Chapter Three

She didn't believe Emrys then. But when it happened, it was like magic.

When their eyes met, she heard and felt that one distinct heartbeat. It was mellow, soothing even, but so different it startled her. She didn't know what it was but it was light and freeing. And then she was thrown out of balance, literally and figuratively. When she fell, she knew he's going to be there to catch her. When their body touched, it made her heart beat the second time.

The feeling took her breath away.

That's when she knew.

Althea finally found him.

Her King.

Her husband.

Just like Emrys said, her heart and soul knew.

She squirmed to take a good look at him. He has blond hair, long enough that he could tie it in a ponytail. His face was surely handsome but what Althea noticed the most were his eyes. It was icy blue, sharp and intelligent, calculating and intuitive. She was so awed that she could tell these things just by looking at his eyes, she smiled.

And then the guard called him 'Your Majesty'. Initially, she thought he was calling her but then he looked at the guard too.

Her heart beat for the third time but only to break into pieces.

There must be a mistake.

"I invite you and your sister to the palace." He addressed Percy and Gavin.

"Your Majesty…." She tried. When the man did not correct her, she felt confusion and then despair. Maybe all that heart thumping experience she had minutes ago wasn't because she found her King. Maybe, it was because of what happened at the inn, with Lord Dincly, with Gareth, and with the fire. Surely, what happened was absolutely disorienting. She almost died falling from the roof, didn't she?

"My older brother was wounded, Your Highness. I would like to remain by his side." She said.

"You have my word that he is in good hands." He said.

He grabbed her middle and turned her around, positioning her against his chest without saying anything else. There was that feeling again.

Althea started to panic.

There must be a mistake! He couldn't be her husband!

A rain drop fell on her face as if to slap her back to reality.

When they arrived at the Royal Palace, the rain finally poured down. The palace guards greeted him and assisted him down. There was no more doubt that he is the King of Clarines.

Althea wanted to cry. Emrys didn't give her any warning that her husband might already be a King of another Kingdom. Wouldn't that complicate things? She was expecting a Commoner or even a Lord who would be willing to leave his home and settle at Florin, not the King! Althea can give a hundred, even a thousand reasons why her husband can't be a King from another Kingdom. First and foremost, would be the impending war in Florin. It's too dangerous for someone like him to be involved. It will not just endanger himself but his country and people as well.

The King of Clarines assisted her down the horse. He was a lot taller up-close. He wasn't large like Gareth but still, he was well-built. He is strong enough to fight any man, especially her Uncle Moria. Oh, if only he wasn't the King!

She didn't realize they were still holding hands until Percy and Gavin caught her attention.

"There is a room prepared where your sister can rest. Given what happened today, I think she'll need that." The King of Clarines suggested, looking at Percy and Gavin straight in the eyes.

"We appreciate your concern Your Highness, but… ah…" Gavin fidgeted.

"We need to stay by our sister's side. Always." Percy said averting his eyes at him.

Althea found it amusing that the two knights were wary of someone. Percy and Gavin were usually confident and intimidating. It's amazing that the King of Clarines can make them cower like this.

"We are truly humbled by the invitation Your Highness, but…" Percy added.

"We should see our older brother immediately." Gavin finished. "We are really worried."

The King of Clarines smiled at them.

A smile that knows everything.

Althea quietly sighed.

"All right, I'll arrange that your brother will be treated here in the palace." The King said.

"Your Highness, that's not necessary!" Percy and Gavin chorused.

Althea interrupted them by clearing her throat. The three men's attention turned to her.

"Your Highness, I think introduction should be in order." She said.

The King of Clarines assessed for a brief moment and then nodded his assent. Percy and Gavin looked at her questioningly.

"But!" She immediately added. "Due to our circumstances, I would to request your audience privately, Your Highness." She heard Percy and Gavin gasp. Althea ignored it and focused instead on the King of Clarines, which she found difficult to do. If only he wasn't the King.

