Crustel

Chapter 20

 Erica joined me for war practices. Ethan and I conquered how to use our sphere shields with the help of the sorcerer. The sorcerer taught me privately and I taught my soldiers. We worked so hard. I kept an eye on Emerald too. She never joined our practice. Actually, she wasn't behaving like the Emerald I knew. The new Emerald was too quiet, polite, kind and didn't show arrogance. As usual, my mouth lost coordination with my brain. "Hey Emerald, do you want to join dinner with Ethan and me?" I am still wondering that how did I even invite her for dinner. I could feel and hear Ethan gritting his teeth. I was quite relieved as Erica wasn't with us at that moment. To my surprise, Emerald accepted. Ethan and I exchanged looks. "No. I mean...If you are busy tonight, it is completely fine." I tried my best but Emerald was excited about dinner.

  I groaned. My mom heard our conversations. She was elated as Emerald and I was getting along. The truth was I wasn't getting along with her, instead, she was trying to be nice. The next morning was the war day. I couldn't believe that I have been left with 24 hours only. I needed to win the war. "Hey! Have you lost your mind?" Ethan whispered to me. I knew the reason. It was because I invited Emerald for dinner. "I know, Ethan. You're mad because I invited Emerald for dinner," I whispered back. He rolled his eyes and replied "Are you serious? We are not having dinner today at this forest. Remember?" Ethan groaned. "How come I forgot that. King Estaban and Queen Merlina invited us to the Aquanya's Sea Festival!" I wanted to faint right there. Ethan stared at me. My mom and Emerald became close but my mom knew her limits. She was sure that she didn't spill anything about Siku za usoni.

   It was evening. We had to get ready for the festival and the worst part was, Mom and Emerald should never know that we were heading to Aquanya. That was the place where her brother, Prince Melyon was killed. He was obviously killed by the leader of the tranquets but Aquanyan helped him because tranquets invaded Aquanya. First of all, Aquanya was an underwater city with high facilities. You would never feel as you're in an underwater castle because of their facilities. Which means we don't have to use our magic to turn ourselves into mermaid or tranquets. So, Ethan and I made sure that we were not seen, my mom. We sneaked out from the forest and went towards the Aura river. King Estaban and Queen Merlina were on time. Erica and her little brother were five minutes delay. When we were ready to go, I sent a mild sign to the King of Aquanya. In few seconds, there was a fancy boat made of thick glass which could protect us from high pressure under the sea. We sat in. In a twinkling of an eye, we were at the Aquanya's Grand Castle's entrance. I have never visited Aquanya because of the incident but now I had the opportunity to witness the beauty of their kingdom. 

   Our boat went slowly and entered the castle. The glasses opened. We got down. King Estaban was searching for something in his side bag. "Is there anything that I could help, King Estaban?" I asked him. "Oh...Uhmm... Ah hah! I found it. Thanks for asking Cora." He told me. I was wondering what was it. It looked like a snail shell. "What's this for father?" Erica asked excitedly. As King Estaban was an emotional father, he had tears of joy in his eyes and answered his daughter's question, "Honey, this is the Aquan Horn. Only visitors are allowed given this horn. When we make sound with this horn, we will be invited into the castle." Needless to say, Ethan and I were watching everything like a greedy baby. Everything around us was too magnificent. We couldn't catch on with King Estaban's instructions. Erica was stunned too because the last time she came to Aquanya was before her sixth birthday. Literally, we were behaving like kids rather than behaving like the heir of the throne. The thought of the next day was war haunted me. I was forced to accept the reality.

   The King of Aquanya approached. "I couldn't believe my own eyes. Princess Cora?" he gasped. I nodded and bowed just like the princesses from fairy tales. His queen accompanied him. "We are extremely sorry, Princess Cora. I know how you would feel about Aquanya. After Prince Melyon was killed." I cut her. "There's not much time for my uncle's flashback..." I told them about the war. The upcoming war. They were in shock. I saw King Estaban and Queen Merlina. They were worried too. Guess what happened? Ethan, Erica and I were invited to the weapon room meanwhile King Estaban and Queen Merlina had to attend the festival. There were millions of weapons. They were even modern and fancy than the weapons from the human world. They appointed us a special tour guide for the weapons tour. It was none else, their only son, Prince Kanyal. He was looking smart. His hairstyle was awesome for his face as messy side curls suited his face cut. A scar on his right eyebrow portrayed his bravery. The way he talked to us was too polite. I was staring at him until Ethan ruined the golden moment. "Looks like Crustel's king is here." I giggled. "Oh please. I am not in that idea. I am only thinking about saving Crustel." I wanted to sound serious but could you lie to your best friend? I was caught by him.

   Suddenly, something hit my head hard. A message from the future. A happy kingdom with king and queen. I could see myself as the queen but I couldn't see the king. I closed my eyes. I wanted to have a clearer look but when I opened my eyes, Prince Kanyal was in front of me. I trembled. "Oh hey!" I sounded awkward. He giggled. "You're magnificent. Well, to be honest, I have similar powers as you but some vary." I was shocked as he spoke to me with his husky voice. "I can read minds, see the future and talk to my ancestors." he continued. I was stunned. I never knew Aquanyan had similar powers as Crustelicians.