Elianna looked deep in concentration, her brows furrowed tightly, and her head tilted to the side. Her hand rested on her chin while her index finger tapped the side of her mouth. Her eyes darted back and forth, glazing over the several items she had laid out on the bed. She was racking her brain, wondering if she had gathered everything she needed since she was leaving for Zasaly today.

  She felt nervous and excited about this opportunity. She was excited because she would get to spend time with Nicholas in his home kingdom and see where he was raised. But she was also nervous because this would be her first time leaving Tri-Union City. She didn't know what to expect when she arrived in Zasaly, as the kingdom of Gavaria was an unknown to her. Sure, she had read about it in books before, not because of Nicholas or anything... But she knew that sometimes the things you read about turn out to be different in reality.

  Elianna's eyes flicked to her clothes, remembering how she read that Gavaria's royal colors were blue and gold. So, she made sure to pack some blue dress clothes, in case they had a nice dinner or something with Nicholas' family. Her stomach fluttered at the thought, knowing she would be spending time with Nicholas' father and brother. She didn't know how to feel about that, especially knowing how Nicholas felt about them.

  Her eyes flicked to her essential hygiene items, making a mental note that she had those. Then, she looked across the bed, and when her eyes settled on her diary, her soft-looking lips curved into a smile.

  She eyed the diary, seeing the new book cover around it. It was Nicholas' birthday present to her, and the cover was a beautiful orchid floral design with her name embroidered at the top. Elianna loved it for two reasons: first, Nicholas had given it to her, and second, orchids were her favorite flower.

  Elianna didn't even remember telling Nicholas that orchids were her favorite. When he had told her that she had told him once in passing, she couldn't help the smile and blush that appeared on her face, knowing he had remembered. But she was also blushing for another reason. She also felt a little embarrassed after he admitted to seeing her writing in her diary the night he surprised her to practice channeling. She was at least relieved to know he didn't know its contents, as that would've been even more embarrassing.

  Picking up her diary, she smiled warmly, with her stomach fluttering, as she traced her fingers over its beautiful cover. She stored the diary in her spatial ring before she reached out to grab her hygiene items. When she grabbed her toothbrush, her head turned toward the door, hearing a knock.

  "Elianna?"

  Elianna smiled at her mom's voice. "You can come in."

  The door opened, and Katarina smiled when her eyes fell on her daughter. Then, her eyes dropped to the bed, and she chuckled, "Still packing, I see."

  Elianna stored her toothbrush in her spatial ring and nodded, looking back at her bed. "Yeah, I laid everything out first to ensure I had everything I needed."

  "And do you?" Lucian asked.

  Elianna looked back, seeing her father leaning against the door frame with a soft smile and his arms crossed.

  Elianna scratched the back of her neck. "I think so." She looked back to her bed. "For some reason, I can't help but think I'm forgetting something."

  Katarina hummed as she walked over and stood beside her daughter, looking at the items Elianna had laid out. "It looks like you have everything you need."

  Elianna sighed, "Yeah." She reached out and began to store more items in her spatial ring. She chuckled slightly, "I'm sure I'll realize I forgot something when I need it."

  "That's how it usually goes," Lucian jested.

  "So, how are you feeling?" Katarina asked as she walked over to Elianna's vanity and sat down, facing her. "Nervous? Excited?"

  Elianna shrugged as she stored her clothing. "Both."

  Katarina smiled and nodded. "That's to be expected. You have never left Tri-Union City before."

  Elianna chortled, "I was actually just thinking that earlier." She looked at her mom. "To be honest, I was surprised you and Dad agreed to let me go."

  Katarina's smile faded, and her eyes shifted to Lucian.

  Standing in the doorway, Lucian sighed, "We were actually dead set against the idea for a while."

  Elianna turned and looked at her father, surprised. "Then, why are you letting me go?" She quickly waved her hands in front of her. "Not that I'm asking you to change your minds or anything!"

  Katarina laughed a little before she let out a long exhale. "To be honest, Sweetie, we're still a little reluctant."

  Elianna looked at her mother curiously. "Why?"

