62 Monsters In The Night

–Magic–

The dimly lit room seemed spacious, especially because the wide luxurious bed was pushed to a corner. Another bed was arranged in the room. It was neither as wide nor had a canopy as a cover, but the fluffy mattress soaked Isabelle's body in comfort.

A small changing space covered in curtains was set up since Isabelle was going to live in the same room as Queen Afeefa. It was directly in front of the two beds. A dim lamp was also set up inside and right now it was the reason a shadow formed on the curtain.

If Isabelle looked in the direction, she would see the shadow of long arms and even longer legs. The curve of the figure carved in above round hips and the body expanded upwards. Queen Afeefa was about to remove her thigh split dress when she heard a sudden change in Isabelle's breaths.

She pushed aside the curtains and urgently walked towards the bed. Isabelle was lying on the bed with knees touching the stomach. She touched the girl's forehead and felt a slight higher temperature.

"Can't sleep?" Afeefa asked while gently rubbing Isabelle's forehead with the back of her hand.

"My throat is a little dry, that's all." Isabelle replied.

Afeefa got up and moved towards the door. A sting tried to a golden star was hanging by the wall. She pulled it and turned towards Isabelle. Her eyes observed the girl while she waited for her maid. Soon after, someone knocked on the door.

"Is Lulu back?" Afeefa asked before the maid could say anything.

"No madam, she has not returned yet." Selene respectfully said. She bowed once and then looked up for her next orders. Her small stature and cute face made her look like a small kitten looking up at her owner.

"Send her here when she returns and prepare warm milk for Isabelle." Afeefa said.

Selene bowed respectfully and left. Why was this girl getting all the extra attention from her madam? Her face pouted in anger, but it looked super cute. She walked along the walkway that ran along the garden.

"Boo!" Suddenly, a shadow jumped at Selene and the little maid almost fell backwards in terror.

"I-" Selene breathed heavily as Lulu held her in arms. "I told you to stay away from me!" She pushed the annoying Knight who was only a little taller than her.

"Awww, you want candy?" Lulu's glasses shined, and she put her hand inside a paper bag. She took out a small yellow and pink box decorated with round hills.

"Madam has summoned you." Selene swung both her hands and successfully snatched the box. She was like a kitten clapping with her both hands.

Lulu didn't mind that Selene left without saying anything further. She stretched her hands while not letting anything fall from the paper bag. A black crochet crown with golden engravings was sitting above her ear.

***

—Magic cannot be borrowed from nature—

Queen Afeefa was sitting by Isabelle's side. She got increasingly nervous as Isabelle's face was covered in sweat and the body's temperature rose. The poor girl inhaled multiple times before exhaling. At last, the knock on the door brought hope.

Lulu hurried inside and dropped the bag by the bedside before climbing on it. She opened Isabelle's eyes with her fingers and listened to the heartbeat by placing her ear on the maiden's chest.

"There's nothing to worry about," Lulu said. She tapped on her armor and struggled to remove a small metal piece. Round pellets of different colors fell down the small opening. She picked a green piece and put it inside Isabelle's mouth.

Even after an hour, Isabelle inhaled twice as she struggled to breathe and her body temperature was still a degree above normal. Afeefa looked at Lulu, who looked equally confused. Selene was at the side with her head down. The glass of milk she brought had turned cold.

"I think she needs some fresh air." Lulu said at last. It seemed like she didn't want to say it but had to, as no other choice was left.

Queen Afeefa looked at Isabelle. The girl had not left this dimly lit and sealed room for four days. She instructed Selene to call in Rose.

"You will be alright," Lulu removed the crochet crown from her ear and kept it by Isabelle's side. "Look, I bought a hair band for you." She patted Isabelle's head and got up from the bed.

Rose arrived at the door with her metal armor and boots. A black scabbard holding a longsword was in her hands. She entered the room and saw Lulu frown.

"Leave the swords outside you dummy." Selene said while huffing. She gladly made it in time and pulled Rose's hand.

"I am sorry," Rose swung her hand and threw the sword out of the door. Selene and Lulu froze with open mouths when they saw this action. Whereas, Queen Afeefa only shook her head.

"Instruct Oak and Delora to keep extra vigilance tonight. Tell them I am taking Isabelle to the pavilion and report back to me." Queen Afeefa instructed.

"They are in different directions, I should go too." Lulu looked at the Queen, who nodded.

***

–A loud laughter. Fool nature into lending magic to you–

Lulu caught up when Rose was picking the sword. This open space underneath the stars had more light than the Queen's room because of the bright lamps. They both looked at each other, their expressions darkened because of the shade. Lulu showed the bag and took out a paper box and a glass bottle.

"I bought this one for you." Lulu handed over the box. A sweet smell burst out, suddenly lifting up the mood.

"Thanks, I will eat it later." Rose was about to leave when Lulu handed over the glass bottle.

"It's for Delora, thank her for keeping the watch." Lulu said and walked in the opposite direction. "Let's race!" She loudly said as she heard Rose's running steps.

The race wasn't even close. Rose returned and communicated Delora's thoughts to the Queen. When Lulu reached the room it felt like it would've been better to have Rose do the job alone.

Queen Afeefa looked around, took a deep breath before leaving the room.

Rose followed with Isabelle in her arms.

Lulu and Selene watched them leave towards the lake.

A round pavilion was built at the side of the lake. It had a round table and a long bench padded with a comfy cushion. Rose put down Isabelle and left to stand guard a few meters away from the pavilion. The lamp at the pavilion was not turned on. Rose didn't know of it and Afeefa let it be.

Only fresh winds could be heard faintly as they caressed the scene of the still lake without waking it up. Stars sprinkled on the water surface and eventually Isabelle's breathing turned regular. Queen Afeefa smiled and opened her mouth to suggest heading back.

But suddenly a whoosh traveled closer. It seemed like something was cutting through the air and rapidly approaching. Rose saw a log shaped shadow but couldn't prevent it as it crashed straight into the pavilion.

"Queen!"

Dust rose in the air as Afeefa barely managed to jump away while carrying Isabelle. She looked in the direction of the attack and then inspected the thing that shattered the pavilion. Her eyes twitched and her lips tightened as the dust settled, but her hands only tightened around Isabelle.

A person was lying in the dust. Blood cleared away the dust as it flowed to mix with the red-colored hair. The eyes twitched and the body lying in the rubble shivered. Pieces of stone fell down, revealing a golden armor among the clothes.

"Delora!" Rose rushed to the body.

Afeefa took another step back as she frantically looked around. And suddenly, a similar crash sounded. She looked at the source. Dust blew near the stone fence. The lamp light clearly showed a shadow taller than the fence itself.

"So strong." Lulu whistled. She put down the poor maid who had fallen asleep.

"Afeefa, run away." Delora said in a voice only Rose could hear.

"Queen, please run away." Rose said. "Please run away!" The enemy who could defeat Delora… Shivers ran down Rose's spine as she turned towards the fence. A loud laughter sounded in the air as a giant lady stepped on the yard.

"Queen Madeline!"