A Secret

"Is that so? So, not everything we consider legends, actually doesn't exist?" Rupert said. Owen and Joan nodded in agreement.




These five teenagers feel the same fear, especially for those who have heard how terrible the great war that once happened in Lithonia has made many people become victims.




"But Your Majesty, you should not enter the forest!" warned Owen. He is worried about the prince's safety.




"I have to go!" Seraphina looked down, her hands clenched and shaking. Although scared after hearing what her friends said about the forbidden forest. However, still she could not back down from her responsibility as a brother who wanted the healing of the brother she loved so much.




"Prince Xavier, please think again! the forest is very dangerous!" even Judy was very worried about her. This young girl looked sadly at the angel-faced figure standing beside her. With the hope that the figure would discourage her and think of another plan to cure her twin.




"If you were in my position, what would you do? would you just keep quiet when someone you cared about so much had to suffer all their life?"




"Your Majesty, I'm sorry! I really didn't mean-" Owen who realized that he had disappointed Seraphina, felt very guilty. Owen thinks he shouldn't get in the way of the prince's desire to find the plant. But, considering the huge risk she would face if she entered the forest where the demons were gathering, it made Owen couldn't just let it go.




"It's okay, you don't need to apologize. Instead I have to thank you, right? you've been worried about me, that's why thank you!" She gives a shining smile and can always melt the hearts of those who see her.




Owen, Judy, Joan and Rupert were stunned, their mouths wide open. Seeing the heavenly light emanating from the smile of the heir to the throne who will lead their beloved Evangelia.




"Then, let me accompany His Majesty Prince Xavier to find the silver leaf plant!" asked Owen without hesitation. He didn't know why suddenly his courage appeared after seeing the strong determination of the crown prince who wanted to fight for his brother's recovery.




"Haaah? are you crazy? aren't you the one who is always busy forbidding the children to play around the hill so that they don't get into the forest?" Joan who finds it hard to believe Owen's sudden desire to say that he wants to accompany the prince. It felt like the opposite of what Owen had been fighting for so far, namely to keep the victim from falling after entering the forbidden forest.




"Never mind, don't get in my way!"




"Are you crazy?"




"Why? what's wrong?" asked Nathania in panic. Seeing Owen's reaction, Joan and Rupert were suddenly nervous, as if there was a dark secret they were hiding.




"Th ... that, actually the first time we met ..."




"Shut up!" Owen immediately interrupted Joan. His face looked annoyed, even so Nathania could see sadness in his eyes.




"Bu ... but, shouldn't we ..." Joan who didn't accept it, tried to argue because he knew exactly what his best friend had been suffering from.




"It's okay, maybe it's time for me to move forward. I've been running away for too long and this time I have to take responsibility!"




Nathania and Judy looked at each other, although confused about what they were really talking about. But one thing is certain, there are events that have happened and maybe that's the cause of the anxiety they feel.




"Owen, I thought I should give up on going into that forest for a while!"




"Why your Majesty?"




"If I look at your face, I feel something bad has happened and that makes you so scared. Isn't that right?"




"But Your Majesty, I ..."




"Never mind, forget it! I hope that plant also grows in a place that is not too dangerous, hahahaha ... that way, we can find it, right?"




"The cheerful Prince Nathan is back," was what immediately crossed their minds when they heard her cheerful laughter.




Maybe they worry too much, because they usually see someone who is always cheerful and happy become gloomy.




"Your Majesty, I promise to find out about the silver-leaved plant, somehow!" said Owen confidently.




"That's right, I will also try to find out about the existence of the plant! continued Joan.




"Me too, Prince Nathan no need to worry. We will definitely help!" Rupert said, patting Nathania's shoulder to encourage her.




"I'm going to ask mother and father about the silver leaf plant that healed my grandfather at that time. I hope my mother and father know where we can find the plant!" although shy, Judy did not want to lose to Owen, Joan and Rupert who tried to help the prince at all costs. Judy wants to have a share in helping the crown prince.




"Thank you very much, I'm very grateful to have friends like you all!" because she was too moved, Nathania's eyes were wet. This was a feeling she had never found in the palace.




"Friends? so, we are friends of the prince? isn't it impossible for an heir to the throne to be friends with commoners like us?" asked Owen who initially felt very happy to hear Nathania's confession that they were her friends. But on the one hand, Owen feels unworthy of being called a friend of the prince.




"Why? is that something strange?" asked Nathania innocently. She still didn't really understand the meaning of the difference in status between them.




"No, because something like this has never happened before. Even my mother said it was strictly forbidden for ordinary people to talk to the royal family if they weren't asked!" said Joan. Nathania was shocked to hear that fact, she didn't even know where it went wrong if they were friends and talked to each other like this.




Owen, Judy and Rupert nodded in agreement. They all felt the same way, worried that anyone would find out that they were presumptuous about approaching the heir to the throne like this.




"Then, let's change that rule. Anyone can be friends, regardless of noble family or not. We are all human, aren't we?"




***