30 King's Visit

"That must be because of medicine," Mira said. Silja closed her eyes and tried to erase the bloody images from her head.

Mira saw her frown and her concern increased but she didn't make any noises.

After a few seconds, Silja opened her eyes and looked ahead.

She saw the human girl was bending on the floor trying hard to clean the floor with her dress.

"What are you doing?" Silja asked the girl. The girl didn't dare to look up but started to tremble like dry leaves. The fear was encarved deep in her bones.

Silja looked at Mira and Mira understood.

She walked ahead and helped the girl up.

"Don't worry, we won't punish you." Mira tried to reassure the girl but she seemed to not believe what she heard.

Silja furrowed her eyebrows and her lips set in a thin line.

"Look at me," Silja ordered. And the girl complied immediately. Silja saw a small face pale and bruised.

She wanted to ask more but Silja held herself.

"Go take rest," Silja ordered and Mira called the other human maid who was with them to lead her out. And also call the healer to check on the princess.

"Where are we?" Silja finally looked up and saw the unfamiliar room. The design was rich and the taste was royal.

"In the royal castle of Northcrest. You were unconscious and injured when we found you. The soldiers from the army brought us here under Sir Henry's order." Mira sat by her side.

"This is a guest chamber. Our people are arranged to stay in the domestic chambers. Sir Henry has arranged everything." Silja heaved a sigh of relief hearing that everything was fine.

"Was anyone hurt?" She then asked.

"Some bruises and cuts, but nothing to worry about they are being treated," Mira reassured her. Soon they heard footsteps and then a middle-aged woman entered the room.

"Good evening, my lady." The woman greeted her politely and came near her bed. Her features were calm and kind. Eyes shining brightly.

"How are you feeling now?" She took off the quilt which was covering Silja's lower half exposing the milky white legs which were covered in the green medical coating.

"It's hard to move, otherwise fine," Silja replied.

"Wounds are healing just fine. She will be fine after resting one day. Also, the bruises will not leave any scars." The doctor was quick in her analysis. She then took her pulse and gave some medicinal herbs for pain if needed. And left.

As soon as the healer left one maid came running in.

"My lady, King is on the way to your chamber…"

Silja's forehead creased.

So she was finally going to meet the king himself. She adjusted her posture and Mira covered her properly.

Silja adjusted her emotions and kept her face straight.

Soon the heavy footsteps resonated outside of the room and the tall figure stopped near the door.

After halting for a second king Zachary entered the room.

"Good evening, princess Silja." The man stood tall in front of her bad. Silja could see the visible difference in his look from last time.

If not for some facial features which she can recognize he look different.

He was looking older when they met in Atlanea. But now he looks almost ten years younger than that. With the red robe that he wore with the golden dragon embroidery in them make him look more regal and mighty. His dark black eyes have a tint of Umber color in them. Which were cold and dangerous showing his power.

"Good evening, pardon me for not being able to…," Silja said but before she could complete the whole sentence Zachary stopped her.

"It should be me who should apologize, dear. It was our fault for not protecting you properly. I have failed kind Evan and I'm extremely guilty for that," he put his hand on his heart and apologize. Silja noticed that even though he was king and before everyone, his expression and apology looked genuine without any act.

Ether man was actually feeling bad or he was very good at acting. Silja concluded in her mind.

"It's alright, but today's incident confirms why a human shouldn't mingle with dragons." Silja bor her eyes in his. The man cocked one of the eyebrows and then chuckled.

"Well, that was an old mindset. I didn't expect you, a young generation to also believe in that." He said and took his seat on the chair near the bed.

"It's not about mindset. It's what you see and experience. Human life is fragile my king." Silja didn't back off.

"I thought princess of Atlanea to be brave. Never know small attack can scare you off so easily." He smiled at her and Silja saw subtle mockery in them.

"If being brave means risking the life of your people then I'm better to stay coward," she wasn't afraid of herself but the people she brought with her. They come here for her sack and they are her responsibility.

"I know you are a kind woman and I understand your concern, but trust me it's good for everyone, for our kingdoms, and for you too." Zachary could see that the girl has a backbone.

"For me?" Silja didn't know what good it will come from this.

"Yes. You know that you don't belong between humans but here." Silja heard him say and a line formed between her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

Zachary looked at the girl who looked visibly confused about what he said and he could tell that her expression was not fake.

What is with this girl?

Can it be that she, herself is unaware about herself? He questioned in his mind.

That day he was in hurry and left after sending the latter.

But what happened was as clear as water in his head.

For once he also thought that his dragons going deranged has something to do with this girl but the investigation proved that it wasn't the case.

He has lots of theories about her in his head but now it seems that the girl herself was clueless about things.

Which turned the situation good and at the same time bad.

But he wasn't in hurry to dig about her. There was the main task on hand which was marrying her to his son. And everything can be handled after that

"Time will tell. Till then I want you to stay here and enjoy my hospitality. If it's the will of stars you will become the wife of my son and our both Kingdom can create a peaceful relationship." He gave an ambiguous answer.

"Now I should take much of your time. See you soon till then take rest," with that the king stood up and left leaving Silja confused.