CHAPTER 10

GATRIA DID NOT want to, but she was forced to sit on an extravagant and luxurious looking green high-backed chair with gold accent in the drawing room. Her companions were already sitting comfortably on their chairs and Treven was gloating at Gatria knowing how much Gatria disliked being put on a pedestal which was what was happening at the moment— starting with her chair.

Gatria took a deep breath and looked at Count Salas' family who were still prostrating in front of her even after she told them to stand up.

Seeing the frustration on Gatria's face, even Drago was smiling at her, amused at the scene.

Gatria glared at Drago, who stifled a chuckle before clearing his throat and helping Gatria out.

"Count Salas, everyone, raise your heads. You don't want to anger Her Highness, Queen Gatria." Drago told the people still prostrating in front of Gatria.

"But it is disrespectful...!" Count Salas said in response to Drago and his whole family nodded while still prostrating.

Gatria let out a sigh as she massaged her forehead. "Seriously... I won't ask twice. Raise your heads or I'm leaving."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Immediately, Count Salas and his whole family raised their heads to look at the queen their household revered.

The look they were giving her were full of reverence that was irking Gatria, but amusing to Treven seeing how much it irked Gatria, but she couldn't say anything against them.

"Introduce yourselves." Drago had to remind the Count Salas' whole family who had seemed forgotten the most common etiquette when meeting a royalty.

"O-of course...!" Count Salas slightly panicked that he took a quick glance at the queen to check if they offended her and when he realized that the queen seemed unperturbed at their blunder, he introduced his family in a trembling voice that he tried too hard to control. "Her Highness, this is my wife, Adelfa." Adelfa bowed her head. "My first born son, Salva." The handsome Salva bowed his head as he profusely thank the Mistress of Nature. "And my daughter, Salome." The beautiful Salome with beautiful long straight brown hair, bowed her head and thanked Queen Gatria for saving her brother and aiding her father.

"So," Gatria looked at the whole family rigidly. She hated humans and even if it were the good apples in front of her, she didn't know how to treat them other than be rigid and cold. "Why did you want to see me?"

Count Salas actually blinked at the queen as if she asked the most simple question. "As the lord of the town, this was the only residence fitting for Her Highness. Letting Her Highness sleeping in an inn as Lord Treven told me is downright disrespectful to Her Highness."

"I've slept in worse."

That made Count Salas closed his mouth and it silenced his whole family.

And seeing that, Gatria felt uncomfortable for some reason that she spoke again in a less condescending manner. "Though... letting us sleep here in your residence is much appreciated."

Seeing the brightness back on The Count's face and his whole family, Gatria eased up a little and when she saw how Drago smiled at her as if he was pleased, Gatria felt relieved for some reason.

She knew she was adjusting for these humans in front of her, but she couldn't seem to lash out her anger on them. After reading half of that journal, Gatria had come to realize that she couldn't possibly hurt the family of that man who had been so devoted to her. Because it seemed to her that that devotion had been passed down to his family.

Gatria subtly cleared her throat. "May I ask you something, Count Salas?"

Count Salas immediately gave his whole attention to the queen. "Of course, Your Highness!"

Gatria looked at The Count's eyes. "I am certain that you know about me and my relationship with the kingdom and your King, so I want to know... why are treating me so kindly, with so much reverence? I am your enemy, Count Salas. I may have healed your son and other people, but I am far from being benevolent. My grudge for the Kingdom of Treterra knows no bounds. I'm here to cause havoc in the kingdom's capital, Ager, and to have my revenge on your king and the nobles under him. Now tell me, am I still welcome in your residence?"

Gatria had to give it to The Count, he didn't falter at her threat and there was no change of emotion on his face when her essence relentlessly filled the room and the pressure had become unbearable that his whole family were trembling in fear behind him. The Count's body trembled at the pressure, but he stood his ground even when the pressure of Gatria's essence was robbing him of his breath.

Looking at The Count, who's holding his ground, what Gatria see was not fear, but determination as the Count Salas replied to her.

"Of course, Your Highness. Her Highness will always be welcome in our home. I will accept any punishment Her Highness bestow unto us." His whole family nodded as if agreeing with The Count. "Lord Treven has told us a small portion of what our race did to The Yther's Queens and I have no words to say to save ourselves. We deserve Her Highnesses' anger and if killing me and my whole family could appease even an ounce of Her Highnesses' fury, we accept it wholeheartedly. Though I implore of you, Your Highness, let the citizens of Belrac live. They know nothing of what happened in the past and present. They're only trying their best to survive and have a good life. Most of them doesn't know the history. Please, I beg of you, Your Highness! Spare them."

