Chapter 2

She flinched from pain and bit her lip to stop herself from letting any sound escape her to reveal it. Father was dead and that was the cause of all her new troubles, because old ones are no ones fault in particular. Maybe the fault of those up high, who cursed her to be what she was. Father had left all to her brother and her, but brother wanted all for himself. Her brother was not happy.

Not happy at all.

Rage made her brother awaken, and unleash his wrath on her- who had been cursed by not to be able to reach awakening, when she could not defend herself. Jenna, wife of her bother Nedric, was not helping her also, out of fear that her husband's wrath would reach her instead, and she was with the child.

So there is nothing else she can do than to be quiet and not to draw her brother's wrath back on her, thus she stayed far away fom him in this ballroom, packed with invited guests of their esteemed rulers. But all she wanted was to escape, and leave no traces behind her as she made her way far fom Nedric and Jenna. Let them keep all, for all she cared. They should just leave her be.

That was all she could do... Wish that all of them would let her be and stay far away as if she is plague in person. But that was all it is, a wish that is unlikely to come true.

King was being a propper host, alongside his wife, and was chatting like he had no care on this world. Though the Queen knew better. One look at her husnand told her that he was looking for their children in the crowd. Daughter was with her husband on the dance floor among other spinning couples, her older son was surrounded by men and ladies alike, dscussing god knows what. But her other son she could not see in the crowd. He is somewhere hrere, she could sense it. But precise pinpoint of place eluded her.

King looked at her and she smiled in understanding, making them get away from guests for a minute.

"Did you catch him?" He asked in low voice.

" Not yet. He is being very elusive." She said. "It is almost like game of cat and mouse."

"I do not think he is mouse tonight. As a matter of fact, i think he is cat tonight."

"Are you sure? We are talkimg of our hermit son? Or did I have another one and I was unaware of it." She was suspicious.

"I think he just plays cat to evade all mothers that want to marry their daughters." King laughed.

"Well, that does sound like him." She agreed. "As soon as I see him, I will let you know, darling."

"Same here, my love." He said, kissing her hand and smiling at her fondly.

That scent was so darn elusive!

He found himself strangely iritated by that, but he still continued to look out after the source of that scent. He needed to know why it appealed to him so much, even though the scent was weak.

Something in the room shifted and he felt it a bit stronger, and with a growl of impatience he hurried where scent led him. He was not caring about what was going on arround him any more, for his only purpose was to discover the source of that scent. And when guests saw the determined expression on his face, they stayed away. It was not wise to stand in the way of King's son, especially when he looked like he would exterminate daring ones who would stand in his way. So much unlike his usual, calm nature.

And he found the source of his troubles now, as he entered the hidden hinge, where a mid height woman was surprised and looked at him worried.

"Who are...?" She frowned and tried to focus, but she was unable to do so. Her face twisted in pain and he felt his head fill with rage so suddenly it almost took his ability to think clearly. He knew of her, if he did not know her personally. But who would have thaught she was the owner of that scent that haunted him for more than 40 years.

"Who caused you pain?" He asked with cold tone, but filled with vengeful thoughts. She flinched from shock but it made her wince from pain once again. He came closer, gently taking her by the hands. "No one is ever going to hurt you again. And whoever did this..."

"Who are you? Why are you talking like that?" She stepped backward, shaking his hand off her and leaning on the wall, like she was afraid of him. He felt like someone poured cold water over him.

"You do not have to be afraid of me. You know that I would never hurt you." He observed her face while she did the same to him. She still was staying out of his reach, and he did not want to scare her away. But her expression softened and she looked surprised.

"It does seem strange, but you are right. I do know you would never hurt me." She blinked and wondered how did she know that to be truth. And it was the truth. There was no mistaking that, no matter how ridiculous it looked. Why would she believe stranger, and how could she know that it was true? "I know it is true. But I do not know you... Why would you even...?" He sensed her confusion and his instnct was making it harder to focus.

"My love..." King looked at his wife and she looked astonished as much as he was feeling that way. "Is that...?"

"Yes. He is claiming now, but..." Queen went silent, observing how all of the guests felt the change in the air.  It was like smelling the spring in the midday sun while surrounded by calm nature which was waking up and opening to the world. It tantalized the senses in most strange way. It was overwhelming, even her husband and she also had hard time not to bow in front of such delicate but strong power.

"What in the world is going on?" King whispered and looked at the crowd, trying to quickly find his son.