Flora when we will return. I think it’s better for me to end us than to confuse her any farther.” He said with a heavy sigh.

Leo is awakened by one of the soldiers and he look around the place. Glovia is already fixing her ‘delph’ and she has changed her clothes.

“Oh you are awake; we should eat first our breakfast before we continue.” Glovia said smiling at Leo.

They continue riding until they came into the edge of the Village. They were met by some men who Glovia approached and talk to. The leader and Glovia walk toward Leo followed by 5 of his men.

“Leo this is Filipos, he leads this group that I contacted to spy for us. They will help us enter the village.” Glovia said.

“So you are Prince Leo, it’s nice to finally meet and get to see you. We have made some inspection in the village. Unfortunately the Lebron soldiers made that village as a slave trading place. They have 50 soldiers, 20 who can use magic really well. The leaders or the big 3 are the most threat for us, they can use magic really well, their powers are into the highest level and they are truly skilled in fighting. The villagers’ safety is our main priority. They must not be harmed. The village chief is lock into a prison cage so was the others who can fight back.” The leader beside Glovia said as he looks at Leo.

“I see we need to be very careful then. We should scout the areas for any possible escape road. Let’s separate for a while then we will meet on the village’s east area.” Leo said looking at his men then to the new companions who joined them.

“I’ll send a message to the king and queen. I’ll tell them what we have found out and to send some soldiers to back us up in case everything turns downhill.” Glovia said making Leo look at her.

The way she speaks is so familiar and it is giving him this certain chill. Leo just shake his head then look at Glovia who is holding now a white bird they call as ‘kostles’, they are like messenger birds with a size bigger as two heads together. They watch as she places a rolled paper into its feet then release it into the air.

“We should hurry and scout the place.” Glovia said as she faces them.

Everyone went to their assigned area. Glovia is with Leo and the leader of their new companions that named as Filipos. They are scouting the village and they can see those Lebron soldiers having fun as they walk into the village like someone who owns the whole world. The villagers are rattled and are being bullied. They see those slaves inside a cage right on the village’s market. Many traders from Lebron and other near kingdoms are there buying slaves and other personally produced products of the Autorie village.

“What should we do?” Filipos said looking at Leo and Glovia.

The suddenly look behind them when they heard someone laughs. They froze seeing 5 Lebron soldiers and one man looking so scary and have an intimidating aura.

“Tie them up!” the big man said as those soldiers behind him grab the three of them.

“How unlucky but…” Glovia said making Leo look at her the way she smirks cunningly reminds him of someone, now he finally remember whom Glovia resembles. It is Lana and Riri.

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Flora on the other hand is as worried as she walks back and forth in her room. She is worried about Leo, Vlash can take care of himself and she knows that he is stronger now. BUT, Leo on the other hand is in a great danger. The mission given to him is much too dangerous. Not to mention that Glovia girl is with Leo. Somehow that girl is making her feel so frustrated. She can clearly remember what she said the night before they left. That girl must be brave to say those words to her BUT… somehow she is right. She remembers how she approaches her on the hallway. The words she said hunted her.

“Flora if you are so tired loving Leo and being cold to him in this critical time of his life then better let him go. Do not tie him to you. If you haven’t yet noticed, the one tying your relationship is you. Even if Leo wants to let you go he won’t do any move just so not to hurt you. That is just how Leo is. Break things with him and tell him directly that you are choosing Vlash. You are just making him sadder than he already is all his life. I can make him happier than you do.”

Flora shakes her head remembering that girl’s harsh candid words. What will she do now that almost everyone seems to have noticed it? She also remembers what Lana said to her.

“That Glovia girl, she looks so nice and beautiful. She will be a great Queen. Looks like Leo also like her, she is so likable. I just met her just for a few days but I already like her. She is also really straight forward and true to herself. She told me that she loves Leo but she thought he will be happy with you. I really want to laugh when she said last night that Leo seems to be so sad and that she will make sure he will be happy once they return home.” Lana said laughing amusedly.

She really feels so frustrated just by remembering that. Why is she feeling like this? Is this what they call jealousy? She never had a conversation with Vlash in regards what they really feel? They both seem to be scared to hurt Leo but she knows that the more they take this longer the more Leo will get hurt. BUT, Vlash seems to be avoiding her and staying far from her. What do Vlash want her to do?

“Flora come quickly we just received a message form Glovia.”  Flora immediately looks at her room’s door when Lana suddenly peeks.

