The Flower Of Eternity
Chapter 2: Dear and Fear

Montreux Castle Ruins, Montreux, Nordhalbinsel

After meeting with the Generals, King Xavier and Grand Duke Winterthur traveled to Montreux for the funeral of General Arianne Montreux and monitored the progress of the search for survivors. General Tyros Engelberg also came with his troops from the eastern border region to help the Montreux region.

There were too many dead and seriously injured. Most were dominated by the Montreux female soldiers. Some lost one arm, one leg, but many more were traumatized by the bombing. Although there were also civilian casualties who died and were injured, but not as many as the female soldiers who numbered in the hundreds. Civilians in Montreux were granted protection and transferred to the Trivone region. They set up tents in Trivone and opened Trivone Castle which was once a holiday home for Queen Irene. They used Trivone Castle for the treatment hall and treatment of the victims. The king sent the witches to help the doctors and paramedics in Trivone.

"Arianne..." Irene's voice sounded fragile. Unlike her ever-excited and energetic self, when she saw the corpse of her best friend and the destruction in Montreux, she looked devastated. "Arianne, buddy... I'm sorry..."

Xavier hugged his mother, tried to calm her down, "It's not your fault, ma'am. We never expected something like this to happen."

"Who is that beautiful woman?" Tyros whispered to Leon from a distance as he watched the King hug the young woman who looked the same age as him.

"He's Mom—“ But Leon hastily stopped his words. He remembered Xavier had not announced to everyone that the Queen Mother, Irene Winterthur had returned from the death believed by everyone. It would be unwise to tell this to anyone if the King had not announced it.

"Mother?"

"Suri's mother knew her." Leon's Lie.

"Mother Suri? Late Queen Irene you mean?" Tyros asked to make sure.

"That's how."

"Impossible! He looks younger than me. She seemed to have not been born or was a baby when the late Queen Irene died."

"His mother used to be one of Queen Irene's ladies." Leon replied as much as he could because he was not used to lying.

Tyros nodded as if he really understood. "Where does he live?" Ask later.

"The Winterthur Residence." Leon replied directly, which he immediately regretted.

"Withyou? Why?"

"Why do you want to know so much? It's none of your business." Leon's getting upset.

"Is he your fiancee or your lover?"

"Not."

"Then help your comrade, General Leon. I want to meet him. And. might as well propose to him. She's amazingly charming. I'm interested in him."

Leon pulled Tyros' collar ready to raise his fist, "Don't be crazy!"

Tyros laughed as he broke away from Leon. "Then she must be Queen Mother Irene Winterthur. It was a big surprise that he was still alive. Everyone would be so excited if they knew." Tyros casually said as if he had not just revealed a big secret.

Hearing that, Leon immediately lowered his hand. "Why do you think that?" Ask Leon carefully.

"First..." Tyros re-tidied his collar. "King Xavier would never have embraced another woman like that even if she was far from his wife, unless she was a member of his own family and to my knowledge she had no younger sister. Second, that very beautiful young lady has emerald eyes, you may not know, but those eyes are very rare and were only seen in Westeria a few decades ago, the Reyes Clan of Westeria are now extinct. And although King Vlad had removed all the paintings of Queen Irene's face so that I never knew her face, everyone knew King Xavier got those very unique and rare emerald eyes from Mother."

"Wait, how do you know about the Reyes Clan?" Ask Leon. Because not everyone knew about the long-extinct Clan except the Westeria nobles who came from the other four Clans. Leon finds out about it because he is friends with Queen Westeria's bodyguard.

"My love told me about the Reyes Clan. He was one of Queen Eugene's bodyguards who came from the Ortiz Clan. Oh, blimey! I forgot that we had broken up because our relationship had no future. Youknew... She, like most Westeria women, did not want to get married. As for me, even though I don't want to rush things, my parents want me to get married soon. Oh right, you probably know him, because he talks about you a lot too. Her name is Theana Ortiz."

"Yes, I know him."

Tyros seemed half-thoughtful at the thought of his former lover after accidentally calling him again. He took a long breath. "That's it..." He said, "I'm just torturing myself by talking about it again. Actually, there's another reason why I'm convinced that she's Irene Winterthur, this is also a note for you if you intend to keep it a secret from others. You confirmed my guess by saying that she lives in your house, but she's neither your fiance nor your lover, whereas I know you're the type of man who won't live with just any woman. What's more, from your reaction it was clear you didn't want to have a younger stepfather than you, General Leon. So I'm assuming, she's Queen Mother Irene Winterthur, the birth mother of both of you. I will not be surprised or ask why the woman who was rumored to have died twenty-four years ago, who should have been my mother's age looked so young, because anything can happen in a land full of magic." Tyros then added with a jaily smile, "Don't worry, I know myself enough, and won't try to get close to him. I said something like that just to find out if my guess was right or not. But I am serious about my praise that she is the most dazzling woman I have ever seen when I have seen the former Queen Eleanor Winterthur and Grand Duchess Constanza Smirnoff whose beauty is so famous."

