Liora paced back and forth in her room, her mind racing with thoughts of how to neutralize the dire situation she found herself in. She couldn't settle down—not for sleep, not even to sit still. Every attempt at calming herself only led to more unease.
"Maybe I should take a bath first," she muttered aloud, hoping that refreshing herself might spark an idea. With determination, she hurried to the bathroom, letting the cool water cascade over her body, especially her face and head.
Each droplet from the leaf-shaped showerhead seemed to whisper promises of clarity, offering solace to her troubled mind.
But even after the bath, inspiration eluded her. The soothing water did nothing to ease her anxiety. The wooden walls of her room offered no solutions, and the gentle swaying of flowers and leaves surrounding her seemed almost mocking, as if laughing at her helplessness.
Hours passed as Liora wracked her brain for answers, yet all she could think of was surrender—pleading for mercy from King Darius and his guards. Outside, Verdantia's sky began to yellow as the sun prepared to rest momentarily.
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled her. Her negative thoughts surged, fueling her fears. "Okay, this is it," she whispered nervously. "Are Elowen and I going to be executed outright? Or will there be some form of trial first?"
Before she could dwell further, a female attendant's voice called softly through the door. "Miss Liora, may I come in?"
"Y-yes, please do," Liora stammered, remaining rigidly seated at the edge of her bed. The door opened, and the attendant entered, bowing respectfully. "You are awaited in the royal dining hall. Dinner has been prepared, and I've been tasked with escorting you."
Liora nodded hesitantly, forcing a smile despite her inner turmoil. "Th-thank you so much." Internally, however, doubts gnawed at her. Is this a final feast before execution? she wondered grimly.
Accompanied by the attendant, Liora walked slowly toward the royal dining hall. Upon arrival, the attendant gestured for her to enter and take her seat at the table.
Two men, seemingly close in age to King Darius, greeted her warmly. One spoke up, inviting her to sit. "Good evening, Miss Liora. Please have a seat. We're still waiting for His Majesty."
Liora bowed slightly and responded, "Good evening, thank you very much," before settling into her chair, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. Meanwhile, the two men resumed their lively conversation.
Moments later, the guard announced the arrival of King Darius Verdantia. Everyone rose immediately, including Liora, who followed suit uncertainly. The king entered with regal authority, though his gait remained slightly limping—a reminder of Elowen's earlier antics.
His curly hair was neatly combed, adorned with a golden crown that accentuated his royal presence. Dressed elegantly in white with gold accents, he exuded majesty far beyond the disheveled man Liora had seen earlier.
Reaching his seat, the king gestured for everyone to sit. "Please, be seated. I can't wait to rest my weary legs!" he joked lightheartedly. To Liora's surprise, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed and welcoming, devoid of cruelty—for now, at least.
The king addressed Liora playfully. "I hope you've been treated well, Miss Liora. If not, feel free to complain directly to this gentleman here!" He pointed to one of the men, who promptly introduced himself with a slight bow.
"I am Zayn Okoro, royal advisor and head of palace security. Should our service fall short, please don't hesitate to inform me."
Liora smiled awkwardly. "Th-thank you so much. Everything has been more than sufficient."
The king then introduced the other man. "And this is Elder Amir Solanki, who will assist you during your stay here—aside from Elowen, of course." As he spoke, his gaze lingered on the entrance, hinting that someone else was expected.
Turning to Liora, he leaned in conspiratorially. "By the way, regarding Elowen… Has she behaved herself during your journey? No troublemakers bothering her, I hope?"
Caught off guard, Liora stuttered, "N-no, Your Majesty. She's been wonderful throughout—aside from her playful teasing, of course."
The king raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Teasing? Are you sure?"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty," Liora replied, managing a nervous smile. "I've experienced it firsthand."
Scratching his beard thoughtfully, the king appeared unconvinced. Before he could press further, Advisor Zayn interjected politely. "Your Majesty, shall we serve dinner? Our guest must be famished."
"Yes, yes, go ahead," the king replied absently.
With a snap of his fingers, Zayn signaled the servants, who swiftly brought out an extravagant spread of food. The sheer variety and quantity were staggering—enough to feed twenty people.
Vibrant colors, tantalizing aromas, and mouthwatering flavors filled the air. Meats, vegetables, fruits, and beverages competed for attention, each dish crafted to perfection. Even the drinks shimmered enticingly, promising both refreshment and depth to complement the meal.
Once the table was set, the king encouraged everyone to dig in. "Come now, let's eat! We'll talk once we're full."
Just as they were about to begin, the doors opened to reveal a stunning figure. A woman entered gracefully, exuding elegance and poise. Her dark, wavy hair framed her radiant complexion, enhanced by a flowing gown of deep green adorned with intricate golden motifs of leaves and flowers.