  "Why do you think?" Lucian smiled, and Elianna looked at her curiously. "You're our daughter. We will do everything within our power to keep you safe. Sending you to another kingdom is just as scary for us, believe it or not."

  "Plus," Katarina began, and her expression turned sour. "Your father and I weren't very appreciative of the fact that King William sent you alone an invite. He should've sent the messenger directly to us at the least. We would've liked to have been invited to escort you as well."

  "So," Elianna began, looking between her parents with a confused expression. "What finally made you decide to let me go?"

  Lucian chuckled, "Freya."

  Elianna's head tilted slightly to the right. "Mrs. Argyle?"

  Lucian nodded, "Not long ago, while we were at the garrison, you were hanging out with Nicholas as he trained with Zera. I asked Freya to speak with me in my office regarding your invitation to Zasaly."

  "Your father had me on telemirror, and we spoke with Freya together," Katarina cut in. She chuckled, "Looking back, we basically interrogated her, trying to find out King William's motives for inviting you."

  "After extensive questioning," Lucian coughed. "Freya assured us that she didn't believe King William had any nefarious intentions. She said, 'My brother may be an ass, but he isn't wicked.'"

  "She also assured us that if we let you go, she would watch over you like you were her own daughter," Katarina added.

  Elianna chuckled and smiled, thinking of how close she and Freya were. "I don't doubt that."

  "Neither did we," Lucian said. "So, your mother and I talked about it some more."

  "We decided that while we want to keep you safe, we can't keep you sheltered," Katarina said. "You're sixteen now, and in one year, you can join the knight order if you want. You should be able to explore and see new things."

  "Besides, I'm sure Gaelin would have no problem with me visiting Zasaly while you're there."

  Elianna raised a brow. "Who is Gaelin?"

  "He's the commander of the Gavarian Knight Order," Katarina replied.

  "You know Gavaria's knight commander?" Elianna asked her father, looking at him surprised.

  "Don't seem so shocked," Lucian chuckled. "We commanders have a good rapport. Especially after this Infernal Cult came into the picture. We've been working closely together."

  "I didn't know that," Elianna said.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Katarina chuckled, "You're not supposed to know that. It's classified information."

  Elianna looked at her mother with a raised brow. "Then how did you know?"

  Katarina shrugged with a sly grin. "Being a commander's wife has its perks."

  Elianna gave her mother a deadpan look.

  Katarina looked at her daughter's bed. "Now, go ahead and pack the rest of your things." She took her pocket watch out of her spatial ring and flipped it open. "It's almost time to leave."

  Elianna nodded and continued to store her items.

  "I'll go make sure they're getting the carriage ready," Lucian advised, and Katarina gave him a nod before he left.

  Making sure Lucian was gone, Katarina looked back at her daughter. She awkwardly cleared her throat, "So, Sweetie."

  "Hmm?" Elianna hummed as she continued to pack her items.

  Katarina steepled her fingers and tapped them together. "So, while you're away, you and Nicholas will be spending a lot of time together, I imagine. Probably a lot of that time, you'll be alone."

  Elianna smiled happily at the thought as she stored another item in her ring. "Yeah, probably."

  Katarina nodded and shifted uncomfortably. "Well, you're sixteen now, and Nicholas will be sixteen soon as well."

  Elianna smiled comically as she continued to look at her bed. "I know."

  "Well," Katarina cleared her throat. "You two have been friends for a long time. With you two being alone, emotions can run high, and, uh... things could happen."

  Elianna looked at her mother, confused. "Things? What kind of things?"

  Katarina nervously scratched her cheek. "Well..."

  Elianna stared at her mother, bewildered, seeing how uncomfortable she looked. She was beginning to worry, wondering what was wrong and what she was trying to say. Slowly, her eyes widened as she began to put the pieces together.

  Elianna turned apple red all the way from her neckline to her forehead. "W-what?! Mom!"

  Katarina gestured toward her daughter. "I'm just saying, in case something happens, play it safe."

  Elianna's face turned molten. "Mom!!!!!"

  Lucian returned, looking confused. "Everything okay?"

  Katarina smiled at her husband. "Yes, everything is fine."

  "Y-yep," Elianna stuttered awkwardly as she placed her last item into her spatial ring. "Just finished packing."

