The One after my Heart

The figure in the mist ignored Fredrick, whose body now seemed hunched in resignation as she walked past Kyra and the girls. She walked towards the gigantic Kitthale tree and touched it as she faintly murmured to it.

In no time, the Kitthale tree seemed to start humming as its branches joyfully shook along with its roots that shook gently underground. A gentle yellowish hue spread outwards from it that bathed the area around in a warm light.

Kyra, who was exhausted, drained out, and sleep-deprived, instantly felt replenished and refreshed as the citrus flavoured aroma and warm light washed over her in the air. She could feel herself get clear-headed in wonder.

Nisa's wounds instantly healed up in no time, and if it wasn't for the torn patch of her dress at her abdomen, one wouldn't know that she had nearly driven to death. Her rosy cheeks regained their lustre in no time, and her breathing eased up. She now looked as though she were peacefully taking a nap.

Little Maya just peacefully as though she were unbothered by everything happening around them as she slept with a big smile on her face.

Nihaiya's eyes seemed to gaze fondly at her two daughters briefly before she turned to Fredrick.

"There.....the Kitthale tree has agreed to let your family harvest two more fruits as an exception this time. Although it insists that the fruits the girls earlier harvested belong to the three themselves."

Frederick's eyes went wide in joy as he heard the sentence and knew the alliance head had somewhat forgiven him. Sure enough, she was haughty and proud yet not completely reasonable after all. Even at a time like this, he could sense how calm and rational she was. Truly befitting of a leader. Even he couldn't help but admire her.

And the holy tree had even agreed to let them harvest two fruits! Truly the most powerful spirit witch. After all, a Kitthale tree would at most let one harvest one fruit. Two was extremely rare..and if the person really did manage to harvest two or more, he or she was said to have more potential and talent!

'Hang on...hang on...did the alliance leader say the tree wanted the girls to keep the fruits to themselves!?!

Which meant..the girl's had managed to harvest more than a single fruit!? When all these years they'd barely managed to gain a single fruit if they were lucky. Were these unruly gorgeous woman's daughters as talented as their mother as well!!? Heavens!'

Frederick's mind whirred as the moustache on his lips quivered, though he dare not have any thoughts about even asking for them to return what was supposed to be his property.

Kyra could sense anger yet a gentle, loving look coming from the silver outlined motherly figure.

Nihaiya's figure then slowly spoke to Fredrick as the air around him dangerously tightened around him.

" As for your punishment for hurting my children, as a mother I'll never forgive you."

"Fo-forgive me, Alliance head..I really didn't know! You've to believe me! I'm willing to do anything for you to forgive me!!" the pale moustached man bowed as he stood with a sincere apologetic face and a bitter regretful expression. All he could do was cringe under that indignant stare.

Forget her being angry; if word about him attacking the alliance head's daughters got out, not just the citizens alone but also all kinds of beings, even those trying to gain her favour, would descend and annihilate his entire family and perhaps even the city he governed. Just thinking about that put shivers on his spine!

The woman walked over to Fredrick, and as she stood in front of him, she harshly spoke," I realise it's a misunderstanding, but that doesn't undo what you've dared to do!"

Frederick Dartwood gave a bitter expression in return as his figure hunched even more.

And then, after a slight pause, Nihaiya continued in a gentle tone," But I do know the Dartwood family has always been fair and just, though rough in their approach. I earlier sensed traces of dark magic on my daughters and a faint protection spell of someone familiar, hence I can already guess and have a vague answer to my earlier question. I only asked you to confirm whether you were involved in kidnapping my daughters or not. Seems like it was unnecessary."

Fredrick could sense the change in her tone as it mellowed down. He couldn't help but look up and stare into the pair of eyes he could barely make out in the mist.

Nihaiya continued as her voice got gentler," And besides, the elders from your family has always supported me on the council all these years regardless, hence, if you do want me to forgive you, I'll have you redeem yourself by personally escorting my daughters back home!"

Fredrick's breathing got faster as he gasped in surprise.