Liora's jaw dropped instinctively. She recognized this woman but struggled to reconcile her appearance with the image she knew. Whispering to herself, she murmured, "Is… is that Elowen?"
Elowen approached her seat between Liora and the king. As she prepared to sit, the king stood enthusiastically, arms wide open for an embrace. "Ah, finally joining us, my dear!"
Without acknowledging him, Elowen raised a hand to halt his advance. Awkwardly retracting his arms, the king chuckled nervously. "Alright, alright—you can just sit. No problem."
He turned back to the group, urging them to continue eating. "Go on, everyone, enjoy yourselves! Don't hold back."
The diners eagerly indulged in the sumptuous feast, savoring every bite and sip. Conversations occasionally broke out among the king and the two men, but Liora and Elowen remained silent, focusing solely on their meals.
Despite the lingering awkwardness, the pleasant night air of Verdantia provided a comforting backdrop to the otherwise tense moment.
After finishing dinner, Liora seized the opportunity to whisper to Elowen while the king was engaged in conversation with two other men present at the gathering.
"You look so different tonight—absolutely beautiful," Liora murmured softly. Elowen responded with a slight smile, teasingly asking, "So, all this time, did you think I was ugly?" Liora quickly shook her head, panicking as she realized that her words had been misinterpreted by Elowen.
Seeing Liora's flustered reaction, Elowen couldn't help but grin mischievously before whispering back, "I'm just joking. This kind of outfit isn't practical for battles or long journeys, which is why you've never seen me dressed like this, right?"
Smiling warmly, Liora took Elowen's hand and replied sincerely, "You've always been beautiful to me, Elowen—but in a different way, of course."
Playfully continuing their banter, Liora added, "If you dressed like this when we were in Windoria or Sanctora, I'm sure there would be a line of suitors waiting to propose to you."
With a playful smirk, Elowen lightly pinched Liora's thigh and retorted, "If that ever happens, I'll turn those men into frogs!" The two women burst into silent laughter, covering their mouths to stifle the sound so they wouldn't draw attention from the others around them.
Elowen then leaned closer and whispered again, "Are you okay if I leave early? There's something I need to take care of. You should rest for now—we can think about tomorrow's trial later."
Liora nodded in agreement, giving Elowen an understanding smile. With that, Elowen stood up and politely excused herself to the king and the two men who were still deep in conversation.
"Your Majesty, Advisor Zayn, Elder Amir—I must excuse myself. There's something urgent I need to attend to," she announced gracefully. Both Advisor Zayn and Elder Amir rose slightly, bowing respectfully.
The king also stood up, opening his arms wide as though intending to embrace Elowen, but once again, she raised her hand gently to stop him.
Chuckling awkwardly, the king lowered his arms and said, "Alright then, take care, my sweet one." Without acknowledging the king's affectionate remark further, Elowen walked away calmly .
Once Elowen exited the room, Advisor Zayn and Elder Amir followed suit. Turning to the king, Advisor Zayn expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. I must return to oversee the work of the palace servants and soldiers."
Similarly, Elder Amir bowed respectfully and stated, "I too bid farewell, Your Majesty. I have preparations to make at the Wood Temple for tomorrow." The king nodded graciously, gesturing toward the door. "Very well, gentlemen, please go ahead." With measured steps, both advisors left the room quietly.
To Liora's surprise, King Darius then turned to her and asked, "Miss Liora, may I speak with you privately? If you're not too tired, that is."
Caught off guard, Liora stammered slightly but managed to respond, "W-with me? Of course, Your Majesty." The king chuckled softly, saying, "Hohoho, then let us talk in the royal garden and enjoy the pleasant evening air."
Nodding respectfully, Liora replied, "As you wish, Your Majesty." Together, they made their way to the garden, with the king leading the way flanked by two guards, and Liora following closely behind.
Upon reaching the garden, the king instructed the guards to keep their distance. "You may wait here. Miss Liora and I will converse in the gazebo." The guards promptly assumed rigid positions near the entrance of the garden, allowing the king and Liora privacy.
As they walked slowly through the lush grounds, Liora felt her earlier nervousness melt away, replaced by awe at the breathtaking beauty surrounding her. Towering trees (though not nearly as grand as the Royal Tree), vibrant flowers in every color imaginable, koi ponds, and intricately designed fountains filled the space.
Everything appeared meticulously maintained, exuding freshness and serenity. Beneath their feet lay a path paved with smooth white pebbles, reminiscent of milk, perfectly arranged to harmonize with the environment.
