“Can you return it for me?”

Those were the last words of Princess Erina before disappearing; it seemed that confessing to stealing the spear of the heroic queen had finally brought her peace. She had gone smiling, surrounded by her family and friends, and that it happened during Eri’s birthday had been a blessing. Runaesthera wished to leave the same way when her time came.

In the end, they still weren't sure how Eri had come to be. At least they knew why she had the spear and could suppose that her strange power to consume fire and heal wounds came from it. Was that why the unicorn had chosen her?

Frey and Eri had decided to return the spear. Eri had shown that she didn't need it to use her powers, but they had to do it discreetly. They had already guessed where that pond was, but still, Eri kept asking Peonia. Although the little unicorn no longer spoke to her or anyone, it was clear she understood and could respond with simple gestures.

But before leaving, they had to speak with the king privately in the throne room.

"Your Majesty," Frey was already accustomed to taking the floor in such situations, "we need to know about the book Erina referenced in her story. I’m sorry to be blunt, but we suspect it is a lost treasure of Artemia."

King Bestolf looked contrite, or perhaps simply affected by recent events. Unexpectedly, it was Queen Eyren who responded.

"Don’t blame my husband; he also didn’t know of its existence, and Erina had no reason to find it." The queen looked at them with those maternal eyes she used with Eri.

"Please explain, Your Majesty," Runa always tried to be cordial with the queen, but she was starting to get impatient.

"That book," she explained, "is an heirloom of our family. You may not know, Princess Runaesthera, but we both descend from the heroic queen. Your lord father was greatly criticized because of it, as having you as his only daughter stopped the lineage by force. Although we hadn't been in the line of succession for over seven hundred years, Erina’s death leaves Bestenar as the only one able to continue it."

Many things began to make sense; her father spoke of the days when he was hated for being an elf, and how much her mother had suffered several decades ago.

"It's the queen’s chronicle," she continued, "written by her husband upon her death and kept by her descendants until today. It used to be hidden in Artemia until I was betrothed to Bestolf; my father gave it to me to keep it hidden. Both for the secret of the spear and what it represents, it is a family relic. I admit I was never interested in reading it. I also never doubted my daughter to suppose her exploits were due to anything other than her own strength."

"I knew we were related, Your Majesty," Runa softened her tone again, "I remember you left Artemia very young, around the time my mother was still alive."

"Yes, your lady mother was my great-aunt. We didn’t know each other for long. But if you’ll pardon my bluntness, that book is mine by right, and here it will stay. I’d appreciate it if its whereabouts were not discussed."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

It was settled.

"In that case, Your Majesty," Frey sounded satisfied, "we apologize, thank you for your hospitality and kindness. From the book, we only want one thing; that you promise us no one else will read it."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and took her arm, giving his vote of confidence. A bit pompous, but definitely appropriate. He no longer looked at her seeking help or approval, or rather, he looked at her confident of getting it, that charming confident smile was becoming his natural state.

That same day they had to leave for Artemia. The preparations were almost ready, the interesting thing was who was supervising them.

"This horse needs to be replaced in the carriage!" Bestenar spoke with Pankoro and the other coachmen, little Koro looked at him with admiration from behind. Eri would consider it a betrayal. "Switch it with Little Cloud; she has rested, her hoof should be better, also, we need to reinforce the carriage wheels. There are almost no bandits on the road, but you never know. You, the little one, your name is Koro, right? Make sure Peonia is well brushed. Eri probably didn’t take care of her this morning. She’s a unicorn, for the goddess’s sake, not a nag that can go around with a scruffy mane."

The coachmen, even little Koro, stood to attention with a resounding “Yes, Your Highness,” and got to work.

"Bestenar," Frey approached the boy who looked much sturdier but still wore an exaggerated velvet suit with sleeves trimmed in lace, making him a picturesque sight, "I see you’ve decided to stay. You haven’t finished your tutelage yet, and I recall you telling me in Pellegrin that you weren’t ready."

"That’s true, Prince Freydelhart," he responded stiffly, though it was obvious he was nervous, "but my parents aren’t in a position to properly reign. Erina’s vision affected them deeply. I must take charge of the kingdom for a time and support them during such a difficult moment. I hope you can forgive me, I promise to return to Artemia in a few months."

"I don’t think it’s necessary, Prince Bestenar. As I told you then, you’re ready, and you’ve just shown it. I’m proud of you, but not as much as your father is, give him time, and when you come to Artemia, stop by the armory."

Against all of Runa’s expectations, the boy hugged his mentor and clung to him tightly before recomposing himself and walking as if nothing had happened in another direction.

"Where are you going now, boy?"

"I have something pending," he said, and continued on his way without looking back.

----------------------------------------

Eri had been waiting for a while; that fool had asked her to wait in the courtyard where they sometimes trained with Dad. She had sat on a high ledge, her legs hanging, it was nice to be able to fly.

"Girl," he was already coming, walking like a rooster and dressed accordingly. Eri found it amusing, "thanks for waiting."

"You asked me to come, fool."

"True," he seemed to relax his pose a bit, looking elsewhere, "look, this isn’t easy, but I think it’s fair, I owe you an apology, I’ve treated you badly for no reason. You..."

"I didn’t eat your sister, I told you, although it seems she did die because of me," Eri was sad about that. She hadn’t done anything wrong, she knew that, but she remembered Erina’s words and wondered if, maybe, she’d be alive if it weren’t for her fire.

"I don’t know about that, but she said she loved you, that she watched over you those five years in her way. I can’t afford to keep hating you if that’s the case."

"I don’t hate you either, but I still don’t like you, you make me angry."

The boy laughed, "Well, I think I can live with that. But I need to ask your forgiveness."

"I forgive you, Bestie."

"Hey, only my sister calls me that."

Eri simply gave him her mischievous smile, the one that always got her out of trouble and jumped from the ledge to the ground in front of him.

"Ugh, fine, but I need another favor," he pulled out a sealed and stamped envelope from his jacket, "give this to..."

"The flower girl, I’ll tell her you love her and dream of her when you fall asleep in the carriage."

"What? Wait, don’t..."

Eri snatched the letter and ran away laughing back to her parents. It was almost time to leave.