She pull her dress up and quickly follow Lana to the throne hall where she see the Queen looking at a man holding a ‘kostles’ and is bowing to the queen. Queen Veronica takes the rolled paper on the leg of the bird and unrolls the paper. They all tensely wait as the queen read the message and they all look as nervous when the queen’s face suddenly gloomed.

“What- What did it say?” The king asks as they look at the queen.

“We have a big problem. Leo and the others are in trouble. They have been captured and they might be killed.” The queen said making everyone gasps and shakes in worry.

Flora can’t shake it off but she feel so weak right now. She is so worried about Leo. She is about to ask the queen to send some men to help them when another soldier holding one ‘kostles’ enters the throne room.

“Your majesties, there is a message from Sir Vlashmere’s group.” The soldiers said making the king walk towards the soldier and take the rolled paper on the leg.

They all wait as the king to unroll the paper and read. He looks so shocked and is so worried.

“We have another problem. It seems like there are stronger monsters in the area where Vlash and the others are sent. Vlash and the others are trapped on a cave when the mountain erodes closing the entrance. They are trapped and they all need some help before they could suffocate and die.” The kings said making all of them froze.

“Wei is on a solo mission and we only have Lana and Flora to lead some soldiers to help them. Lana, Flora whom are you choosing to follow?” The queen said looking at Lana and Flora.

“I am sorry I can’t go in a rescue mission in my current condition. Apparently I drunk a potion I was experimenting and it make a toll in my body and magic. It will take days before my strength and magic returns. I think Flora must chose who she wants to rescue among Vlash and Leo. Wei will return tomorrow and can lead the second group to go save the other group. Luckily I and Wei invented a much faster teleportation potion to get there faster.” Lana said making Flora feel so worried now.

“That is so unfortunate. A day will make a difference to the two. Leo and the others might die and Vlash and his group might suffocate and die to. We need to hurry but we must send someone who can use magic. Flora, who will you go after first?” Demonica said looking at Flora.

Flora look at her hand and then to the bracelet given to Leo to her. Suddenly memories of her and him flooded her mind and to how happy they are. Flora sighs then look at them determined. She feels so sorry but she finally decided.

“You should go and prepare and I hope the goddess and the grand queen look after the others group while we wait for Wei.” King Levero said.

“I’ll contact Wei immediately so he can return as quickly as possible.” Lana said as Flora run to her room and prepare.

“I am so sorry. I have decided, it hurts and it will hurt him so much but… I love him so much that I can’t breathe knowing he is in danger.” Flora said looking at her reflection before taking her sword and walking towards the main court.

Flora walk towards Lana and the others as the king is instructing some soldiers who will go with her. Lana walks towards her and hand her a potion in a bottle.

“What is this?”

“That is a teleportation potion that I and Wei created. It will bring you all to the place where you are going in just seconds. Are- Are you really sure he is the one you are choosing? Your choice can be the death of the other. I know you love them both but… this choice of yours. Why?” Lana said looking at flora.

“Because I love him so much and I just realize that I can’t breathe and continue living without him. He made me who I am now and made me feel what love really is. The previous me that I hated so much he made me forget it and love my self now. I can’t live without him. I am sorry for… we have so many memories together and I really love him to but…”

“You can’t have both.”

“Yes, and I can’t love 2 together or I’ll end up hurting them and murdering myself. I guess this happened for a reason and that for me to finally know what my heart wants. It’s just that…” Flora looks at her hand.

Lana takes her hand and squeeze it tightly as she smiles at her.

“Don’t worry; we will do everything we can to go to save him. They will be fine. Now you must go or everything might be too late. Remember not to go hand on hand with the enemies. You might get in trouble and won’t be able to save them.” Lana said as Flora nods and they face those soldiers.

“Are you all ready?” Flora said to the soldiers going with her as they all answered yes.

Flora ride into one of the ‘delph’ and hold the rope tightly in her hand as she look down to Lana who reach her hand to her. Flora gives her the bottle of potion. They watch as Lana take the bottle then a stick appears in her hand. They watch as Lana creates a circle with all of them inside the circle. Then she pours the liquid potion on the white outline of the circle and it glows

“What is that?” Queen Veronica said.

“This is a teleportation Circle that I and Wei invented. This will bring them to that place faster and safely. Now the last part is the incantation.” Lana said as she closed her eyes and begins to whisper.

The ground inside the circle where Flora and the others is suddenly glowing like the sun making everyone covers their eyes.

“Good luck Flora and just tell him what you really feel.” Lana’s words are what Flora heard last before everything turned silent.

When they open their eyes they are now standing on a forest. Flora look at the soldiers behind her then take a deep breath.

“We must hurry before it’s too late.” She said as they ride their way to where the others are.