Chapter 41

When I wake up the next morning, Axe has already left the bed, but he did leave a Mystiflora, which was one of my favorite flowers that I discovered during our honeymoon. Its petals shimmer in different colors and emit a soft glow, adding to their otherworldly nature. They rest on the pillow next to my head, along with a short note saying that he will see me later today. I stretch fully before getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. 

Alessandra knocks on the door before breezing into the room, followed by a servant carrying a breakfast tray. She squeals loudly before rushing over to embrace me.

"I wanted to visit with you yesterday. Axe told me that you would be busy, so I waited to let you rest" 

"I'm glad you came to see me; I missed you" I tell her as I take a seat at the small table. 

"I heard some rather interesting gossip about you and those magical powers of yours" 

I groan loudly "Oh no, what did you hear!?" 

"Do not take it that way, it was more that they were speaking in awe of your ability to control the natural elements" 

"Well, I wouldn't say I was that good" I frown.

"Hm, I beg to differ. I hear you are a natural" she says, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Natural may be pushing it. I almost lit the tent on fire" I say, laughing.

"You think that is bad. I lit his robes on fire the first time I tried. The poor man was running from the tent, screaming and yelling that I had lit him on fire. He had to roll on the ground until a water master could put out the fire" Alessandra's eyes shine bright while she tells me this.

"You enjoyed the mayhem, didn't you?" I cackle. "I can imagine master Zepyrus now, doing the stop, drop, and roll" we both laugh until we have tears running down our faces.

"Yes, well, he refused to teach me after that. Something about me possibly killing him. I think he was just being dramatic," she says, waving her hand in the air. and snorts. Of course Alessandra could look elegant while snorting.

"Anyways, I came to ask you if you would like to visit with the village children today? They are gathering to play games in the town square. I even occasionally enjoy playing as well."

I perked up at this suggestion: "Let's do it! I've been waiting to get out and start meeting the town people more. I know some of them have been wary of me"

"I would not take it to personally. Besides, I have not mentioned this, but you are glowing significantly more than when you left" she says, looking at me very puzzled.

"I don't know if Axe told you but, oddly enough, every time I had to use my magic I felt a crack in my proverbial shell" I gesture to my skin.

"No, he did not tell me. Leave it to a man to never give you the full story" 

"I'll explain everything in the carriage" I tell her, tugging on her hand to follow me out of the room. By the time we make it to town, Alessandra is wide eyed, her mouth open, forming a perfect O of shock. 

"Then, when I thought I almost saw his face, he disappeared," I  finish telling her.

"Incredible. And you are sure it is a Fae male?" 

"Very certain. I saw more of him than he wanted me to see. I felt his anger rise the moment he realized he was losing the battle against my touch" 

"Interesting, so that means, we have a murderer running the halls of the castle" she sits back against the seat, deep in thought. "I do not know what is worse, finding out who he is or never knowing"

"I'm going to find out who he is. One thing he didn't realize is that I memorized every detail of his aura. Once I'm in close proximity with him, it's over"

"Does Axe know you are trying to put yourself in danger?"

*Yes, Velvet, did you really think I would not know?* 

*Shut up and get out of my head* I mentally stuck my tongue out at him. With a laugh and a soft touch against my face, he goes quiet again. 

"I do not think it is wise to seek this man out on your own. If anything, I would strongly caution you against it" 

"Don't worry, he's more than aware of what I'm thinking" I pout. 

"Is he listening?"

"He's always listening!" I say.

Alessandra laughs at this "Well, I guess my fears are baseless. We are here" she says, looking out the window. 

When we come to a complete stop, we both climb down from the carriage to an assembly of well over 100 children.

"I didn't know so many would be here!" 

"This is not all of them. The older children stay at home to help the household" 

The large group of children gathers around Alessandra and I, tugging on our clothes and smiling up at us. It's hard to hear anything over the chatter of so many children. Alessandra whistles loudly, gaining their attention. I stand next to her as all the little eyes are focused on us.

