Chapter 20

The sky was already dark. There are no road lights, and the fireflies only serve as road lights.

I glance at everyone. Sandra, Relm, and Elara are still sleeping. while Vandel and Copelan were just quiet in front.

I fix my gaze on the road.I attempted to think about what we were going through.I can see almost trees on the road.

I was about to confront Vandel and ask him a question when a puff of smoke caught my eye.It is a color of green smoke. It mixes with the cloud. You can see it because there are fireflies surrounding it.

I mentally smirk. Good job!

"What are you looking at?"

I was caught off guard when Sandra suddenly asked me.

"I'm just looking at the fireflies." I answered and turned to face her.

"Are we still far?" I asked.

"Just an hour," Vandel answered.

I just nodded at him. I looked at Sandra, who was looking outside.

"Aren't you afraid?"

"For what?" she asked with a pout.

"What happened to Kara?"

She sighed heavily. "Of course I am. She's the Princess and she's our friend. Why? "

I just smiled at her.

"Wake them up, Sandra." Vandel said to her.

He shook Relm, and I gently patted Elara. I don't know why, but I feel nervous. Because I have never been to Tamora Palace.

"I'm nervous!" Elara stated.

"Breathe deeply. Let's face it together. Let's just pray that Kara is right there. " Sandra said gently.

"I'm nervous, men!" Relm also said. He was restless in his seat and kept stomping his feet on the floor.

Sandra hit his shoulder. "Shut up! You're making so much noise! "

He pouted. "Wow! You're not nervous? We're the same, Sandra!

And they pretended that they didn't look nervous. I chuckled.

I looked at Elara, who was looking at the road in a daze.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She looked at me for a moment, but she also looked back at the road before speaking. "Yes, I'm just quite nervous. I was supposed to watch over Kara but... I couldn't."

"I'm sorry."

She looked at me in surprise.

"Why? It is not your fault. " She answered.

I silently sigh. I just smiled at her and looked at the road.

 

I just did my next move.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We're here!" Vandel announced it to us.

 

We are in front of the palace gate. I can hear the sound of my heart beating and I know theirs too.

"What now?" Elara asked us. There is still a trace of fear and apprehension on her face.

"I'm scared, Meliora!" Sandra said to me

But I didn't respond. I was just looking at the wide gate in front of me. I wonder what it looks like inside?

"Let's go," Vandel said to us.

 

"Man, aren't you scared yet?" I heard Relm ask Copelan and immediately grabbed his arm.

"No matter what we do, we are still at fault. We forgot our mission and now we face the consequences. Because we are talking about a princess, not just an ordinary person. " Copelan said, seriously.

 

We became more silent. I didn't respond as well to what he said as others. And now we're in front of the big gate to the palace. The guard let us in immediately because they knew them from before.

Everyone, including myself, took a deep breath.

Vandel glared at each one of us. "Ready?"

I simply nodded.While others said "yes."

Vandel opened the huge door and we followed him. I looked around the entire living room with an open mouth. I will praise this palace every day. It was so beautiful and majestic. It's kind of like everyone who comes here will be turned on by all the things.

A maid suddenly came out.

"The King is upstairs. Sit down first. I'll call him." she said and immediately left.

We sat and watched her silently.

"I-I don't feel Kara's presence."Sandra spoke quickly.

 

Then, no one spoke. We sat quietly in the chair. Vandel and Copelan are thinking deeply. Relm and Sandra are leaning on the chair, while Elara, who is next to me, is bowing her head. I sigh. I seriously looked at the large painting in the middle. It was the face of the King, the Queen, or the new Queen.

 

"Who are they?" I asked.

Sandra just looked at me and pointed them out, "Because Kara's mother died during the war, the King married her after years. And even though Kara is not a real daughter of the Queen, you can tell that she loves her wholeheartedly. We saw it. Because we used to come here often, and the queen was the one we always socialized with. She really cares about Kara. She is even more protective than the king. " Sandra said to me.

 

I just smiled at her in return.

We immediately adjusted our seats when we suddenly heard the sound of footsteps.

"Oh! What brought you here?" the King asked immediately as he went down the stairs.

We immediately stood up and paid our respects. He signed us to sit. I stare at his face.

"The Queen is not here; she did something," he added.

No one spoke to us. We are still feeling out who will tell and ask questions. The king looked around at all of us with his forehead furrowed.

"Where's my daughter?"

It was like a sudden bombshell to us. We didn't speak or move. I was looking at everyone when the king suddenly spotted me. "And who are you?" he asked.

"I am Meliora, a new member." I answered gently, but the King was still looking at me with a furrowed forehead.

"You look familiar." He said, then looked away from her and looked at Vandel.

"Where is Kara? Why aren't you with her?" he asked again.

"We're sorry, King!" Vandel said. I can feel his nervousness while answering.

"We are here to ask if Kara came here. She just left earlier without telling us, and we thought she was right here. " Vandel added

"What?!" The king shouted, which almost echoed throughout the room.

We were startled by it. But we all just bowed down, afraid to face his angry face.

"What did I tell all of you? I told you to accompany Kara wherever she goes!" he shouted in anger.

 

I immediately looked at him. "I'm sorry King, it was my fault." Then I bowed apologetically.

They looked at me with their foreheads furrowed, especially Vandel and Sandra.

"And how did that happen?" the King asked me.

Vandel and Sandra were about to speak up when I cut them off.

"I ordered them to stop following her ." I said in my tiniest tone.

"Who are you to order them?" he asked loudly.

I didn't reply but suddenly bowed in response. Vandel was about to say something when I pinched her hand behind and shook my head. He looked at me confused, but I just smiled at him.

"How did this happen, Vandel?! How did all of you listen to this newcomer instead of protecting my child? I am very disappointed! And you, Elara, aren't you always together? But why are you here looking for her? Now! For the sake of Kara, you must really love this new member of yours! She made you all forget your missions, which, apparently, was also her mission. " He shouted angrily at all of us.

 

I remained silent. My heart began to crumble into pieces. I didn't expect this kind of situation right now.

"And you?! If something bad happens to Kara, you will pay for it." He once again shouted at me. I couldn't do anything but bow my head.

Vandel suddenly held my hand and said, "It's disrespectful, my dear king... But Meliora is not at fault; we are the ones at fault. And if you punish us, we will fully accept it. "

"We will do everything to find Kara." He then bowed and left while dragging me.

 

We stopped at the door. I didn't look at him but he lifted my eyes and caressed my thumb in my eyes. "You're crying," he said.

 

"Who is that woman and how can Vandel act like that?! She hasn't answered me yet? " I heard. Vandel was about to drag me towards the outside, but I stopped him.

I want to hear more.

"Dear King, Meliora is not at fault here either. We will make sure to find Kara, but please respect her as a new member to protect your daughter. " I heard Sandra say to him.

 

I looked at the king's face but was afraid because of his expression. Vandel suddenly drags me towards the carriage, and I don't have the power to stop him.

 

I must leave earlier. His words still echoed throughout my mind.