The Crown's Fire - Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Her Friend
“Because… I need you to become powerful. So… so that you’ll be victorious against your enemies, Your Highness,” Tarah stammered, her words faltering as she struggled to articulate her true intentions. She inwardly cursed herself for being unable to express the full extent of her desires – for Prince Ezekiel to successfully kill Devon.

“You didn’t answer my question at all, Tarah,” Ezekiel interjected, his tone firm as he pressed the issue. “So you willingly risked my safety just so I could become powerful? You’re willing to endanger my life knowing this might not work out and could even put me in harm’s way?”

Tarah offered him a reassuring smile. “It may not work, but I’m confident it won’t endanger your life, Your Majesty,” she replied, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.

‘It was because I would be the one to receive the consequences of that bond,’ Tarah thought, acknowledging the weight of her actions and the responsibility she bore. She understood that her choices would have repercussions, but she was prepared to face them, whatever they may be.

“Please ease your worry, Your Highness. I am your fated Seer for a reason,” Tarah added, hoping to alleviate his concerns.

“But that doesn’t give you the right to decide on my behalf,” Ezekiel firmly stated, his gaze unwavering. “Don’t repeat this kind of action again without consulting me first.”

“I understand, Your Majesty,” Tarah replied, her head bowed low.

With that, Ezekiel turned around and sternly said, “Let’s head back. It’s getting late.”

She didn’t know it then, but after that incident, Tarah felt as if Ezekiel had become distant around her.

******

Days passed, marked by a tense atmosphere permeating through the encampment. Tarah let out a deep sigh as she watched over Wizard Lurio who was currently in disguise as the so-called sick Prince lying on his bed through a deception maintained by his powerful spell. Meanwhile, the real Prince Ezekiel continued to wield his dragon form, wreaking havoc upon Helion’s forces.

Throughout all of this, her mind often wandered to Prince Ezekiel who had lately treated her with coldness. Their encounters were rare given his genuine state of busyness, but when they did happen, he would simply glance at her before hurrying away, leaving her to her solitude.

It felt as though he was purposefully avoiding her, and while Tarah could have used this free time to visit Levi, she refrained from doing so since she was unwilling to face Devon. After all, seeing her brother would require her passing through Devon first, and she had no desire to see him at all.

Again, Tarah found it hard to accept that she would have to see Devon soon. With each passing day and the ongoing dragon attacks, the demon king was likely becoming more and more furious. She knew that she couldn’t keep dodging him forever though. If she did, Levi might end up in danger.

Tarah was still in her head when Cora entered the tent, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“My Lady, how about spending some time outside? Elijah is out there, and he’s willing to watch over His Highness for now,” Cora suggested.

Turning to her friend, Tarah remembered that Ezekiel had already informed Atlas and Elijah about his situation. As such, Elijah must also be aware that the man on the bed was actually Wizard Lurio, not the Prince.

Smiling, she nodded in agreement. It would do her good to get some fresh air outside anyway. She then followed Cora out of the tent, giving Elijah a brief nod as he entered.

“Ah, finally. This war will be over soon, and we can all go home!” Cora cheered. “Who would have thought that the golden dragon would fight on our side? I’m sure Queen Dana made it possible. She managed to seal their souls in the forbidden forest, so she’s probably the one controlling the dragon right now.”

Tarah remained silent, allowing Cora and the others to speculate as they wished. It seemed easier that way.

“I wonder if Prince Ezekiel will attend Queen Xenia’s final trial in Cordon,” Cora pondered, kicking a stone along the path. “It would be nice to witness it.”

“Don’t worry, Cora. The Prince will be there, and you’ll get to witness that and even the coronation too since you’ll be coming with me,” Tarah assured her. She had seen it in a dream the other night as well; Ezekiel attending his sister’s coronation as the new Queen of Cordon.

“Really?!” Cora burst out with excitement. Her shoulders then suddenly slumped as she mumbled, “But I didn’t bring any dresses with me that will fit the occasion.”

“Don’t worry, Cora. I have many that you can use for the event,” Tarah reassured her with a smile. “You can choose and use any of them.”

She was of course referring to the dresses Queen Xenia gave her before, not to mention the ones Prince Ezekiel had personally tailored for her via their royal seamstress staying in the encampment.

“Do you think Queen Xenia will win the final trial? Will she truly be crowned as the new Queen of Cordon?” Cora asked, her eyes brimming with excitement.

Right… In the past days, a lot had happened not just with the war going on between Ebodia and Helion, but also in the other kingdoms where Ezekiel’s sisters were sent for marriage alliances.

“Yes, I’m quite sure of that, Cora,” Tarah commented as she settled onto the nearby makeshift bench.

She was very eager to set foot on Cordon, especially since it had been a while since she last saw her friend staying there. It was during the summer of that year when she managed to escape from Devon’s clutches. Aurelia, who was a skilled physician in Cordon, had saved her life when she was gravely wounded while fleeing from the mercenaries Marla sent after her.

She then stayed in Aurelia’s hut for a few days nestled in the wilderness near Ebodia’s southern borders. And although the woman had graciously allowed her to stay, Tarah made the decision to leave soon after, fearing for her new friend’s safety.

It was also then that she realized that her plan had failed miserably. She had once trusted Marla to aid her, believing the woman would send Levi to her afterwards. However, it became clear that Marla’s intentions were far from noble. In truth, she had only helped Tarah escape from Devon’s clutches to ensure her demise.

‘I wonder how Aurelia is doing,’ Tarah thought to herself.