"I would like to introduce you to Queen Velvet. Please make your Queen feel welcome" she states loudly. 

A chorus of voices starts welcoming me; I bend down and greet as many of the children as I can. Each of them with their pointed faces  

Alessandra suddenly claps her hands "Who is ready to start the games!"

They all start to cheer loudly, and I can't help but smile at their enthusiasm. 

"You all have gathered together to play a game that has been passed down through generations, a game that tests your agility and your wits" Alessandra announces. 

"Please explain the rules to me before we start" 

"The game is called 'Dragon's Lair,' and it is a game of chase and capture. One child will be designated as the dragon, while the others will be the brave knights who sought to defeat it. The dragon will start at the edge of the village, crouching low and growling menacingly. The knights will start at the center of the village, weapons at the ready"

"Okay! I think I'm ready to play!"

At the sound of the horn, the designated dragon starts to charge towards the knights, its massive wings flapping in the wind. The knights start  to scatter, dodging and weaving to avoid its fiery breath and deadly claws. The dragon chases the knights through the town, leaping over fences and bounding through fields. The knights attempt to capture the dragon by luring it into a trap or cornering it with their pretend weapons.

The games continued until the dragon was either captured or until the horn sounded again, signaling the end of the game. The children all begin cheering and laughing, patting each other on the back for their bravery and skill. 

The next game was called "Fairy Hunt," and it was a game of skill and cunning. One child would be chosen as the fairy, and the others would be the hunters.

The fairy would hide somewhere in the meadow, using her magic to blend in with the flowers and leaves. The hunters would have to find her by following a series of clues that she had left for them.

The clues were hidden in the flowers and trees, written in a language that only the hunters could decipher. They had to work together to find each clue, solving riddles and puzzles along the way.

As they moved through the meadow, the hunters kept a sharp eye out for any signs of the fairy. They listened for the sound of her wings or the rustle of leaves as she moved through the trees.

Finally, after a long hunt, the hunters found the fairy hiding in a patch of clover. The little girl who played the fairy smiled mischievously, congratulating them on their victory. The children cheered and hugged each other, exhilarated by the excitement of the game. 

Exhausted, I squatted down in the field. The sun was high in the sky, so I could tell it was around noon. 

"Should we invite them all back to the castle for lunch?" I ask Alessandra.

"Velvet, that is a great idea!" She turns towards the children: "We will be hosting lunch at the castle. Please go and ask your parents, and we will wait for the next 15 minutes to escort you back to the castle. The children cheer, then scatter. Over the next 15 minutes, half of them come back. 

Alessandra and I opt to walk back with them while the carriage follows behind the lot of us. I end up with one of the smaller children, who told me her name was Auroriel. She's a small child with golden ringlets in her hair and big brown eyes. She grabs my hand and peppers me with questions about the human world. I try to answer her honestly while also keeping the magic of another realm. 

When we enter the garden area, the castle staff starts arranging tables and chairs for all of our little guests. 

"Cook, I know you're going to kill me, but we invited the children back for lunch" I give him my prettiest smile.

He half glares at me "Fine, but you owe me!" 

"Don't worry, I won't forget" I say, closing the kitchen door behind me.

I take a seat, and Auroriel finds her way over to me. She sits down and smiles up at me. 

"I'm really glad your parents let you attend," I tell her, pulling on one of her curls.

I immediately notice that her face shutters: "Oh, I do not have parents. I live at the orphanage."

My heart constricts as I look at her small face. "You know," I whisper down to her, "I also grew up in an orphanage."

"You did?" she peers up at me.

"Oh yes, I lived there until I was old enough to be on my own. I know how hard it is to be alone"

She nods her little head in agreement, and picks up the sandwich they placed in front of her. My heart beats hard in my chest. 

When lunch is over and the servants start to round the children up, Auroriel turns towards me and asks, "Promise you will visit me?"

"Of course I will" I get that familiar ache in my chest as I watch her walk away.