- { Three days has passed } -
Dahlia was fully readied up by her maids
Her hair was neatly brushed into her usually left sided ponytail
"Ok, your ready my lady" Scarlet said smiling
"Do you like it?" Natalie asked
Dahlia looked at herself in the mirror
She looked presentable but sees the bit rush in how she was dressed
Just like how she wanted
"This is great" She smiled
Dahlia turns and leaves her room
The maids behind follows her alongside with her Nanny
While walking, she finally arrives downstairs where Jhony, the Duchess, the head maid were at
The Duchess looked healthier now, compared to how much weight she had just lost from tension, stress and not eating anything during her daughter's disappearance
"Your ready" The duchess glanced at Dahlia before nodding in approval to what she is wearing
"Yes, I am ready mother. But..." Dahlia looked around
"Where is father?" She asked as she tilted her head slightly
"He is already outside, clearly waiting for you two to come" The duchess stated before she goes towards Dahlia
And lowers herself to be at the eye level to her daughter
Dahlia looked up at her mother
"Dahlia..." The duchess began as she held both Dahlia's shoulders
"You know well that his majesty will continuously ask many questions to you... so whatever you do..." Her grip tightened only slightly
"Don't ever be scared or nervous to his majesty in the slightest way... he will notice it instantly" She warned while keeping eye contact with her
Dahlia also never broke the eye contact
Her expression remained neutral as she nods
"I will mother, don't worry" She replied
The duchess visibly relaxed, only slightly before pulling Dahlia in a hug
"Right... just remember my words... my child..." She patted her head softly
Dahlia didn't moved an inch
Yet she closed her eyes, relishing the feeling
Meanwhile, Jhony silently watched the interaction
His face remained neutral, yet his hand clenched to fists
"We will definitely encounter that prince too... I also have to be careful... cause father won't be there to intervene this time..." He thought internally
While the duchess pulled away from Dahlia gently and stood up straight
"Go on now..." The duchess said
Dahlia nods and goes to where Jhony is
Jhony nods towards Dahlia and soon leads her away towards the waiting carriage
Along with the Duke already outside there with the guards and his trusted right hand man
The had dark circle under his eyes were noticeable, clearly from not sleeping cause of the tension
But cleared his throat and remained strong for his children
"Good, you both came. Now, let's go in" The Duke said
Without saying a word, Dahlia first gets inside in the carriage first with the help of the Duke
Jhony also goes inside next
Then lastly the Duke as he closes the door
"Start the carriage" He ordered his men
The man that will drive the carriage nods, "Yes, your grace"
He slaps the horse with the robe gently making the horse to take off
The carriage moves away from the estate
The Duchess watched with the maids and Dahlia's nanny behind her
Meanwhile, inside the carriage, the atmosphere was filled with tension
The Duke crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back
Jhony was looking out at the window with Dahlia with a focused expression
"... You both will know that I won't be allowed inside the throne room except you two" The Duke began
"Nor can I intervene when things get intense" He lightly taps his arm with his finger
"His majesty will be there. And alongside him will be the crown prince and the tower masters" He sighed deeply
"Dahlia, the tower masters will check you. You have gone through this before when I have long taken you to check if you have developed mana energy yet..." He looked at Dahlia
"This will be the same. So remain calm under any circumstances. Also, remember... if any question unsettles you or you don't want to answer. Then reply that you "don't know" or rather... act like you don't get it till they gives up on it" The Duke stated
Dahlia looked at her father from the window
"Understood father" Dahlia nods
The Duke nods before he set his gaze on Jhony, "And you... his majesty will let you in since Dahlia will need someone to accompany her except me"
"Be calm as his majesty will also ask you questions regarding her. Answer in a way that doesn't reveals too much" He stated firmly to Jhony
"I know that father... I will be sure to be careful" Jhony sighed softly
"Good... that is all I ask..." The Duke relaxed only a little
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Soon the carriage arrived at the palace
The Duke first got out from the carriage
Then Jhony and lastly Dahlia, as she was helped out from the carriage by the Duke
The Duke soon leads them inside the palace
Dahlia walked behind the Duke while Jhony stayed behind her
While walking, Dahlia soon noticed that there were many people there
Judging by the dark purple cloaks they wore
She knew they were mages
The many mages stared at Dahlia, with what she can tell is...
