Ida stiffened on the spot, not knowing how to react as the druid gave her a kind smile. She clearly called her name, and said it was good to see her but she had no memories of encountering the druid. She had no clue of what was happening, and could only stare at the druid with wide eyes. It seemed the druid wasn’t finished speaking as she opened her mouth once more.

“The life of Ida Wolfe is in your hands.”

From her peripheral vision, Ida could sense a curious gaze on her and she realised it belonged to the Crown Prince, Rael. She flinched and focused her attention on him, bowing her head in a stoic manner.

“Rise your head, Young Lady Wolfe.” Rael said as he stepped in front of her.

“Yes, your Highness.”

“I have heard of the situation from your parents,” Rael commented with a friendly smile, stretching his hand out to shake her hand. “You have done a commendable job.”

“Thank you, your Highness.” Ida replied politely, shaking his hand.

Rael leaned in slightly, the smile still remaining on his face. “I see that Elaphyra decided to reveal herself to you. She was the one who convinced me to help you too.”

The leader of all druids, Elaphyra, stood beside Rael and continued beaming at Ida. There was a fond look in her green irises, making Ida bewildered. She didn’t understand Elaphya at all, and she had no idea when she had made such a favourable impression on the leader of all druids.

“...I don’t know what you are talking about, your Highness.”

“So you prefer to feign ignorance? That’s good too.”

“...” Ida remained quiet, a nervous drop of sweat rolling down her face. “The lives of the villagers are all that matters to me, I do not wish to concern myself with any other affairs. I’m happy where I am.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Rael withdrew back with the same smile still plastered on his face. He didn’t trust Ida in the slightest bit, and especially with his secret being leaked, Ida knew that Rael would keep a close eye on her.

Why am I getting dragged into one matter after another…

Ida sighed to herself on the inside.

Even so, she couldn’t look over what Rael had done for the people of this village and he had come down from the capital all by himself.

“Your Highness, I want to sincerely thank you for what you have done for us,” Ida said, her voice full of sincerity. “We will never forget this.”

A warm and gentle looked flickered past Rael’s eyes, and he nodded his head at Ida. Her parents smiled at their daughter, bowing their heads down towards Rael to show their gratitude.

“How are you feeling, Rael?” Auriana questioned with a hint of concern. “The last time you used it on us…”

“I have a better grasp on my powers now. You don’t have to worry too much.” Rael grinned, his wary demeanour from earlier has faded. “Seeing as you are here to visit me, you must have a lot of things to say.”

“We should discuss this in a quiet place.” Nikulas suggested.

In the midst of their conversation, Elaphyra approached the perplexed Ida and she was still regarding Ida with fondness. Without any warning, she leaned in and placed her hands on Ida’s cheeks.

“This protection spell is a gift in advance. It can withstand most attacks, so you must be careful.”

June sensed something strange lingering around Ida and flew over, her eyes wide in panic.

“My little one! There is something weird around you, I will–”

Elaphyra placed her lips on Ida’s forehead and a seal made out of indecipherable runes appeared before Ida’s eyes. In an instant, Ida felt a force weighing down in her soul and her vision grew blurry which made her stumble.

“Ida!”

“Lady Wolfe!”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Miss Ida!”

Auriana and Nikulas hastily supported the dizzy Ida, but her vision was still spinning. The doctor of the clinic hurried over to Ida’s side, assessing her condition.

“I-I apologise! I have heard about your frail body but I didn’t expect it to be so weak! I mean you no harm!”

Elaphyra fumbled and flailed her arms beside Ida, and it wasn’t just Elaphyra who was panicking. Even June, who couldn’t find the cause of Ida’s dizzy spell, was fluttering around Ida in circles.

Even receiving a protection spell from a mythical being is harmful?

This damn weak body…

Within a few moments, Ida lost consciousness.

***

It was a few hours later that Ida finally woke up, and she noticed a seal inscribed with indiscernible runes on her palm. She raised her eyebrows in surprise as it turned out that what Elaphyra said was true, this was a gift to Ida.