"Very well. Follow me to my study." Izana said. He already knows that these people are not what they seem to be. The woman was willing to disclose their identity and he was fairly curious as to who they are - as to who exactly is she.

His Study Room isn't exactly where he would welcome his guests; in fact, they were defying the palace protocol but it was the closest room from where they are. He's being considerate not to exhaust the woman. But when her face lit up from the sight of the room, he seems to have made the right decision.

"No, stay here." The woman instructed her 'brothers' outside the room.

"But…" The lad with the ash-blond hair protested.

"Gareth is going to get furious." The lad with the brown hair warned the woman.

The woman just nodded her head and then closed the door.

Izana was about to direct her to sit but the woman held her ground and smiled at him. Izana remained standing.

"We are humbled by your Kingdom's hospitality and we deeply apologize for our unannounced visit." She started. "Rest assured that we are only here for a short visit and not for anything else."

With a perfect bow, she addressed him. "Your Highness, King of Clarines, I am Althea Kassandra Fanell from the Kingdom of Florin."

Izana's eyes widened. The sight of the beautiful woman wearing a wedding dress bowing before him assaulted his senses. She looked regal even when her long raven hair was in disarray and her dress torn and burnt.

That, and the fact that she is from no less the Kingdom of Florin.

"From the Kingdom of Florin. The Land of the Faeries."

He repeated, saying it more to himself.

"Indeed, my Kingdom was called the Land of the Faeries a long time ago."

"Your Kingdom?" Izana asked.

"My Kingdom." Althea nodded. "I cannot say anything more."

The Kingdom of Florin was as good as a legend itself. There was no recorded information about the Kingdom except people who supposedly went there never returned to tell the tale. It was said that beings with magical powers live there. It was a place where the myths and legends collide with reality. What the world only knew, what Izana only knew, was that the royal family of Fanell was the ruler of the Kingdom since the beginning of time. No one can vouch for their existence though, until today.

"Alright." He acquiesced. "I suppose this has to do with your circumstances that you said earlier."

"You believed me?!" She asked him incredulously.

"Was I not supposed to?"

"Well, usually you'll ask about Florin. Many people don't even know it exists."

"I guess I'm not one of them, then."

Althea sighed a relief.

"Your Highness, if I may be so bold to ask a favor…"

He motioned her to continue.

She cleared her throat before speaking.

"Due to our circumstances, you see, it is important that no one will know that we are from the Kingdom of Florin."

"Your identity is safe with me." He assured her.

"Thank you very much. Also, could you give us three more days to stay in Clarines? After that, you have my word that we will leave your Kingdom."

"You are free to stay here in the palace for how long you want." Izana smiled.

"No, like I said I just need three days to stay in… Clarines and not in your… palace… Did you say were going to stay here in the palace?" Althea looked bewildered.

"As my guests, it is natural that you stay in here." The King affirmed.

"But you said my secret is safe with you?!"

"That, and you are safer here in the palace. Concerning the incident that happened earlier, the guards told me that he is a nobleman from Eraosa."

"Yes, he is. He is called Lord Dincly." She informed him.

"He brought ten ruffians with him." The King stated.

"Yes, I did not expect that he will resort to that kind of barbaric method."

The King nodded knowing he got his point across.

"But I don't think it is necessary that we stay here. I have three of my Knights with me, Percy and Gavin, the two boys outside and Gareth. I mean, they are my brothers. And they are very capable. Gareth fought the criminals by himself." Althea reasoned out.

"Lady Althea, I insist that you be my guest." The look the King gave her was final. How on earth could she defy what the King said?!

Althea just lost this argument, so she just nodded.

"One last thing, Your Highness." She said.

"Yes?"

"May I know your name?"

The King looked at her weirdly and laughed.

"Yes, of course. I apologize for not introducing myself."

The King bowed at her. "I am Izana Wistaria from the Kingdom of Clarines. It is my pleasure to meet you, Lady Althea."

Althea thought he was magnificent, her heart was about to burst.

This is definitely a mistake.