Chapter 29: "Bright Torches on the Dark Shore"

Ely widened her eyes in shock. She was wrong when she thought that the old priestess would help her be with her husband again. And unfortunately, it's the reason why she chose to betray King Maro and agree to Prince Kaio's request to keep their brother's reappearance a secret. Everything's a mess because she intended to do everything for Adam to be alive and safe.

"My husband is here… So why should I go back to being alone? You have no idea… how it felt..."

"I am merely doing my job as the chosen priestess. I cannot sympathize with you," Priestess Diane explained, "Your mere existence is a curse to this nation, Elizabeth. Accept the fact that you and your husband are not meant to stay together forever."

"Adam and I… We swore in front of the altar that we're going to be together… 'til death do us part-"

"Child, your existence will disturb the balance of this world. There will be natural disasters, and according to my vision... soon, there will be war," the old woman sighed, and a distressed look on her face was shown, "But due to my old age and my limited magical ability, I can't make you return at the moment. You need to wait until I pass the Holy Priestess position to my apprentice."

"And… when is that?"

"In two months… You have two months to spend time with your husband."

Ely realized that it might be hard for her to go freely to Prince Kaio's palace because the King was being strict with her. "Looks like I need to be a good girl and gain the King's trust again…"

"I can already foresee what will happen to you," Priestess Diane told her in a serious expression, "You shall gain the King's trust, but in the process, you shall fall into a dark pit… and nobody can save you."

"A dark pit? What do you mean, Priestess?"

"It is a warning. Be careful of the King."

Soon after, the young priestess returned, and she also fetched Ely. At the end of the foggy street, she bid goodbye to the girl in white cloak, and both the girl and the path to the foggy street disappeared as if it was never there.

Ely hastily returned to the tent, and she still saw the King sleeping as he rested his head on the desk. She apologized to him in her mind, and proceeded to the makeshift, cushioned bed.

Her eyes suddenly felt tired, and so she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, with her husband's smiling face on her mind.

The next day, Ely opened her eyes in the carriage, and her head was resting on the King's shoulder. She was being embraced by him to prevent her from falling down the seat.

She lifted her head, and felt her stiff neck, making her place her hand on it. "Oww…"

"Oh, you're awake," King Maro uttered, "I tried to wake you up, you were in a deep sleep, so I carried you."

"Ah… I'm sorry, Your Highness," Ely sighed. She recalled what happened that night. Surely everything wasn't a dream, right?

Her body still felt heavy and her eyes were tired, probably because she stood in a holy place last night. She put her head on the King's shoulder once again and said, "I'm… still sleepy."

King Maro was pleased to see Ely relying on her, "Go to sleep. We still have a long journey ahead."

"Yes…" and Ely closed her eyes.

The King held her more tightly in his arms, and kissed the top of her head. He wanted her to be his Queen as soon as possible, even if it meant forcing her. In his mind, he thought that there was no reason for her to refuse… because her husband was already dead, and she had nowhere to go.

It was already nighttime when the group arrived at the palace. The new royal performers welcomed them in front of the King's palace, on the beach. Torches were lined up and rooted into the sand, giving light in the gloomy, dark shore.

Exactly when they arrived there, Ely awoke, and when she saw herself in the King's embrace, she quickly turned away.

"Uhm… Let's go?" she told him, and he nodded.

The two of them walked side by side, with Ely's hand on the King's arm. While King Maro looked straight ahead, Ely smiled at everyone with whom she met eyes with. Because of their seemingly opposite personalities, the people around them were puzzled how the two could get along, but they were also relieved to see someone like Ely in that dreary place, whose smile could light up their moods.

Huge grilled squids, spicy lamb steak, and roasted potatoes were served on the beach, and the tablecloths swayed as the cool breeze blew towards them. Ely and the King sat in front of each other in a dining area set up for them. They watched the royal performers group by group, as they ate dinner.

"Ely," the King uttered after sipping his white wine.

"Yes, Your Highness?" she asked, temporarily placing down her fork and knife on her plate.

"Let us start talking about our wedding."

Ely widened her eyes in shock, "Wed… wedding?!" she couldn't help but react loudly over it.

"Yes. OUR wedding, Elizabeth."

As Ely got trapped into the King's gaze, she was very nervous at the back of her mind. Whatever happens, she must not marry him. If this happened before she knew of her husband's situation, she might have accepted the King's proposal wholeheartedly.

But how could she refuse the ruthless King and escape safely to go to Prince Kaio's palace where her husband was hidden?

Leaving her with no other choice but to try, Ely said, "I don't want to get married… I'm so sorry."

"Ely. Did I hear it right? You rejected me once again?"

Ely saw the King's expression darken.

He suddenly looked at the royal performers in front. He grinned, then whispered something to one of the attendants. Soon after, Rainier went in front, and set up his congo drums.

"Your Highness… Why did you..." Ely was a bit terrified that the innocent young man was called. She was aware that he knew about him liking her, and she was afraid that he might do something about it.

The King did not say anything, instead, he smirked at her. "Now, where were we?" his gray eyes gazed at her ocean blue eyes, "Let us get married as soon as possible. You don't have any objections, do you?"

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