Gatria gracefully flick her wrist and the pressure from her essence disappeared in the room, much to everyone's relief except for Drago, who only felt an ounce of it, then Gatria closed her eyes and leaned back as if thinking deeply— though the truth was, she just feels exhausted because she was not used to dealing with good apples.

It was so much better when she considered all humans bad apples.

Letting out another sigh, Gatria opened her eyes and looked at the whole family in front of them who had now recovered from the pressure she emitted a few minutes ago.

They were scared, but they were willing to face my wrath for the people of Belrac.

Time to try the good apples, Gatria thought before she said, "I already decided to let the good apples live and it seems like you are all one of them, so I won't be taking your lives."

The relief of Count Salas' family was so palpable that Gatria actually felt amused.

"We will stay here in your home for a few days." Gatria declared.

"Of course, Your Highness!" Count Salas kneeled on one knee as if taking an oath and his whole family followed suit. "We will spare no effort in making Her Highness and her companions comfortable in your stay."

You don't really have to do that, Gatria thought, but decided to keep it to herself seeing how enthusiastic Count Salas and his whole family were.

"And I have a request."

"Anything Her Highness' ask, we will spare no effort to make it happen!"

Gatria couldn't sighing at The Count's excessive devotion. "Do not tell a soul that I am the Mistress of Nature."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Good. And one more thing, could you bring me a sack of soil from the barren land?"

"Your Highness?" Looked like that confused The Count.

Gatria explained. "I wanted to examine it closely to see if I could do something about this barren land problem."

The Count's eyes were wide open in shock at what he heard as a glimmer of hope burned in their depths. "Her Highness... you... you will h-help us?" Tears fell from The Count's eyes one after another.

Gatria shook her head. "Don't get me wrong, I'm doing this to help Azitera, not your town. It's my responsibility as the overseer of Azitera."

"No matter!" The Count still hadn't seized crying. "Even if it was for Azitera, we will still benefit from it." The Count prostrated once again. "I swear on my life, we will do everything we could to assist Her Highness here in Belrac and even outside the town." Then he turned to his son. "You heard Her Highness, Salva. One sack of soil from the Barren land. On the double!"

Salva bowed his head, excused himself and immediately went out to get one sack of soil from the Barren land.

Meanwhile, Adelfa and Salome excused themselves to ready the refreshments for the queen and her companions while Count Salas remained in the drawing room to entertain his guests.

Though it was mostly Treven, Drago and Count Salas, who were talking and sharing opinions while Grath, Zarek and Gatria were just listening.

When the refreshments were served, that was the only time Grath, and Zarek moved and made a noise.

Everyone enjoyed the refreshments and Count Salas was relieved beyond belief to see the queen eating the handmade cookies his daughter made.

It was such an honor to Count Salas.

"We have already prepared everyone's room." Adelfa, Count Salas' wife, informed her husband and everyone in the drawing room. "Feel free to retire to rest anytime."

Gatria stood up and spoke to Adelfa. "Could you please guide me to my room?"

Adelfa immediately sent a mental note to herself to act accordingly. "My pleasure, Your Highness."

Gatria nodded and excused herself before leaving the drawing room. And before Gatria could leave with Adelfa, Drago excused himself as well, saying he wanted to rest and then he followed Gatria.

"You did good in there." Drago told Gatria when they were in the hallway following Countess Adelfa.

That put all the worry in Gatria's mind at ease. "Thank you."

Silence fell on the two until they arrived at their own respective rooms.

Gatria entered hers, quite excited to have a good bath. That was actually the reason why she retired early. While Drago entered his room to clean himself before resting for a few hours.

Meanwhile, Treven and Zarek were still enjoying the refreshments while Grath was talking to Count Salas.

"I don't see any demi-humans slaves working for you, Count Salas."

Count Salas showed an uncomfortable smile. "My father and forefathers will turn in their graves if I did. They hated the idea of slavery." The Count sighed. "We've been trying to stop slavery here in Belrac, but the Duves' family is very wealthy and influential. Unfortunately, as hard as it might be to swallow, we couldn't touch them."

Grath remembered the Duves' family. It was the same family who enslaved and put a collar on him! "The Duves' family... are they still around?"

Count Salas shook his head. "Someone killed the head of the family and the heir and heiress and burned their estate then set their slaves free. They'd been trying to make a comeback in the slave market since then, but the barren land problem happened and they fled to the capital."

Grath's face hardened. "I... I am one of their slaves."

Count Salas did not know how to respond to that, thankfully, Grath continued speaking.

"The one who killed everyone and burned the Duves' family estate was the Mistress of Flame and her companions. They saved me and many others. Since then, I have sworn my fealty to Queen Sollel."

Count Salas' eyes widened. "The Mistress of Flame...?!"

