The Rose Of The South
Chapter 13: Ray'na Zemle

The rain stopped a while later. Anna decides to approach Queen Isabella. Aided by Leon, Anna slowly walked towards the sound of the waterfall.

Anna's guess is right. Because it is impossible for the roar of water to fall as big as it is not a waterfall. The waterfall was not very high, but very wide. His voice was heard in the distance. Even so, Anna could faintly hear Louis's voice calling out to her from the direction of the waterfall. But Anna didn't see anyone around the waterfall.

"At there." Leon said as he pointed towards the waterfall.

After squinting at the waterfall, Anna finally saw it. Louis was waving his hands towards them while shouting a call, trying to defeat the sound of the waterfall. The boy was behind the waterfall.

"Your Majesty, come here! We found something!" Excited from a distance.

Leon helps Anna walk towards the waterfall. Anna was upset with herself for not being able to walk normally. His feet hurt every time he walked. And it slowed their movement.

As if knowing what Anna felt every time she stepped up, Leon immediately lifted Anna's body and carried her.

"What are you doing? Lower me!"

"Is that an order, Your Majesty?" Leon asked, as he continued walking towards the cave.

Anna sighed. "Please... Leon, please put me down." This time Anna said it so politely that it sounded like it was made up.

Leon held back a laugh. "I'll drop you off soon, Your Majesty. But not now."

"It's embarrassing."

"I've been carrying you a lot since you were a kid. You were not ashamed. You even asked and begged me to carry you."

Anna rolled her eyeballs. Part of him was upset that Leon saw him as his little brother again. "I'm no longer a child, Leon."

"true." But Leon keeps going without any intention of taking Anna down.

They arrive at the waterfall shortly after, then Leon complies with Anna's request and lowers it. Behind the waterfall is a cave. Louis had already entered first for them to follow him from behind. They walked down the narrow descent of the cave and headed towards the inner part of the cave which was wider and wider.

Unlike its narrow exterior, the cave was wider than they thought. Inside, the cave felt warmer and greener. A few drops of water fell from the ceiling of the cave that Anna guessed came from the river above this cave. Along the eye of the beholder, strange and foreign shaped plants grew along the cave streets. There are plants that are shaped like a tree of roses, but do not have stems and thorns. There are only roots that are gnarled, wide leaves and red flowers blooming as wide as serving plates. Some trees are similar to those they can find in the forests of Schiereiland, but look strange and different. The leaves are wider and greener. Even so green, the leaves seemed to emit a green glow that bounced throughout the cave, making the cave not look as dark as it should be. The rocky walls of the cave are overgrown with broad-leaved moss that is tanned and overgrown with red flowers that look like bloody fangs. There were no signs of animal or insect life, but the cave felt so lifelike. The cave was more like a rain forest in the bowels of the earth but it was not really dark because it was illuminated by glowing leaves. Even stranger, the cave had a sweet, fresh and pleasant aroma like the scent of spring.

They all stripped off their furry coats because the air inside the cave felt much warmer. Even so, the cave does not feel stuffy because the wind can still blow from the mouth of the cave inward.

Anna walked slowly down the cave holding onto the walls of the cave to make it easier for her to walk on her own. He looked at the scenery around him.

"This cave..."

"Great." said Louis. It was true, the cave looked as big and as big as a forest. As if there was no end. But that's not what Anna wanted to say.

"Beautiful, right?" Said Queen Isabella. The cave is beautiful and looks unreal. Like a place that should only be found in fairy tales or legends. A place that should not exist in the real world.

But the more remembered, Anna knew she had come to the cave. Anna recognized every inch of the scenery she saw at this moment. The cave did not seem to have changed at all. Even the entire plant that grew within the cave was as if it had not changed. Not increased or decreased. It was as if only this place was unaffected by time. Anna recalled the moment she came to the cave, her hair was still very long left unraveled. A golden crown adorned his head. She was wearing a turquoise-colored dress, a sword draped in a belt on her waist hidden behind her greenish-colored robe. He rode a white horse. A very big horse. Anna remembers she didn't come alone. He came with heavily armed troops, but they all did not enter but stood guard around the mouth of the cave. A man was beside her at that moment, holding her hand.

