The Royal Mark-Chapter 60: My Granddaughter

King Allister let out a weary sigh and motioned for Elsa and Chris to find seats. "If that’s what you wish, please have a seat. Prince Christopher is soon to become a part of our family, so I see no issue with your request," he said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Elsa replied as she took a seat beside the king.

"I’ve summoned you here to learn the details of what transpired. We find it hard to trust you immediately when we remain unaware of our daughter’s whereabouts since she ran away. Therefore, kindly provide us with an explanation," King Allister began.

Elsa closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, shifting her gaze toward Chris, who nodded and offered a subtle smile, indicating that it was acceptable to proceed.

Elsa began to reminisce about her earliest memory of Hera, the day she returned home from kindergarten...

"Mommy..." A six-year-old Elsa came home, her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh dear, what happened? Why are you crying?" Hera asked, cradling Elsa on her lap and gently wiping away her tears.

"What does ’bastard’ mean? My classmates called me that, and they all started laughing at me. Some even pushed me and called me a weirdo when I told them about my dreams," Elsa confided in her mother.

Hera sighed and embraced her little girl tightly. "That’s not true. ’Bastard’ means you don’t have a father, but remember, I told you he’s in another place. Someday, you’ll get to see him, and he loves you very much, I’m sure of it."

Elsa dried her tears and looked up at Hera. "Mommy, is Daddy’s name Morgan? My classmate said her mommy used her daddy’s name before she was born. And if Daddy’s name is Morgan then it means that I am not a ’bastard’."

"The place where your daddy comes from doesn’t have family names, so I used my mom’s family name."

"Did your mommy use your daddy’s name too?" Elsa asked in confusion.

"No, she didn’t. But my daddy is a king, and his family name is Van der Aart. I want you to remember that name, Elsa, but remember, it’s our little secret, okay?" Hera smiled, and Elsa happily nodded. The previous tears in her eyes were replaced with adorable smiles.

Elsa’s lips curled into a half-smile as she recalled these seemingly ordinary conversations that now held a special place in her heart.

"Did she reveal your father’s identity to you?" Prince Drake inquired.

"She didn’t mention his name, but she described him as someone powerful; someone who is difficult to vanquish," Elsa responded, stealing a brief glance at Chris.

"You mentioned that she stripped you of your powers, and that was the reason for her death. However, according to Prince Christopher, you possess divine abilities, and fire is your elemental affinity. Is that accurate?" King Allister questioned.

"And I assume that everyone present will only accept my claims of being a divine mage and the daughter of Princess Hera if I provide proof?" Elsa inquired.

"My dear, I believe you. Nonetheless, you must understand that anyone can assert to be Hera’s offspring, but they can’t fake divine magic. Currently, I am the sole possessor of such power in Zemaria," Mistress Valeria asserted.

"Hmm, so those mages are still sleeping, then?" Elsa pondered.

"What mages?" Queen Irina inquired.

Elsa furrowed her brow and gauged the reactions of those present. She thought, ’It seems that only my mother is aware of them. Perhaps my father informed her, or perhaps her grandmother.’

"Nothing, it’s just that my memories got a bit jumbled. Regardless, I can show my connection to Princess Hera Van der Aart," Elsa said as she stood up and turned to the king. "Your Majesty, may I request that you extend your arm to me?"

King Allister didn’t hesitate and promptly offered his arm to Elsa.

!!!

"Aw!"

Gasps filled the room as everyone reacted in surprise. Queen Irina and Prince Andrius stood up... Princess Milda covered her mouth with both hands... The rest remained seated, calmly observing as Elsa delicately used a table knife to make a shallow cut on the king’s arm, allowing his blood to trickle down. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Elsa maintained her focus on the King as she hovered her hands over his bleeding arm, initiating the process of healing. Her palms emitted a soft, yellowish glow, and a satisfied smirk appeared on King Allister’s face. Slowly but surely, the wound on his arm began to shrink, becoming smaller and smaller until it vanished entirely.

"Haha! I knew you were my granddaughter!" King Allister exclaimed, abruptly standing up and embracing Elsa tightly. This joyful display left Elsa somewhat breathless, and she struggled to free herself from the king’s enthusiastic hug, as he had become elated despite having harbored doubts about her identity just the previous night. Mistress Valeria wore a sour expression as she watched the unfolding scene and looked at the king, who had expressed skepticism about Elsa last night.

King Allister released Elsa and with full enthusiasm said, "What ’Your Majesty’? Call me grandfather! I will get you the best fire mage teacher in the whole Vectus Mundus and–"

Elsa cut off the king once more, "That’s not enough, though..."

"Do you want to learn other skills too? Archery perhaps?" King Allister gestured for Elsa to take a seat once more.

Elsa glanced at Chris as if seeking approval before she answered the king. "That would be lovely, but I also need a teacher for the other elements. Or maybe perhaps someone who can teach me all four would be better."

The members of the royal family looked at each other while frowning. Elsa watched their confused faces as if she had said something unbelievable.

"Did I say something wrong? If I offended you, I do apologize. I would take one teacher for each element then. I have no complaints about that and I really appreciate it," Elsa said.

"That’s not it dear..." Valeria patted King Allister’s hand silently telling him that she got it. "A divine mage like us can only learn one element. Mine, your mother’s, and my mother’s element are all air. I know that yours is fire... May I know who taught you that?"

Elsa furrowed her brows and tilted her head, "Was it supposed to be taught? I got them all when I turned thirteen."

"All? What do you mean all, dear?" Valeria asked.

"I got all the four elements."

The listeners gasped for they could not believe what she just said.

"Maybe she hit her head or something. What she is claiming is absurd! No one can learn all the elements. Only the children of the heavens can have that and that is not even true, it’s a legend!" Queen Irina exclaimed.

"But it’s true! Let me call them so everyone can see..." Elsa then turned to Chris. "Where are Ciel and the others?"

"I will call them." Chris stepped out of the assembly hall to fetch Elsa’s dogs.