In the middle of endless darkness, a faint green light shined before Prince Ling's eyes. Slowly, his body feels lighter and the flow of prowess in his veins is getting better. The pain he is enduring gradually faded into nothingness.
Then he realized something, "Pain? Why am I hurt in the very first place?"
Eventually, his consciousness in his reality has come to him. He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw is a pair of worried eyes.
"Your highness?" Yang is teary-eyed as he is looking down at the prince.
Turns out the green light is coming from Yang's palms. Fortunately, he has a skill in healing and is treating his highness' bruise.
This is the reason why the Earth Immortal himself picked Yang to be his son's attendant. He may not be a good fighter but he is an excellent healer. Perfect to be the mischievous' prince's escort. Plus they seemed to be at the same age so they'll get along well.
"Urk! Blegh...""My king! Are you alright?!" The queen is quick to stand up from her dining chair and worriedly rubs her husband's back. "I've always reminded you to slow down when eating.""That's- ehem." The Earth Immortal's eyes are teary as he tried to clear his throat. He accidentally swallowed his food that's not well-chewed yet. "That's not it. It's your son. Did you just hear what he said?"Apparently, the king and queen of the Earth Kingdom are having their lunch at the king's hall together with Prince Ling and their special guest Princess Aloisa.Just like any other usual day, the table is full of freshly picked fruits, a few dishes of newly harvested vegetables from the imperial garden, a glazed pheasant with sweet and mild chili taste, and a crispy fried chicken with caramelized honey and spice.As a refreshment, they are having pure orange juice and spring water. If they only have known that they are having a visitor, they could have prepared
The lunch lasted longer than usual since the prince's parents, especially her majesty, are quite interested in their guest.According to what Aloisa has learned in the Tower of Wisdom and Knowledge, Earth Elemental Shapeshifters are quite the friendly people next to the Air Elementals. And on this day, Aloisa has proven that. Her majesty is very welcoming to her despite meeting her for the first time. And although the king seems to be anxious for some reason, he is still friendly towards her.They've long finished their food and couldn't take any more bite but Prince Ling's parents don't look like they're letting them away any time soon. And so, Ling made a way for them to escape the dining hall."Mother, father. Her highness, Princess Aloisa, actually came here for one thing." Hearing him use her name, Aloisa's face becomes complicated. She doesn't even know what he's talking about! And then the prince added, "She wants to see what kinds of plants grow
Clang! The sound of metal clashing against each other echoed in the entirety of the garden. Prince Ling and Prince Jin's iron swords collided. The sharp blades tremble as both parties apply force on it. No one wants to give in, no one wants to admit defeat. Unfortunately, Ling seems to be at the disadvantage here. He barely keeps up with Jin's overwhelming strength.This isn't something that would surprise the citizens of the Earth Kingdom though. They all know that Prince Jin works hard and does his best in every training he has. May it be in swordsmanship, developing his prowess, even in literature and music. He's the type of typical prince who keeps up with society's expectations. A lot of women dream of him too but he doesn't entertain anyone of them. He's too focused on developing himself to do so. Prince Jin is basically the total opposite of his cousin. On the other hand, Prince Ling, as we all know, is just fooling around. He doesn't bother traini
Prince Ling is running as fast as he could. The crack approaches him wherever he goes.This is bad. He may be able to run fast but his stamina isn't unlimited. And speaking of stamina, he feels like his energy is slowly draining and his agility decreases. He can't just keep running but what else can he do? The crack that's after him won't stop chasing him until Prince Jin commands to. "Geez. This jerk doesn't fight fair and square." He mumbled to himself. As he is trying to get away from Jin's tricks, the next thing he knew is that his feet can't touch the ground anymore. It happened so fast that when he realized it, he was already falling. "What the hell?!"Good thing, Ling is quick to react and made a hand seal to command the vines to come and catch him.And when he sees the vines fast approaching to him, he realized that the vines are quite thorny! He didn't think beforehand and forgot that the type of vines that are currently under his commands a
While Prince Ling barged into his parents' hall to have a word with his father; and her majesty locked herself up in their room; also Prince Jin walking away from the scene, Yang and Aloisa remained in the garden.Her highness feels like Ling needs privacy with his father so she didn't come with him and stayed with his subordinate instead.Yang is helping the other servants clean and restore the garden as close as what it used to look like as possible.Looking at the damage caused by the duel of the two princes, Aloisa recalled the root cause of their fighting. It has something to do with the throne."Yang..." Princess Aloisa called out. "If it's not too personal, who is the gentleman that Ling fought?"Truth to be told, Aloisa is putting herself into Prince Ling's shoes. If ever she's a titled crown prince and then turns out she won't be able to inherit the position, she would be upset too. Just who is this man