"You sense Earithear's presence here?" Ask the man, make sure.

Anna turned to him, the man's fire-red eyes were looking at him without blinking. "I can't be wrong. He must be here." Anna told him.

The man smiled, "Alright, let's find him."

"I remember. I've been here." Anna said unconsciously. As he turned his head, everyone was looking at him confused except for Xavier who nodded approvingly. Anna was confused. "What?"

"What?" The Queen of Isabella.

"Your Majesty, have you ever come to this cave?" Ask Leon, make sure. "You've never even left the palace before, except when you went to Duke Francis' residence."

Leon's words made him realize that what he had just remembered was not an incident that had not happened long ago. It was his memory as the Great Queen of Zhera. And the man who was beside him at that moment was the Great Fire Dragon. Xavier was there with her at the time. They found an Earth Dragon inside that cave a thousand years ago.

"I mean, not me." Anna says. But then he realized it was him who was in his memory. "No, it's not that. I mean—“

Just as Anna was about to explain further, suddenly the cave shook violently. The stones from the ceiling of the cave began to fall. Anna saw from a distance that a large rock was about to fall on Louis. The boy was too surprised to be unable to move his legs. It was only a split second until the stone hit him, but Leon was much faster. He managed to pull Louis away from his original place so as not to fall the stone. But the falling stones eventually separated them. Anna wanted to run towards Queen Isabella, but a boulder almost hit her if Xavier didn't pull her away from her place immediately.

The cave continued to tremble and more and more rocks were falling from the ceiling. But the plants that were there seemed not to be disturbed at all. It was as if the falling stones did not want to damage the plants that were there.

What kind of earthquake is going on here? Think Anna.

Anna was sitting on the ground when the tremor was over. Xavier helped him stand up.

"My daughter?" The voice of Queen Isabella echoed from behind the walls of the cave ruins.

"Mom's okay?" Anna asked back.

"Mom's fine. Leon and Louis?"

"We're safe." Reply Leon from behind a different wall. "We were near the mouth of the cave but the mouth of the cave was covered in rock debris. It will take a very long time to get rid of these huge stones." Said Leon. Then he added, "Great Fire Dragons might be able to help us get rid of these stones?"

"This place is too narrow." Xavier. Anna then recalled the dragon form that was as big as a castle. This cave could be completely destroyed if Xavier turned into a Dragon now. And by then they will all be buried by even worse ruins. Xavier added, "I know another way out. I recognize this cave."

Anna turned her head towards Xavier who was beside her was observing the surroundings. They both recognize this cave because they have explored the entire cave to find the Earth Dragon. But that was a thousand years ago. The structure of the cave may have changed. But there is no harm in trying.

Anna thought hard while recalling the cave. They are all separated now. Leon and Louis were near the mouth of the cave, but the exit was closed. They might be able to work together to get rid of the stones blocking the way, but it might not be that easy. The stones are big and heavy. It will take all day to lift it.

Anna and Xavier are also separated from Queen Isabella. But Anna knew that this cave had some way to get out. Anna remembered there was a lake inside this cave. The lake will lead them to the river. While the road that was open for Anna and Xavier at this time was a detour and the furthest to the lake. But they can go there and find a way out.

"Mother, did you see a red fang-shaped flower on the wall of the cave over there?" Ask Anna. His voice echoed to the entire cave.

"Yes." Yeah."

"Remove the obstructing leaves and moss. But there is no need to pull the flowers because it will remove the poison. Although not deadly, its poison could put anyone to sleep for years."

"Where do you know what, Your Majesty?" Ask Leon.

"I know this sounds weird, but I did come here. You guys have to trust me. I recognize this cave." I found this cave, Anna thought. But he didn't say it because it would definitely sound very strange.

