Prophecy

Princess Aldric Ironhelm's POV:

To think, even after being recognized as the crown princess, I'm still unable to decide what I truly want – I feel so powerless. I glanced at one of my friends and asked, "So, what do you think about the prophecy?"

She looked at me solemnly and replied, "Your Highness, who am I to comment on the prophecy that the shaman made? But if truth be told, every prophecy has proven true for our kingdom. It might be wise to at least observe what unfolds."

I sighed and nodded in agreement, "Well, it's not like we can prevent it anyway. I just wonder who that man will be."

Amaan's POV:

The reason I agreed and believed what Rahul said so easily was that I had always prepared myself for something like this, maybe not exactly this, but something similar. Having no family, I had many difficulties when it came to caring for myself. I was more reckless than most people. Before college, I was involved with some nasty people, to say the least. It was Rahul who saved me. I didn't know how he managed to get rid of those people, but he somehow did and saved me. After that, I took an oath to be a true friend to Rahul. For some reason, even when he smiled, I felt a lonely feeling from him, but he never lost his warmth for other people. However, after whatever that man did, for the first time, his eyes didn't seem to see me with the warmth they used to. For some reason, I didn't feel that this Rahul was the same Rahul I knew. At that very moment, I made up my mind regarding what I had to do.

I looked around, opening my eyes. We seemed to be in a room. The bed seemed big, maybe king-size. Looking around a bit more, the room seemed pretty simplistic yet every martial seemed expensive. Other than the bed, there were some sofas and a big bookshelf. I looked at Rahul and asked, "Where did that man go?" in a nervous tone. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "He said before we leave, he will give us a gift for our journey to make it more enjoyable."

Aryan's POV:

I turned, dropping those two and vanishing once again before instructing Gill to prepare a bath of high cultivator levels for both of them and reached the Li Clan. In the Li Clan's palace chamber, three individuals were seated on a couch engaged in conversation about their recent visit. One of them remarked, "It went smoothly after His Majesty departed. With Grandpa by our side, I was able to complete the registration of my expedition to the Eternal Empire." The girl looked and said, "To think Rishi will get to meet His Majesty and, for some reason, be remembered by his name... That's some damn karma, I say." Even the old ancestor nodded, "That's true. You might be the first person of this generation to meet His Majesty and get remembered by name." The boy remarked, "What can I say? I am just that great," with a smirk.

Before the girl could sarcastically remark on his narcissistic words, Grandpa Li stood and said, "Li Clan ancestor greets His Majesty." Both of them froze before bowing ninety degrees and doing the same as their grandpa.

I appeared before them and, seated, said, "Please, have a seat." The duo looked at each other, then at their grandpa, who had taken the seat after I spoke, and did the same.

I calmly said, "Don't be alarmed," noticing how nervous both of them looked. Well, they couldn't be blamed; seeing me once was already a big deal, but now, my sudden, abrupt entry was too much for children like them to handle. Saying that I looked at Rishi and said, "Rishi of the Li Clan, who shall accompany me for a few years to a few decades." After declaring that, I looked at Grandpa Li and said, "I don't think you mind..."

He looked and said, "I wouldn't have asked, but I am curious, Your Majesty. What are you cooking? May I know the reason for you taking Rishi?" Contemplating between telling the truth and not, I chose the middle line and said, "You don't have to worry, Li Ancestor. Your grandson will be safe, and you know that."

He snorted and said, "As if I worry for his safety, there is no safer place than you to begin with." He then said, "I asked because I was curious, not because I was worried Your Majesty," and that's how I kidnapped another child; don't know why the word "kidnapped" came into mind. Shrugging off the thoughts, I teleported myself and Rishi.

Upon reaching our location, Rishi said, as if confused, "What was happening? How did he reach into the palace again?" He hesitantly said, "Your Majesty, next year I am about to have my first expedition. If I don't go, I will be banned for the next expedition year."

I looked at him and said, "Just put my name and say you had to go for my work. You can do that with Seera, or if you want, I can tell Gill to inform on your behalf." He opened his mouth and then closed it again, saying he would do it.

Seeing the other two seemingly relaxing, I appeared before them with Rishi and said, "It's time. But before that, you two need to have the bath of your life," and smiled.