Before the Last Snow

Chapter 3: Misterios (Mysteries)

I explained to the Princess, with a firm voice, that I must stay with her and then she ran through, what I'd call, an endless maze of stairs.

Her dress was revealing her pale skin, but her waist-length hair covered parts of her dainty shoulders, leaving only her back bare. Her arms were slender. They had a certain poise to it as she moved them playfully. And then, I twisted my ankle, losing my balance. Before I could help myself, I saw myself falling down the glass staircase until I was on the ground.

I tried to get back on my feet, but my entire body ached with each movement I tried to make. All of my pain faded, though, when I saw the Princess look at me with concern in her eyes and a hint of guilt on her face.

She kneeled, which allowed me a closer look at her face. Her stormy, grey eyes explored my body, they were an addiction, one I could never come back. Her enthralling beauty was making it difficult to get ahold of myself. I could see her milky cheeks turning different shades of spectacular red. So, before something could happen, I interrupted the moment by saying, "Princess? Princess? Are you alright?"

For years long, I had cared for Crystal like a mother. I loved her and kept her safe. But, I also had to do what was best for her, I had to send Affron away. Thinking about the past only agonized me, but seeing her laugh again, with another man, was soothing.

It was a bad habit to sneak on someone and I was soon reminded of this by Lexon. He pulled my wrist from the corridor, and I ended up too close to his face. We kept staring into each other's eyes and breathed raggedly until I flickered.

He whispered, in his deep voice, "Do you not agree that it is inappropriate to secretly view a young man and woman in their good times?"

"Oh, no, Lexon, I would never. I was just checking if the two get along and they do."

"Well, then, if you are done, shall we?"

I beamed at him, before proceeding to visit my parents. I had to inform them of Hedwig, who looks like the only man, yet, able to touch Crystal. It was necessary. Somehow, we had to discover the reason behind his ability because he was just an ordinary Celion, he didn't pose any harm nor had any dark past as Lexon reassured me.

"Ruya, please inform my parents that Lexon and I wish to speak to them, alone," I ordered Mrs. Ruya, the General Secretary, who had been aiding the Kingdom for years.

She went inside their quarters and I heard some murmuring and some whispers before the three stepped out.

"Sorry for disturbing you, Mrs. Aquata and Mr. Alvaro, but we have some concerning matters to discuss," Lexon addressed them.

"Ah, Lexon, what occurred that must be discussed so urgently that it could not wait till tomorrow?", my mother chided, glaring at Lexon.

My parents were not admirers of Lexon because he was a Celion, but since he was also a King, they agreed to our wedding on the condition that they will not send me away to his kingdom and that they would not be a part of our celebrations. With much disappointment, we agreed and decided to construct a castle not quite far away from our own empires.

"Well, mother, we believe that we might have found a way to help Crystal. There is this man, he is actually Lexon's highest knight, Hedwig, and he was able to touch her earlier today," I said, trying to de-escalate the tension that was building up.

My father cleared his throat and spoke in his heavy and deep voice, "Hmm... Well, why don't we see this young man and ask him a few questions? And, Ruya, send a letter for the high priestess."

He began walking with the support of his stick and his wife's arm. The two were no longer physically strong as they had aged gracefully and were, in their own words, "living their last days" in the castle. They were no longer the reigning power, but their words were always heeded.

We were heading for Crystal's chambers to ask her where the man might be but were halted by a scream. We hurried in the direction of the sound and found ourselves near the Physician's room.

"Dear, is everything fine?", Mrs. Ruya queried her husband.

The two lovebirds had just recently gotten unified through the ceremony and still preferred to use an amount of romantic language while conversing. Even though Mrs. Ryver was a rough, warrior-like woman, she always melted in front of her beloved and Crystal.

She practically raised Crystal. From feeding her to secretly letting her view fighting lessons, she has always been there for her, but not for me. Why would she have to, though? I was always given more attention and care by everyone since I was the heir to the throne.

My destiny had always been set to becoming a powerful woman, a loyal wife, and a dominant Empress. I was not the King's Consort Queen, I had an entire kingdom to rule, that belonged to me. Yet, everyone failed to grasp the idea of giving me some freedom.

"Ah yes, darling. It is just a young man, what is his name, yes, Hedwig. He twisted his ankle, fell down the stairs, this one. So, Crystal asked me to treat him. I was only doing some exercise with this lad and you know how it can get a tad bit painful," Mr. Ryver answered while bowing down to the four of us.

"Well, Mr. Ryver, can we speak to-", Lexon was interrupted by my father. The two exchanged a look, establishing the more imposing dominance over each other and Father smirked at him before coming back to the discussion.

"We wish to speak to Hedwig if he is in a better state now."

"Oh, yes, sir. He is fine," Mr. Ryver responded.

We entered the room and saw Hedwig laying on the bed, trying to move his ankle joint from one side to the other.

"Hedwig, these are the higher royals and they want to ask you regarding Crystal," Lexon said, without letting anyone intervene, which caused an aggressive emotion on Father's face.

"Yes, accept my greeting your highnesses. I sincerely apologize for having met you in such a state, I only wish it could have been more honorable," Hedwig spoke with grace.

"It is not an issue, Hedwig. For a long time, we have been trying to attain some answers regarding Crystal's cure. We would not take much of your time, but we would question you about certain things like your family and heritage," mother said, trying to sound kind.

Hedwig gulped. He looked around himself. He was surrounded by guards and men of muscular frames. He looked towards Lexon. They stared at each other, but Lexon looked helpless and Hedwig seemed desperate. His hands were trembling slightly and his palms became sweaty. This only meant one thing, a secret. A secret about to be revealed.

---A/N---

A quick reminder of all the secrets you have gotten a hint about.

1) Affron, someone Nebula sent away for Crystal's safety. Who is he? What is he to Crystal? And ooh, will he come back?

2) Hedwig's secret. What is it? Does Lexon know? Will Hedwig tell them or will Nebula confront him about it?

Also, there is some tension going on between Aquata-Alvaro and Lexon. So, let's see how that will go on in the later chapters.

Stay tuned for the next chapter! Lots of love !!! :)