Ray'na Zemle's. Grand Queen Zhenra named the cave a thousand years ago. It means Heaven on Earth in the ancient language. Named like that not only because this cave is very beautiful. There was something, whether ancient magic or sacred power in the cave so that while inside, no one would feel hungry, either, sick or suffering even though confined in this cave for days without eating and drinking. It was because Earithear who built the cave as his hiding place when he first descended from the sky. It is said that the cave was opened to the public, at that time many poor people who took shelter in the cave during the war. They don't eat and drink and just sleep. But when she came out of the cave, many years had passed, the war was over and Zhera was already the Queen. But since the death of Grand Queen Zhenra and the dragons, the cave simply disappeared and no one remembered it so no one had written about the existence of the cave.

"There's a tunnel behind the leaves." Queen Isabella said after successfully following Anna's instructions.

"The tunnel will lead to a large lake in the middle of this cave." Xavier is speaking up. "Please be careful, Queen. The tunnel runs downward. The road is also dark and a bit slippery. But that's the fastest way to the lake I mean."

Anna added, "Mother just followed the flow of the lake and went out to the river behind the cave. Don't worry, the funds are harmless and not deep. The water is warm, drinkable and there are no strange animals in it. Xavier and I will take a rotating path to the lake. After Xavier came out, he could smash the stones in the mouth of the cave."

"alright. All of you, please be careful." Said Queen Isabella.

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

"Sorry." Said Anna.

"For what?"

They walked slowly because the ground in the cave was slippery and rocky. Also because Anna had difficulty walking quickly due to injuries on her legs. And because they walk while trying to remember having to take the road where each meets the crossroads that are in the cave. The cave was vast and many roads branched which could lead them to different paths. They could have been trapped for days in the cave and just circled through the same path if only they were completely blind and had never explored the entire cave before. But Anna and Xavier both knew which path they should take.

"I'm a hassle." Said Anna. Every step was painful and difficult for him. "I'm hampering the journey."

"I know I never said that."

"But everything would have been much easier had my leg not been hurt. I'm careless."

"You were thinking a lot at the time. You're not focused."

Anna knew why she who had been riding since she was ten years old could fall from a horse. This horse is not a wild horse. They bought horses that were tame and trained. The horses are very expensive. And Anna had two days riding with the horse on their way to Schiereiland. But Anna was too dissolved in her daydream, she thought of so many things back then that she unknowingly spurred her horse too fast and almost hit a tree. He managed to dodge, but he was knocked off his mount and ended up injuring his leg.

"really. It won't happen again." Said Anna.

"It's okay. Stop blaming yourself. And walk slowly." Xavier.

Anna was not even aware she was trying to spur her pace even faster.

Anna sighed. "If only my feet could heal faster—“

"There's a way." Xavier said so as to make Anna subconsciously stop her steps. Xavier also stopped. Not trying to get close or away when you say it. "I told you. Now it's up to you."

Anna knows that. It's all up to him.

Anna turned her face and asked Xavier to step back. They continued walking without speaking. The silence between the two was strange and awkward. Only the sound of their footsteps on the rocky ground and the sound of water drops from the ceiling of the cave. They were both silent, but busy with their own thoughts.

It felt awkward for Anna especially after their conversation in the tent. Anna did not know at first that their kiss could heal any wounds. But he had been suspicious from the beginning. Especially after various memories entered his mind. Anna wanted to scold herself for something in her wanting Xavier to actually kiss her back then in the tent. He argued with his own heart.

Just because he was your partner in a previous life, doesn't mean you can just ask him to kiss you. She is married to Eleanor Winterthur. You're not who he is.

I just want him to heal me.

That's even stranger. Want a kiss from a married man, who you don't really know so you can get well. Moreover, he was the son of the King who killed your father.

Stop this thought! I don't want to think about it anymore.

Watch attitude. You are a Princess. Remember who you are.

I-i know... It's just... Hand warm... Oh, look at those emerald eyes, like sparkling gems.

Damnit damnit!

Long they walked down the streets with minimal glare in the cave without a word. Their minds are each busy remembering the road as well as remembering the past. Anna feels overwhelmed at having to walk so carefully while continuing to hold on to Xavier and at the same time she has to fight her own brazen whisper of mind to have Xavier heal her. To ask Xavier to kiss her.

