“Such a polite child,” Esther said as Dusk accepted that crystal which disappeared on his palm.

“I can imagine that once you reach adulthood, you are going to be such a charmer. Divine Eagles are very popular among the feathered race, and I think your looks are outstanding even among your people.”

Lady Tyra could not help but laugh seeing the Queen tease the young lad. “Perhaps by then, Your Eminence, Aureus would have found himself a mate.”

“Oh, that does sound plausible,” Esther agreed lightheartedly. “Do you remember the tale I shared with you before, Aureus? About those flowers, you give to the one who you want to protect?”

Dusk blinked. “I remember. You said those divine flowers work as protective charms. Whenever the receiver of that flower is in danger, the giver will know it and he will be able to protect the person.”

“Yes, that tale. It is a symbolic flower for your kind. When you find yourself a fine lady in the future, you can also use the map on this crystal to reach the place where it grows. It is a place where only an eagle of your kind can reach it though it’s difficult, it will all be worth it if she is your mate, won’t it?”

“Please stop teasing me, Your Eminence!” Dusk complained. This caused the two women in the room to chuckle to themselves.

Having shaken off the loneliness in her heart, Esther turned to Lady Tyra. “Throughout these years, you have been a massive help to me, Tyra. I do not know how much harder my life in Megaris would have been if not for you. Thank you.”

The older woman simply let out a graceful curtsy. “There is no need to thank me, Your Eminence. It is my honour to be able to assist you.”

Esther took Lady Tyra’s hand and squeezed it. As a fellow witch, Lady Tyra could feel the power of the various spells Esther was releasing and wrapping around her body.

Her heart was shaken. “Your Eminence…”

“Think of this as my parting gift,” Esther said. “You are family too, and you will need to look after my sons. How can I not bless you as well? I will entrust the kids to you so you need to be healthier and stronger than these naughty boys. I believe you will look after them well.”

“I-I will try my best, Your Eminence,” Lady Tyra said, feeling heavy in her heart.

Esther looked out of the window and slowly let go of the woman’s hands. “The sun is out. It’s already late. I have to leave now.”

Before Esther could use her powers, Lady Tyra called out, “Your Eminence?” Esther turned to her, and she continued, “May I ask where are you headed?”

“Somewhere far but yet close,” Esther replied with a melancholic look at the bright sky,  “where I will spend the rest of my immortal life with the memories of my loved ones.”

Before Lady Tyra could say a word more, Esther had already disappeared from her sight.

When Esther left, she didn’t know Drayce had woken up early that day and was impatiently asking for his mother.

“Saira, I need to see Mother!” he demanded.

His nanny tried to calm him down. “Your Highness, you shouldn’t trouble the Queen this early—”

“I had a bad dream and Mother said she’ll hug me to make a bad dream go away!”

After saying that, the little prince ran out of his chamber. Esther had warned him before about using his powers to teleport by her side whenever he wanted to. He was growing up and needed to behave and get permission from his mother before he wanted to meet her. That was part of the royal etiquette. Drayce, being a good son, listened to his mother and never used his powers to meet her.

“Your Highness, please change out of your sleeping attire—”

“No, I want to see Mother first, Saira. Where is she?” Drayce was adamant as he saw his mother was not in the Queen’s chamber. “Is she eating in the dining hall?”

Lady Saira followed behind him. “Your Highness, listen to me please—”

“No, it’s too early in the morning. She doesn’t have to work today. Oh, Tyra must know where Mother is!” Drayce said. But Lady Tyra was the head of the Queen’s royal servants, and her residence was in a separate building attached to the Queen’s palace. His mother would be mad if he ran around so early in the morning and disturbed people.

‘I am allowed to teleport as long as Mother is not my target…’ Drayce thought as he disappeared in front of Lady Saira’s eyes.

“Your Highness…” she could not help but sigh.

She knew he must have gone to Lady Tyra and hurried to follow. She didn’t know how to explain to him that his mother was gone, never to return to him again.

——

After Esther left Lady Tyra’s chamber, the atmosphere inside had turned gloomy. No one was speaking as they relished on the feelings of sadness after parting with Esther. From today onwards, not only the royal palace, the entire kingdom would be shaken by the disappearance of the Queen of Megaris.

Lady Tyra could only sigh as she turned to instruct Dusk. “You should go and stay by His Highness’s side. He will wake up anytime soon.”

Without speaking, Dusk transformed into his eagle form and left Lady Tyra’s chamber through the window, but at the exact same moment, a black-haired little boy appeared in her chamber.

Her voice inevitably shook. “Y-Your Highness?”

Drayce didn’t notice her expression as he looked around the chamber.

“Mother is not here either. Where has she gone?” he mumbled.

Drayce stared at Lady Tyra with an anxious look. “Do you know where my mother is?”

“Her Majesty…” She didn’t know how to say it.

Drayce looked like he’s about to burst into tears. “I had a bad dream, Tyra. I saw Mother drowning in water. It’s dark there and she is sinking deeper and she disappeared in the darkness. It was scary darkness. I want to see mother,” Drayce said as his eyes filled with tears.

So that was the reason he was so anxious to see his mother as soon as he woke up.

Lady Tyra kneeled in front of the little prince and held his cold, clammy hands. They were so small, the hands of a boy who had merely turned five years of age. Those red eyes still filled with innocence were staring at her with growing anxiety.

‘Is it a child’s intuition?’

She wanted to lie. It would be easier if she lied…but she needed to tell him the truth.

“Your Highness… Her Majesty is gone.”

“Gone?” he repeated, looking at her with confusion.

“Her Majesty has left the palace,” she informed him in a soft, trembling voice.

“Where did Mother go? When will she come back?”

“I don’t know but she won’t be returning.”

Lady Tyra had no other option but to tell him the truth. He was not an ordinary child who would be coaxed by lies. It might be cruel to say this to a five-year-old boy, but sooner or later, he would know the truth.

“Mother…won’t return?” he asked, not believing her words. “Why? Why did she leave? Where…? I want to go with her…”

Tears streamed down his eyes.

“You cannot go with her, Your Highness…” Lady Tyra said with a sad voice as her eyes turned teary as well. She held his tiny hands firmly as she caressed them with her thumb. “Your Highness, you—….”

Swish!

Even before Lady Tyra could say a word, both disappeared from the chamber with the strong gust of wind. The two appeared at the mountain cliff above the vast river bed and there they saw Esther standing at the edge of the cliff while staring blankly at the sky where the sunlight slowly started to brighten up the dark sky.

“Mother…”

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