  Katarina tilted her head slightly as she looked at her husband.

  Lucian's head snapped to Katarina, going wide-eyed as he paled.

  Katarina bit her lips between her teeth and covered her mouth as she stifled a laugh.

  Elianna kept her head down as she looked at her mother through her bangs, her cheeks still slightly red. "W-what?"

  "Nothing," Katarina said, and smiled at her daughter. "You ready, Sweetie?"

  Elianna nodded and cleared her throat, "Y-yeah."

  Lucian exhaled, rubbing his temples slightly. "Good. The carriage is also ready."

  Katatria smiled at her husband and stood up, "Then, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

  Lucian nodded and smiled at his daughter. "Let's go, Munchkin."

  Elianna nodded, giving her mother another awkward glance, before she followed her father out of her room.

  Katarina closed Elianna's door as they left, and they made their way through the mansion and down the stairs to the front door.

  Elianna smiled jovially as she said goodbye to Augustus and the other mansion staff before she followed her parents through the front door. The carriage driver nodded and held the door open for the Vail's as they climbed inside and took their seats.

  The awkwardness Elianna had felt not long ago was quickly replaced with excitement and nervousness when they felt the carriage jerk. Instead of looking out the window and watching the scenery go by, she decided to take this time to speak with her parents about everyday things. But the conversation didn't last long because before they knew it, they had arrived at the palace.

  The carriage stopped at the front of the palace, and Elianna climbed out after the driver had opened the door. Looking to her left, she smiled when she noticed the Argyle's carriage parked nearby.

  Looking in the same direction, Katarina said, "Looks like Freya is already here."

  "They are, My Lady."

  The Vail's looked forward, seeing two male royal guards in knight apparel and one female mage approaching them. The three of them stopped and saluted as they looked at Lucian. "Good morning, Commander."

  Lucian returned their salute. "Good morning." He dropped his salute. "Where is Freya now?"

  Dropping their salute, the mage answered, "They're in the throne room with Regent Raina, Commander."

  Lucian nodded. "Then we best not leave them waiting."

  The three royal guard members turned, and the Vail's followed them as they escorted them through the palace.

  As they followed the royal guard members, Elianna leaned closer to Katarina. "Hey, Mom?" Katarina hummed. "Where exactly is the royal portal? I don't remember seeing or hearing about it."

  Katarina chuckled, "That's because the royal portal is not public knowledge." She smiled at her daughter, "You'll see where it is."

  Elianna nodded and fell silent as she and her parents followed the royal guard members. Once they reached the doors to the throne room, the guards in front of the doors nodded before opening them.

  As the doors opened, Elianna looked inside. Raina was sitting on her throne, with Kassandra standing beside her. Freya, Mathew, Celine, and Nicholas were standing in front of the dais. All of them looked toward the doors as they opened.

  When Elianna's gaze met Nicholas', they both shared a smile.

  "Ah, good, you've arrived," Raina announced, and she stood up.

  "I hope we didn't keep you waiting," Katarina said as she and her family approached the dais.

  Raina shook her head, "Not at all. Freya herself only just recently arrived."

  Elianna walked up to Nicholas, "Hey."

  "Hey," Nicholas responded. "Nervous?"

  Elianna shrugged, "A little? You?"

  Nicholas sighed, "Very."

  Elianna smiled as she gently took his hand. "Don't worry, it'll be okay."

  Nicholas' smile grew at her touch, and he blushed slightly before nodding.

  "Well, now that you're all here, are you ready?" Raina asked.

  Lucian sighed, then looked at his daughter. His brows raised, seeing she was holding Nicholas' hand, as they looked at each other with warm smiles. His lips curled as Katarina followed his gaze and also smiled at the sight.

  Looking back at Raina, Lucian said, "As ready as we will be."

  Raina nodded. "Then let's get to it." She began to descend the dais. "Follow me."

  Everyone parted, making way for Raina before following her out of the throne room. Elianna curiously looked around, wondering where they were going.

  "I wonder where this royal portal is?" Elianna asked, leaning close to Nicholas.

  Nicholas looked at Elianna curiously, "You've never seen it?"

