2 Years Later
The royal palace of Qalagon was beautifully decorated for a particular event. The sides of the hallways were full of many different kinds of flowers and the largest hall of the palace was full of tables and chairs where servants were currently serving luxurious dinner at each table.
The palace servants were busy running around almost everywhere as the event was just an hour away. The palace guards were also everywhere, trying to ensure the safety of the palace and the many guests who will be there. Some guests already arrived and the King and Queen were busy receiving them.
"Just fifteen more minutes," Arin Helev said to his wife who was standing beside him. "By that time, all the expected guests will be here now."
Iria nodded with a little smile. All the expected guests from foreign nations already arrived and the ones who arrived right now are mostly from their own kingdom.
When Iria shifted her gaze towards the entrance, she saw one unexpected person walking inside and she quickly turned to her husband. "Arin, look there."
Arin Helev shifted his gaze to the entrance and he raised a brow. Losing no time, he quickly ran there and halted before the woman.
"Your Majesty."
"I'm so glad that you come, stepmother. We thought that you are not coming," the King said to the Queen Dowager, his father's widow.
Yes, his father passed away around a little over a year ago and since then, Queen Dowager Lorey Helev rarely stepped out of the Southern Palace. No matter how much Arin and Iria tried to bring her back to the main palace rather than staying alone there, it was always futile.
If the Queen Dowager was to attend, she should have arrived yesterday or during the day but she was nowhere to be seen. It was why the young King and Queen were so happy yet surprised to see her. Just a while ago, they were convinced that she wasn't coming.
"It's the first birthday of my only grandchild," Lorey Helev muttered. "It's only right that I come."
Her voice was just like her appearance... dull.
The Queen Dowager was only about to reach her 40s but... she looked so old in contrast to her age. Maybe because the death of her husband affected her a lot. He was someone whom she loved with all her heart.
"You don't look so fine," Arin pointed out with concern written all over his face. "The journey from the Southern Palace to here took around three days and you must be tired. You should take some rest before the event starts."
Lorey Helev nodded and forced a little smile. However, just when she was about to speak up, she saw her son walking towards her along with the young Queen.
"Morin," the Queen Dowager called out. It's been months since she last saw him!
"Mother," Prince Morin muttered and hugged his mother. "I'm so glad that you come, Mother. I was so worried."
A genuine smile appeared on Lorey Helev's face and she pulled back. "Let me look at you. You've grown so much."
"Of course, Mother. I'm almost 16 now," Morin promptly said with a smile.
"And a skilled General," Iria added and Morin sighed.
"I'm still a lower-ranked General, Your Majesty. But I'm still young and I will soon become a higher-ranked General."
The Queen Dowager's smile grew a bit wider when she heard her son. "I'm so proud of you, my son."
Though the Prince was concerned by how fast his mother aged, he still forced a smile not to make her worry. When his father died and his mother refused to come back to the capital, he wanted to stay beside her but... his mother didn't want that.
The Prince already joined the military at that time and his mother said that he shouldn't abandon his responsibility for anything. As such, he continued staying with his brother and sister-in-law. However, he spent most of his time in the Royal Army camp and he rarely went home.
"I brought someone with me," Lorey Helev said while looking at her son. "I bet you will be very happy to meet this person, Morin."
There was a hint of confusion on the Prince's face when his mother turned to the door. Everyone trailed the Queen Dowager's gaze and... Athena appeared with Aziel. Their eyes grew wide in shock as it's been a little over two years since they last saw the former Jerivian Queen!
Though they looked for her, they never managed to locate her since she left Jerivia!
"Athena!" Prince Morin called out and rushed to his cousin. "It's really you!"
"Morin," Athena called out with a calm smile on her face.
"Where have you been?" Morin Helev asked. "Do you know how much we look for you?"
Athena's smile widened a bit. "Why did you look for me? I was here in Qalagon the whole time." She flashed another smile and walked towards the others with Aziel while Morin followed them with a confused face.
"You're here? But where?" Arin Helev promptly asked. Though he once ordered his soldiers to look for her in Qalagon, he didn't really think that she will be in his kingdom!
Athena briefly glanced at Aziel who met her gaze before he said, "We reside in the Molis Province. It's been more than two years."
"Molis Province?" Prince Morin raised a brow and said, "I even come there a few months ago! How can you do this, Athena?!"
Athena chuckled. "I saw you that time, Morin. You've grown so much and matured a lot. Do you know how proud I was?"
Though Morin Helev didn't say anything, it was obvious that he was still disappointed. Then Arin spoke up.
"There is still time before the celebration and the Queen and I have to receive some more guests. You should go ahead."
Lorey Helev nodded and asked, "Where is Ansel?"
"I stayed with him before I come here, Mother. Come, I will take you there," Morin said to his mother. Then the Queen Dowager walked away with her son, Athena and Aziel.
With a smile, Iria quickly shifted her gaze to Arin who looked at her and exchanged her smile. It's been two years and they were happy that Athena finally showed up.
Morin waited too long for this day!
Soon enough, one person appeared at the entrance and it instantly caught the attention of the Queen who raised her brows.
Emor Tripas?
R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freew𝒆(b)novel.c(o)m Only