The four men ran towards Ronaldo and Francis, bowing with their foreheads on the ground. "Explain why you attacked my grandparents!" Ronaldo demanded.
"No, no, no, we didn't attack them. We were just robbing them," one of the men stammered.
In the background, a lady released an overflowing magic that made the flowers bloom. The four men felt the powerful aura and explained further. "We were running out of weapons and wanted to purchase some at the kingdom's weapon shop. But they didn't want us to buy because we are from the Sunshine Kingdom. Instead, they set the price higher than the original price and said they would sell it to us if we had money like that."
Ronaldo grabbed the man's collar, crying and yelling, "You! Don't you know what happened to my grandmother? She died because of you all!" Ronaldo was enraged. A glowing sword appeared in his left hand, but Francis quickly grabbed it to prevent him from killing the man. "Remember what Grandpa said not to do!"
Ronaldo calmed down. "Now, how can you bring my grandmother back to life?"
All four men bowed, even laying their bodies on the ground.
"Excuse me! I have a suggestion," a voice said.
Ronaldo looked at the lady. "Are you running a shop, right?"
"Yes," Ronaldo replied.
"Then I offer you these four to be your slaves and serve you and your grandfather for their lifetime." The four men were surprised and said in unison, "My la—"
A root slammed down, knocking the four men to the ground.
"Yes, back to where I was. I'm offering you these four fools as your servants. They will be with you and your grandfather as their punishment until they die. You can do whatever you want."
Ronaldo was shocked and hesitantly replied, "But…"
Francis cut him off. "Just accept it. Your grandfather told you it was an accident."
"Yes," the lady said, and both Ronaldo and Francis were shocked that she knew. "First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Queen Dorothea, the guardian of this forest from the Cardinal Tree."
Francis was confused. "Cardinal Tree?"
Queen Dorothea continued, "Yes. And you, Ronaldo, have been there and met Sir Zephyrus, haven't you?"
"Ah, ye-yes," Ronaldo replied.
Francis, who was left out of the conversation, asked, "What are you guys talking about?"
"I looked into the Mirror of Truth. What they did to your grandmother was this: she tried to hold on to the box where the money was and apparently stumbled on her own feet and fell. She hit the table, and you know what happened next. I have been waiting for them to return to punish them, but you came here earlier than I expected. I haven't even started their punishment. And nevertheless, it's my fault that I let my people take your loved one."
Queen Dorothea bowed elegantly, and so did all the villagers, for forgiveness.
"Hmm, it's alright. If that's what you want, I'll take them," Ronaldo said.
Queen Dorothea replied, "Yes, do as you please. But before that, can we talk before you depart?"
The villagers took the four men, and Dorothea led Ronaldo and Francis to a treehouse. They sat together as a diwata served them tea.
"What happened to you also happened to me. I was lost in the middle of the forest and eventually entered the forest where the Balete Tree is. I was just a little child back then, and Zephyrus, out of pity, took good care of me. While I was there, I managed to gain raw magic from the Cardinal Tree itself with Sir Zephyrus's guidance. Throughout my years staying there, that's how I can command the roots, and my magic is mainly flower enchantment. But Zephyrus was afraid that I would become stronger if I stayed there."
"Why?" Ronaldo asked.
"Because one time, there was a man who was also lost and ended up there. They became so close—a relationship that Zephyrus didn't think would happen, as Zephyrus is a primordial drakon, one of the cardinal drakons born just to protect the Cardinal Tree. But one day, the man he taught how to gain raw magic and create magic spells turned his back on Zephyrus. He just left without saying anything. Years later, he came back with thousands of soldiers. He was now the king of a kingdom—the very first king of the Kingdom of Creyd. They attacked the drakon, seeking to gain more power, and even planned to cut down the Cardinal Tree. But no one can ever defeat a primordial drakon, as they are one of the very structures of our world. They ended up losing, and the king whom Zephyrus cherished died in Zephyrus's flame. All of the soldiers died, but there was one who survived that catastrophic battle. He claimed himself as the second king of the Kingdom of Creyd. That's how they managed to seek out the secret of the Cardinal Tree, and throughout the years, they cut the outskirt roots of the tree. This forest we are in is the last standing trees coming from the main root of the Balete Cardinal Tree."
"That's why the kingdom didn't dare touch this forest, because they have you," Francis concluded.
"That's not the main reason, more likely because we let the beavermen build their dam at the Nozama River. Because of them, the water regulation is under control and cannot be spoiled."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Nice thoughts. Extend my regards to your mother, Antoinette."
"How do you know my mother?"
"Just ask her; she will be able to explain it to you."
Ronaldo intercepted, "Maybe we should go home now, Francis. Grandpa might be worrying about us. It's getting dark."
"No, it's not. It's still sunny on the outside. I let the flower petals grow when the sun hits them to cover us." Francis looked upward. "What? Is that a flower?"
"Woah, that's crazy," Ronaldo said.
"Yes, it is. Indeed, it might be better for you to leave now." Queen Dorothea snapped her fingers, and the four men instantly appeared. "Go on with these kids. Repay what you have done for all of your life, you fools! I told you not to do reckless actions!"
They bowed to their queen. "I'm sorry, my queen," they said in unison, and so did they to Ronaldo. "At your service, sir."
Ronaldo and Francis said their goodbyes to the queen of the Sunshine Kingdom.