"You Winterthur's sons have always been surprised at my intelligence. Did Elias tell you that I also knew that King Xavier was actually the Great Fire Dragon. And if I may add, I've been thinking about it lately that it's very likely that our Queen, Queen Anastasia, is the reincarnation of Grand Queen Zhera. Tell me I'm wrong."

"You're right. I don't know how you know all that, but please be wise."

"I don't like to reveal other people's secrets, if that's what you mean."

Leon immediately left Tyros before any more secrets were discovered by the young general. When Xavier saw him, Leon simply said, "He's safe in Westeria. He may be angry and upset, but he's safe. You don't have to worry. Just focus on the problem here first."

"I knew. Thank you, Leon." Xavier. "Can you go to Schere and help Grand Duchess Smirnoff to deal with the Schere problem and find out if Alexis is still alive? Tell Anna immediately whatever the outcome. Anna deserves to know her sister's circumstances."

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

Wisteria Palace, Oeste, Westeria

If you really loved me, you shouldn't have dumped me in Westeria.

Anna was really upset because on her wedding day, on her birthday, she heard the news that made her so worried and sad, and she was supposed to do something for her kingdom and to find her sister, but Xavier orders Leon to take him to Westeria. So Anna spent the afternoon protesting against Xavier.

Don't do this to me! You should have taken me there too. Anna tried again. But Xavier still hasn't answered.

As there was still no response from Xavier, Anna said,

You must not love me anymore...

And just then, from her room on the top floor in the Wisteria Palace, Anna could hear the flapping of wings from a distance. Anna forgets the warnings of the Palace doctors who forbid her from running. Anna started running towards the window and opened it wide, letting Xavier in. Anna immediately hugged him. And his feelings improved immediately.

"Please don't say anything like that again. You make me sad." Xavier. "I love you. No, even the word 'love' is still too simple and weak to describe what I feel for you. And that's why I secured you in Westeria, not banishing you. I'm sorry if my actions upset and upset me. I'm really scared of losing you and our son so I'm having trouble thinking straight and I just want you guys to be in a safe place, away from any danger."

Anna was just about to speak up to debate him, but Xavier continued,

"I understand... I know you're very strong, you have my fire and Earithear's power. Your sword skills are amazing, as well as your archery skills. But even with all that, I..." He paused for a moment to pay attention to Anna. Seeing him again made him calm, but could not eliminate the fear of losing him. "I can't let you go to Schere. Please understand that I am doing this to protect you and not to restrict you or to restrain you. You are free to do anything. You're a Queen. The absolute power of the two kingdoms is in your hands. But for this matter, this time alone, trust Leon. If you can't trust me, it's okay, but you should be able to trust Leon because you've known each other since you were born. Leon's gonna let you know as soon as he makes sure Schere's safe enough and you can go there."

"Don't talk like that." Anna said as she let go of her embrace.

"What-like?"

"You talk like I trust Leon more than you. I believe in you too." Anna kisses him, a sign that she has forgiven Xavier for their previous disagreement. "Sorry I'm getting emotional. I-i know. I understand you're still afraid of Gyeoul's prophecy, but—“

"The word 'fear' can't even describe how I feel right now. That prophecy haunts me every time. You and our son could be dead and it's all my fault because I can't keep you. Please understand that I just want to protect you. I'd rather die if I fail to protect you."

"alright... I-i understand. Don't say that again. Don't talk about death." Said Anna.

Xavier just smiled in response. He then knelt before Anna to talk to their daughter who was still in the womb. He stroked Anna's stomach, kissed her and said, "My dear daughter, I'm sorry that your father and mother fought in front of you. I'm just so worried about you guys. But don't worry, we've made up now."

"It's still my birthday." Said Anna.

"Yes..." Xavier. He stood up, their gazes met. From such a close distance, Anna could hear Xavier's heartbeat which was always faster than anyone's. Xavier once told her that her heart was beating that fast only if Anna was around. And that it was painful, yet it was the kind of pain that he would willingly endure. "I'm sorry I haven't given you any gifts yet." Said. Xavier gently stroked Anna's hair and kissed her forehead. "Is there anything you want, my wife? I'll grant her whatever it is."

Anna smiled, her face red. He knew he could ask for anything and Xavier would absolutely grant it. She could ask for palaces, gems and pretty dresses. He could ask for a garden to be built in his name or ask for an island, an ocean or even a kingdom. But he has all that and he doesn't want any of it. So Anna kissed him and said, "I don't want to be away from you on my birthday. Sleep with me here."

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