Chapter 110 - Unveiled Mysteries

Esme spent a few hours in the library, looking through the books about the history of Visteria and the maps of the cities and Enchantment Forest. But soon, a servant came to inform her about Duchess Flora's invitation for dinner.

''Will the Prince be there?" Esme asked him. 

''I heard My Lord is out for some work matters and he has yet to come back.'' 

''I see.'' 

On her way to the dining room, she overheard a few court officials talking about 'those people' once again. A few days ago, she heard that some people will be coming to Visteria to lend a hand for the investigation of the consecutive death occurrences in the kingdom. 

They were coming from a faraway land. Esme wondered what their origin could be for them to be talked about. They sounded like a formidable existence.

The dining table was not as quiet as usual because of the presence of her family. 

Duchess Flora smiled at her warmly, ''You are here. Come, take a seat.'' 

Esme nodded at all of them. King Alexander was seated on one head of the grand dining table and on the other head, King Elias was there. 

Duke Maverick was sitting on King Alexander's right and Adrian was seated to his left while Marlene was sitting on Elias's right side and to his left, there was Arlan. 

Duchess Flora patted the seat next to her, ''Come here, daughter.'' 

Esme smiled at the woman. Initially, it was a bit awkward but over time, she was touched by the woman's warmth. 

She walked towards them and sat on the chair in the middle of Duchess Flora and her Aunt. 

"We are meeting after such a long time,'' King Alexander spoke to Elias, ''Don't mention about leaving anytime soon.''

''If it was before, I would have loved to stay longer, my friend. But I have responsibilities now. I need to deal with the Kingdom matters and the court is in chaos because of the royal family's disappearance,'' Elias raised an eyebrow. 

Alexander was stunned for a moment before he burst into laughter, ''Don't tell me you left the Kingdom without informing anyone about it?'' 

Elias shrugged, not looking the least bit regretful about it. He had to do it. As soon as Adrian informed him about Marlene's whereabouts, he dropped all his work and rushed to Visteria. She kept running from him for so long that he wanted to chase her this time.

They missed out on each other for years and Elias wanted to ensure that it won't happen this time again. 

Esme was not fazed by their informal way of talking and friendly conversations after her Aunt told her that both of them are acquaintances. 

King Alexander was around two decades older than Elias who was in his early 30s but it seemed like they got along pretty well. 

''When should we start the arrangements for the wedding?'' Duke Maverick spoke up when the table went quiet. 

''Cough…'' Esme choked on the food that she just ate. Her eyes teared up as she coughed. She hurriedly wiped her tears. 

''Oh my…'' Duchess Flora patted her back. 

Marlene offered her a glass of water, ''Eat slowly.'' 

''Are you alright, Princess?" Elias glanced at her worriedly. 

Esme sipped the water before nodding, ''I am fine.'' 

Elias nodded at her. He glanced at Duke Maverick, ''We can start making the preparations as soon as we reach there,'' he noticed the strange appearance of the King's younger brother. 

Sunken eyes, pale face, purplish lips and he was sitting on a wheelchair too. The man looked way older despite being the same age as him. Elias could not help but wonder if there was something wrong with his health. 

''My sister is leaving with us,'' Adrian spoke up and the table fell silent at his words. 

Esme's fingers curled around her spoon. She tilted her head and their eyes met briefly. She shook her head slightly. 

Adrian's eyes narrowed. 

Duke Maverick contemplated over it before he nodded, ''According to customs, it is only right if she marries from her home.'' 

''I don't think that's necessary. Both my son and my daughter-in-law adore each other. It's only right for them to get married and stay together as soon as possible rather than following a bunch of old customs,'' Alexander even rolled his eyes at his younger brother towards the end. 

Duke Maverick: "_" They are already staying together, aren't they? And did you just call me old, brother? 

His inner grievances were heard by no one. 

Everyone on the table knew that the King was just casually saying his opinion as a father the moment he said 'son and daughter-in-law'. So, Duchess Flora did not think twice before speaking, ''I believe our daughter should go back to her Kingdom and rightfully marry from there,'' she glanced at Alexander, ''Brother, you should know the kind of rumors going around in the castle. It is only right if we follow the traditions so the ministers have nothing to fuss about.'' 

Alexander thought about it for a few seconds before nodding. 

Adrian did not say anything to reveal the truth of their relationship and Esme relaxed in her chair. She did not want them to know about it knowing how much it would hurt them. 

While Esme was thinking about it, her gaze landed on Arlan who had been quiet during the whole dinner. Yesterday when she controlled his mind, he revealed that he lost most of his recent memories and almost all of his powers. 

Using this ability of hers had drained her strength. Despite sleeping for so long, she was feeling sluggish today and everything that was happening was more worrisome to her. 

What worried her was that once she left Visteria, all the mysteries that she was trying to unveil will forever be buried under dust. Her powers, her dreams, her nightmares, the mystery behind Arlan's disappearance, the consecutive deaths and Liz's weird recent actions, the mer people and the merman who disappeared into the well in front of their eyes….. All of these mysteries will never be unveiled.