Chapter 228 - : Ruins

I sigh. "Remember when I told you before that Rufus and I love to do ghost hunting? We would sometimes sneak to the Ruins because of the rumors. People are saying that our ancestors, who died because of the battle a thousand years before, are hunting that Ruin. It's also one of the reasons why only people from the Astalieu can enter that ruin. It is to avoid people going there. His majesty is afraid that it might only cause harm to people."

Pax Dea's eyes sparkle. "A haunted ruined palace? Isn't that great? I only want to go there because I was amazed by the brave stories about the soldiers who sacrificed themselves just to save the Vrawyth Kingdom. If I'm not mistaken, many Lauretré ancestors are included to those who sacrificed their lives, right?"

I nod my head at her. She is right. A thousand years ago, when other people tried to take the Vrawyth Kingdom from our ancestors, the Lauretré ancestors were the ones who stood in the front line. Half of the Lauretré Family that time died.

Throughout the years, many Lauretré members lose their lives for the Kingdom. It's the reason why Brother Pascal and I are only descendants of the Lauretré family. 

It's probably a miracle that Brother Pascal comes out of nowhere. At least with him, the Lauretré descendants will not end with me.

"You are right. Father also mentioned about that. It's the reason why the Lauretré family has a strong footing now. The Lauretré family is the only family who had been serving the monarch right from the start."

Pax Dea nods her head. "Now, I am more excited to see that ruins. You been there before right, Csille? What does it look like? I really want to know what it looks like."

I nod my head at her. The real Csille and Rufus used to sneak to the ruin when they were young. However, after his majesty knows about what we have been doing, he has forbidden anyone from coming there again.

"Yes, but it's been years since I last went there. It might look different from what I remember. If anyone else, it is Rufus who can describe what it looks like currently."

Rufus, who is busy eating his lunch, looks at us. "There's actually nothing much to see in there. Most of the walls are ruined already. All you can see is some furniture that is left there and some traces of the intensity of the battles."

Pax Dea nods her head. "I see. However, there is one thing I don't understand. Why would his majesty close it to the public? I think the Vrawyth people deserve to see that historic place. After all, it was their ancestors who sacrificed their lives for them."

Rufus shakes his head. "It's the same reason why his majesty prohibits anyone. It's because to preserve the place. It's been a thousand years have passed, the sturdiness of the building is not the same as when it was built. So, to avoid hurting anyone and ruining the already ruined palace. His majesty decided to close it."

Pax Dea nods her head. "That seems reasonable. However, are we really allowed to visit that ruins? You all said that his majesty prohibits anyone from coming there."

Rufus smirks. "Have you forgotten? I am part of the Astalieu family. I can go there if I want to. However, we cannot stay there for too long. Even if I have the right to visit the ruins, it is still not safe to go there. Also, if something happens to all of you, I don't know how I can explain to the Count, to Prince Fraser, and to his majesty."

"Don't worry, Rufus. We will only take a quick look, and we will leave immediately. I remember, there's a river nearby, right? We can just stay there after."

They all agree with my suggestion. There is something with this ruin. Actually, I mentioned this ruin to Pax Dea with the intention of visiting it. I don't know why but I can feel that there is something in that ruin, and I need to know what that thing is. 

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I look at the entrance of the ruined palace, and I can hear my heart beating fast. It's as if my heart is excited over something. Aside from my frantic heartbeat, I can also feel something inside the palace. Something is calling me to come inside.

"Your highness, Prince Rufus, what are you doing here?" One of the two guards who are guarding the gate of the entrance asks. He then looks at us. "And you're with other people. May we know what's the purpose of your visit?"

Rufus chuckled. "I'm just here to check the situation inside. Isn't it my monthly checking of the palace ruins?"

Rufus and Prince Fraser are the only ones who are allowed to do a monthly checking inside the palace. It is to ensure that everything is still in place. After all, even though more than half of the palace was ruined, there are still parts of it that are worth a million centimes. Aside from its worth, it is also a part of the history of the Vrawyth Kingdom. His highness wants to leave everything in place for the next generation of Vrawyth.

The previous rules have tried everything to restore the old ruins, but no one has succeeded. In the end, his majesty ordered everyone to stay away from the ruins so it could be preserved.

The two guards look at each other before they nod their heads. "It is. However, the only ones allowed inside the old ruins are the Astalieus." The guard looks at Pax Dea, Brother Pascal, and me. "You have brought the Lauretré and an unknown lady. That is against the order of his majesty. We can only allow you to go inside."

Rufus laughs. "Are you saying that the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom doesn't have the right to enter the old ruin? We all know that Lady Csille Lauretré will be the fiancée of his highness, Prince Fraser. Are you saying she doesn't have the right to carry the Astalieu surname?"

Well, technically speaking, I really don't have the right to use the Astalieu because I'm not the one Prince Fraser will marry. 