“Ida!”

“My daughter!”

Her parents burst into her bedroom, rushing to Ida’s side as they held her hands. They threw out endless questions, concerned about their frail daughter and swore to never leave her alone in the village ever again. Ida struggled to placate her parents, and she noticed Rael, Auriana and Nikulas standing behind her parents, making her tilt her head in confusion.

They have not left? There is no reason for them to stay–

Ida couldn’t finish her thoughts as Rael stepped forward, grasping her hands and bowing his head apologetically.

“I apologise, Young Lady Wolfe!”

“...what?”

“While speaking with you earlier, I unknowingly exerted the pressure of the imperial family on you.”

Ida furrowed her eyebrows, puzzled. Those words uttered by Rael did not make any sense.

“We, the imperial family, are blessed by the Spirit God and the spirits are our guardians. They exert pressure on those around us without warning, and those who are of frail heart and body tend to show signs of weakness.”

At this point, Ida was completely bewildered.

What kind of nonsense is he spouting? That doesn’t even exist and neither does it make sense.

Ida shook her head politely, raising her hand. “It’s alright, I–”

“I will personally bring you to the capital and have the best healers treat you. Though we cannot change your constitution for the better, please take this trip as a token of my apology.”

“I’m fine–”

“Oh dear, look at your pale face! This isn’t acceptable! We should leave at once! As the Crown Prince, I will ensure that you receive the best treatment in the capital. I cannot turn a blind eye to my people who are clearly suffering before me. Alas, if I could heal you, I would but I have reached my limits.”

“I said I am fine, your Highness. Now that you have ensured my condition, you can return to–”

“In return for risking your life for my friends and to protect the borders, I wish to bestow a worthy gift upon you as well, and I wish to give it to you in person. Don’t worry, I will not allow anyone to look down upon the Wolfe family while you are in the capital.”

She could feel her eyebrows twitching in annoyance as Rael continued to spit out, and she opened her mouth to decline him. It was an obvious trap of bringing her to the capital so he could keep an eye on her. He clearly didn’t trust Ida enough to keep his contracted spirit a secret.

“Ida, please accept the request of his Highness.”

“The doctor told us a healer would be able to ascertain your condition better. She said it might not be just exhaustion that caused you to faint.”

“No, you have misunderstood. I fainted because–” Ida sighed, wanting to reveal the reason but she caught the wary eyes of Rael on her and she halted. “Nevermind.”

“Come along with us, Ida.” Auriana urged with an encouraging smile.

“If anything happens, we will protect you.” Nikulas reassured.

If she went along with them to the capital, it meant that she would be dragged into their affairs which she had no interest in. The only thing she wanted now was revenge against the spirit mage who put her family in trouble, but she didn’t need to be there in person to complete her revenge. She just needed to tell Auriana and Nikulas about the spirit mage. She knew the two were brutal towards their enemies, and that was the revenge she needed for her family. Nothing more, nothing less.

“My little one! You are awake, thank goodness! Are you fine to play with me now?”

Ida met the expectant eyes of everyone in the room, including June who was only visible to her eyes. She could feel the pressure of their gazes weighing down on her heart, making her sweat.

“Let’s play an adventure game! Let’s save that person! It’s fun, so fun!”

She groaned, clutching her forehead as she closed her eyes in resignation. “Fine, I will go to the capital.”

“...and I will play with you, June. Like I promised.”

Their expressions grew ecstatic at Ida’s answer, including June. A victorious glint flitted past Rael’s golden irises. Just like Ida guessed, Rael wanted to use this opportunity to keep an eye on her and ascertain her motives.

Ida sighed to herself, glancing out the window.

Since that bastard will be appearing in the capital, that is as far as I will go.

I will not get involved any longer.

Ida knew that if she involved herself any further in any of this, there would be no going back but she couldn’t be confident in her resolve.

She recalled the words uttered by Elaphyra.

“This protection spell is a gift in advance.”

Looking down at the magical seal on her palm that could only be perceived by her own eyes, a sense of unease welled up within Ida.