The Royal Mark-Chapter 145: Suited to Be a Queen

Elsa began sharing a portion of her mana with Gaia, and Rylie observed with satisfaction how skillfully their princess managed the mana transfer to her canine companion. Watching Elsa in action, Rylie couldn’t help but admire her quick learning abilities and the large size of her mana pool. ’She’s truly suited to be a queen,’ Rylie reflected while keeping a close eye on Elsa and Gaia.

[I think I got what I needed. You can stop now,] Gaia said.

"How do you feel, Your Highness?" Rylie asked after Elsa.

"I feel ordinary except for a bit of fatigue like I’ve just run for a few minutes," Elsa responded.

’I knew it! Her mana pool is truly vast. Most mages would be extremely exhausted with the amount she gave,’ Rylie thought. "That’s a normal sensation. All you need is some rest, and you’ll feel better again."

Gaia immediately began tracking Chris and his group, sniffing both the ground and vegetation in the surrounding area.

Arla whispered to Laureen, "Aren’t werewolves supposed to have a powerful sense of smell? Don’t you smell anything?"

"Lexi and I don’t detect anything related to the prince; the witches could have masked their scent," Laureen answered.

Their group had to take several breaks since the humans had less stamina than Laureen, Lexi, and Elsa’s dogs, especially Elsa, who was not trained for such a mission.

It was already noon, and the sun shone brightly over their head, yet they needed to stop once more for a meal and some refreshments.

"Your Highness, you must eat. You won’t regain your full strength if you’re hungry," Rylie remarked, observing Elsa practicing her fireball instead of having a meal.

Rylie located a river and used her water magic to assist the group in catching some fish for everyone. Baahu and Kaizer constructed a firepit to cook their catch. They had been in a rush when Elsa summoned them, and they hadn’t been able to pack any food.

"I’m not hungry; I need to practice. I must be prepared for when the time comes," Elsa responded, not sparing a glance at Rylie.

Rylie sighed and was about to turn around when Gaia blocked her way.

[Elsa, eat what they are offering you. I can smell a faint scent of your husband, we are almost there,] Gaia told Elsa.

Elsa nodded and took the fish that was wrapped in leaves from Rylie and ate all of it.

’I wonder what Gaia told her to change her mind,’ Rylie thought.

"Come here, you should eat too," Kaizer told his wife, Rylie. "When we arrive at where the prince is, I want you to stay by the princess’ side. Do not attack anyone unless absolutely necessary. You should be extra careful. Do you understand?"

Rylie smiled at her protective husband and nodded in agreement.

"Are you two trying to conceive?" Laureen asked bluntly.

Rylie smiled shyly and replied, "Yes we are. We got married last year and we decided to have our first child just a few months ago."

"I see. Well, you are not pregnant yet so you can still be rowdy," Laureen casually remarked.

"How did you know she’s not pregnant yet?" Elsa who just joined the group asked out of curiosity.

"Simple, us werewolves have super hearing and I can’t hear any heartbeat yet from her except hers, right Lexi?"

"Yes, you too, Your Highness, you are not pregnant yet so that’s one less worry for you in case you need to fight," Lexi said.

"That’s good to know. I can go all out once I face those bastards." Elsa then closed her eyes remembering what her grandmother said... She has to remain calm.

Lexi suddenly stood up, "Hide everything, someone is coming."

Baahu quickly covered the firepit with dirt and soil by casting an earth spell, while Arla used her power to manipulate the bushes and vines around them to hide the things they used. The place was instantly transformed as if no one was there but wildlife.

Everyone hides behind trees and bushes as they wait for what is coming.

Rylie and Dasher worked together to mask their presence by using water to shield them and reflect their surrounding like a mirror does, giving a stealth effect. Dasher manipulated the direction of the wind to keep their scent away from the incoming group.

’Relax princess, your heartbeat is too fast. If they have a werewolf with them, they’ll be able to hear your heartbeat and they’ll be able to identify you as human and not as one of the animals in the area,’ Laureen informed Elsa.

’I know! And I am really trying,’ Elsa said with annoyance in her tone.

’Gaia, is Chris with the incoming group?’ Elsa asked impatiently.

Gaia raised her snout and smelled the air but it didn’t work. She made her nose touch the ground but still didn’t work. [I am not sure, it’s as if something is blocking me.]

Elsa clenched her fists, she felt so helpless that all she could do was hide and wait for the incoming groups to see who they were.

[Calm down your emotions are in chaos, they are all over the place,] Ciel called out.

Elsa closed her eyes and did a breathing exercise to clear her head and soothe her growing rage. And once again she was able to block everything out and just focused on her breathing and started counting in her mind to keep her focus on herself and prevent her mind from drifting to Chris and his situation.

She was doing it so perfectly that she was unaware that she was already meditating and entered into a trance.

[Elsa, it is time.]

She heard a familiar voice but at the same time a different one.

’Nuri?’ she asked, unsure if it was really her dog’s voice.

[Call for me when you are ready. I am ready to unite with you.]

’I don’t understand. What do you mean?’

[It will all make sense when you call me back into you. You have reached this place where your mind, heart, and soul connect as one... We were once one... You are I, and I was you... I am ready to be one with you, as you are ready to be one with me... You will soon see...]

’Nuri! Wait, what is happening? I don’t feel good... I feel warm... My body is hot!’ Elsa shrieked in panic.

[Call for me, Elsa. Call my name!"]