Chapter 8: The human realm(2)

LUANA’S POV

I sensed a very dark aura coming from inside the palace.

“There's a wizard inside the palace,” I told the king.

He nodded. “I sensed it too”

He turned to king Aldof. “Is there a visitor or a new person in the palace? Perhaps a new staff?”

King Aldof shook his head. “Because of the strange incidents, we even lost some of our staff and couldn't recruit new ones. There's no one new, none that I know of. Why do you ask?”

His worried face returned.

“Nothing to worry about. Just wanted to make sure no one foreign is in your household.” The King assured him.

He heaved a sigh of relief. “Alright. Please come in, you must be tired”

We entered the palace and everyone seemed happy.

“I had told them that a great doctor was coming to save us from the plague. The air had made some of us sick, and we didn't have enough clean water to go round. Some that even drank the water were having weird hallucinations”. The King then stopped in his tracks and turned to King Riccardo. “They're thankful to you. Thank you” He smiled.

“Don't mention it. How's Lavina and Seraphina?” King Riccardo asked.

“They're doing fine. Seraphina was a little ill but she's fine now though she still needs monitoring”

“Agreed,” King Riccardo nodded. “I'll check on her”

“Please do”.

The king turned to me with a gentle smile. I bowed.

“Your highness”

“Hello dear. I haven't seen you before, we'll because Riccardo only goes with Harry anywhere” He chuckled. “Ah! You must be his girlfriend”

I nearly choked on my spit.

“I'm not his girlfriend!”

“She's not my girlfriend!”

We both said at the same time. Startling each other. Though I was the only one who shouted.

King Aldof laughed.

“You two look like you got off on a rocky start”

“She's my servant. She's just really helpful that's why I brought her along”.

I rolled my eyes.

“I see. Well you're welcome as well dear. Please this way”.

He gestured towards a room down the hallway. It was a bright pink colorful room with flower petals decorated on the wall. He must have a daughter.

“Papa?”

A little girl, no more than four or five years old, lay in bed. Her hair was blonde and her eyes dark brown. Another lady sat on the edge of the bed. She had brown hair but had the same colour of eyes as the child. Must be her mother.

“Hey darling. Do you feel better now?”

The king asked, caressing her head.

“Yes, I feel much better now. The air is clearer and feels fresh. But mama says I still need to stay in bed” She pouted, her flushed cheeks puffing up. She was too cute.

“Your mother is just really worried about you. Just stay for a little while okay?”

“Okay papa”

Her smile warmed my heart. A smile tugged at my lips.

“Hey princess” King Riccardo walked towards the bed side.

“Uncle Riccardo!”

She smiled as the king ruffled her hair and playfully pinched her nose. I've never seen this side of him.

The king turned to the woman sitting at the edge of the bed.

“Lavina” He bowed lightly.

“Riccardo. Thank you for coming”

Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. She was beautiful and graceful in every way.

“I wouldn't miss seeing Seraphina for anything”. He winked at the princess, making her giggle.

“Who's the pretty lady?” The little girl turned to me.

Before King Riccardo could speak, king Aldof spoke, “She's a friend of your Uncle, darling.”

King Riccardo raised a brow at the king, but he didn't pay him any attention.

I walked towards them, and bowed.

“My queen”

She gave me a gentle smile and nodded.

Then I turned towards the princess.

“Hi princess. I'm Luana. What's your name?”

“Seraphina”.

“That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl”. With my hands behind my back, I created a Rose flower and presented it to her.

“It's pretty. Thank you Luana!”

She smiled so brightly her dimples were pronounced.

I couldn't help smiling back. She was too cute. I caught King Riccardo looking at me but I looked away.

“You guys must be tired, come, I'll have the guards escort you to your various rooms. We have a celebration tonight. So you must rest well.”

I bowed.

“Thank you for your hospitality your highness”

“Don't mention it. You're a guest here. Please, feel at home. Shall we?”

\~~~~~~~~

I couldn't sense the wizard’s presence anymore, and it worried me. What could a wizard be doing in the human realm and what could they want? My mind immediately went to Seraphina.

I needed to speak with the king. As I was about to open my room door, a knock came and it was him. The King. Perfect timing.

“The Wizard could still be around somewhere, even though we can't sense them anymore. We have to be careful” He said in a hushed tone, even though he was inside the room and I had closed the door.

I nodded.

“Agreed”

“I also want to ask you to guard Seraphina. I'll talk to her father”.

“I was about to ask you the same thing..whether I could guard her. I have a feeling the wizard might be after the royal family”

She was so young. Anything could happen.

His face softened, “Thank you for looking out for her” his voice was low. He must really care for her.

“We'll have to have our eyes on them at the party. Any weird movement from anyone report to me, and vice versa”

“Yes sire”.

Whatever the wizard was planning, my gut told me it wasn't good.

\~~~~~~

I stood in front of the large sized mirror in the room. I was almost ready for the party that was supposed to commence in five minutes.

I wore a Black and white off-shoulder mermaid gown with elbow length black satin skin tight gloves.

My hair was in a sleek high bun with two framing tendrils. I decorated the hair with silver pins on each side of my head. I applied only red lipstick and mascara. I was satisfied with the way I looked.

The king had organized this party to celebrate the recovery of the land. Farmers, traders, bakers and all common folk were invited. They all looked happy and thankful.

I could tell king Aldof was a great king. I had my eyes on the little princess as I sipped my wine in the corner of the room. She was with her mother. Thank the stars.

I had come to the human realm once. But I didn't stay long. It was so funny how they portrayed witches. Us flying on brooms? It was hilarious.

We were stories told to scare children when they misbehaved. Though they were nice people. I even made a friend. A really nice fellow.

“Ana?. Is that you?”

Only one person calls me by that nickname. I turned, my heart pounding. It was him. My human friend.

“Enzo?!”