CHAPTER 128: THE KING’S FAREWELL

Raven nodded as he bowed..this was the king’s order, and he would do just that. His face remained serious as Zavren slipped into his armor, the usual one.

Rune’s eyes widened slightly; he did not expect his king to wear such armor. Not that the armor was bad, but this was not the usual ’war one’ he had expected him to wear, as Rune knew these vampires had been planning for months now, looking for weaknesses, and he was not sure...

He knows how mad Vrazen can get and how silly he is when running things, always having tricks up his sleeve.

"King Zavren, the armor... don’t you think—" he trailed off as he scratched the back of his head.

"You have no opinion. Now leave," Zavren spoke calmly. Raven nodded with a smile on his lips; he trusted the king. Knowing who Zavren was, he never doubted him.

"I will protect the queen with my life," he said, and Zavren gave a curt nod.

"I expect no less," Zavren replied, and Rune could not believe the king — he really didn’t care if Raven was dead or alive, as long as his wife was safe.

He could not help it at this point — this king of his was really addicted to his wife.

"If it is possible, can I send you a letter?" he asked, as Zavren pulled out his sword his eyes finally moving to the figure in front of him with bowed head.

The sword Zavren held was a long shadow blade.. his personal one, the one he only took during wars — and this was the fifth time so far he was taking it in centuries now as it was a different kind of sword.

"No," Zavren said coldly, and Raven nodded with another deeper bow.

"I don’t mean from me... I mean from Luna," he spoke, and Zavren stilled there was a brief pause before he spoke.

"I would not be able to receive them... but that can be possible," he said as he walked out.

Just as Raven expected, this king would go out of his way because of his wife. He could not even believe what he had just heard — he knew that during war, receiving letters was close to impossible. If the war lasted for six months, for instance, the letter would be five months old by the time it was received, if ever.

He walked out as well, a soft laugh escaping his lips.

**

The rain had reduced to a drizzle. Leah carried the now-sleeping baby as the maid pushed Ariana’s wheelchair, leading them upstairs. Ariana was curious, and then her eyes caught the sight of the stairs in disbelief... on the other side was a smooth path, meaning the maid could be push the wheel chair up or down without a problem.

Ariana could not believe her husband. She knew this was his doing, but what shocked her was the way he gave the orders—and how they were always completed ahead of time.

They moved as they ascended the staircase they kept going and now Ariana began to wonder.

Ariana whose curiosity piqued and could not hold it any longer, opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Leah finally turned and spoke.

"Luna Ariana, we are heading upstairs as the king will be departing, and the villagers are entering the palace," Leah explained.

Ariana nodded, a smile resting calmly on her face as she tried to hold back her excitement. She had no idea about this...did this mean she would be seeing Zavren once more before he left?

They finally reached the top floor. Another maid arrived, holding a small blanket folded and a little cap.

"It might be colder. The baby will be needing an extra cover," Leah said gently, and Ariana nodded in understanding. Leah took the blanket and wrapped the baby gently. She then took a small cap from the maid and covered the little one’s hair. The maid bowed deeply to Ariana, and with that, she left.

The other maid pushed Ariana’s wheelchair gently until they reached a large door. The guards standing there opened it, and as they did, the cold wind rushed in, brushing Ariana’s hair backward. Leah had been right...it was indeed cold. Ariana was glad, a small smile resting on her lips, as the maid pushed her gently onto the balcony.

The soft drizzle continued to fall gently.

Ariana almost gasped at the height—they were so high up she could practically see the entire outside, even beyond the gates, where she noticed horses standing. But what truly surprised her were the loud noises. She looked down and gasped loudly at the crowd there were so many people gathered, seemingly there for protection, she was sure they were thousands though the palace was big enough she knew this could not be just one village as it included different villages.

Does it mean Ava is here..?

"Long live the king!"

the crowd’s voices echoed loudly like a chant.

Ariana’s eyes lifted toward the horses and soldiers. There were many of them, but in front was a particular black horse, and Ariana knew exactly who that was.

Zavren.

Her husband sat tall. Though far away, she could still see him despite the drizzle. Thankfully, it wasn’t heavy — one would take a long time to get soaked in this kind of rain. Her heart was already beating loudly as she saw him.

The soldiers were full and ready, and her eyes followed the horses and soldiers as far as she could see—but they stretched beyond her sight, countless in number. She watched in surprise, the chants still echoing, her gaze finally moved now fixing only on Zavren.

Zavren sat on his horse, the echoes of the chants still in the air, when he moved to raise his sword.

When the king raises his sword, it signals that it is time to leave, move, or depart.

But they could not leave without Zekel.

From the side, a brown horse emerged with Zekel on it.

"My apologies, Your Majesty, for my lateness. I had something to attend to," Zekel said with a calm smile, bowing.

Zavren’s gaze rested on him, bored, coldness still lingering in his eyes. He moved to raise his hand, but then stilled, his head turning...his eyes landing on his wife at the top of the castle.

Ariana, noticing Zavren’s head turn toward her, felt her breath hitch as her heart raced. Then she saw him raise his sword, and they all began leaving. The sound of the horses’ hooves echoed through the place, and to Ariana’s surprise, the crowd turned silent as they waited.

No sound was heard again, not even the chants. Minutes passed; the silence remained. Finally, the last soldier moved. Three more seconds of silence followed before the crowd spoke again....

"Long live the queen!"

Ariana’s eyes widened as she stared at them. It seemed they were now moving inside now despite the drizzle that refused to stop they had been there she was curious if this was the rule at Eltones during wars. The wind blew stronger this time, and Leah spoke.

"Luna Ariana, we will be taking you to the other castle for safety."

Ariana nodded calmly, knowing that was the next step. The villagers would surely be staying in the underground quarters where everything was prepared.

The maid turned her wheelchair gently, but Ariana’s head shifted to the side — then her body stilled when she heard a deep voice ring softly in her head.

"Wait for me, my love."

Her eyes flew wide.