Trinity of the Heart Part 1
Chapter 14
The group walked into West Crystince Kingdom and looked around. It was a very beautiful kingdom, full of waterfalls and forests as far as the eye could see.
Mint: Right now, were in the central city of West Crystince Kingdom. The palace is just beyond that Waterfall. Well…behind it really.
Rue: The palace is hidden behind a waterfall?
Runis: Cool!!!
Alak: That's not a real watefall. Just an illusion.
Runis: Really? That's still pretty cool!
Mint led the group to the edge of the waterfall. A man dressed in fine robes met them. Rue noticed the crown on his head.
Man: Why, if it isn't Lady Mint…Queen Mint now I hear?
Mint: Yep, I'm Queen now! How are you doing King Betherla?
Betherla: Oh, just fine. The kingdom is flourishing and my people are very happy indeed. And East Heaven?
Mint: Uhh…(remembers the zombie and puppet infested city) It's great! Better then ever!
Betherla: I see…so, East Heaven hasn't fallen apart yet?
Mint: No, I'm a very good Queen! I protect my people really well!
Betherla: Have you transformed them back to normal yet?
Mint: (surprised) How, How did you know about that?
Betherla: I'm not an idiot Mint. I knew that what happened. I know other things too, about your friends, and the condition of the other two kingdoms.
Mint: Really? Has Valen gotten to them yet?
Betherla: No, not yet. North Cesila Kingdom and South Hell Kingdom are doing just fine…
Rue: South Hell Kingdom?! Why'd they name it that?!
Betherla: (smiles) Well, its real name is South Helatan Kingdom but well…it's more hell then anything else. Most people, those who don't live there, call it South Hell Kingdom.
Rue: Why's that?
Betherla: Because, that kingdom has more rapists, murderers, thieves and other such filth that all the other kingdoms combined. Well, even more then that. Triple each kingdom, give them each ten Jack the Rippers and it still would be Heaven compared to that place.
Rue:…what a horrible place! Can't someone do something about it?
Betherla: Many have tried to take that kingdom under control but no one has done it. So that means Valen won't succeed no matter what he does!
Mint: Succeed? You know his plan?
Betherla: Don't you?
Mint: I have a hunch…it has to do with that old legend about uniting the Four Kingdoms right?
Betherla: Yes, it does. For now, let's go in the castle. I've had a feast prepared in your honor, as well as a party, complete with a dancing contest and a magic contest. You should all enter.
Mint: I might, let's just go in, it's hot out today.
Later, inside the castle…
Rue: This place is something else…
Mint: It's beautiful, isn't it?
Rue: Are these walls maybe out of marble?
Mint: Yeah.
Mint and Rue were looking around. Lily had gone off alone while Runis was tagging along with Alak and Osara.
Rue: Mint, can I ask you a question. I don't know if you'll want to answer it or not…
Mint: ( I wonder what he wants to ask me?) Of course.
Rue:…What happened when you were 8 that makes the people here think less of you?
Mint: (Darn…) Well…Dad took us, me and Maya, with him when he came here once. I'm 3 years older then Maya, so she was 5. During the feast, they served pumpkins. I didn't like them back then but I'd eat them…but this huge spider came out of my pumpkin pie. Had to be as big as the pie. I took off running and I kinda…knocked the table over…it was real bad. And people were dancing in the next room and I came flying through, being chased by a spider who was as big as my head.
Rue: That's all? How'd the spider get in there?
Mint: The cook said it was his pet. It's called the Pumpkin Robber Spider. It lives in pumpkins and can take the heat of an oven.
Rue: Is that why you hate pumpkins so much?
Mint: Yeah…
Rue: Well, I'm sure they can forgive you. You were a kid. You were scared.
Mint: They don't care…they usually have a stick up their asses but they seem like they have a sense of humor now.
Rue: I see…I take it you don't like spiders much then?
Mint: I hate them more then pumpkins…hey, look over there!
Rue turned and saw two booths set up in front of the entrance to the dining hall. One said "Magic Contest, test your abilities for prizes!" and the other said, "Dancing contest, the best couple wins!" Mint ran over t the booths. There was a lady behind each.