Thirteen years ago, his highness Prince Ling always plays in the garden within the palace's courtyard. His mother accompanies him in the morning whenever she doesn't have something urgent to do.As the prince chases a little butterfly, she noticed that one of the hands of the prince is showing its real form again. Prince Ling is still a child and so he still can't fully control his prowess. Whenever he's getting too hyped up, his transformation fails."Ling..." The queen called to her son in a low yet stern voice. She looks around and only sees Ling's eight-year-old subordinate, Yang, beside her. At that time, Yang is one of the few people who knows this secret. After confirming it's just the three of them, she continued, "Your hand!"The seven-year-old crown prince looks at his hands and lets out an "Oh."He didn't realize that his left hand is already turning webbed, similar to that of a duck's feet.Her majesty walks closer to him and kneeled to mee
It's been two days since Princess Aloisa left the Earth Kingdom. After the crown prince asked her to come with him for a mission, she immediately head back home to ask for her mother's permission to go with Prince Ling's Journey that's bound to the Fire Kingdom.Once again, she headed straight to her mother who's most probably in the king's hall again. She knocked thrice on the huge door before her. Not too hard but enough for the person inside to hear."Your majesty." She called behind the door. "I have returned. And I have something to tell you."It didn't take too long for her to hear the queen's voice. "Come in, my child. I have been waiting for you."Princess Aloisa pushed the door open and sees her mother sitting at the same place where she last saw her. Leisurely crossing her slender legs on the throne with a long-stemmed churchwarden pipe on her long and delicate fingers. She's smoking again. The queen only smokes when there's something that is maki
Clip clop clip clopThe sounds of horse footsteps and the rolling wooden wheels attached to the vehicle seemed to be very loud. Prince Ling, Yang, Princess Aloisa, and Master Lian; Four people inside the carriage, each one of them stayed in their own corner. No one speaks, no unnecessary movements are made. It's like the four of them are just mere motionless stone statues.And the unusual thing here is that the noisy Prince Ling who doesn't seem to be the type who ran out of topic is not uttering a single word. The prince also keeps on looking outside from a small window beside him, refusing to look at any of his companion's ways... especially Master Ling's direction. He's been acting like this ever since they started their journey to the Northern Lands.Aloisa can't take it anymore and dared to make the move first. Her curiosity and eagerness to learn about other cultures make her unable to stay still. She c
The next day... It's already five in the afternoon. The skies turn reddish-orange, an indication that the sun is going to rest for the day soon. And all day long, it's been a fair weather. It's almost as if the skies are rejoicing together with the cheerful people of the Air Kingdom on another day of celebration. Yes, these feathered creatures love celebration. In fact, they celebrate something almost every day! However, this event they are celebrating at the moment is different from any other usual parties they held in the past. It's the wedding ceremony of her highness, Princess Morrigan, and her "destined husband", Prince Ling of the Earth Kingdom. White flowers and white-colored silk dominated the entirety of the Air Kingdom. Whichever direction one looks, there is at least a bouquet or two. Even though they are far away from the land of life, the Eastern Regions, they're surprisingly able to provide fresh flowers this much. Aside from the fragrant flowers, t
"Your highness..." Ling calls Morrigan in a low and serious tone. "Yes, your highness?" The cheerful princess replies, waiting for what has Ling to say. And without any further ado, Ling attempts to open up the thing he has in mind, "Can I ask you something?" Princess Morrigan puffs a laugh, "You are already asking." Technically speaking, yes, Ling is already asking her when he asked if he could ask something. But from a more sensible point of view, it's just her highness, Princess Morrigan, messing up with this prince. But since Ling is the one who needs an answer from her, he played along. "Well... can I ask you for another?" And then the princess laughs again. This time, less restrained. Ling played along but he didn't play well. Morrigan said as she still suppresses her laughter, "You just asked your second question!" "You look so stupid right now," Aloisa commented before she took a bite of her food. Ling,
"I heard they also eat meat despite being so-called "lovers of life itself". Said the voice coming from behind.Out of reflex, they all turn around to see a maiden with strong facial features. She's not ugly, more like a beauty with fierce vibes. The wide grin on her lips shows her pair of sharp canine teeth. For some reason, it looks cute on her.This woman is no other than the next high priestess of the Fire Kingdom, Eva."Ah, really? Thanks for the information." Morrigan gives her a sweet smile just like she always does. But this sweet smile of her gradually dissipates the longer she stares at the face of this woman. She's quite sure this is the first time she sees her around here. Still, her highness politely asks the stranger, "I find your face somewhat... unfamiliar. Do you live around here?""Nope." Eva didn't even try to hide it. Instead, she seems proud of her rac
