"Your Highnesses," Queen Elara's melodic voice broke the silence. "We must return to our duties. The council awaits us."
King Morey nodded in agreement, his eyes lingering on the siblings for a brief moment before turning to the hidden doorway. "Very well," he said, his gaze returning to Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon. "Let us return you to your home."
King Morey waves his hand to reveal a hidden door leading back to the throne room.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Ha-Yoon says, bowing slightly as they exit the treasure chamber.
As they re-enter the grand throne room, their eyes are drawn to the far side, where a figure stands in conversation with Minho. It's none other than Princess Deane, her emerald sapphire eyes lighting up when she sees them. She's dressed in a flowing gown that shimmers with the same luminescence as the trees outside, and her hair falls in waves of white and silver.
"Ah, you've returned," she says, her voice like the chime of crystal bells. "I hope your visit to the treasure vault was enlightening."
Before the king could speak, Ha-Yoon dashed across the room, her steps light and swift, and threw her arms around the princess. The embrace was tight, filled with the warmth of a long-lost friend. Surprise flickered across Deane's features, but she quickly returned the gesture, her arms wrapping around Ha-Yoon's shoulders.
"I've missed you so much," Ha-Yoon whispered, her voice thick with emotion. The princess pulled back, a soft smile playing on her lips. "And I, you," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Princess Deane looked from Ha-Yoon to Si-Woo, her expression filled with a warmth that seemed to fill the room. "But my duties as the princess of Ondur have kept me from tutoring you as much as I would have liked," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "The council has had much to discuss regarding our world's future."
King Morey nodded solemnly. "Indeed," he said, turning to Si-Woo. "And have you encountered any issues with your integration today, my Princess?"
Princess Deane's smile was akin to a sunbeam piercing the clouds. "Everything is proceeding smoothly," she assured him, her eyes momentarily shifting to Si-Woo's face. "The Sprits and Ondurians are cooperating seamlessly."
"Good," the king said, his voice deep and commanding. "The alliance must remain strong. The fate of both worlds depends on it."
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Minho stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Your Highnesses," he said, bowing low. "I shall escort our guests back to their home."
The king nodded. "Very well, Minho," he said, his gaze lingering on the siblings. "See to it that they arrive home safely."
Minho led Ha-Yoon and Si-Woo through the grand hallways of the Royal Palace, their footsteps echoing against the gleaming floors. The siblings couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as they followed the Fae, their minds racing with questions about their newfound roles in Ondur's future.
King Morey watches the grand doors close behind Minho and the kids. "Now let's take a look at the corruption." Queen Elara says.
The king nods solemnly, his hands moving from behind his back. As he does so, Deane can't help but glimpse his palms. They are almost as pale as the marble of the palace walls, the veins stark and blue. It's as if the life is being slowly drained from him, leaving behind a mere husk of his former vitality. The sight sends a shiver down her spine.
"Father, how could this have happened?" Deane asks, her voice trembling slightly. She keeps her gaze fixed on his, searching for any sign of deceit.
King Morey releases a deep sigh, his eyes reflecting a somber mood. "the grimoire," he says, his voice heavy with regret. "The very book Ha-Yoon chose. It seems the man who delivered it years ago knew of its true master, and knew that scarcely anyone could wield or even touch such an artifact. The Grimoire of Oblivion."
Princess Deane's eyes widen with shock. "But the prophecy," she whispers. "The Grimoire of Oblivion is only a myth. It cannot be here, not in our world."
The queen nods solemnly. "Indeed it is, child," she says healing the king's hands, her voice filled with a strange mix of awe and dread. "And it seems our new allies are more significant than we could have ever imagined."
"Deane, tell Minho he must exercise caution," King Morey demands, "The weapons they have selected possess the capacity to strengthen them, yet also hold the potential to destroy them."
"Yes, Father," Deane responds, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. She can feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air, the gravity of the situation pressing down upon her shoulders. She knows the grimoire's power is immense, capable of summoning otherworldly, bloodcurdling behemoths from forgotten realms. It was a weapon of last resort, never meant to be in the hands of someone as innocent as Ha-Yoon.
The siblings are escorted back to the portal by Minho, who seems more vigilant than ever. The journey out of Ondur is swift, the wind whipping past them as they fly on the back of Minho's majestic wyvern. The creature's wings beat a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with their racing hearts, carrying them over the city of Ondur, its gleaming spires reaching for the sky like the fingers of a giant hand.
As they soar over the rooftops, Si-Woo can't help but look over at Ha-Yoon, who seems to be in a world of her own, clutching the strange, book to her chest. He's filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. "How did you get so close to the princess?" he yells over the wind, his voice barely carrying.
Ha-Yoon glances at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "She sometimes teaches level ones," she shouts back. "But she's been a good friend to me here. She's been helping me learn the ropes. She helped me control my bonds in beast-taming class."