I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 71

(THE WISDOM TREE)

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"My Lady. Get up or you will catch a cold."

Anne said to Isabella who was sleeping in the tub.

"Hmm."

Isabella nodded her head and got up from the tub.

Splash~

As she got up, water splashed from the tub. Her long wet golden hair covered her pale body. Her drowsy eyes looked so mesmerising. That even Anne who always hated her couldn't help but blush. 

After Isabella got up from the bath, Anne wiped her with a white towel. Then she wore Isabella a nightgown. Then she dried her hair with a towel as Isabella was sitting on a chair in front of a mirror.

The red rays of the afternoon sun fell on her hair, making her golden hair look red. A cold breeze entered the room fluttering the transparent curtains of the balcony door. The bird's sweet chirping filled the quiet afternoon. 

It was a calm afternoon.

"Princess, should I bring your food?"

Anne said after brushing Isabella's hair.

"Yes."

"Yes. Please sit here for a while, My Lady."

"Hmm."

Then, Anne hurriedly left the room and returned shortly after.

"My Lady, here is your food."

Anne placed the food on a table and said. Isabella then finished her food by evening. And Anne cleaned the table and took all the dishes away.

As the sun went down, darkness covered the whole place. 

Anne lit up the lamps and the fireplace of Isabella's room.

"Anne."

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Did you go to Rubena's place?"

"No. I haven't, yet."

"Then, you should go now."

"Alright, My Lady."

"Oh, and you don't have to return."

"Huh?"

"I won't be having dinner."

I already had so many snacks on the market. It's a wonder how I still could eat more...

"But My-"

"If I need anything, I will ring the bell."

"Ah. Alright."

Anne bowed and left the room.

Then Isabella went to the balcony.

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Whoosh~

The gentle breeze fluttered my hair. It has the beautiful scent of burning meadow grass. What a pleasant smell.

I leaned on the balcony wall and looked outside. 

The scenery is really beautiful. The old beautiful trees are dancing along with the breeze. 

Some maids are walking outside holding a lamp in their hand. 

Now that I see, the balcony is well-built too. 

I touched the concrete railing. It's sturdy.

Hmm~

I sat on the railing while putting my legs outside the balcony.

Haa~

It feels better.

"What are you doing?!"

I flinched hearing the voice. 

I looked in the direction of the voice.

Haa~ Why do I keep bumping with him nowadays?!

It was William. For a moment, I totally forgot that My room was beside his and so was our balcony. 

Let's just avoid him. 

I turned away my head from him and looked outside.

"You are going to fall. Move from there."

"..."

Haah~ Shut up.

I can't even enjoy my alone time. 

"Isabella."

"Please shut your mouth, Crown Prince. Do you think I don't care about my life?"

"B-But what if you fall?"

"I won't. So shut up."

"Sigh~"

"..."

There was silence for a moment.

"Isabella."

"Tch!"

I got down from the window and went inside my room.

Bam*

Then loudly closed my balcony door. 

Sigh~

I should read some books.

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I read different books about magic until late at night. But found nothing new.

Well, I should get going now.

I took a lamp and went outside. 

The Knights are patrolling the other side of the hallways. I should hurry up and get down.

I hurriedly closed my door and low-lit the lamp. Soon I got down the stairs then went outside. 

Thank goodness that there are so many ways to enter and get out of the palace. The last corridor of the first floor has the lowest security. So it wasn't really hard to get out of the palace without getting caught.

After getting out of the palace, I started walking towards the Greenhouse. It took me 10 minutes to reach the Greenhouse.

Haaa~

It's the same as ever.

The Giant Crystal Tree, the glowing flowers... Everything is the same.

I should enter now-

Wait. I don't have the pendant! How can I get in without it! 

It was like a key to enter. 

Aghh! What am I supposed to do?!

Ca-Calm down. 

At least, I should speak out the spell. Then if it doesn't work, I have to think about something else.

Phew~

"Reveal Thyself That Connects Two Realms!"

Huh? I knew it won't wor-

Rustle*

The giant blue crystal tree… is moving. And soon it took the shape of the huge gate. The gate to the Realm Of Myths.

