Chapter 169 - We Fell In Love With You

Walking around the castle, Esmée scanned the surroundings in awe. She had never been to a real, dated castle in her entire life, much more with flying people around!

Amanda took her out for a walk, making their way to Aeros' castle's battlements area and into the one tower. From there, Esmée could see almost everything in the land; the wide stretch of villages and acres more of unoccupied meadows. 

She instantly felt she was in a fairytale. 

Aeros had changed over the years, especially since Christopher had blessed their land with water. What was once a dry and barren nation was now filled with trees and grassy lands.

It was the same for almost every nation in Pelagy, except for Oscoria. They remained too proud to accept Christopher's help, still insisting that their race was supreme and would rule over the world of Pelagy. 

"I - I just can't believe this," said Esmée while persisting to scan the nation. "Is this really real?" 

Amanda smiled and said, "You know when I first learned my husband came from another world, I was also shocked, especially when I learned he could fly."

Esmée was confused with Amanda's tale until she mentioned her previous hometown, "I used to live in Trinity Bay, by the coasts of Canada. It was there that I met my husband for the first time."

"Oh, so you are a - a human?" Esmée asked, somewhat relieved. 

"Eh, yeah... You could say that. At least I thought I was a pure human," replied Amanda. 

"What do you mean?" Esmée probed further with her brows drawn together. 

Amanda reached for Esmée's hand and she revealed, "Worlds have crossed from one to another at some point. Races have been mixed. It's inevitable in a world where magic and powers exist. Even the earth has its own magic."

"I for one, am blessed with magic from the earth, but it's slowly fading. A new owner of this power will soon awaken on earth," she told. 

It took a few more exchanges for Esmée to grasp what Amanda was saying, but after a few more telling, she asked, "Can - can I see your power?"

Amanda smiled and said, "Sure, Esmée. Here. Let me show you."

Raising her hand up for Esmée, she revealed the crystal in her body.

From their last gathering with the masters, the crystal was the size of a pea, but now, it took the shape of a single bean sprout. Amanda knew it would only take maybe another month or two and power would leave her forever. 

Esmée gulped at the sight of the red crystal, gleaming in Amanda's palm. She took a step back, nearly fainting again, but Amanda brought her back to her senses. 

"Don't be afraid, Esmée. It's harmless," said Amanda. She then showed how she created a small fireball in her hand and she added, "This is the power of fire. There are others like me, representing water, wind, earth, heart, and time and space."

"Most of them are back on earth," she said. Amanda figured she will tell the rest of the tale the next time around. She merely added, "You will meet them at your wedding with my son."

'If I still want to marry, Orion,' Esmée thought silently, but the idea of suddenly being away from Orion somehow caused a pang in her heart. She wasn't sure if she had the strength to leave him. After all, she had gotten used to being around him. 

Gawking at the flying soldiers of Aeros, Esmée asked, "Does - does Orion fly?"

"Yes, he can grow wings. It's a bloodline ability," told Amanda. She grinned at Esmée and revealed, "Something your children will also be able to do."

They were both silent for some time before Esmée spoke again. She said, "I - I don't know what to say. What to do? I feel like I'm being trapped. Now that I am pregnant and I have fallen in love with Orio - "

She stopped herself, realizing her admission. Yes, she might have really fallen in love with Orion. After all, she agreed to marry him. 

"Esmée, I'm sorry," said Amanda. "But I promise, we have nothing but love for you."

"The full truth is, we have watched over you since you were young. After we saw you at the Eiffel Tower, we had made sure you were protected. While we could not intervene with the decisions your father made - you being a minor, but we at least tried to be there for you," said Amanda. 

"It was I who gave you that teddy bear and a box of macaroons when you were hospitalized during your twelve birthday. Did you remember that?" Amanda revealed. 

"Your yearly mysterious gifts came from Orion too," told Amanda. "Your secret admirer for years had always been him."

"We as a family, Esmée. We fell in love with you since you were a child. We saw you as this beautiful girl who deserved to be loved and hope - we hope that you accept us too. We may be strange to you, but here we are like royalties and you will definitely feel like a princess after you marry my son," Amanda pointed out. 

She repeatedly nodded and said, "It's really not such a bad life. Plus! We are rich in gold! Aeros is a land full of gold!" 

A grimace became painted on Amanda's face before she muttered, "Not that we are bribing you with gold, but partly. I suppose."

"Esmée, we will answer your questions, all of them, but a little at a time so you can absorb everything slowly," Amanda added. "Take your time."

After their talk, Amanda left Esmée to think. Esmée had also requested the same for herself. If anything, she needed to do some serious considering. 

She was brought food and water to her room, giving her the time to dwell on Amanda's suggestions and pleas. 

Orion did not come to see her either, and she wondered why. The next day, it was the same, only Amanda and Agatha came to see her. They merely told her that Orion had to take care of some security problems in the borders of their nation.

It was already on the following day that she learned why Orion was not around. 

From the halls, she could hear the soldiers from the castle briskly walk, talking about an attack.

Esmée was getting bored inside her room and had decided to take a walk on her own. By accident, she overheard their conversation. 

"Young master Orion and master Chris need our back-up. They had been holding back the Oscorians on his own from the north and western borders! Let's hurry!"

"What? only both of them? I heard there were over a hundred Oscorian brutes that attacked simultaneously!"

"Actually, another hundred of the enemies came at dawn. That was why they finally called for back-up. You know how our rulers do not wish for any lives to be lost. They have always been at the front of all our battles."

Esmée did not catch all the details, but what was clear to her that Orion was fighting a battle and she suddenly felt anxious. Her heart raced, and she wanted nothing more but to see Orion. 

"Wait! Wait!" She called for the soldiers by the hallways. "Please, please take me to Orion!"