As they approached the gazebo—a hexagonal structure crafted from pristine white wood—Liora noticed an inscription carved into the railing on one side. It read:
"Leaves may drift with the seasons, but they always remember the branch they once called home. So too should we cherish the roots that raised us, and the hands that held us through each storm." — Kael Verdantia.
Moved by the poetic sentiment, Liora traced the words with her eyes, feeling a warm smile spread across her face.
Sensing her admiration, King Darius remarked as he settled onto one of the seats within the gazebo, "Each king in Verdantia leaves behind a message for their successor. Over there, by the fountain, you'll find another carving from the third king:
'The Lord of Wood does not speak in thunder, but in leaf and wind. To hear Him, one must be still. To serve Him, one must grow. And to honor Him, one must protect what breathes and binds.' — Silas Verdantia."
He paused, pointing toward the engraved railing. "That particular inscription was created by my father. This place was his favorite spot in the entire kingdom."
"My family spent countless hours playing and sharing moments here. My father wasn't just a successful king—he was also a wonderful husband and father."
His expression softened as memories washed over him, blending happiness and sorrow. After a reflective pause, he continued, "Please sit down, Miss Liora. No need to stand on ceremony."
Obediently, Liora took a seat opposite the king. Adopting a more serious tone, King Darius began, "You've probably already noticed—and perhaps guessed—that my relationship with my daughter, Elowen, falls far short of the wisdom inscribed in these carvings."
"Unlike my father, I have failed miserably as a parent. That is why I am speaking to you now—not as a king, but as a father. But before I explain the purpose of our conversation, allow me to share a story from our family's past."
Liora nodded gently, offering the king an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, King Darius recounted a pivotal event from years ago. "This incident occurred during the Demon Race's invasion of the Kingdom of Mindhaven. At the time, Elowen was only thirteen years old."
"A few days before the attack, my wife, Elowen, her younger sister—who was five at the time—and I embarked on a journey. My destination was the Kingdom of Ironhelm, where a meeting was being held to unite forces and strategize against the Demon Race."
"However, my wife and daughters planned to visit Mindhaven, as my wife hailed from there and was deeply concerned about her parents, who served as advisors to the reigning king."
"Initially, Elowen was supposed to accompany them, but I insisted she join me instead. I wanted her to learn about politics, diplomacy, and negotiation between kingdoms."
"Back then, I never imagined the Demon Race would attack Mindhaven so soon after conquering Tempestia the previous year. Even if they did attack, I believed it would take months for them to breach Mindhaven's defenses—not because its military was strong, but because its people excelled in strategy and clever tactics that frustrated invaders."
King Darius paused, his voice heavy with emotion. "On the fourth day of the meeting in Ironhelm, a messenger arrived from Mindhaven, gravely wounded and covered in sweat."
"He informed us that the Demon Race was attacking his kingdom and urgently requested reinforcements. Shocked, I listened as Elowen pleaded hysterically to send troops immediately."
"Yet, at the time, the Human Race alliance didn't exist, and diplomatic negotiations remained unresolved due to ancestral policies set by the Ten Saints."
"As a king, I prioritized broader considerations over familial concerns. Within three days, the Demon Army reached the borders of Ironhelm. Everyone concluded that Mindhaven had fallen entirely—no survivors remained, much like other human kingdoms conquered before it."
Tears welled up in the king's eyes as he recounted the painful memory. Struggling to compose himself, he continued, "From that moment onward, Elowen changed. She avoided me constantly, growing colder and more sarcastic."
"Claiming she needed to focus on studying magic and training, coupled with my increasing responsibilities, we rarely interacted. Over time, I suspect her resentment toward me grew exponentially. When she turned eighteen, she fled to the Kingdom of Gritstone, becoming a disciple of one of the Six Great Mages and fighting on the front lines."
"Despite my repeated attempts to contact her via letters and visits, she ignored me completely. Perhaps during formal dinners hosted by other royal families, she tolerated my presence out of courtesy, but I doubt she forgave me."
Drying his tears, King Darius straightened his posture and addressed Liora earnestly. "After hearing from you how she has opened up to you, I humbly ask for your help, Miss Liora."
"Maybe if you explain things to her, she might finally understand. That is the main reason I wanted to speak with you tonight." His voice softened further. "I want to rebuild what little remains of our shattered family. Even if it's just the two of us, I want to succeed as a father, just as my own father did."
By now, tears had begun pooling in Liora's eyes as well. Bowing deeply to hide her emotions, she wiped her cheeks discreetly and promised, "I will do my best to speak with Elowen sincerely."
Overcome with gratitude, King Darius bowed in return, his voice trembling with sincerity. "Thank you so much, Miss Liora."
Though his dignity as a monarch remained intact, it was clear that the man bowing before her was simply a loving father desperate to reconnect with his estranged child .