The Crown's Entrapment

At Realm of Eferia

Devas excitedly checked the caravan Pluto brought to them inside their realm.

"This isn't good. We've been putting our guard down for a while now," Polo retorted with a frown as he glared at Devas. "We shouldn't be letting anything go in and out of our realm this easily because of the risks involved."

"Relax, will you? It's my Sleipnir, so what's the risk of it?" Devas snorted. "Besides, these presents came from our Xenia. I've been dying to send my congratulatory parchment along with my presents for her, but I've been forced to put it all on hold because of your reluctance!"

Unfortunately for Devas, he was unable to send anything out from their realm unless all the other guardians permitted it. And while the other guardians seemed to be fine with his proposal he was forced to wait on Polo for his approval. Hell, he wasn't even the only one who had a congratulatory parchment for their Xenia. Helen and even Saha also wrote one for her.

"I'm just making sure that we keep our realm safe from outsiders," Polo blankly explained. "It wouldn't be good if anyone finds out that we're allowing free entry and exit through our realms. It can be used against us in the long run. Also, there's no harm in being extra careful. Honestly, what King Darius did before still doesn't  sit well with me even now."

Devas hummed as he recalled just what exactly it was that the King did that time. If he remembered correctly, it was that time when King Darius sent a pigeon into their realm sending them a parchment informing them that they should show Xenia's trial by air through the broadcast.

"We can always simply task Pluto in regards to the exchange of communication between us and Xenia," Devas snorted.

"But it would be too dangerous for Pluto to travel in and out of this place. Pluto isn't an ordinary horse, Devas, and I'm sure many will be eyeing it wherever it goes," Polo shook his head as he rebutted. "Helion's spies are everywhere now. The Demon King is on a hunt, and we don't want that bastard eyeing us as easy targets. We've been keeping the barrier intact all this time, but what if a dark force manages to enter because we've been too lenient?"

Devas sighed. "So what now? Have you thought of a better solution then? How about Helena's suggestion for us to use a normal messenger like a pigeon or raven?" he suggested. "We can go with that and just put a rune or spell on it. That will surely work to take any attention from the outside away from us..."

"My... my... my... Our Devas is really getting bored ever since Xenia left," Saha teased as she made herself known, her hands already within the caravan to take some of the dresses sent to them.

Rolling his eyes, Devas looked to Helena, signaling the latter to at least help him out with reasoning with Polo.

Helena gulped. Clearing her throat, she commented, "I think what Devas suggested is good enough. I mean, I see no harm if we continue our communication with Xenia." She let off a light shrug before she added, "Besides... she's someone we all grew fond of in the short time she has spent with us. We all know that she's a good person. She won't bring any harm to us and to our realm."

There was a deafening silence before Polo emitted a long sigh. Resigned, he reluctantly said, "Alright, let's do that then."

"Yes!" Devas excitedly beamed. "Let me arrange my gifts for Xenia now!"

Sahah clicked her tongue and snorted, "Stop giving her so much. You're just making her husband uncomfortable."

Helena chuckled. "Hmm... arrange some gifts for the King as well," she absently commented. "That way, your generosity won't cause a misunderstanding."

Devas's face crumpled as he retorted, "I'm still mad at him for making me go around bald like this! Why would arrange gifts for him? No way!"

The guardians laughed as they continued to banter. Helena, on the other hand, sighed deeply and sadly thought, 'I will miss these three...'

******

Back in the Kingdom of Cordon, Xenia urged for Darius and their convoy to continue with their journey and parade. They didn't have the time to dally with her supposed weakness when they still had to visit each pack that they would pass by on their way towards the Moonlight Pack.

"My love, I only did it because I wanted to feel your emotions while you were inside the Element Forest," Darius explained himself. "So many things have happened since then that I forgot to mention to you about it when you returned. I swear... it wasn't intentional."

Ever since their last conversation, Darius had constantly tried to explain his actions. However, Xenia remained quiet, ignoring him as she walked towards the carriage.

Going inside, Darius quickly followed her and sat beside her. She turned to him with lifted brows and said, "Tell me how I can properly put up a wall against you now."

Despite her pointed tone, she actually wasn't mad at her husband. However, she had no intention of letting things slide so easily. He had tricked her, and even though he had a valid reason for doing so... she still didn't like how he had supposedly forgotten to tell her about it as soon as she was back.

"I will, my love..." Darius helplessly replied. From there, he taught her how she could properly put up a wall against him so that he wouldn't be able to feel her emotions.

[Just like that?] she asked in disbelief.

[Yes,] Darius confessed. [So technically you managed to put up a wall against me before without you even knowing it...]

She narrowed her eyes at him. It was way easier than she had thought. Still, she confronted him. [Are you sure this one is working now? Because if not... and once I find out that you're tricking me again... Then expect to have blue balls for a whole month!]

Darius obediently nodded. "It's working now, Xen. I truly can't feel your emotions now, my love," he replied in resignation. "As much as I would prefer for you to be an open book to me, I really didn't intend to bypass you on it. I simply wanted to make sure that I can feel you while you were inside the forest, and I truly just forgot to bring it up when you came back."

Xenia tried her best not to smile as she kept her serious and nonchalant face-up. Coldly, she said, "Let's begin the march..."

"But are you truly fine now?" Darius worriedly asked.

"Yes, I am," she plainly answered, wondering how long she could keep up with giving him the cold shoulder. She was honestly excited to hear some news from Aurelia after she was sure of her findings. She told the latter to tell Darius that it was simply an upset stomach, and that was what Aurelia said to him a while ago.

Later, once they'd stopped over at another inn for the night, Aurelia would check on her again to find out whether or not she was truly pregnant. Just the thought of hearing her findings was making her heart race. But just before she allowed herself to get even more excited, she turned to Darius and see if he really couldn't feel her emotions.

"Xen, my love. