The Flower Of Eternity
Chapter 1: The Wedding Day

Main Palace Hall, Noord, Nordhalbinsel

Anna never thought there was so much that could happen in a year. Whereas in the past life in the Palace passed without feeling any change. But since the death of his father, since the night of his twenty-year birthday, his life has changed completely. During that time, many people came and went in their lives. His father and mother are now dead. Alexis, his only younger brother, is no longer a king after it was proven that the late King Edward bequeathed Schiereiland to Anna. Alexis, though with a heavy heart at first, acknowledged the truth of the will. Alexis now resides in the Palace of Schiereiland as Prince of Schiereiland. While Anna has now officially become Queen of Schiereiland and Nordhalbinsel, has officially also married Xavier and is currently awaiting the birth of their child who may be born two to three weeks away.

"I'm tired..." Whisper Anna after they greet some of the honored guests present at the wedding.

"Then let's finish the show and get some rest."

"You can stay here."

"I can't stay here while my wife is exhausted and needs rest. They will understand anyway. So it's better we—“

"That's Leon!" cut Anna straight away as soon as Leon was accompanied by his troops walking towards the two of them.

Leon looks neat with official clothes complete with various pin medallions that show his rank as well as his royal title. An icy blue gem showing the symbol of the Winterthur family was pinned on his collar. Her hair has been trimmed short and looks more tidy. People will now know him better as Grand Duke Winterthur than the Lion of the South. He looked just like a handsome, perfectly-looking northern noble man. But the look on his face revealed anxiety instead of happiness on that happy day.

"Something's wrong." Xavier said as he read the expression on his brother's face.

"The expression..."

"A sign of bad news that he doesn't want to tell." Xavier continued Anna's words.

As soon as Leon arrived before the King and Queen, he prepared to bow and salute, but Anna hurriedly stopped him. "There's no need to be so formal, Leon. You want to convey something very urgent. Justsaytheword. What's the problem this time?" Ask Anna.

Leon seemed hesitant to say it. He repeatedly glanced at Xavier and looked back at Anna. Then sighed heavily, "I can't say it in front of you, Your Majesty." Said.

"Say me, Grand Duke. My wife deserves to know whatever you're gonna tell me." Xavier.

"Believe me, you won't like me saying this in front of her especially on this happy day." Leon said, then turned to look at Anna again, "More on your birthday."

"But you still have to say it." Indict Anna.

Leon sighed again, "Alright..." He paused for a moment. Her eyebrows were clutched, her forehead wrinkled, and just then Anna swore to see her eyes flushed with tears. Whatever Leon would say, Anna was convinced once it was bad news, and most likely sad news. "Montreux was bombed. The information I got stated that the bomb was dropped from the sky by something that looked like a strange ship made of metal and could fly with any magic. The western gate was destroyed in half of Fiore, on the border with Westeria. The Forettire River bridge was also destroyed. And..." This time Leon addressed his words specifically to Xavier. "General Arianne Montreux was pronounced dead after our informant said they found only a charred head and one of his hands wearing a Montreux family symbol bracelet."

"Geez!" Anna squealed in surprise while tightly grasping Xavier's hand as if she hadn't done so, she might have fainted. "Who did it?"

Xavier could only fall silent, having trouble digesting that shocking information. Face pale. And though he was silent, in his mind he was looking for the possibility, among the many enemies of his kingdom, that gave such a surprise on the day of the wedding. There was one that came to his mind.

"That's not all of it." Leon said directly, more so that Anna was prepared to hear the next news. "Maybe it's better if you sit down first."

"There again?" Ask Xavier.

Leon nodded. His gaze seemed to plead with Xavier that he did not want to convey the news in front of Anna. But Xavier feels Anna deserves to know whatever she's about to say. So Xavier hinted him to continue his words after Anna sat down.

"It's not just Montreux being bombed." Said Leon. He looked specifically at Anna this time. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. Schere was also bombed. The Schiereiland Palace has been destroyed. And His Majesty Alexis..." Even Leon himself could not say it. He just kept quiet as he watched Anna start shedding her tears. "I'm sorry..."

...****************...

"I have to go!" Anna raised her tone. And even though the three of them were currently inside the King's study, and the door had been sealed shut, everyone around the room must have heard the screams of the Queen who was very emotional.

Even on that day in the Hall of the Main Palace that has been decorated very beautifully should celebrate two big parties, namely the wedding of the King and Queen as well as the birthday party of the Queen, the party ended very quickly once they heard about the bombing of Montreux and Schere. All the nobles were informed of the destruction of Montreux castle and the western gate of defense so that each family sent their troops to help the Montreux region and also the Trivone region which is now the western border defense area after the destruction of Montreux. A meeting with the Generals was about to take place, but before that, the King asked for time to discuss with his Queen and Grand Duke Winterthur.

"I'm sorry, Anna... I have to ban you." Xavier. He looked at his wife's belly who was now their big baby, their little daughter who was about to be born soon. Then looked at Anna's pale face. He concluded that his wife really could not go to Schiereiland to see the situation at Schere. Alexis is likely dead. And if that's true, then that's the main reason Xavier banned Anna from going to Schere. The death of her younger brother, exactly a year after her father's death and occurring on her happiest day, might not be able to pass Anna well.

Leon watched the King and his Queen from the other side of the room, waiting for orders to take the Queen either to Schere or elsewhere. If this debate was won by Anna, then she would definitely be asked to escort Anna to Schere. But if not, he might have to take Anna elsewhere. Leon had hoped that just this once Xavier would not budge on Anna.

