Si-Woo tugged at her sleeve, pointing to the podium. "Look," he murmured. "Those must be the heads of the five great families."
Ha-Yoon followed his gaze, her eyes widening as she took in the figures. Each one radiated power, their postures proud and unyielding. The first, a woman with short green hair that curled at the neck, had skin so pale it almost glowed in the dawn light. Her eyes were a piercing shade of green that seemed to see through to the very soul of every creature that dared to meet her gaze. "That must be Lady Somin," Ha-Yoon said. "Head of the agricultural family."
Next to her was a man with hair as silver as the moon, his eyes a piercing blue. His skin was a deep tan, a testament to the hours he likely spent under the Ondurian sun. "And there's Lord Haneul," Si-Woo whispered. "The head of the economy family." The siblings had heard tales of the great families from Minho, but seeing them in person was awe-inspiring.
As they inched closer to the podium, they caught a glimpse of Lady Luna, the head of the Market and Sales Family. She was a vision of elegance, with long hair that cascaded down her back in waves of darkness. Her eyes were pools of shimmering starlight that seemed to dance in the early morning light. She was the embodiment of the night sky, her presence as mesmerizing as the moon itself.
The siblings' gazes then fell on Minho with his long black hair and midnight blue eyes, who was standing tall and proud beside the heads of the families. His eyes met theirs, and he offered a small nod of acknowledgment. The siblings felt a surge of pride that he had noticed them in the sea of fae. Then they saw the person he was standing next to - Princess Deane, the young but formidable head of the knowledge family. Her eyes were a light shade of blue with some green specs, filled with warmth and intelligence that seemed to light up the entire square.
The sight of the two most important people in their new lives standing there, side by side, filled them with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The chairs behind the fae leaders were empty, as if reserved for VIPs or perhaps, they were waiting to sit expecting someone of great importance to join them first.
Just as the whispers grew to a crescendo, the sound of beating wings pierced the air. The crowd gasped as a swarm of masters riding their wyverns emerged from the palace, their scales glinting in the early light like jewels scattered across the sky. They flew in a perfect V formation, their powerful wings slicing through the air with the grace of dancers.
The crowd's gaze was drawn to the pinnacle of the formation where King Morey and Queen Elara stood regally upon the podium. Queen Elara's magnificent white hair danced in the breeze, while King Morey's deep blue eyes surveyed the assembly, his gaze penetrating each individual there. A resounding ovation burst forth from the crowd, their exuberant cheers echoing against the palace walls, making his presence felt in a nearly physical way.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
KING MOREY
(voice booming)
Citizens of Ondur! We gather here today for a momentous occasion.
The crowd's cheers died down to a murmur as the king raised his hand for silence. His gaze swept over the assembly, the weight of his words palpable.
KING MOREY
(voice firm)
As you know, a disturbance in the fabric of our realm has caused concern among us all. Rest assured, we are working tirelessly to understand and contain it.
The crowd's murmurs grew to a hush as they hung onto the king's every word. The tension was palpable, their fears and worries laid bare before the royal couple.
The king calms the populace regarding the tear in space, explaining its destination. He informs them that the portal is a gateway between two worlds, connecting Ondur to a realm once known as Earth. "We have thoroughly surveyed the area around the rift on Earth and discovered valuable resources," he declares. "As many of you are aware, I refer to the Serein stones, which will aid in Ondur's advancement." The crowd erupts in cheers, with several voices exclaiming, "We love you, King Morey!"
The siblings share a look of shock and wonder. The Earth they knew was vastly different from the one described by the king. Ha-Yoon whispers to Si-Woo, "Could it be that we're not just saving ourselves but an entire civilization as well?"
King Morey explained " When we passed through the rift, the world was in ruins due to calamities and rapid changes in the land, which nearly drove the inhabitants to extinction. However, in recent days, we have surveyed and reconstructed the lands, leading to a consensus."
The crowd was ablaze with reactions, some faces lighting up with hope, while others remained skeptical. Ha-Yoon felt a mix of emotions, the excitement of a new beginning for both worlds intertwined with the painful memory of their own lost home.
The king continues "The leaders of Ondur's five great families and I have concurred that an immigration poll would be beneficial for Ondur's future. If all goes to plan we should be able to migrate in eighty days or so, each of you with your same or new homes."
The siblings felt the weight of the gazes upon them intensify. Some Ondurians whispered to their neighbors, pointing and casting suspicious glances their way. A few even approached them, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease, but a hired guard stepped in, blocking their path. It was clear that their presence was not entirely welcome by all.
"Your Highness, what guarantees do we have that these Earthlings won't bring their destruction to our shores?" a gruff voice called out. Ha-Yoon felt her heart drop, the accusation hitting too close to home.
King Morey's expression remained calm as he replied, "We have taken the necessary precautions. Our seers have foreseen their intentions as pure, and we trust in the bond they share with the Spirits of the Forest."
The crowd murmured among themselves, some nodding in agreement, while others still bore looks of doubt. It was evident that not all were convinced, but the siblings knew that change often brought fear.