Air Kingdom

Chapter 26-Ice Cream

Serena's parents dashed towards us, obeying their master's orders. Emily suddenly released me and headed towards Eleanor, slightly stumbling as she unsheathed her sword. It was like the last half an hour was a mirage. She showed almost no sign of having a headache and the only indication of that was the little uneasiness on he legs. Even that was barely noticeable as she evaded every attack from Eleanor.

I was so caught up in admiring Emily's reaction time that I didn't notice the Krey that was about to pounce on me.

Jeremy lashed out, throwing a punch to my side. I hastily dodged it by quickly flying to the right, almost slamming into the wall. He growled and lunged towards me to pin me on the cold ground. I flew up this time, watching as he jumped into a clump of rocks.

If I wasn't in a fight right now, I would have laughed. Jeremy could see the amusement on my face as he looked back up at me. He let out a low hiss and flew up to be on the same level as me. In a flash, he was beside me, ready to release another of his deadly punches, but I was prepared.

My closed hand was in my pocket, gripping a knife Seiro had lent to me earlier. It wasn't as elaborate as my original rose knife, but it could still kill and jab like any other sharp pointy object. I swiftly took out the knife, something Jeremy wasn't expecting. I ducked a fatal blow to the face and thrust the dagger into his heart. As I was about to deliver the final blow, I did the worst thing someone could ever do during battle. I hesitated.

My eyes left the view of Seiro's knife and flew up to Jeremy's face. It triggered many tender memories and I couldn't bring myself to kill the man who seemed like an uncle to me.

"Mama! Papa!" Serena cried into her father's wide open arms. He picked her up and spun her around, making Serena laugh a fit of giggles. Eleanor stood beside them, smiling at the father and daughter moment. I felt a pang of longing in my heart.

Father rarely comes and plays with me anymore. Mother says it's because the kingdom is in a "delicate" position right now and he needs to focus. At that time, I wasn't aware of the Krey's increased attacks along the borderlines and how stressful it was to be in my father's shoes, but then again, I was only five.

"Wheeeee!" Serena squealed from her father's arms. "Again! Again!"

Jeremy smiled while shaking his head. He gently rested Serena on the ground, right beside me. "Sorry Rena, but we have to go now. You've been with Princess Emma for almost the whole day."

Serena pouted and stuck out her bottom lip. "But Emma promised us ice cream!" She announced defiantly. I could feel my face turning into one of confusion.

"Wha-" I began but abruptly stopped when Serena jabbed her elbow into my arm. "Right Emma?" Serena said, emphasizing on my name.

I quickly caught on and fixed my small lapse of time. "Yeah, I'd arranged a butler to bring ice cream in one of the dining rooms," I said, explaining my new and devised plan. The adults looked at each other in a way that makes it looks like they were reading each other's minds. Mother and Father did that a lot too, especially since Mother told me I was having a sister or brother soon.

"Sure, why not. A little ice cream won't hurt us." Serena's mother joked. Her father released a booming laugh that reverberated throughout the palace. He waved us forward. "Lead the way, Emma."

I waved my hands to show that wasn't necessary. "Uh. Mary over here is going to show you guys where it is." I beckoned the nearby maid who was curiously watching our conversation. She was new, but I knew the names of all the staff in the Palace. It was something that my parents expected me to know.