The gang will be divided into two rooms. Yang and Ling will be together in one room while Aloisa and Lian will be staying together in the room next door.The skies are dark, the owls start to hoot, and the cicadas start releasing a ringing sound. In other words, the night is getting deeper. They should be sleeping now since they're tired from their travel but here they are, still wide awake. The four guests, together with their host, Princess Morrigan are gathered in one room. Their agenda: What should be done tomorrow? And; How exactly Morrigan should confess to her people? "Okay, so during breakfast, I am going to tell my parents first. And then if they love me enough, they'll help me tell the other air shapeshifters. Is that it?" Morrigan asks as she counts the things that should be done first thing in the morning using her fingers. Just thinking about it makes her want to be swallowed by the ground alive, never to appear on the surface again. She burst into frustratio
While on their way to the guest quarters, Aloisa noticed something strange. She wants to disregard it but how can she ignore her goosebumps?They were currently taking a long corridor. Except for a series of huge windows on their left and doors on the right, the third princess of the Water Kingdom observed something in a series. A series of statues of a beautiful woman in every five meters. They are life-size sculptures with realistic features. Each one of these statues is very identical to each others. These sculptures have exquisite details. From her seemingly fluttering robes, the hair that looks like gently blown by a pleasant breeze, the realistic bird-like pair of beautiful wings.Sure, there's nothing wrong with the statues if one looks at it thoroughly... except if that one lives in the Water Kingdom's Palace. For twenty long years, Aloisa has been walking in and out of their palace. And so, she can't help but be bothered. These statues are very familiar to
While on their way to the guest quarters, Aloisa noticed something strange. She wants to disregard it but how can she ignore her goosebumps?They were currently taking a long corridor. Except for a series of huge windows on their left and doors on the right, the third princess of the Water Kingdom observed something in a series. A series of statues of a beautiful woman in every five meters. They are life-size sculptures with realistic features. Each one of these statues is very identical to the other. These sculptures have exquisite details. From her seemingly fluttering robes, the hair that looks like gently blown by a pleasant breeze, the realistic bird-like pair of beautiful wings.Sure, there's nothing wrong with the statues if one looks at it thoroughly... except if that one lives in the Water Kingdom's Palace. For twenty long years, Aloisa has been walking in and out of their palace. And so, she can't help but be bothered. These statues are ver
"Greetings your majesty." His highness, Prince Ling, politely greeted when they got to meet the king and queen of the Air Kingdom. So after Princess Morrigan's song number, they didn't waste any more of their time and headed towards the hall where the king and queen are. And as expected, they are very friendly creatures. Ling and the rest of the gang are welcomed warmly despite meeting them for the first time. They don't seem to be people that they should be warry of for they have no hint of sinister aura... unlike those of the fire shapeshifters. The queen, as always, wears a bright smile and gentle face, a typical motherly image. She looks so pleased the moment her eyes lay on Ling. "Oh my! Polite and very handsome. I approve. I am convinced that he really is the one you see in your visions, my dear child." Her majesty cheerfully said and even did an "ok" sign with her hand. Her daughter, Princess Morrigan, on the other hand, fakes a smile. She doesn't know wha
"Congratulations, your highness!""Waaah, her highness is so lucky! I wish I'll find my other half soon too.""Her soon-to-be husband is quite good-looking. They are a good match!"The words of praises from the crowd could hardly be recognized. They all speak at the same time and with loud voices too. It's not surprising for their princess not to understand them. Even so, she still acts professionally. She still smiles at them and even waves her hand at times.Without them noticing, his highness Prince Ling, Yang, Master Lian, and Aloisa got swept off their feet. And before they realize it, they are pushed by the flow of the crowd in the main entrance of a huge castle.It must be the royal palace of this kingdom.Just like the Northern Lands, the Air Kingdom has some greeneries too. They even have trees and little parks in their public areas. It's not as green as the Earth Kingdom though. The Earth Kingdom looks like a huge garden while this kingdom looks very civi
"Phew! Finally, we're here!" Ling wipes his forehead that's drenched with his sweat.Just as they reached their current location, they felt tiredness and pain in different parts of their body. Their feet hurt for walking such a great distance. Their exposed skin feels like burning for staying under the sun for so long. Their backs are aching too since they are carrying their own baggage on their backs. Well, except for Aloisa. She didn't bring any bag with her because she has an enchanted storage. It's her wide sleeves. She can put anything that fits on the opening of her sleeves. The stuff she dumps there is temporarily stored in a different dimension - the Abyss."Are you sure they'll be welcoming towards us?" Aloisa asked while staring at the gates of the Eastern Borders of the Air Kingdom.Apparently, Prince Ling and the gang arrived at the boundaries of the foreign country in the West. The distance between their departure point and where they are currently isn'