ALMIGHTY YOU

CHAPTER 2: The enchanted forest

"Astra! Astra! Where has this young maiden gone? I instructed her to bring flowers; only the supreme being knows. Cecilia!"

"Yes, Mama," replied Cecilia.

"Where is your sister? I tasked her with fetching flowers to adorn your father's throne for today's meeting, yet she has vanished."

Cecilia, trying to hide her nervousness, responded, "Mama, you know her habits. She must be somewhere near the animals, playing with them. She has a deep affinity for nature, and once allowed near the forest, she engages with lions and tigers, chases deer, or fashions flower crowns for the birds."

Virani's eyes widened with concern. "Wait... wait, what do you mean by playing with lions and tigers?" Cecilia thought to herself, "Oops, I was not supposed to reveal that. Silly Cecilia! Astra warned me not to tell Mother about this. Now, both she and I are in trouble. How foolish, I am so foolish."

Cecilia, now stammering, replied, "Umm... umm... that, Mama... that is... umm..." She pondered, "Oh dear! How shall I reply? I am certain I am to face a double demise today-at my mother's hands, and my sister shall resurrect me only to perish again. Why, Aryana? Why do I not think before speaking?"

Virani's stern expression deepened. "Why do you stutter? If you keep silent, I shall summon the guards to retrieve her and unravel the mysteries concealed by you two sisters."

Virani called out, "Guards! Guards!"

The sentinels responded, "Yes, my lady."

Virani commanded, "Go and find Astra. Even if you need to drag her by the ear or force her, bring her back within 10 minutes. It's my order."

The guards affirmed, "Yes, my lady."

**In the Enchanted Forest...**

"Farewell, my friends. I shall return anon. If Mama finds out I was with you all, she is going to scold me severely," said Astra to the animals surrounding her.

"ROAAARRRRR... roarrr... roar..."

Astra declared, "Indeed! Indeed! I shall return, but refrain from hunting unless necessary. There is a need for balance; be virtuous."

Suddenly, she heard a distant call, "Princess! Princess, where are you?"

Astra lamented, "Oh, woe! Now those guards will see me in the company of these majestic creatures and betray me."

Astra cried out, "I am coming! Wait there." Alas, before she arrived, the guards had already reached her, standing amidst the lions and their cubs.

A guard, visibly uneasy, admonished, "Princess, why consort again with these perilous creatures? We warned you not to play with them, for they may pose a threat."

Astra defended, her voice a mix of frustration and affection, "Yet, they are my comrades."

The guard retorted, "My dear princess, you know that one's sustenance cannot be one's friend."

Astra, feeling a mix of exasperation and desperation, beseeched the guards, "I understand; I concede to your discourse on sustenance and prey. Yet, I implore you, keep silence before my mother, aye?"

The guard replied sternly, "Not this time, princess. Tomorrow marks your sixteenth year, and you are no longer a child. Furthermore, you disregarded our counsel despite your previous promise. We cannot permit you to persist in this perilous pursuit."

Astra, trying a different approach, pleaded, "Not even if I bestow upon you a flower crown crafted by my own hands?"

The guard stood firm, his tone unwavering, "Nay, princess. Not even if you present a flower crown wrought by your own hands or any other enticement, for naught shall dissuade us from informing your mother. When it concerns your safety, no bribes hold allure, for we love and care for you."

Astra sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "But... but..."

The guard concluded, his voice softening slightly, "No 'buts,' princess. Moreover, your sister has already disclosed to the queen the nature of your endeavours."

In her innermost thoughts, Astra lamented, "Cecilia, you are not to be spared. I warned you, yet you have betrayed me. Upon my return, you shall face my wrath."