contemplated adhering to Lotha's instruction to wait patiently for their arrival, regardless of the duration. She could not recall the

thela cautiously eased the door open, the creaking noise sending a shiver down

veyed the area, an uncanny sensation of being watched compelled her to cast her eyes across the ri

inctive colouration. "He is a magnificent specimen," Esthela silently appraised as she continued to observe the

r way back inside the hut. Esthela retrieved a leaf and a piece of charcoal she had brought with her. This was one of the secrets she shar

ons that haunted her thoughts. Why had she not fallen in love with and married her dear friend? And w

Esthela mused as she contemplated the ring her father had placed upon her finger, adorned with a l

her mother referred to as Lotha, the chosen one. But chosen for what? Her mother esteemed him highly, almost with

e importance, judging by the deference her father's closest friend, Aldus – Leoric's father – showed him. They had accompanied her family an

swers. A sigh escaped her lips as she contemplated her life, now brimming with enigmatic mysteries.

ons. The same occurred with her siblings, particularly her elder

her echoed in her mind. According to him, she was to utter her fiancé's name thrice, and a door would open. But what was this name? Why had

of reddish-brown and black. What species of creature could it possibly be? She dared not draw nearer, fearing to wander too far from the safety o

rang out, laden with ire as he chided his frie

musement of watching her expression when she looks up and se

u of your ability to fly!" Prince Erick threatened his friend with a playful

the fondness for your new human pet, ha, ha,

o her as a 'human p

er, and it's only a matter of time before the Empress ta

ruct me on how to disengage myself

ryun asked, his

k posed a question, "What do you reckon her nam

ation. The human before them exudes beauty. Despite their numerous encounters with humans during their travels, they had consistently avoided interactions with women, heeding the

y believe what

er painting, regarding her with evident admiration. He had never experienced the pangs of love before,

uman. You are well aware that Elgida will dispatc

e lay a finger on her?" the prince ret

l. She has been resolute in her ambition to marry you since yo

ncess from the allied kingdoms to my wife. But Elgida will never be my spouse; I have made my po

humans vanquished the dragons of the Copper Mountains. She

session with me; she ought to regard me as a youn

he is driven by ambition; she

ttle to me whom my father selects, provided it is not Elgida; I will consent. This evening he has a

t delightful little blue one we encountered during our visit to

Yes, she's quite endearing a

d never aspire to marry a princess. Perhaps with

spun around, searching for the source of the disturbance but seeing nothing, and

I'm earnest when I say you must keep her hidden from Elgida

to her as my 'p

en what

roughly thirty-five days to his seventy human years. He couldn't afford to grow attached; she would pass before he could grow acc

cued? He later turned against us, seeking to slay all for our blood. Ha

our identities to h

iend Oryun retorted. "You wouldn't b

s not

, pray tel

llous creations she fashions; she paints all that she beholds," he remarked, observing Esthela who had

thela's shoulder. "We ought to procure for her some of those coloured charco

nsider it,"

psing our shadows," the prince pondered aloud. "

whilst tending to the child, remember? We shall erect a protective

n't what grandfather told us about humans

but children at the time. Is that not your desire, for her to live longer? It mig

cs—I fear an unforeseen misfortune might befall her. What if I were to take her with me this evening? I could conceal her i

u even contemplate bringing a human into our rea