Chapter 232 Chapter 231
"I said no!" her father cried, hitting the table in frustration. He looked truly furious now. "I am not letting you go back!"
The anger in his eyes dimmed to reveal something much deeper. Regret. “I sent you once and it nearly destroyed you. I cannot do that again.”
"Ugh!..You're vexing!" Rayena cried, rising to her feet as she rushed out of the dining hall in hurried steps. Soraya watched her go, shocked.
Remeta held her chest, brows furrowed in concern.
"I'll go talk to her," Soraya offered, rising to her feet and following after Rayena. She met Rayena lying on the bed, shoulders trembling slightly as she sulked. Soraya let out a sigh, pulling her hair back behind her ears and went to join her on the bed.
Slowly reaching for her hair, she ran her hands through it. "You don't have to be so angry they refused. I think they just need more convincing."
Looking around the room, she added, "Maybe if you tell them what you told me, they might let you go."
"What's the use? They wouldn't understand." Rayena's voice came out muffled against the pillow.
"You don't know that. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to try," Soraya crooned, turning Rayena to face her. She gave the latter a small smile. "They are your parents. They just want the best for you."
"This is best for me, yet they are refusing it." She muttered, voice bitter.
"There's must be a reason why they're so adamant. Why don't you ask them again?"
Rayena scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Soraya has a point." A voice spoke, and they both turned to see Remeta standing at the doorway. "Did you perhaps stop to wonder there might be another reason for the rejection?"
"Were you eavesdropping?" Rayena asked, her voice tight.
"Not really," Remeta answered, walking slowly into the room. She joined them on the bed. "There's actually a reason why your father isn't letting you go back to the Shifter's realm. And it's not what you think it is. He made me promise not to tell you, but I believe you should know."
"What's happened?" Soraya asked, curious.
Remeta let out a breath, her gaze turning inward. "Well, there have been reports that armies from the Shifter realm have been plundering human kingdoms and taking loot."
"What?! That's strange." Soraya exclaimed, eyes widened.
"Indeed it is. The Shifter's realm, as we know it, never interferes with other surrounding kingdoms they aren't closely affiliated with. In fact, no one has heard from them in decades. So, why the sudden change?"
"Francis can't help but think something's wrong. He doesn't want to push you into fire," she said, holding Rayena's hands and squeezing them gently.
"I hope the actions of the army aren't posing a threat to this kingdom." Soraya asked, her voice filled with concern.
"That, I can't say. We're praying they don't come to us, and if you remain here, you can still be protected. That's why your father keeps refusing," she finished.
"Thank you for telling us this." Soraya said, glancing at Rayena who still wore a frown. "We never knew."
"I know. We didn't tell you either. Keep this a secret, will you? Your father mustn't know I told you two," she added with a light chuckle. Then her gaze turned serious. "Most importantly, be careful. I'll be going to Daviel now. He wants me to read him a bedtime story. Have a good night, girls."
The duo watched Remeta leave the room, closing the door softly after her.
"See? All the more reason we should head back," Rayena stated in a hushed voice, turning to Soraya. "Why is the Shifter's Realm suddenly doing this? I thought their borders were closed to outsiders?"
Soraya thought deeply for a moment. "You can still convince your parents to let us go back. It just might take more time due to the news we've heard."
Rayena crossed her arms, pouting deeply while averting her gaze. "Be patient, okay?" Soraya encouraged.
Over the next few days, Rayena tried to make her father see reason on why he should let them return, but he held his stance, refusing her request at every turn. He seemed adamant about letting her stay. Eventually, she gave up trying to convince her parents and secretly told Soraya to prepare anyway.
"If we have to sneak out of this kingdom, I will. Whatever happens, I have to get back to the Shifter's Realm."
Seeing Rayena was resolute about leaving, Soraya gave up trying to dissuade her from her plans and started preparing for their stealth mission out of Westfall.
Two weeks later, while Rayena was helping her father in the study to sort out reports, a soldier came barging in, out of breath.
"What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?" her father asked the soldier, a brow raised.
"Your Majesty, the Shifter's army is here! They have the entire kingdom surrounded!" he cried, and a stunned silence fell over the room.
Rayena exchanged glances with her father, who had already turned pale. "What did you say?" she asked, in a surprisingly steady tone, walking forward.
"The werewolf army is here, Your Highness. They have the kingdom surrounded and are demanding to see you."
Her father threw his hands into the air, truly frightened.
"For goodness' sake! What do they want?!"
"Take me to them," Rayena heard herself say, stunned by how calm her voice sounded. Surprisingly, she felt no fear.
"What are you saying? Are you crazy?!" her father cried beside her. "What do you mean you want to see them?!"
"This is what you've been afraid of, isn't it? We can't afford to waste any time. If they are here, we need to see them before they do anything drastic." She turned to the soldier. "Take me to them," she repeated, voice firmer.
The soldier instantly complied, leading Rayena out of the castle in hurried steps. Soraya spotted her while she was playing with Daviel and instantly excused herself, joining her.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" she asked as she fell into step with her.
"The werewolf army is here. We want to see them and ask what they want."
Soraya gasped. "What?! So soon?" But still, she followed.
They entered a carriage and sped toward the borders of their kingdom. Climbing the kingdom walls, Rayena saw the large number of men gathered. The sight both terrified and unnerved her.
Thankfully, none of them had tried to breach the walls just yet. She reached the top, facing down at the lone soldier who stood in front—perhaps the commander.
Her chest tightened when she saw it wasn't Morvan. This person wasn't anyone she knew. Not that she knew many people while she was in the Shifter's Realm.
She looked down and addressed them loudly. "Which one of you here is the commander of this great army?"
"That would be me!" the man in the forefront answered, looking up at her.
"And if I may ask, what brings you to Westfall?!"