Luciel and Jan stuck their heads out of the window and waved as the horse carriage slowly moved out of the palace grounds.
Queen Marianne and Nicholas waved their hands while continuing to smile. However, as soon as the carriage was out of their sight, Queen Marianne immediately cried. She was very sad that Luciel and Jan had finally left. She had been so used to having them around for a long period of time.
"Mom, why are you crying? You can visit them often," Nicholas said embracing and rubbing his mother's back.
"I know but still I feel sad. After they leave the atmosphere in this palace will definitely feel very lonely. Since they arrived, the palace has felt warmer and full of joy," said the queen between her sobs.
When she rubbed her eyes and looked at her son, suddenly the queen understood Nicholas' position. She realized Nicholas was having it harder because he couldn't visit the children at their home, just like her. Nicholas wouldn't want to come to the manor while Sophie's mate was away. It was out of respect for Leland.
Meanwhile, Queen Marianne could just come as the boys' grandma. Now, she felt sorry for her son.
"I am sure Leland will return quickly and the boys will be able to come and visit us more," she said, trying to soothe her son's feelings. The queen forced a smile and decided to change the topic. "By the way, it's your birthday soon. We should plan to throw a party. This kingdom needs something to celebrate."
She pulled Nicholas' hand to go inside the palace. "Let's talk about it inside."
Nicholas knew what his mother was trying to do. So, he didn't argue. Both mother and son walked hand in hand inside the palace. Each was busy with their own thoughts.
***
Sophie and the group finally arrived at their residence, outside of Lievstad. Sophie was a bit surprised because the atmosphere of the manor was busier than when she and Leland left the place.
"Luna." Lucas along with two guards and a female lycan who was familiar to Sophie came out to greet them.
"Lucas? Hey, you're back?" Sophie was happy to see the Beta had returned. She felt relieved because, with Lucas here, the Beta could lead the pack for a while, during Leland's absence.
She turned to look at the beautiful girl with white hair and green eyes standing next to Lucas.
"Lily long time no see," she greeted her.
"Luna, I am so happy to see you," Lily said, smiling gracefully.
"Well, from now on you will feel happy every day because after you and Lucas are mated, we will meet every day," Sophie said with a big smile. Both Lucas and Lily blushed when Sophie mentioned their upcoming mating ritual.
Sophie stepped closer and took Lily's hand.
"Welcome to the Blood River Pack," she said sincerely.
"Thank you, Luna."
"Lucas, you are very lucky to have found Lily," said Sophie as she looked at Lucas who couldn't hide his joy.
"Thank you, Luna," said Lucas.
Luciel and Jan who were standing next to Sophie, looked at Lily attentively, while she also looked at them with a smile.
'They really do look like King Nicholas,' Lily muttered in her mind as she greeted the two boys. "Nice to meet you, Luciel and Jan."
"Hello, Lily," said Luciel politely.
"Hello, Lily," Jan followed suit. He stole a glance at Lucas. "I am happy you finally come and make Lucas happy."
"Ah, of course! Lucas makes me happy too," said Lily. She glanced at the man and almost laughed at seeing his blushing cheeks.
Sophie continued to smile seeing the interaction between the three people. However, her mood became ruined when Lucas who didn't see Leland around asked her his whereabouts.
"Luna, where's Alpha?" Lucas looked around them. He didn't smell the Alpha's scent around his mate and children. So, he realized Leland had not been with them for a long time. He didn't remember Leland ever leaving them for more than several days.
"Huh?" Sophie was dazed. Her mind immediately went to Leland. She didn't know where he was. She could only reply weakly, "He's… still in Armeria."
Lucas who didn't know anything about Leland going to Armeria was very surprised. "What is he doing there?"
"Let's talk inside," Sophie replied. "Sorry, I can't stand for too long. Let's sit and talk."
"Ah, I'm sorry. Please come in, Luna."
They finally entered the manor together. While inside, Sophie told the maid to take Jack and Anne to her bedroom and then told Jan and Luciel to rest in their respective rooms.
Because she thought Sophie and Lucas wanted to discuss something important, Lily decided to withdraw with the excuse that she needed to care of her mating ritual plans., Lily stepped back, letting Lucas talk to Sophie and Max.
"What exactly happened? Why did Alpha Leland go to Armeria?" Lucas asked. Then Max started telling the beta everything.
Lucas was very surprised to hear that. He also felt sorry that as a Beta he did not accompany Leland on the mission. However, on the one hand, he was also relieved, knowing Elias had died at Leland's hands.
It meant the Obsidian Sand Pack was currently under Leland's leadership as their Alpha. As for Blood River. The pack no longer had to worry about getting attacked by the Obsidian Sand Pack since their own Alpha had defeated the original Alpha of the Obsidian Sand Pack.
"I'm relieved that you're here. Leland isn't around so you'll be leading the pack for the time being," said Sophie.
"I see. That is my job, Luna." Lucas, noticing the worry on Sophie's face, added, "Don't worry, Alpha already said he'll be home soon. It means he'll be home soon. I know him, he would never go back on his words."
"I know." Sophie smiled wryly then backed away to go to her room and rest there.
After she arrived at the room, Sophie walked over to the baby box, paying attention to Jack and Anne. Sophie gently rubbed the heads of the two baby wolves and sighed heavily. Even though Max and Lucas had asked her not to worry, she was still worried.
***
The news of Lucas and Lily Moonchester's wedding had been known to all members of the Blood River Pack. They gradually arrived and made the manor very crowded.
In the midst of her anxiety, waiting for Leland to return, Sophie greeted the guests from Blue Moon in a friendly manner and helped check all the wedding preparations. However, until all the preparations were finished, Leland still did not return.
"I know." Sophie smiled wryly then backed away to go to her room and rest there.
Arriving at the room, she walked over to the baby box, paying attention to little Jack and Anne. She gently rubbed the heads of the two baby wolves and sighed heavily. Even though Max and Lucas had asked him not to worry, he was still worried.
***
Meanwhile, Leland and Eloise were standing in an oasis in the middle of the desert. The crystal clear water stretched out in front of them while all around them were towering palm trees and flowers blooming very beautifully. The place was like heaven in the middle of hell.
"This is where your mother tortured Anne and Jack," said Eloise.
Leland furrowed his brows, surprised that the place was so different from the place he saw in the toneglyph. However, Eloise walked over and pulled out a small stick that was among the white flowers growing in clusters.
As soon as the stick was removed, the palm trees around them disappeared and were replaced by a desert. The lake and flowers disappeared and were replaced by golden sand.
Leland's eyes opened wide. He looked in all directions, saw the rocks that surrounded the place, and realized that this was the place where his mother killed Jack and Anne. Everything was exactly as it appeared on the toneglyph.
"Your mother asked my mother for help hide her crime. She planted magical illusions in this place and made everyone see this valley as an oasis," Eloise explained.
"Her magic not only deceived the eye but deceives all the senses. I'm sure apart from seeing the water and the flowers, you smell the very refreshing scent of the water and the sweet fragrance of the flowers you see." Eloise smiled and then broke the stick in her hand.
Leland realized that Eloise's words were true. He actually thought that the oasis just now was a real oasis. A gust of wind blew away the dust of the sand and, at the same time, Leland could smell the remnants of Anne's scent in the place. Even though it's been years, the scent was still there. The sand in the valley held it well.
Leland clenched his fists, his chest tightened again when he remembered the torture that Jack and Anne had endured.
"This way," Eloise walked into the middle of the valley and Leland followed her. They then stopped right in front of a large boulder.
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