Dancing Lady: Hello Queen Mint! Would you like to enter the dancing contest?
Mint: Uh, sure! Why not?
Dancing Lady: Very good! I'll put you down then! Your friends already signed up.
Mint: All of them?
Dancing Lady: Yes. What's your name young man?
Rue: I'm Rue…but I don't want to be in the contest…
Dancing Lady: Nonsense! I'm entering you this minute!
Magic Lady: Queen Mint, would you like to sign up for the Magic contest? All but one of your friends signed up and I hear you have powerful magic!
Mint: (Must be Runis who didn't sign up…I'll get his powers back soon I hope) Sure!
Magic Lady: And would you like to sign up Rue?
Rue: No thank you…I don't have any magic powers.
Mint: That's a lie, you can change into an animal!
Magic Lady: Oh my! You'll win for sure! I'll sign you up!
Rue: Mint…I don't want to be in any contests!
Mint: Yes you do, it'd'll be fun! I promise!
Magic Lady: When you hear the Gong, please go into the dining hall for the contests.
Mint: Alright! How much time do we have?
GONG!!!!
Magic Lady: None. Go have fun you two!!
The Dining Hall was huge. There was a stage in the back and huge, long tables lining the walls. Plates maybe of silver and goblets made of gold seat in front of beautiful chairs. They could seat 200 people easy.
Mint: Wow!! Even East Heaven's Hall isn't this big!
Rue: Amazing…even the silverware is gold…
Betherla: To enhance the flavor of food.
Mint: Oh, hey Betherla! Gold enhances flavor?
Betherla: Yes, is does. You taste only the food, not the fork. Did you two enter the contests?
Mint: Yep!
Betherla: Great! Now, the Magic Contest is first, so all entrees need to go to the stage.
Mint: Ok! C'mon Rue!
Rue: Mint…I don't want to change in front of strangers…
Betherla: Don't worry, we have lots of people in West Crystince Kingdom who can change shape or color and such. No one will think you're a freak.
Rue: Still…
Mint: Oh, c'mon Rue! (pulls Rue across the room and up on the stage. Betherla follows them)
Betherla watched as the room filled. Many people stepped up on the stage, including Lily, Osara, and Alak. Runis sat in a seat close to the stage. As soon as people were seated, Betherla walked up to the microphone.
Betherla: Ladies and Gentlemen! I'm pleased to see you all here tonight! This feast is in honor of two people who mean the world to us all. Queen Mint, of East Heaven Kingdom…
Everyone cheered and clapped loudly for Mint, who blushed badly. But Mint wondered who else they were honoring.
Betherla: And the return of my daughter, Lily.
Everyone cheered madly, stomping their feet and clapping as Lily bowed.
Mint: (whispers) You're a Princess Lily?!
Lily: (whispers) I'm adopted of course. The King didn't have anyone to succeed the throne, then he found me in a small temple.
Mint: Oh…
Betherla: Queen Mint and her brave friends saved Lily from Valen's evil lair. Tonight, we honor their courage and skill, as well as Lily's homecoming…and something else as well! But that can wait until the end of the feast! Now, let's begin the Magic Contest!!
Everyone cheered again.
Betherla: The winner of the contest, will receive a pair of magic gloves, that enhance one's skills!
More cheering.
Betherla: Let's begin!
The contest was amazing. One by one they stepped up and cast a spell. One person cast a spell that rained confetti on everyone. Someone else cast a powerful fire spell on himself, then used a powerful water spell to put it out. Alak cast a spell that created a bubble made of water. Osara cast a spell that made fireworks. Mint cast her Angel spell Satellite. Rue changed himself into a pollywog. Lily cast a spell that allowed her to fly.
Betherla: Now, the secret judges have just decided on who wins. Is everyone ready? The winner is…It's a tie! Between Rue and Osara!!!
Osara and Rue walked up to the King. Everyone cheered and clapped for them. They each got one glove.
Betherla: Congratulations! Now, let's move on to the next contest. All persons entered in the Dance contest please go see Miss Balt in the center of the room.
Mint and the others gathered together as they walked to Miss Balt.
