The Crown's Entrapment



At Cordon Camp, Haven Forest.

"Do you think she'll be fine?" Darius asked Xenia as they both looked at Lena sitting by the campfire not far from them.

"I'm not sure. Amon personally talked to her a while ago before he left for Hindman's Manor. Go ahead and rest, I'll follow shortly. Let me check on Lena first," Xenia said to Darius with a smile. He leaned and gave her a peck on her lips as he said, "Don't take too long, you also need rest, our presence is needed tomorrow for the Ritual of Marking."

Xenia nodded in understanding. She had been very busy today, focused on attending to her sister's needs as she had just given birth to a healthy baby girl. Because of this, she missed a lot of what had happened, like the sudden union set-up between Bella and Amon. They would first conduct the Ritual of Marking, following Cordon's tradition, and then proceed with the marriage ceremony adhering to Helion's customs upon their arrival there.

She quietly walked towards Lena and sat beside her.

"Are you going with His Majesty tomorrow?" Lena asked Xenia as soon as she felt her presence.

"I will. How are you, Lena? I'm sorry that I've been so preoccupied that I haven't been around lately." Xenia muttered with a sigh.

"I'm good. I honestly don't know how I feel right now. But I am grateful that King Amon took the time to personally talk to me about the matter. He may not remember right now, but his feelings for her are much stronger than what he ever felt for me in the past, for him to ask her to marry him." Lena commented.

"Would you mind if I asked what he told you?" Xenia curiously asked. She wondered how Amon handled the situation, but having known him as Osman, Xenia knew how much of a gentleman he was. Based on Lena's reaction right now, she could tell that Osman handled things with good and respectful words.

"He thanked me and told me that he owed his life to me and that he would be forever grateful and indebted to me… He said that he would find a way to repay me with everything he could and said that I could ask him for anything and that he would be willing to give it to me, except for one thing…" Lena answered.

"Hmm, what is it?"

"To be his wife," Lena looked up at her with sad eyes. "He apologized and said multiple times that he was sorry because he had already asked Lady Bella to be his wife." She murmured as Xenia heard her suppressed sob. She pulled Lena into an embrace and gently stroked her back. 

"That's alright Lena, you have all the time in the world and you have a lot more to experience including falling in love again. Inside the Element Forest, your movements were restricted because of your responsibilities as a guardian of air. But now, you have been given another opportunity to live your life to the fullest. Doing all the things you want to do, freely. And know that you will always have both Mine and Darius' support in this journey, my dear Lera." Xenia said comfortingly. 

She pitied her, yet at the same time, she was relieved that things didn't have to escalate any further and reach a point where Lera needed to compete for Amon.

At least, things were now becoming much clearer earlier than they thought it would. She had genuinely been concerned with the thought of Bella and Lena having to compete for one man. Both of them were her friends, and she honestly didn't like the idea of these two women, who had become quite close to one another, fighting over one man.

Lena needed closure for so long, and now that she finally got it, Xenia knew that it would be easier for her to move on and finally break through the wall that seemed to have always held her back when it came to romantic relationships.

"I don't know why I'm crying like this. I mean, I still can't remember him, and yet I feel myself hurting, at the same time… I honestly feel so relieved and so much lighter now, as if something had been lifted off of my chest," Lena explained as she continued to sob.

"That is a good thing, Lena. I strongly believe that this is the exact closure that you needed." Xenia continued.

"Thank you, Xenia," Lena whispered as she broke the hug.

"I'm alright, you know. You should go ahead and rest now. I know that you've been very busy helping Queen Mineah with her precious newborn. Also, you and King Darius need to leave early for Cordon. Go and get some rest. I want to be alone for a bit and stay here outside," Lena said, giving Xenia a reassuring smile. She was indeed a bit exhausted already, Mineah needed close assistance with the baby and she loved to help since she had more experience in handling a baby with her having twins of her own.lightsnovel

"Alright then," Xenia commented, giving Lena a gentle pat on her arm.

Lena watched as her Queen walked away from her. She was all alone again in front of the bonfire. She had lost count of how many times she had let out a sigh. She truly felt a whirlwind of emotions after the conversation that she had with King Amon before he left to be with Bella.

It was difficult for her to put into words how she was feeling, but as she said to Xenia, she felt both hurt and relieved at the same time. Lena stood up from where she was sitting and then looked around. Everyone was engrossed with their own different tasks. She saw a servant and timidly asked, "Do we have a bottle of wine?"

"Yes, milady. Would you like me to get you a glass?" the servant politely asked.

Lena gave an awkward smile as she replied, "No, please give me the whole bottle of-"

"Will you be able to finish it all?" Seth's familiar voice spoke from behind.

Lena turned towards him with her flustered face, "How about some company with that drink?" Seth asked. He didn't even wait for her answer as he quickly instructed the servant, "Please get two bottles, two glasses, and some snacks. Bring it all under the makeshift table and chairs by the oak tree there."

He pointed to the spot where she and Seth had often come to talk in private. "Come," Seth instructed as he walked ahead. Lena followed after him, "Drinking alone is boring…" he said as both of them settled onto their seats. The servant was quick to bring them an assortment of snacks and wine.

Lena refrained from saying anything and simply stayed silent, observing as Seth poured her glass of wine and handed it to her. She pouted as she stared at the bottle. She had planned on getting drunk tonight alone and was bent on drinking from the bottle directly. That was what Bella had done when she had her heart broken from her first love.

She absentmindedly shrugged at the thought of her friend Bella. She had missed her, but given that their current situation was so awkward, she couldn't even greet her casually.

"I'm happy that her heart won't be broken a second time around," she mumbled before she downed the contents of her glass.

"Don't worry, you won't get heartbroken a second time around as well, especially if you end up with me," Seth casually commented, making her almost choke on her own drink. She coughed and Seth was quick to sit closer to her as he gently stroked her back.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine Seth. Just that…"

"Because of how direct I am with my words? Yet you know as well as I do that I mean every word and that I speak directly from the heart. I understand what you're going through, and I know you're hurting right now. I'll remain here by your side as I always have, so please don't feel pressured. And if I come across as too bold, I apologize. It's just something I can't seem to help at times."

Lena smiled because she was aware of it. Seth was incredibly transparent. What you see is what you get from him, and she liked him for that. However, she couldn't help but still often be taken aback by his straightforwardness.

"It's alright, Seth… Thank you for being with me," Lena commented.

"There's no need to thank me, don't worry about it. Drink to your heart's content and I'll take care of you. You'll always be safe around me," Seth said quite matter-of-factly.

"Indeed, if you even attempt to take advantage of me, our King will undoubtedly behead you right away," Lena snorted with a grin. Seth's presence was comforting, and she felt really grateful for him despite how down she felt after speaking with King Amon.

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