  Elianna raised a brow. "You have?"

  Nicholas nodded and smiled. "It's how I got to Tri-Union City."

  Elianna looked surprised. "Oh. I never realized that."

  Nicholas looked forward and grinned, "Here, watch."

  Elianna looked forward, and her brows furrowed as she saw they were approaching a familiar door. "But that's—" Raina nodded to the guards escorting them, and they opened the door. "—A broom closet."

  Raina nodded and looked back at Elianna, "Don't always believe your eyes, Dear." Raina looked at one of the mages. "Do it, Experitor."

  The mage nodded before walking into the closet. They placed their hand on the floor, which then began to glow with an emerald power.

  Elianna's eyes widened in awe as the floor parted, revealing a staircase. "Woah."

  Silently, everyone followed Raina as she descended the broad staircase, and when they reached the bottom, Elianna saw a set of double doors. Along the walls in front of the doors stood several knights, standing poised.

  "Open the doors," Raina ordered.

  The knights nodded and opened the door, revealing an emerald glow emitting from inside the room.

  When they entered the room, Elianna looked around, surprised and awed.

  Standing on either side of the door were two Tri-Union knights. In the center of the room was a circular stone desk, where another knight stood with a book in front of him. But what caught Elianna's attention the most was where the emerald glow was coming from.

  Three archways stood apart from each other, with an emerald energy flowing inside each arch. Standing in front of these archways were two knights and a mage, all dressed in different apparel.

  Standing in front of one archway were three elves. Two of them were dressed in leather armor, which had a green sleeveless torso with a gold trim, with bicep-length leather arm coverings with gold vambraces and pauldrons. They had brown pants and green boots with a gold trim. The third elf wore opulent green and brown mage apparel with a gold trim, brown pants, gold vambraces and pauldrons, and a green cape.

  Three dwarves stood in front of another arch. Two of the dwarves wore brown leather armor with brass plating on the torso, which had an intricate design. Iron pauldrons and vambraces covered their shoulders and forearms. Their legs were covered with brown pants and iron boots. The mage wore an opulent orange shirt with an orange cloak, golden pauldrons and vambraces, and two ornamental orange gems embedded in the pauldrons. Black pants covered their legs, complemented by their orange boots.

  Finally, the third archway was being guarded by two Garvarian knights and a mage.

  "Woah," Elianna breathed out.

  Nicholas leaned in close to her. "Each portal leads to the royal palace of each kingdom. Gavaria, Thearyah, and Duridie."

  Elianna nodded, mesmerized. "So cool."

  Raina turned to face everyone and smiled. "Here we are. The royal portal awaits."

  Elianna sighed, and she and Nicholas broke their handhold. She looked at her parents, and they smiled at each other as they shared a tight hug.

  "Take care of yourself," Lucian whispered.

  "Contact us every night," Katarina added.

  "I will," Elianna said as they broke the hug.

  Katarina and Lucian smiled at their daughter lovingly as she turned to look at Freya.

  Elianna watched as the Argyles said their goodbyes to Mathew before turning to face Elianna.

  Freya smiled, "Ready, Elianna?"

  Elianna took a nervous breath and nodded. "I'm ready."

  Freya looked at Lucian and Katarina, and they shared a nod that held a deep meaning.

  Freya smiled. "Then let's go."

  Celine smiled at Elianna. "Don't worry, we'll have fun while we're there."

  Elianna smiled and nodded. "I hope so."

  Freya turned, and Celine, Elianna, and Nicholas followed her as she approached the portal to Zasaly. Freya held her head high, "Greetings. We are—"

  The guards bowed deeply, and the mage spoke, "You need no introduction, Your Highnesses." The mage and the knights stepped aside.

  Freya sighed and nodded before stepping through the portal first, followed by Celine.

  Elianna looked at Nicholas, who looked incredibly nervous. She took his hand, and when he looked at her, they shared a smile.

  "We can go through together," Elianna whispered.

  Nicholas nodded. "Together."

  Elianna looked back toward her smiling parents and waved at them. Then, she took a steeling breath, held Nicholas' hand tight, and together, they entered the portal.