Mint: Nice job you guys, you guys did really well.
Rue: (blush) Thanks Mint…
Mint: And you didn't even want to enter!
Alak: Good work Osara. I thought you'd do something with Puppets…
Osara: Nah, I didn't think that was flashy enough.
The group reached Miss Balt. She was telling people where to stand.
Miss Balt: Name Please.
Alak: Alak.
Miss Balt: You and your dance partner Lily go stand near the stage.
Mint: Partner?
Miss Balt: yes, you each have a partner in this dance. It's a slow dance.
Mint and Rue: (Slow dance?!…Am I with…?) * Looks at each other *
Miss Balt: Name Please.
Runis: Runis.
Miss Balt: You and your partner Osara go stand near Lily. (turns to Mint and Rue) Since your Queen Mint, that means you and your partner Rue go over there. (points)
Mint and Rue walked over to where they were supposed to be. Rue was staring at the ground and Mint was looking over at Lily and Alak. They looked really good together.
Betherla: Everyone, please get ready. Remember this is a slow dance! Band, get ready.
A band had appeared on stage. Mint looked up at Rue.
Mint: (beat red) We-well, we better get ready then.
Rue: (also beat red) Y-yeah…
Rue put his hands on Mint's waist and Mint placed her arms around his neck. They were both shaking nervously.
Betherla: I will judge the contest for couples and dancing. Ready?
The band began to play. Mint and Rue began moving in one spot, too nervous to even look at each other.
Mint: Look at Lily and Alak…
Rue looked over at the two. Lily was resting her head on Alak's shoulder. They looked very cute together.
Rue: I bet they'll win. They look prefect together.
Mint: Yeah, they do…look at Osara and Runis.
Osara and Runis were both as red as Rue and Mint, nervously dancing like Mint and Rue were.
Rue: heh…that's cute. They're both so nervous…they aren't even looking at each other.
Mint: Yeah, look at them. Poor kids…They need to be more like us…
Rue: Huh?!
Mint: More like Alak and Lily I mean! (blush…Mint you idiot!!!)
Rue: Oh…right, of course…(blush…I was hoping she'd say us…guess not)
The two continued their stiff circles. Rue tried not to think about where is hands were and the fact that their faces were so close.
Lily: Hey Alak?
Alak: Yes?
Lily: Look at Mint and Rue…
Alak looked over at them. A huge grin came on his face.
Alak: They look like Osara and Runis. Why won't they just ease up?
Lily: Honestly? I have no clue…I hope they win though. Mint and Rue are the cutest couple I've ever seen.
Alak: Cuter then us?
Lily: …
Betherla watched Mint and Rue. They were very cute, blushing and dancing like that. He wondered why they were so nervous. The band stopped and Mint and Rue froze. He grinned and stepped up to the Microphone.
Betherla: Alright, time for the winners! In Third Place…Jacob and Macie!
A man and a girl walked up to the stage and claimed their trophy.
Betherla: in Second place…Lily and Alak!
Lily and Alak got their trophy.
Betherla: And…in first place…
(Sage Kaley: C'mon, who do you think is going to win?)
Betherla: Osara and Runis!
Everyone cheered as Osara and Runis stepped up to claim their prize.
Betherla: Also, we have one more prize to give out…the Cutest Couple Award. This award goes to the cutest couple here…which happens to be Mint and Rue!!
Mint's jaw dropped and Rue's eyes widened.
Betherla: Well? C'mon you two, get up here!
The crowd roared and clapped. Mint found herself walking up to the stage, Rue right with her. They got the award and bowed to everyone. Mint couldn't believe it. Rue thought it was a wonderful dream. Everyone thought they deserved the award.
Later, after the feast, after many people congratulated them, Mint hurried off to bed. She let herself grin as she sat on her bed.
Mint: Rue and I are the cutest couple?! Oh Rue…
Rue meanwhile, was having the same thoughts.
Rue: Everyone thinks Mint and I look good together? This must be a dream…
Both were in such bliss. They wouldn't have been, if they knew about the secret meeting going on right then. Between Toch, Blue and King Betherla…
Author's Note: Cliffhanger!!!! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! See ya next chapter!
