Dawn was soon upon forest Tajmaé and the Nord nymphs had prepared the bonding ceremony of the High Maiden and her chosen price.

As it was prepared in a haste, the word was not spread amongst the clan but would only be revealed at the close of the blooming season.

Only a few trusted nymphs would be in attendance, this was according to the Lady Melissa’s wishes as the mastermind behind the assassination attempt was yet to be discovered.

In the quarters of the high maiden, her aides prepared her for the ceremony, while the high maiden stood before the floor length mirror, studying her reflection.

"This dress was made on the day of my crowning, it was meant to be worn when I found a bonded... three decades later, it is just as beautiful as when I first set eyes on it." Lady Melissa appraised, running a hand down the length of her dress.

"It is beautiful indeed, and My Lady is even more beautiful." A female nymph agreed with a warm smile.

Lady Melissa allowed a small smile as she patted down her hair.

"My Lady’s intended is yet to awaken." The female nymph said after a moment of quiet.

"He is stubborn and proud, I can say that much... this is for the best." Lady Melissa replied.

As Lady Melissa spoke, Timmon stepped into her quarters and she glanced over her shoulder.

"What word?" Lady Melissa asked.

"A message from the druid clan, My Lady." Timmon relayed, passing a note to Lady Melissa.

Lady Melissa took the note and read through it, her brows furrowing in annoyance before she scrunched it up in her fist.

The agitation that reflected on her face could not be missed but Lady Melissa was quick to hide it away.

"My Lady, the contents..." Timmon began to ask but was cut off by Lady Melissa. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"It is nothing, ignore it." Lady Melissa replied calmly, saying nothing of the contents of the letter.

"Very well, the ceremony is set." Timmon reported.

"Then escort my intended... with care and the regard deserving of my bonded." Lady Melissa ordered as she took one last look at the mirror before she strode out.

_______________

"No word?" Lord Farren asked uneasily as he leaned his weight on his cane.

A group of druid nymphs led by their clan leader had escorted Estelle to the nymph settlement across the lake from druid territory.

Now, they stood and awaited response from the high maiden of the Nord clan, a response that was taking far longer than expected.

The head guard shook his head slightly.

"None yet. Perhaps we should have just waited back in our settlement? Is it okay for us to barge into Nord settlement like this?" The head guard asked uncertainly.

Estelle clenched her fists in agitation, passing a dark glare to the head guard.

"If you will not go in, I will." Estelle made her stance clear, she had already come this far and she would not be heading back without Dante.

"It is already dawn and the tournament will begin once the sun is up, we must see the High Maiden and make our case before that."

"I am certain she would be understanding of our reasons." Lord Farren decided as he lead the way down the small hill they stood.

Estelle followed quickly behind as they made their way into the settlement of the Nord clan.

The moment they were within sight, guard nymphs hurried to stop their approach.

"High Master Farren, to what might we owe this sudden visit?" One of the guard nymphs asked in surprise.

"We have urgent word for the High Maiden and must see her in a haste." Lord Farren relayed.

"I will send word to the High Maiden at once, if you would wait in a cottage..." The guard nymph offered but Lord Farren shook his head in disagreement.

"Urgent means it cannot wait, young one. Escort me to your High Maiden, I am certain she would not turn away a kin." Lord Farren insisted.

The guard hesitated for a moment and just as Estelle contemplated shoving him out of the way, the guard stepped aside.

"Very well then, come with me. The High Maiden is by the lake with a few noble nymphs. I am not certain for what purpose but she ordered not go be disturbed."

"I hope Lord Farren would speak up for me if I were to get in trouble for this." The guard said, leading the way ahead.

"Surely, surely." Lord Farren assured.

The druid nymphs were guided into the Nord settlement and escorted to the lake.

Estelle felt a sense of urgency the closer they got, she had not felt settled since she had woken up to find Dante gone and she was all the more unsettled now.

They soon arrived at a clearing where it appeared a ceremony was being held and Estelle could already sense Dante’s presence.

As they got closer, Estelle realized what ceremony this was.

"Lady Melissa of the Nord clan has declared her intent to take this...man as a lifetime mate, to bear her mark and share her lifespan with."

"By our customs, Lady Melissa must now grant a strand of her magic to the human so they may be bound together." A voice announced.

Estelle’s eyes widened in horror and she shot forwards, shoving past Lord Farren and the guard who led them.

Estelle ran straight into the clearing where her gaze immediately found Dante, laid on bed of leaves while a woman dressed in long robes knelt by his side, a hand placed over his forehead.

In that moment, Estelle felt a rage unlike anything she had ever felt before surge through her veins and an intense, overwhelming urge to protect Dante just as he had done for her.

"How dare you touch him?! Step away from him this instant!" Estelle roared, storming over to the woman with a deadly fury shining in her eyes.