After a pause, ignoring the changes in his expression Nihaiya continued on softly, " I'm even willing to turn a blind eye to today's events and this family secret of yours. The Kitthale tree has spoken on behalf of your family and their care for it all these years as it wishes for things to continue they way they did. What do you think, Mayor Dartwood?"

Fredrick's eyes went wide and started to turn red as he heard this incredible offer and news. He couldn't help but glance respectfully at their holy tree with respect in his eyes. And then turned to look at the figure in front of him with the same look in his eyes.

To think the alliance head would be willing to let everything go and turn a blind eye to the family secret! He would be a fool and an incapable ignorant if he couldn't recognise that the leader was taking a step back so he wouldn't embarrass himself. Her position in his mind and heart raised even higher than ever before, as a familiar fanatic expression as that of a fan looking at her celebrity now took place.

He took a deep breath to calm his wavering emotions as his moustache quivered. He then bowed as he passionately said out loud," This Dartwood would be honoured to escort the young one's and will risk his life to protect the Alliance leader's daughters!"

The eyes within mist seemed to have softened her look as she gave a soft nod and spoke out softly," In that case, I'll owe your family a favour, Fredrick."

"N-no no, it's what one must rightfully do. It's my fault, to begin with." the mayor vehemently refused as he shook his head. His heart couldn't but skip a beat as though he could sense her pain and anguish. He had to fix this, and he would take full responsibility.

Nihaiya nodded and didn't continue the conversation. She turned to look at the area around them.

Her silvery outlined hands within the mist gave a wave in the air, and as though upon her command, luscious green grass grew on the ground all around them, new saplings of trees germinated and grew from the ground where the trees previously had fallen down or been upturned by her rage.

Kyra stared in wonder and amazement, and even Fredrick couldn't help be but taken aback as everything around them changed. And got even better!

The new saplings looked healthy compared to their counterparts, and Fredrick knew they'd turn back into even healthier trees in no time.

A few breaths later, even the dense obscuring fog that was previously blown away obscuring came back, flooding slowly back into the area towards where they were.

The silvery outline in the mist turned around and walked towards her two beautiful children with eyes filled with love and anger with a sigh. Nihaiya stood beside Kyra, who sat on the ground next to the girls as she looked at her two gorgeous perfect girls.

After a pause, with reluctance in her eyes, she took her eyes away from them and then turned towards Fredrick, who stood far away. She spoke in the same haughty tone with a warning in her eyes," This Queen will place her trust in you as I leave now. Do not let me down. I'll be waiting!"

"Yes yes..please don't worry. You've my word, your highness. I'll have them back to you in no time", Fredrick replied with assurance with his right hand fisted over his heart.

Kyra noticed the difference in the way he addressed her.

Fredrick himself hadn't realised it yet, but subconsciously he'd already seen and accepted her as a queen and even called her highness unknowingly. Whether it was her magic, her charm or her power...one could only guess...

The silver motherly figure seemed to have her eyes fixed on Nisa and Maya as it slowly vanished into the air as it blended into the fog that covered them.

Kyra knew Nisa and Maya's mother was about to vanish. But what Kyra found weird was, all the while until now, not once did the figure look at her or even question her!

'Why? No questions for me? She's not even curious?' she couldn't stop thinking to herself. 'What's going on?'

But just as she thought of this, as though upon hearing her thoughts, Kyra felt the figure slightly turn towards her. She saw a pair of beautiful soul-captivating eyes flash in the mist that was about to disappear.

Kyra heard the figure murmur silently at her as though it was spoken directly into her mind.

Kyra's eyes went wide in shock as her mouth slightly opened.

As though Nihaiya got her reply, her eyes seemed to become crescent-like and nodded but not before as she whispered out," Don't mention about this to anyone or even who you are to anyone. I look forward to us meeting soon."

And then her silvery outlined figure, at the next breath, with a wave of her hand, completely vanished along with the mist.

But Kyra, who sat there on the ground, didn't seem to notice the silvery outline disappear. All she did was go over the words that had been murmured to her by Nihaiya just a few seconds ago as they resounded over and over again in her mind.

"Who….

....is Lianna Walker...

...to you?"

Kyra sat there stiffly on the ground, as though she were thunderstruck and felt her whole world collapse.