After our heartfelt moment, we returned to the wedding. I felt lighter than before, the burden from my shoulders finally lifted. It was like I was reborn and could see everything from a new perspective. Knowing the truth felt amazing, and I finally understood the situation in its entirety. I felt like myself again, my heart full of joy and gratitude, knowing that everything would be okay now that I had the answers I needed and the solution provided by Evanora.

I stood beside Araz, who was visibly exhausted and sat next to Leo with her head on his shoulder. A visible cringe left my body at the sight of their close proximity to one another. I was unsure what Leo's intentions towards Araz were, but I knew that if he were to ever harm her, he would face my wrath. Right now, both of them appeared exhausted due to lack of sleep, and Leo was doing his best to assist Araz in feeling comfortable.

A few moments later, both Araz and Leo fell asleep together, in a rather uncomfortable position. The tent was almost empty, with a few guests having left early, but returning for the ceremony. Many of the other guests had chosen to stay for the night, and it seemed like such a weird tradition for a wedding. It's as if you were testing the couple's patience, seeing how long they would be able to tolerate each other with no sleep and no food for more than half a day. It seemed like quite the tiring experience.

While the wedding was supposed to be a celebration, it felt like a prison for the couple, who had to endure all the festivities and rituals while being tired and exhausted. It seemed more like a test of their patience than an actual celebration, since the couple didn't get a chance to relax or have their own moment alone, being constantly watched by the guests.

The sun had begun to peek through the trees, creating a beautiful display of light and colours. It was a mesmerizing sight to behold, was the most beautiful sunrise I might have ever seen, one that filled me with sanguinity and the anticipation for what tomorrow may bring. Araz and Leo had been woken up by Evanora, and they now stood facing each other in the middle of the big crowd, with their hands enjoined. While the onlookers, who rushed into the tent to witness the ritual, imagined them to be in love, I knew there would be no compassion between them and their marriage was purely political.

"I take you for myself." Araz and Leo spoke, their voices resonating together as the wind gradually began to circle around them. "I take you to be one within myself. Our hearts synchronize, our breath harmonize. Our minds link as we become one person for this world and hereafter, till our link is broken. We are one." With the wind now growing stronger, people were pushed away from the couple, and I saw Evanora watching them with adoration, most likely remembering her marriage and the time they had spent together. She only mentioned her husband once, and it was clear that she still loved him and cherished her time by his side. Her love for her late husband was said to be unbreakable. Her love for Araz spoke volumes as well.

The ritual was nearing its end when a few armoured people appeared, their presence immediately eliciting feelings of dread within me. While I had initially reassured myself that it was part of the ritual, my alertness grew as the other guests noticed their interruption. This wasn't a part of any tradition, and something was definitely wrong here. As I turned to face Evanora, her expression matched my confusion, her eyes fixed on Lannis who remained way too calm in light of the situation.

"Everybody calm down, there is no need to be afraid. Stay where you all are, no one will be hurt." Lannis's voice reverberated through the crowd, his words loud and demanding, compelling the others to stay where they were and not to fear. Araz and Leo's expressions turned to concern as they looked towards him, unsure of what was to come. I, with no concern to his warning tried to get to Evanora and Araz, wanting to be close to them.

"I as the mayor of Village Euraphia of realm Kelertiwa, came across a strange matter. I didn't understand how to fix the situation since it concerned the welfare of a dear person of this village. Yet I knew the traitors deceive no second chance." As he spoke, he grabbed Evanora. Araz shrieked and tried to run towards her mother as Leo held her back. My heart beating faster as my feet started to work faster, scared of what was to come next. With no concern of her, he gripped her hair as she screamed at him.

"You've gone mad, Lannis?" Evanora attempted to use her magic, but it was useless as Lannis cast a spell, draining her of all her energy and power. All eyes were on Lannis, as his decision would determine the fate of both him and Evanora, and the onlookers were afraid to do or say anything in case it made the situation worse. I tried to reach the pair, but the guards held me back with all their strength. I could only stand there and watch in horror, unsure what to do next.

"You think you can conspire behind my back, ask for help from an enemy, and I will do nothing? You betrayed us, you deserve nothing but death." He had a cold, unfeeling demeanour, as it made my skin crawl, similar to when he had once threatened me. "My beloved daughter-in-law, I apologize for making this happen on your special day. But perhaps this is a gift for you from me, releasing you from a betrayer." My temper flared as I held my hand towards his, eager to take a hold of him using my own magic. However, before I could do anything, I was hit on my face, my vision became blurry as I hit the ground, the voices becoming distant as my head spun.

"Lannis please stop, I beg you stop! Leo stop him! She is my mother!" Araz implored for Lannis' mercy, her voice full of desperation and worry. Her words echoed through the tent but went ignored, throughout the silent yet coward crowd.

"Allow this to serve as an object lesson for everyone in attendance. This is the punishment you shall receive if you ever attempt anything similar." My eyes focused on Lannis as he raised his hand, which now held a sharp dagger. He slowly brought the weapon closer to Evanora's delicate neck as I tried to do something or anything to stop him. The entire situation seemed to slow down, as if an eternity had passed, yet I couldn't even take one step. The image of the dagger nearing her neck was burned into my mind, the thought of her being harmed making my blood run cold. As he prepared to deliver the fatal blow, I had no choice but to watch in horror.

