The Royal Mark-Chapter 182: Gaia, I Heard You!

Prince Drake marveled at the immense height of the Tree of Life, comprehending Elandir’s persistent urging for Elsa to remain in Qiryn until she regained consciousness. Yet, he grappled with the dilemma of entrusting his only niece to people he had just met today. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

’I need to return her home once we complete the mission to retrieve the necklace,’ Prince Drake contemplated silently.

Elandir observed Drake’s silent behavior, sensing that something occupied his thoughts. Breaking the silence, he inquired, "Tell me, Prince Drake, do you already have a suspect in mind regarding how Princess Elsa obtained the necklace?"

The question drew Drake’s attention away from his contemplation, and he responded, "No, but it belonged to her mother. Initially, we thought Hera took it when she fled, but it appears Elsa acquired it in Zemaria. We’re unsure if she found it in Hera’s room or if someone gave it to her."

"I’m inclined to believe someone gave it to her rather than her stumbling upon it in her mother’s room. This implies the presence of a witch in Rugengard Castle or at least someone colluding with the witch queen. Do you have anyone specific in mind?" Elandir asked, his tone tinged with sarcasm.

Drake retorted, "Prince Elandir, it’s just the two of us here. Why don’t you enlighten me on the perpetrator you suspect?" Despite already having an inkling of Elandir’s suspicion, Drake pressed on.

"Are you certain you’re prepared to hear that, Your Highness?" Elandir responded with a hint of caution.

"Absolutely. Who knows, it might aid our investigation later," Drake insisted.

"Your sister and your mother..." Elandir paused, gauging Prince Drake’s reaction. Much to his disappointment, the prince’s expression remained neutral, as if the revelation held little significance for him.

"Why would you suspect them? You don’t even know them," Drake remarked casually.

"You’re right; I may not know them personally, but I’ve heard a lot about them. Moreover, from an outsider’s perspective, if Princess Hera was treated as an outsider by the queen, being an illegitimate child, then what of her daughter who suddenly appeared out of nowhere?" Elandir reasoned.

To worsen matters for the first princess and the queen, the illegitimate granddaughter had already reached adulthood while in Novus and is the fated mate of the future King of Aracanis. This eliminated any chance for Princess Milda to become the future Queen of Aracanis or any kingdom, Elandir explained.

Drake frowned and inquired, "What do you mean by ’any kingdom’?"

"Well, for one, she will never be a queen here. I will never marry her. Also, not in Vrenada—King Stephan has no interest in marrying anyone from Zemaria. And, of course, King Allister would never betroth his daughter to King Mordrak or any of his people."

"Isn’t it peculiar that on the day Princess Hera ran away, someone attacked you and Archmage Nadezhda? How did those demons find you, and how were they able to enter Zemaria in the first place? Think about it. Someone with power in Zemaria must have been aiding them all this time. You’re the smart one, Prince Drake. I’m sure you’ll uncover the truth," Elandir urged.

Elandir brought his horse to a halt and remarked, "Oh, look at that, we’re here."

Prince Drake, deeply engrossed in his thoughts earlier, hadn’t noticed the expansive manor before them. "Elsa is in there?"

"Yes, why?" Elandir inquired.

"You said she was staying in a cabin. That ain’t a cabin. It’s a huge house or a small manor!" Prince Drake observed, examining the Tudor-style structure with a thatch roof. Flowering vines adorned its walls, an herb garden occupied one side, and a flower garden graced the other.

"My mistake then. We refer to this type of home as a cabin since it’s small and made of wood. Elves usually have large houses, and these are temporary residences for students provided by the kingdom. Let’s go inside," Elandir gestured for Drake to follow him.

Drake glanced around once more before entering. "Those flowers and herbs are the same ones we used to have in the castle. I didn’t know they also grow here."

"Do they? The healer planted them and is quite fond of them. No one is allowed to touch them, only her," Elandir explained.

Upon entering the room where Elsa lay, Drake’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "What the hell did you do to her?!" He rushed towards Elsa, intending to remove the catheter from her IV (intravenous) line, but a sudden gust of wind sliced across his hand, leaving a small, bleeding cut.

Elandir facepalmed while Drake scanned the room, searching for the unseen assailant. Spotting no one, he turned back to Elsa, determined to remove the IV’s catheter. However, Gaia gently held Drake’s arm with her mouth, halting his actions.

"Gaia, are you stopping me? Why?" Prince Drake asked in confusion, shooting a sour look at the dog.

"Because that is the only thing feeding her body while she’s sleeping, you idiot!" a woman’s voice retorted.

Prince Drake’s jaw dropped in astonishment. "Gaia, I heard you! You can speak to me!"

This time, Elandir covered his face with both hands, overwhelmed by a mix of humiliation and astonishment. He couldn’t believe that Drake’s perception was so dull that he felt embarrassed on the prince’s behalf.

"What an idiot... How can a dog speak to you? Are you Elsa? I was only gone for two years, and you’ve forgotten my voice?" the woman’s voice mocked.

Prince Drake turned around after Gaia released his arm, squinting at the person emerging from the dark storage room. As the woman stepped into the light, Drake covered his mouth, his other hand clenching his chest as if trying to hold his heart. Tears streamed down his face as he exclaimed, "Hera!"

Hera smirked and said, "Hello brother, did you miss me? But I think you didn’t since you have already forgotten my voice and mista– oh!"

Drake swiftly enveloped Hera tightly in his arms as he cried loudly like a child.