But… How? Is it because of my magic? Then, what was the pendant for? I had this magic in the past too. It's just that I never realised it.

Thud*

The huge gate made of Blue Crystal and woods started to move. 

Creak~

Soon it opened and a bright light filled the greenhouse.

I have to go. If I want to find my answers. The Guardians are my only hope.

I slowly walked towards the light. After a minute, I finally entered the Realm of Myths.

The pleasant smell, the gentle light, the breeze and the purring of small beasts… I am here.

Haa~

I took a deep breath.

Let's go, Isabella. It's time for some answers. 

I slowly took my steps towards the Golden Castle.

The guardians are probably sitting at the round table chatting with each other.

But when I reached that place, no one was there. Not a single soul.

No. No way.

You must be mistaken, Isabella.

They must be inside the Castle. Yes.

I hurriedly rushed inside the Castle. But no one was there. I searched every nook and cranny but it was all in vain.

No. Where did they all go? 

I slowly walked outside. The Wisdom Tree is still here.

But… What am I supposed to do? 

"No one is here. How am I supposed to find out? Sob*"

I fell on my knees in front of the tree, losing my strength and started crying. 

What am I supposed to do now? Those memories, my unknown power, my return…

"I don't know. I don't know what to do. I don't know anything about myself."

"Don't Cry, Child."

My eyes widened hearing the voice.

I looked up. The wisdom tree… Its wide trunk has the shape of an old human face. And it has real eyes. Just as the colour of its petals.

"Zelbon?"

"Mhmm."

"You are awake?"

"Well, I can't sleep if you cry like that in front of me."

"I-I apologize."

"Hahaha~ Don't worry, child. I was just having fun."

"R-Really?"

I asked with a teary voice.

"Yes."

"So… Where are the others?"

"They are resting. Don't worry, child. They will be back when the time comes."

"But… then what sob* am I supposed to do?"

"About your power?"

How did he know?

"You are thinking how did I know?"

What? C-Can he read my mind?

"Don't worry. I can't read your mind."

He definitely can.

"I truly can't."

I frowned as it was hard to believe him.

"Then how do you know about my power?"

"I am the Wisdom Tree. Of course, I know."

"Sniff* That doesn't make any sense."

"A-Anyways, you have to learn the name of your power to be able to use it."

"What? I came here because I can't. I don't know where to find it. At-At least you can give me a clue. Please."

"It's something that is far beyond light, darkness, time or space."

"Huh? You mean it's not one of those magics?"

"Hoho. Could be. Could be not."

"Why are you making riddles now?"

"That's because you have to find it by yourself."

"Tch!"

"Oh my! You sure have become an angry one after your return."

My eyes widened. What? What did he just say? 

"My return?"

"W-What? I didn't say anything?"

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

Zelbon said with cold sweat.

"You know that, don't you? You know that I have returned to the past. Then you do know what I had to go through!"

I screamed.

Why?

"Then why are you still hiding things from me?"

"Child, Calm down."

"Calm down?! How can I calm down? Everyone… Every one of you knows about me, more than myself. And here I am trying so hard… Sob*"

"Listen, child. I know that you have returned. But… I do not have any knowledge about what happened in the future of that past. I swear upon myself."

"You expect me to trust you?!"

"Anger is never good for oneself, child. It clouds one's judgement. Throughout history, many great souls have fallen because of this emotion."

"Then what should I do? How much longer do I have to bear everything silently? How much do I have to endure? I can't even reveal my anger?!"

I am a living being too.

"If you want to know about yourself, find the silver shapeshifter with blue eyes."

Blue-eyed shapeshifter?

"And to know about your magic… You have to love your magic."

"Love my magic? What does that suppose to mean?"

"You are afraid of your magic."

I flinched hearing that. 

"At the time you overcome your fear, the fire spirit will reveal it for you."

"The fire spirit?"

"That is all I can say."

"Wait… Then the blue-"

But before I could say anything, Zelbon already turned into the normal sleeping tree.

Hah! 

You know everything but you can't say? 

Don't make me laugh…