AUTHOR'S POV
It's a test, Lord Nero knew.
A test that he had to pass.
Honestly, he didn't care whatever Galen plans for his future, for he knew that the stubborn King would do whatever he wants anyway. "In my opinion..", Lord Nero looked at the nobles before focusing back at Galen. "This union has been long accounted for. Soul travelers and the Royals were invincible together. Let it be known that Nether is a powerful kingdom as we how we were before, alongside the soul travelers.", Nero knew that he had to say what Galen wishes to hear. Looking at the satisfied smirk of Galen, he knew he did the right thing. However, his idea shocked the king's vassals who were all in chagrin.
Galen rubbed his hands in delight. Hearing those words felt as if they were his own. "Alesso?", he called the paladin archer next to hear his thoughts too. Given that Alesso's opinions has great influence among the noble men, he wanted to hear what he has to say. Father Bertram tightened his grip on the hem of his white cassock, with the hope that Alesso would be against this marriage.
"A wedding?", Alesso smiled. Knowing Galen, he has dark and clever ways to put things up. Alesso realized and decided to join Galen's games, and play a part in his tricks. He pulled down the hood of his dark cyan cloak with gold trimmings. His freshly chopped silver hair was kept in an untidy up do. "It doesn't really matter what I think but… a celebration like a wedding is just perfect at this time of crisis, darkness and painful losses. I couldn't be more ecstatic to see my dear cousin get tied down before me. Never have I ever thought you'll get married, Galen. Right, Vesta?", he casually said.
Galen replied with a duchenne smile, crinkling the corners of his eyes and pointing at the paladin archer who just fondly teased him just like the old times. However, Alesso's remark made the nobles greatly confused. Father Bertram, on the far end, felt like all of his hope to save Helena have vanished in the air.
"I couldn't agree more. Our boy, Galen, now settling down. Must be fun that girl, for you to get marry quickly", Flipping her blonde hair back, she made a side eye glance at the King who seemed very delighted with her response. "But please, let's deal with the death bringer roaming our lands after your wedding", she said as she keep it real.
"Always uptight, Vesta? Hahaha!", Galen took it as a joke. His mind is more focused on his wedding with Helena. "AHA! This is what I'm saying!", Galen rose and flicked his hand to his attendant. In an instant, the servants distributed the wedding invitations to all the nobles inside the hall. "You see everyone, this is not a permission that I needed to ask of you. I am just telling you all that I am getting married, and the rites will push through whether you agree or not.", he led his way to the high priest as he rest his arm on the top rail of the priest's seat. "Now Father Bertram, as the high priest of Nether.. you shall officiate our union.", he said.
Father Bertram cleared his throat, feeling nauseous both in today's assembly and with the King standing close to him. "Whe-when exactly is the King and the princess are getting married if I may ask, your Highness?", he said.
"It will be held in two days", Galen answered quickly as he sauntered towards his attendant, taking a piece of paper. The nobles gasped at the King's impulsive decision of marrying… moreso, in a very short time. Galen noticed how the crowd's faces turned to a grim. "Aww.. don't give me those faces. I'm right of age anyway. Besides, why delay when you are all ready to marry, hmm?", Galen rolled his eyes, shaking his head side to side. "Make haste with the preparations. I don't like my queen waiting for too long", he said. Alesso tightened his lips, but still managed to give Galen a strained smile.
"B-but my King, a mystic healer is still roaming the lands", the shortest baron with short curly hair said.
Galen scoffed at the seemingly irrelevant concern raised to him. "It's just a mystic healer! We're talking about my wedding here", he said as he walked his way to Lord Nero. "I want to see everyone on this list on my wedding.", Galen handed to Lord Nero a piece of paper which he took from his attendant. It was a long list of people to be imvited. "Especially Evandrus, Lord Nero. I expect that our great Paladin Knight shows himself on the most important day of my life. I solemnly pray that he won't miss it for the world", Galen said.
Lord Nero blinked a few times. "Of course, he wouldn't", he said as he watch the King left the hall, leaving the nobles murmur subdued expressions of mixed emotions.
MEANWHILE
The chambers where Helena was trapped in opened forcefully through Celeste's dark magic. She tried to hasp the door with a little spell that she learned but eventually, Celeste managed to break it. That locking spell truly came in handy, though. Helena slept like a baby alone in the room without worrying about Galen appearing at any time.
As soon as the doors were opened, Celeste went back to her chambers and the maids hurriedly came in. Helena watched the servants spotlessly clean the room and rearrange the furniture in no time. The dried flowers were replaced with fresh blooms, and the rubbish has been removed. Impressively nimble, the once untidy room finally returned to its orderly state.
What has been going on here?
What is Galen like?
What time will he come back?
The priestess, is she always in her chambers?
Helena tried to approach the servants. However, they were chary of getting close with her. The servants kept mum, and did not even gave her single glance. Not one attempted to pause and answer Helena's questions. The maids went on as if she was a ghost. It is either they are afraid of the soul traveler that she is, or they are afraid of something else, Helena thought…
All throughout, the servants kept coming back and forth for various of reasons. May it be to present a selection of dresses, provide a spread of nutriment, lay boxes of jewelries, and pile up mountain of shoes, the servants endlessly spent the entire morning sending in the gifts Galen prepared for the future queen of Nether.
When the clock strike nine, they invited the princess for a bath. "Absolutely not", Helena refused to be bathe and change to a new clean dress.
"Please, Princess!", one plead. Seeing how hard the maids tremble and worry in fear, Helena decided to give in with a condition that she'll do it on her own. The servants could only agree.
Behind the closed bathroom door, Helena took time to wash herself. Slowly and gently, Helena scrubbed her skin without even looking at herself. Most of the time, she kept her eyes closed and just let the water slide through her entire body. As soon as she's done, she put on her old clothes instead of the dress that the maids prepared.
Helena stepped out of the bathroom, the maids were disgruntled to see Helena's damped hair and still in her old clothes. They were all frantic about it but Helena went her way to the sitting room, in front of the meals prepared for her.
"Eat with me", Helena had a hard tone with a very kempt composure. Noticing that the servants look beat, Helena tried to uphold each of them to a halt and share a meal with her.
They all turned a blind eye. All six maids stood still with their heads down. Hearing the stories about soul travelers, the maids refuse to be in connection with Helena. To add to that, they were all much afraid of disappointing King Galen too.
One maid tried to peek out, and when she lifted her chin, Helena was already in front of her handing her a piece of bread. It was only then she got a good view of the princess. Her eyes were clear like the moon, and her skin is fair as a porcelain. Perfect enough to drive the King wild.
"You shouldn't have brought a lot of food for one person. Besides, breakfast is best when shared", even without a smile, Helena radiated a certain warmth that they have never felt in the cold palace.
The maids shared that one piece of bread Helena gave. After gobbling it all up, they refused to have more. Looking at the princess, who's now standing by the jar of milk drinking a glassful, they thought the princess may not be as bad as they thought to be.
"What did Galen say out there?", Helena asked. She didn't expected for anyone to answer.
The maids looked at each other, unsure which amongst the several things Galen says should they inform the princess first. As they finalize in incomprehensible whispers, one have finally answered Helena. "The wedding is in two days, Princess. Run, while you still can", the servant fearfully said.