I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 29

(The Guardian Trees)

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Dawn came in pushing off the Darkness of the long night. The passing light of dawn touched Isabella's doll-like face as if caressing her.

Chirp* Chirp*

Flinch*

Ah! It's finally dawn.

My head hurts. I couldn't sleep at all last night.

The cry of a Wolf… The growl of ferocious beasts… The sound of beasts fighting… And The terrible memories of the past that haunted me like nightmares… It was a dreadful night.

I was lonely… afraid. I was in despair... I thought they abandoned me.

Creak~

"Greetings, My La-!"

Flinch!

It's Ella. Now that I think about it, I can hear everyone's bustling outside. Then was it just a nightmare?

"My Lady! What happened? You look terrible!"

"Do I?"

Isabella said while looking outside the window. There were dark circles under her eyes.

"My Lady, are you okay? Are you feeling sick?"

Ella asked nervously.

"..."

"My Lady?"

I am exhausted.

"Should I go call His Highness?"

I flinched.

"No! Don't! I don't want to meet him. Please No. Don't call him."

"Ok-okay, My Lady. As you wish."

"Ella."

"Yes?"

"Can you please bring me a glass of water? You see, I am thirsty."

"Of course."

Saying that Ella hurriedly got out of the carriage like a storm.

She came back with the water in less than a minute.

"Here, Princess!"

Ella poured water into a glass and forwarded it towards me. I grabbed the glass from her hand. But I couldn't hold it... My arm felt weak. I don't have any energy. As soon as the glass dropped from my hand, Ella caught it.

"My Lady! You are definitely not okay."

"I am fine. I just feel a bit weak."

"Here drink the water."

Ella helped me drink the water.

"Ella."

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Don't tell anything about me to His Highness."

"But My L-"

"Please."

Ella bit her lips.

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"Please excuse me."

Ella bowed and went outside the carriage. She soon came back with a bowl of water.

"My Lady, let me wash-"

"I will do it."

"As you wish."

I feel a little better after washing off.

"I will bring your breakfast."

"Just bring some juice."

"But Princess, You had just fruits at dinner yesterday."

"I will eat lunch properly."

"I- I understand."

Ella said slowly while clenching her fist.

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Rattle* Rattle*

The carriage is moving in a wide street. It's been an hour since we had continued the journey.

At first, we were passing by just a forest or a desert valley in the snow flurries. But after an hour, we entered a bustling town. It was filled with kids' laughter and people's chitter-chatter.

People were crowding the street to watch the group. They were all wearing warm clothes made of wool. I can't distinguish between the Beastmen and the normal people except for the young children.

They can't control their power properly. As a result, their transformation is not completed. The kid with long pointy ears… is probably a rabbit shapeshifter. Another kid has a long furry tail… Perhaps a fox? Another kid with cat ears… Definitely a cat shapeshifter.

There were different kinds of young Beastmen. I had a fun time guessing their kind.

It was really fascinating. The kids were watching us with sparkling eyes filled with curiosity. They were asking different kinds of questions to their parents.

"Mom! Mom! Who is on dat(that) big carrge(Carriage)?"

"It's the princess."

"Gasp! A prinshes(Princess)!"

"Hahaha! Yes."

"Can I shee(see) her, mom?"

"We can, but after a few days."

"Aww! But why?"

"Because the Princess is tired. She had a long journey."

"Ohh~"

"Grandma, look! It's the Crown Prince!"

"Yes."

"So cool! I wanna be like him when I grow up!"

"Hohoho! Is that so?"

"Yes! I am gonna be as big, strong and cool as him!"

"You must be joking, fatty."

"What? You!"

"Did you see the Crown Prince? He is so handsome~"

"You girls won't understand."

"Is that so? Humph! Look at your belly! It's gonna burst."

"My mom said it's my baby fat."

"Yeah. Yeah."

Hahaha! I burst into laughter.

So cute~

Kids are so pure and innocent! Be it a Beastman, a normal human or a Wizard!

Phew~

Thanks to those kids, I feel so much better now.

Suddenly the carriage stopped. I looked through the window. We were in front of a huge wall.

Gasp*

Is it made of trees?! Huge trees with red flowers. Some of them even touched the clouds. The trees were standing adjacent to each other.

Even though it was snowing, the leaves of the trees were still beautiful green in colour. Beautiful flowery vines were wrapped around those trees like accessories!

I stopped breathing at the marvellous sight. The trees are around 100 feet tall. But among them, there was one tree that surpassed the others. It was probably 150 feet tall. It was in the centre. The colour of that tree was vivid green. And it was filled with different colours of flowers. Every one of the trees must be thousands of years old to be that long!

Marvellous!

Knock* Knock*

"Princess, May I come in?"

"Yes."

Creak~

After that, Ella came in.

"Greetings, Princess."

Ella bowed and said.

"I am here to inform you that we reached the Capital of Fellmirr."

"The wall…"

"You mean The Guardian Trees."

"The Guardian Trees?"

"Yes, Princess. They are known as the Guardian Tress of Fellmirr, Princess. And the big one is known as the Mother of the Guardians, Oakia. It is said that it is part of the legendary Wisdom tree."

The wisdom tree? The one in the Realm of Myths?! Zylbon?

Sigh~ There are so many things I don't know.

Anyways-

"They are beautiful."

"Yes. They are."

Ella said with a smile.

'Phew~ She looks much better now.'

"It will take half an hour to reach the Royal Castle of Fellmirr."

"I see."

"Then please excuse me now."

"Yes. And thank you, Ella."

"It's my greatest pleasure to work for you, Princess."

Saying that Ella bowed and got out of the carriage.

After a minute, the carriage started moving towards the Guardian Trees.

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There is a huge area under the trees. The carriage is moving on a road that was built in the middle. And the rest of the areas were covered with different kinds of trees. It was almost like a forest. It will probably take half an hour to pass the area under the Guardian Trees by carriage.

Snow seems to have stopped flowing here. Probably because it can't pass the Trees. How magical! It's as if the Guardian Trees are protecting this place.

Bushes with Red flowers were in both corners of the road. Red flower petals were flowing down from the Guardian Trees almost as if they were welcoming us. Different colourful birds were flying around the area. And different kinds of beautiful beasts were seen. They are probably staying here because of the cold weather outside.

Amazing! It's like I am in another world. A world filled with love, care and life.

I went away from the window and leaned on the seat.

Haaa~

Chirp* Chirp*

It's been a while since I have heard this… The sound of life…

It's peaceful.. I slowly closed my eyes, losing myself in the realm of sleep.