Alea's footsteps stopped right at the threshold of the large door that towered as high as a tower. The door was made of black wood carved with the royal emblem of a pair of winged wolves—it opened slowly, revealing a stunning main room.
"This is so beautiful," Alea murmured softly.
"This is my kingdom," replied the man.
Alea was led further inside. Alea looked around the room again.
The ceiling was high, supported by shiny silver marble pillars bathed in light. From above hung giant spiral crystal chandeliers, reflecting a golden light that made the entire room appear warm yet dignified.
At the end of the room were twin thrones made of moonstone, finely carved and enthroned with cold, sparkling blue gems. Around them, the elders and advisors of the kingdom stood silently, watching Arzenio's every step as he walked Alea into the room.
As Alea stepped further in, the spacious and magnificent room felt quiet, as if everyone there was holding their breath. Behind its grandeur, there was a cold, stiff, and expectant aura—a room where truths were spoken and big decisions were made.
"What will happen to me?" Alea muttered softly once again.
"Prince Arzenio, who is he?" asked the middle-aged woman who was the queen mother.
"Huh? Prince Arzenio? He's a prince?" Alea looked at Arzenio, who was still holding her hand, in surprise.
"He's human, Mother."
Everyone in the palace looked shocked. Alea, who was being stared at by many eyes, instead moved closer to Arzenio. For some reason, she felt comfortable around the man whose name she had just learned.
"Human? How could a human child enter our kingdom? This is impossible!" exclaimed the middle-aged man with a white beard sharply.
"Father, this human also doesn't know why he is here, but there are more important things than that. He entered through the sacred pool and drank the black wine, and we have already performed the union of destiny," explained Arzenio, looking at Alea.
"What are you saying? He's human, but he went through all the rituals that should have been performed by Lady Vatira? And he's fine?" The man Arzenio called Father widened his eyes.
Three old men were seen talking to each other with serious expressions.
Now, Alea looked upset and frightened, feeling that something bad was going to happen to her.
**
Alea returned to her room after spending several hours being studied by the elders there, while Arzenio remained in the main hall of the palace to discuss matters with the elders and his parents.
"So this is a palace and Arzenio is a prince? Am I dreaming?" Alea tried pinching her arm and felt pain.
"Oh God! Why am I in this strange world?" Alea walked around her room, hoping to find something that could take her back to her world.
"I'd better leave this place and find my way home, who knows, maybe I can return to my house."
Alea tiptoed out of her room.
The palace corridor, which looked deserted that night, allowed Alea's plan to proceed smoothly.
When she reached the main gate, Alea saw several guards standing there.
"How can I get them to leave?"
Alea tried throwing something to distract the guards, and it worked. Alea slipped out through a small door in the gate.
She ran as fast as she could, looking for a way home, until she finally arrived at a place that was very dark and felt creepy.
The place was filled with large trees with a fragrant aroma, which was in stark contrast to the atmosphere.
"Am I lost?" said Alea, confused.
"Stop! Who are you? How dare you enter this forbidden land!" said a large man wearing a black robe and a hood.
"I-I'm sorry, my name is Alea and I just want to know the way to the human world."
"Human? So you're a human? How could a weak creature like you be here?"
"Please help me, I'm not a bad person."
"Anyone who sets foot on forbidden ground must be destroyed."
"What? Destroyed?"
Fearing for her life, Alea immediately ran away from there. With all her strength, Alea would save herself.
In the midst of her escape, Alea saw several large black shadows chasing her.
"What are those? Why are they so big?" Alea thought to herself as she kept running, searching for a way out.
In his palace, Arzenio, who was still with the elders and his parents, suddenly felt something strange. A feeling that Arzenio had never felt before.
"Prince, why is your heart beating so loudly?" asked his mother.
Arzenio, who looked agitated, immediately left the room as fast as the wind.
"Argh!"
Alea's body rolled down the hillside several times. Finally, her eyes widened as she saw a steep ravine with sharp rocks.
Yes, Alea had rolled down and fallen into the ravine. Feeling that she would not survive, Alea could only close her eyes and resign herself to dying.
Suddenly, Alea felt her body floating in the air and a pair of hands carrying her.
Alea slowly opened her eyes. "Prince Arzenio, you came," she said softly.
"I will take you back to the palace."
"Prince Arzenio, hand over the human who dared to enter the forbidden land. We will judge him," said the man with the head covering.
"Guard Zorax, this human is mine, so no one is allowed to touch him," Arzenio said coldly.
"That's not possible. He has violated the rules of the forbidden land by entering without permission. Therefore, he must be punished." Two more men in the same black robes appeared.
"Do you want to fight me? Let this human return to my palace. I will take responsibility before your elders later."
"We don't want to fight Prince Arzenio, but the rules must be upheld."
Arzenio gently laid Alea's body on the ground. Arzenio stood directly in front of Alea as if to shield the girl.
"As I said, I will not hand this human over to you."
Suddenly, the three figures, who looked more like shadows, attacked Arzenio.
Although they looked like shadows that could not be grasped. However, when Arzenio's hand moved to respond to them, the shadow-like men were quickly strangled by Arzenio and thrown into the air.
Immediately, there was the sound of many footsteps quickly approaching Arzenio. Alea, who heard the footsteps, shuddered in horror, as if a large group of something was heading towards them.
A loud roar was heard there, making Alea's hair stand on end.
"What was that sound?"
Soon, Alea's eyes widened as she saw something emerge from behind the tall bushes there.
"Oh my God! What is that?"