The guards' faces immediately turned pale. They look at me and bow their heads. "Lady Csille, we never said something like that. I hope you won't misunderstand it. If you really want to enter, we can allow you to come inside. However, Doctor Pascal and the Lady cannot enter it."

I raised my eyebrow at the guards. What's the use of letting me in if Brother Pascal and Pax Dea won't be able to come with us? 

"Are you saying that my cousins are not allowed to enter the ruins? I am the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom, and they are my family. It means they are a family of his highness too. Or do you think the Lauretré family is not suitable to his highness reputation? If that's the case, then I guess I'll have to reconsider the engagement then." 

I sigh and shake my head. I look at Pax Dea and Brother Pascal. "Brother Pascal, Dea, let us just return home. I need to talk to my Father about my engagement. I guess it's better for me to call off the engagement."

Pax Dea looks at me and shakes her head. I just simply nod my head at her. As if telling her to just go with the flow. 

I was about to turn my back when the two guards kneeled on the ground. "Lady Csille, please forgive us for our sins. You are the most suitable lady for his highness, Prince Fraser. Please don't cancel the engagement. You are the only lady that the Vrawyth people want to be their Queen."

After a few more apologizing from the guards, they let us all enter the ruins. They just remind us not to spend too much time inside. After all, this is a thousand years old building, and it underwent a war. We don't know when will the walls or the parts of the buildings collapse.

Pax Dea gasped. "Although most of the things are burned and ruined, you can still see the magnificence of the palace before. This must be a beautiful palace."

I didn't hear what Pax Dea was saying because my eyes caught something. I felt my heart beat suddenly race when I saw a very familiar place.

It is this place! Suddenly a vivid memory flashes back in my mind.

I found myself inside a ruined building. It looks like a war happened. I could still see some blood prints all over the place.

I walked around the building, but even after walking for half an hour now, I still couldn't see the exit.

I am about to turn to a corner when I see someone standing a few meters away from me. I squint my eyes, trying to see if it's a person.

"Hello? Who are you? Do you know where am I? Are you lost too?"

I wait for the person to reply, but the person remains standing there. It's as if she didn't hear my questions.

"Hello? Can't you hear me? Are you deaf?"

The moon lights the place where the person is standing. My eyes widen immediately in joy. She's a woman. She's wearing a purplish medieval gown with sleeves that are elbow length and have cut square neckline. It also has gold embroidery all over the gown. The skirt is supported by panniers, and it reached staggering girth.

Her gown is beautiful, but one thing that attracts my attention is the color of the woman's hair. It's purple! Like how Csille's hair does.

The lady suddenly moves, and she faces me. It's Csille! It's Csille Lauretré! But how? Why?

Csille looks at me. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She snaps at me.

I shake my head at her as a response. What is happening? 

Csille frowns at me, and she crosses her arms. "Are you mute? Why don't you talk? I am talking to you. Why can't you talk? Do your even know who am I?" She then looks at me from head to toe before she laughs. "Oh, I'm sure you don't know about me. With how strange you look. I bet you're just a poor homeless person on the street." She laughs again while looking at me mockingly.

Csille takes a step closer to me. "You don't know who am I, right? Then I'll introduce myself so you won't be ignorant the moment you see me again." Csille takes a pause and smirks at me. "I am Csille Lauretré, the only daughter of the Count of the Vrawyth Kingdom. I am also the fiancée of the Crown Prince. Do you know what it means? I am the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. So, remember that."

Csille glares at me with my silence. "Why are you just staring at me? Haven't you heard what I said? I am the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom, the most powerful Kingdom in all of the Kingdoms. Why aren't you bowing your head at me? You lowly peasant!" Csille tried to raise her hand at me, but I immediately caught her hand. 

Csille frowns even more with what I've done. "What are you doing? Let me go? Who gave you the right to touch me? You lowly peasant! Get your filthy hands from me."

I smile at her. "Why are you so sure that Prince Fraser will choose you in the end?"

Csille glared at me. "You peasant!" She tried to take her hand away from me, but I didn't let her. "I am the fiancée of Prince Fraser. We were betrothed to each other, and Prince Fraser has one word. He wouldn't back down on something he already said yes." Csille smirks at me.

I smirk at her in return. "Does he really say yes, or he just doesn't have any other choice but to say yes?" 

Csille snaps at me. "What do you mean? Prince Fraser definitely loves to be engaged with me. You're probably just envious of me." Csille laughs at me.

I blink my eyes a couple of times. This... 

This is the exact place in my dream. However, at that time, I couldn't remember that the real Csille was once in this ruin. It's the reason why the dream was familiar to me. 

However, there is one thing I don't understand. Why did I dream of Csille inside the ruined palace? Is the reason why something is calling me here? Is it because of the real Csille?