A dark red liquid poured out, the life leaving her body. Her head slumped to the floor as death overcame her, her sunshine-coloured dress turning into a funeral shroud. She crumpled to the ground like a doll, no longer able to support the weight of her head. The image of her lifeless form in her beautiful dress, the life drained from her, the light dimmed from her eyes, filled me with sorrow and despair.

The tragedy was too cruel for someone so beautiful. My heart screamed and tore at the sight, and I crawled towards her body, no one daring to stop me as I approached her. Araz sobbed, her voice wracked with sorrow as she held her bloodied body close.

"Mother, oh my dear mother," she cried, tears streaming down her face as she held the lifeless woman tight. The image of her clinging to Evanora's lifeless form, her pained screams of grief as she mourned his mother's death, as if I were being punished and tortured to stay in that moment, not allowed to turn away or look away. The weight of this tragedy settled on my shoulders, and every second felt like an eternity. I was helpless to do anything but stand by and watch, not knowing what to do amidst all this pain and suffering. The weight of my guilt only grew heavier, and I felt like I was drowning.

"And you? What do we do with you, you don't belong here. You disgusting creature." he spat, his words a brutal sting as he dragged me away from the scene. Lannis' grip on my hair was fierce, as he refused to let me go. His lack of remorse for causing the terrible tragedy was apparent, and he pulled me away with force. I tried to fight myself free of his grasp, my voice torn between tears and screams, my attempts all in vain.

"You will regret this, Lannis. I will be the one, the ONLY one, who will make sure you die a horrible, horrible death," I screamed, the feeling of the dagger piercing my stomach making me writhe in pain. My blood trickled down my leg, the pain making me fall to my knees as he stood above me, a cruel laugh escaping his expression.

"I sure would love to see you try, but your life ends today." he said, no mercy in his voice or heart. I was weak, defenceless, and unable to do anything to stop his cruel actions. Maybe this was the end, I could never accept it yet I could not do anything.

As I lay bleeding on the ground, I heard swords clashing, and a tiny figure stepped into my view. It was a little creature, his size much less than that of Lannis. He said nothing, yet with a swift stroke of his sword, he fought, the movements he performed as if it was second nature to him. The witches got out of the tent in a frantic rush, their eyes filled with fear and worry for their lives. My eyes went around the tent, taking in the bloody scene. Finally, my eyes fixed on Evanora and Araz, who still lay together, their bodies intertwined, as I crawled towards them, my groan of pain drowned out by the loud noises of the witches. They all ran to save themselves, stepping over me.

The two combatants engaged in an intense, epic battle, their skill and strength as equal opponents. The creature weaved gracefully through the air, his body flowing with each motion as the sword in his hand sliced through the enemy's ranks. His skill was unmatched, his blade striking with deadly precision at the perfect moment, leaving no room for error or mercy. He moved with agility, his speed and strength surprising, as he effortlessly defended himself and eliminated the armed men and Lannis, alone.

Lannis suddenly lost his footing, and as he fell to the ground in shock, the small figure before him holding a dagger in his hands. Without hesitation, he threw it, the dagger hitting Lannis in the leg. In a moment of agony, Lannis tried to get up but was quickly hit in the other leg by a second dagger, causing him to let out a scream of pain. He cried out in agony, grasping at his wounded leg, trying to recover, but all he felt was the sharp dagger that was still embedded in his flesh.

The creature turned to me, knowing that his work was done. He waved his hand graciously in the air, as if drawing a pattern with it. Suddenly, the dirt around us began to float in the air, no longer bound by the laws of gravity. I turned to see Lannis, but to my surprise, he was no longer there, as if vanished into thin air.

I sat in the muddy grass, stunned at the sudden change of location. I felt a chill, the air suddenly colder as if the night was trying to swallow us whole. It was as if we had been transported to a completely different world, our surroundings no longer reflecting the familiar village we had known so well. The darkness of the night felt even deeper, and the raindrops added to the sombre atmosphere. The light from the nearby lamp on our left was the only source of illumination, casting long shadows across the ground.

Araz had no awareness of her surroundings, lost in her grief as she sniffled over Evanora's body, whispering to her, pleading with the lifeless figure to return to life. Filled with pain and sorrow, yet she was powerless to do anything except hold her mother close and weep, her tears falling onto Evanora's body, mixing with the blood. The normal reality now nothing but a distant memory.

The creature watched me with no expression on his face, not sharing in the grief and pain that Araz and I felt. As he took small steps closer to us, he suddenly took a courteous bow in front of me, a sign of respect. His arm was so small, yet he was able to hold it with perfect balance and composure, showing his deep appreciation. In a show of his kindness, with his head bowed he spoke.

"Welcome home, your highness." I took a deep breath, trying to process the implications of this sudden behaviour. "Princess Arica Kaldwin of Acacious,"

**********

Well this wasn't my original plan but this fit perfectly for my plot lol