It was pure interest on her
When they arrived to the throne room, the old adviser of the king was outside
Clearly had been waiting
"Greetings Duke Guillebeaux, his majesty is in the throne room" The adviser nodded towards the Duke
The Duke nods back before glancing at both Jhony and Dahlia
"Go on now, I will be outside" The Duke reassured them as he stepped aside
The adviser looks down at Jhony and Dahlia, before he smiled at the two
"Greetings young lord Jhony and lady Dahlia. Come this way" The adviser gestured the guards to open the throne room doors for them
Which the guards obeyed as they opened the door
When the throne room door was opened, Jhony took the lead as Dahlia was behind him
Clearly following him
While the adviser also followed the two inside
The throne room was enormous
Patterned glasses were all around, showcasing the previous rulers
Towards the left side were old men, clearly wearing the same dark purple cloak
But they had gold cloak pin
Meaning they were the tower masters
On the right side were nobles, who were advisers of the king
At the center, sat the king - Adelio Famir Dandirium
Beside him was the crown prince - Valdemar Damir Dandirium
And behind King Adelio was soldiers
The king set his gaze upon the two and smiled
"Ah, finally meeting you has made me the happiest. How is your body, child?" King Adelio asked
Dahlia mustered up her perfect smile as she nods towards the king, "Yes, I am quite well, your majesty"
"I came after waking up, I apologize for making you wait so long" she chuckled slightly
The king laughed as he shook his head, "No, there is no need to apologize. I am just glad that you woke up. I am pleased only knowing that you are well"
Suddenly one of the tower masters stood up, he smiled at the king while eyeing Dahlia
"Your majesty, if you please. I would like to check Lady Dahlia if she has any traces of that power in her"
King Adelio glanced towards the tower master before nodding
"You have my full permission"
The tower master nods and soon goes towards Dahlia
Dahlia doesn't say anything, only kept a smile
"Young lord Jhony, can you please stay a little far from the lady?" The tower master asked
Jhony stared at the tower master for only a little before he glanced at Dahlia
Before casting a brief glance towards King Adelio and nods only
He stepped away from Dahlia
The tower master nodded at that before he looked at Dahlia
"My lady, if you will excuse me" The tower master takes Dahlia's hand
Dahlia inhaled and exhaled softly
She kept her gaze on the hand that was taken by the tower master currently
King Adelio watched
Beside King Adelio, Valdemar was smiling while keeping his gaze set on Dahlia
The other nobles and the other tower masters watched in silence
Their eyes held great interest and anticipation
Meanwhile, the tower master used his powers to go through Dahlia
The powers went around Dahlia to check for any traces of the ancient power
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"Huh? That is weird..." The tower master mumbled
The whispering among nobles began
Dahlia let out a sigh as she pulls back her hand from the tower master
But the tower master wasn't letting it go
Dahlia froze as she quickly looked up
From what she saw made her eyes widen
The tower master's eyes were wide open, he had a far stretched smile
"No... I can't let you go my lady. Clearly you must be hiding the powers from me" The tower master sounded almost gleeful
"We found ancient powers in her hair strand. So surely she has them"
One of the tower masters murmured to himself while others nodded in agreement
Meanwhile, Jhony's eyes widened, "What- let her go-!"
Before Jhony can intervene, the adviser stepped in. Blocking Jhony's way
"Young lord, remain calm. I know your worried about Lady Dahlia but the checking isn't finished yet" The adviser said
"What are you saying! The checking didn't worked! She has no traces of any power!" Jhony tried to go to where Dahlia is
The adviser stared down at Jhony only, not saying a word
His expression remained firm and professional
Jhony froze seeing this, he gritted his teeth
Before he cast a glance at Dahlia
Dahlia's eyes were wide open
She gulped as she tightened the grip of her dress
Jhony clenched his hands to fists before he looked away only
The nobles watched but they can't hide the small anticipation in their eyes
"Continue" King Adelio stated
The tower master who was still gripping Dahlia's hand
He lowered himself down to be on eye level with her
He tilted his head at her before his grip tightened further on her wrist
A sharp jolt of pain shot through her hand but she barely reacted
Yet the grip on her dress tightened more as it was on the point of tearing
"I will be gentle" The tower master chuckled
Soon he forcefully pushed his powers inside her
Searching for any traces
By it, Dahlia gasped as she felt like her entire body would tear apart from the force
Her whole body trembled as she bit her lower lip, to the point it bled
Dahlia thought that her legs would give out from the power's force going through her
Jhony froze completely as his jaw went slack from feeling the intense mana he was feeling
He quickly looked over as his eyes widened
"No... Dahlia..." He tried to take a step forward
But the adviser intervened... again
Jhony glared at the adviser
"Stay calm, young lord Jhony. It is merely a test, nothing serious" The adviser stated