Grath nodded with a smile. "Hmm. I travelled with Her Highness, Queen Sollel to free Queen Gatria in the Hallowed Valley."

"How envious..." Count Salas wanted to help too, but alas, he knew he'll only be a bother, since fighting was not his strong suit. "Ah, to travel with the Yther's Queens... such dream is unreachable for the likes of me."

Treven interject. "Count Salas, traveling with Gatria is no fun, you know. Don't even dream of it. She'll make you walk for days because she had to check every forest, soil, animals and vegetation. It was so tiring and boring as heck!"

For some reason, The Count sheds a tear. "After everything that had happened, Queen Gatria still cared for us."

"Um. No. She hates humans." Grath rained on The Count's parade, but the Count was too far gone and was muttering lots of praises to Queen Gatria under his breath like a zealous devotee.

"Let him be," Treven waved his hand. "Just eat these cookies, Grath. They're delicious. Right, Zarek?" Treven turned to Zarek.

Zarek nodded before he said, "but I can eat by myself, Treven. No need to feed me."

"But feeding you makes me happy." Treven pulled a sad face. "You want me sad?"

Zarek immediately changed his mind, much to Treven's happiness. "No. You can feed me."

Treven grinned and went back to feeding Zarek, who obediently opened his mouth every time.

At the same time, Grath sighed at Treven who was tricking Zarek in broad daylight. Grath wanted to explain to Zarek that it's okay not to be fed by Treven even, but Grath had a feeling that he had to ready a gargantuan explanation to make Zarek understand his point.

Zarek was too innocent for sly fox Treven.

After observing Zarek for a short while and seeing that Zarek seemed like he was enjoying Treven's attention, Grath decided to let the two be and enjoyed the refreshments served to them.

Concurrently, Gatria was still enjoying her bath and cleaning herself thoroughly. She was happy that even when traveling, she could still clean herself using the stored water in her ring storage and her clothes were enchanted to be clean all the time, but nothing beats a good long bath in the tub.

Yes. This felt so nice.

Gatria was relaxing in the bathtub when a thought entered her mind and suddenly, she stilled.

'The reason for his betrayal...' Drago said those words to her weeks ago, but it still hasn't left her mind.

Will it change anything? She doubts it will. Knowing how determined that man was, Gatria was certain that they will meet again and he will stop her for sure. And she would never hesitate to kill him. I didn't have the change to kill him back in Ager because of those soldiers, so I'm certain he's still alive and recovering. If he ever showed himself, Gatria knew herself pretty well.

She will kill him regardless if there was a reason for his betrayal.

I suffered nearly two centuries because of him... I had enough already.

Taking a deep breath, she let out a loud one and stared down at the water. In her chaotic mind, she pictured a certain person and when she calmed down, a pleased smile appeared on her lips.

"Indeed..." Gatria whispered, "he's therapeutic."

In the next room, Drago just finished bathing and changing clothes when he felt a presence in his room— specifically, behind him.

Though he felt a presence, he didn't turn around and continued fixing his clothing. And the presence behind him, took it as an invitation to carry out the reason why he was there.

"A report from our intelligence in the capital."

"Speak."

"We've already located the other younglings that were kidnapped. Unfortunately, they had been butchered already and turned into a material for forging weaponry. The butcher has already been captured and interrogated, but so far, he, too, had no idea where the other alive younglings are and the carcass of the others. We already scoured the whole capital, but we always end up empty handed. We are running out of places to search—"

"Try the palace."

"Your--"

"Don't make me repeat myself." Drago's low strict and cold baritone voice filled the room.

"Y-yes." Fear could be heard from the voice from behind Drago.

"And what about the thing that I asked you to do? How was it?"

"As you ordered. It has now scattered around the kingdom and desperate people are now clinging to the hope you asked us to sprinkle."

Drago nodded. "And the list that I asked."

The person behind Drago produced a parchment scroll and offered it to Drago. "Here are the list. Personally written by Commander Dreiga herself."

Drago accepted the parchment scroll, then stored it in the small enchanted onyx stone adorning the hilt of his great sword. "Continue your search and report to me if there were changes. I don't care how little it is, report it to me."

The person in front of Drago nodded before he offered another small parchment to Drago. "This was from Commander Dreiga as well."

Drago accepted it and after reading what was written, he heaved a sigh and wave his hand to signal the informer in front of him to leave and the informer vanished after bowing his head.

Now alone, Drago heaved another deep sigh and muttered under his breath. "So he's coming to hurt Gatria again..." I will not let you.

This has to end already. For Gatria's sake.

Kar... this will be the last favor I will do for you. After this, you're on your own. 

CECELIB | C.C.