"Don't ban me, Xavier. She's my sister. He might still be alive. Didn't they say they couldn't confirm the body." Said Anna. Even though she tried not to cry, she couldn't.

"That doesn't explain anything. It could have been Alexis wasn't in the palace when the bomb was dropped."

"And who are you going there with?"

"If you won't let me, and Leon won't teleport me, then I'll ride a horse to Schiereiland right now."

"Lock all stables and don't let a single horse loose!" Xavier shouted orders to whoever was on guard outside.

"Whoever locks the stables I'll make sure it's his last day working at the Palace!" Anna didn't want to lose and yelled at the guards outside.

"You confused them. Give the order correctly. Don't contradict each other." Leon mediates. "Your Majesty... Her Majesty... That's too dangerous. Don't push yourself." Leon said to Anna. "Even teleporting is too dangerous now. Are you waiting for the day of your child's birth. It's gonna be dangerous for the kid."

"So you're on Xavier's side?"

"I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm just making a suggestion, if that's my advice you'll even hear when you're feeling this way." Said Leon.

Tired of being consumed by her emotions, because she felt unable to stand for longer, Anna sat on the sofa and began to cry. He knew it wasn't supposed to be like this. He knew Xavier and Leon were both worried about him. He knew a trip to Schere might endanger his son and possibly himself. He also knows, more than anyone, there is a good chance Alexis is dead. But at least he wants to make sure of it himself because Alexis is the only one of his biological family still alive. Alexis should be his responsibility. As an older brother, he should be able to protect his younger brother.

And Xavier could feel all that from him. Seeing Anna cry hurt her more than anything. But he still couldn't let Anna go. Whoever hit the bomb in Montreux and Schere must be their enemy. And no one can be sure that Schere is completely safe. They're probably gonna drop another bomb on Schere. Or maybe another surprise. That's why Xavier banned Anna's departure to Schere. He was still overshadowed by the fear of Gyeoul's prophecy that if he failed, his wife and daughter might die.

Xavier knelt before Anna, clasped her hands and channeled her warmth so Anna could be calmer. He wiped away his wife's tears and said, "I'm sorry, baby... I'm mistaken. I shouldn't limit you and shout in front of you and raise my tone, I shouldn't be acting like that to you, but, please think again with a cool head. Don't get carried away by emotions. Don't go in a state of panic and emotion."

"How come? My sister was there... He may still be alive, but you're banning me from Schere." Her tears began to subside now that she felt calmer. "He must be alive, Xavier. Please let me look for him. Please..."

Xavier couldn't resist it especially when Anna looked at him like that. He looked towards Leon. "You know what you have to do." Said.

Leon nodded. "I understand." Leon then approached Anna, "Your Majesty, I'll take you. But you might feel dizzy and nauseous because we will teleport directly over long distances, maybe it will be worse because of your current condition. And please understand that this may be very harmful to your womb and to yourself."

Anna nodded. "I knew. Its alright. I'll be fine."

"Go away... I'll catch up as soon as the business here is done." Xavier said to Leon.

...****************...

Anna spewed out her entire entrails as soon as they arrived. He felt grateful that Leon was willing to rub his back while holding it so as not to fall. His head was dizzy and it felt like he wanted to faint, his legs were not properly treading the ground, but he was holding back all that. Anna tries to stand on her own without Leon's help after her dizziness subsides. He immediately took off his thick coat as soon as he felt a warm gust of wind. He was no longer in the land of eternal winter. He was in a place that still had the rest of the summer before entering the autumn.

And it's not Schere. Because at Schere, autumn and spring always come early whereas summer and winter only last a little while. If he was in Schere, it should have started in mid-autumn by now. While in that place, the leaves still have not fallen and the sky is still bright blue sign of the sun is still very hot.

Anna stepped deeper into the magnificent building. This is not Schiereiland Palace, he thought. Because Schiereiland Palace was destroyed by the bombing. While this building is so beautiful and colorful that it does not reflect the buildings in Schiereiland. The floor is made of green colored rocks like emerald gems. The doors and windows are made of gold and silver decorated with various colors—Emerald, Amethyst, Sapphire, Ruby and Amber. While the roof is in the form of a large dome made of pure gold. The walls are bone white with the flowers of Wisteria so that from a distance it looks as if the walls are purple.

"It... Wisteria Palace?" Anna said, more to herself, as she continued to observe every detail on the building. He was more confident because when he looked out the window, he could see the view of the lake whose water was so clear that the fish and plants inside were clearly visible. And as he looked up to observe the ceiling, he could see that the ceiling was overgrown with vines bearing fruit. The smell of the air around him was so fresh and sweet, a mixture of fruit and flower scents. He had never visited the Wisteria Palace, but he had heard the story from Leon and had read about it in books in the library. Anna always imagined the Wisteria Palace as a building that came from a fairy tale and seemed unreal. And that's exactly how it is.

"Theana, I beg you for help."

Anna turned her head when she heard Leon say those words in perfect Westernia. Theana is the name of Queen Eugene's bodyguard. And sure enough, Anna saw the woman standing not far from her, was looking at her and Leon took turns.

Theana smiled, "Trust me, Master Grand Duke." It is said in Schiereiland.

When Anna turned to Leon again, the man was no longer there. Leon teleports quickly before Anna realizes it.

Leon left it at the Wisteria Palace, not at the Schiereiland Palace.

...****************...