Crazy huh? I've really gone crazy.

But... Well, if it's not wrong, we used to kiss in this place for the first time. Dull illumination, warm temperature and sweet aroma in the air. This place is too perfect to pass up.

How humiliating! Stopit! I don't want to remember. I seem totally crazy. There is something wrong with the intoxicating sweet air in this cave.

Anna finally decided to put an end to the awkwardness between them. Talking seems like the only powerful way to keep his mind sane. So that he would not remember their past in this cave. So that he would no longer think about the taste when Xavier's lips touched his. So that he doesn't ask Xavier to heal his wounds.

"You remember? We met him at this place, right?" Anna asked, shifting the topic away from the wound as well as the healing.

Xavier seemed to have been daydreaming since. He looked surprised when Anna suddenly spoke to him. But he hurriedly recovered from his shock. "Who?"

"Your sister. I mean, Earithear. The Earth Dragon."

"Oh. Is correct... He's pretty whiny, right?"

Anna recalled the first time she found Earithear in this cave, The Earth Dragon was crying. Not because he was trapped in the cave. The Earth Dragon wept over the fate of the humans he saw outside the cave. The fate of the commoners who suffered during the reign of his father Zhenra where war continued without end. Her tears formed a lake within this cave. And it wasn't even a fairy tale because Anna knew it was true.

"He's soft-hearted." Said Anna.

Xavier nodded in agreement, "Soft and wise as a Queen. She would be fit to be the Queen of dragons in my place if only she hadn't come down to earth."

"You ever stopped him?"

Xavier smiled wryly, his emerald eyes looking bright recalling the past. "I remember preventing them all back then. But they insist on helping you and protecting you."

"Can we meet him here? Like that time?"

"That's it." Xavier looked at Anna. "What would you do if you met him?"

"What am I gonna do?" repeat Anna.

"You can ask him to come with you. He will obey you. All dragons will obey you. And you can take his heart, too."

Anna shuddered in horror, not liking to hear it. Taking the heart of a dragon sounds like a very sadistic killing. "I don't want any of that. I want him to go as far as possible out of the reach of those who want his heart or his strength."

"You can use the power of the Earithear against Nordhalbinsel in case of war." Xavier's Proposal.

"And Nordhalbinsel has you. If there's a war, you can destroy Schiereiland first." Said Anna. His words at once find out if Leon's words are true. That Xavier would not take part in the war. But even just saying it made Anna afraid to think about the future. It was as if war could happen at any moment.

Xavier seemed to feel the same way, he grasped Anna even tighter. "I'm not gonna do it. I won't be able to fight you. If war is inevitable, I will not go down to the battlefield." His promise. He glanced at Anna, making Anna's breath almost choked as her gaze almost languished. It was as if the talk of war was torture for him. "Can we not talk about war?"

But Anna understood less. Xavier could feel the pain that Anna was suffering from. If war happens and Anna is in it, Anna may be wounded and may die. So Anna wondered what Xavier would feel when that happened? What will happen to Xavier after Anna dies? What used to happen to the Great Fire Dragon after Zhenra's death? How did he die?

Anna shifted her eyes. He did not like the feeling he had just felt when he imagined his death. It was even more dislikeful to imagine what kind of pain Xavier would feel. "You're the first one to start talking about war." Anna finally said.

"really. Sorry..."

The ground suddenly shook back. But this time the vibration did not tear down the rocks on the ceiling of the cave. The vibration almost felt soft. If it can be analogized, the vibration in the mouth of the cave was like a shout full of anger while this vibration was like the song of a sleep song. From a distance a growling sound echoed throughout the cave so that Anna was sure Queen Isabella, Leon and Louis would hear it too. The voice was more like the sound of thunder. It almost resembles the sound of a waterfall. Even more thrilling. That sound can make anyone's feathers stand up. But not for Anna, because she knew what the voice was.

"You hear that?" Anna asked as she looked at Xavier. At first glance, they look at each other and know what is on their minds.

Xavier nodded. They both recognized the voice better than anyone. "Earithear is here."

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