"But it is hurting my sister-" "Everything will hurt, that is what is in life. So stay still and let the test continue" The adviser cut Jhony in the middle
Jhony's jaw tightened a lot, which he winced slightly by it
He stared at Dahlia who was suffering
His heart pounded as if it would come out of his chest
"This is inhuman..." He thought internally as he shut his eyes tightly
Clearly couldn't bear to see more
Meanwhile, everyone like the other tower masters watched as they had grins on their faces
Thinking they will see the ancient power
While the nobles were all were silent
They observed like this was all entertainment to them in some sort of way
King Adelio also remained silent as he only stared at what is happening with an almost, bored expression
Valdemar watched in fascination
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Still there was nothing inside Dahlia
The tower master who was checking her soon stopped
He abruptly released Dahlia, then wiped his hand
Like he got his hands dirty
Dahlia stumbled slightly, she was about to fall
But Jhony immediately pushed through the adviser as he held her. Before she can hit the ground
"Dahlia..." Jhony softly called her name as he checked in on her
His hands trembled slightly while he held her
The nobles expression suddenly gone neutral as none came forward
Nor say anything
As their attention shifted from Dahlia towards the tower master
"There seems to be nothing within her, your majesty" The tower master sighed deeply
King Adelio only nods towards the tower master
"I see, but are you sure? You and all the other tower masters were so set on the ancient magic residing in her"
His eyes glinted sharply before he chuckled, "Did you waste my time only on assumption alone? Without confirming it properly?"
The tower masters tensed up
Sweat beaded on their foreheads
"No... your majesty... we would never-" "Then say why the checking failed?" King Adelio cut of the tower masters off in the middle
"We don't know... your majesty... We all confirmed that by lady Dahlia's strand of hair had the traces of faint ancient power which we never seen before" Another tower master stated as the many others nods quickly
"Then why didn't it work? Where is the 'ancient power' which you all claimed there to be?" King Adelio rested his chin on his knuckles, gazing down at the tower masters
The many tower masters gone quiet
All of them
King Adelio only stared at each of them without saying anything
The throne room was filled with quiet whispers among the nobles, yet none dared to speak out loud
But King Adelio raised his hand without glancing at them
Enough to make the nobles go silent
Jhony watched as he tightened his hold on Dahlia, "Serves them right..." he thought internally
While Dahlia panted as she inhaled and exhaled repeatedly
In a way to calm herself
"I asked a question, are you all disobeying me?" King Adelio raised a eyebrow
The tower masters all flinched
"No- your majesty..." One began
The tower masters looked at one another, before looking down on the floor
"We... deeply apologize you majesty... We were so sure that Lady Dahlia had ancient powers within her... but... it seems we all made a big mistake..." Another said lowly as his voice trembled slightly
King Adelio sat up straight as he sighed deeply
"A big one actually. Leave now, I am showing mercy cause you all are respected tower masters"
The tower masters relaxed only faintly
"But, I hope you all won't come here next time from a little assumption. I won't be so lenient like this time" King Adelio added
The entire throne room gone tense instantly
But Valdemar only chuckled, clearly finding everyone's expression funny
"You all are excused" King Adelio waved at the tower masters dismissively
Immediately all of them left the throne room
"Hah... cowards..." Jhony huffed internally
Finally King Adelio set his gaze on Dahlia
"Anyways, it is a great disappointment that the results came out unexpected. But let's forget about it. After all, you are young and yet to develop mana energy. Don't be too down" King Adelio laughed
"Disappointment? Dahlia didn't had any mana to begin with! It was confirmed through the first check up... yet this king..." Jhony thought internally as he his eyebrows wrinkled
Dahlia noticed as she panted, but pat Jhony's hand lightly
She looked at him in the eyes
Before nodding towards him
Jhony froze for a few seconds before he at first steadied Dahlia on her feet
Then he stepped away
Dahlia stood straight as she looked at King Adelio
"Your majesty, if that is all. Then I wanna excuse myself and Dahlia-" Jhony began
"Say... perhaps I should ask her a few a questions, if that is alright with you, child" King Adelio tilted his head slightly towards Dahlia. After cutting Jhony in the middle of the sentence
"... That is alright your majesty" Dahlia put up a smile on her face, even tho drained
King Adelio hummed as he nodded towards her
"Then my first question, I heard that the many missing children claimed both you and the youngest son from the Hunts family as heroes?"
King Adelio's smile widened more
"And many refused saying anything related to where they all were at. Where were you kidnapped exactly? And taken to where?"
Dahlia froze at that
"Ah... the question I thought he would ask away..." she thought internally
She felt all gazes fixed on her
And the feeling
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Of being surrounded by predators...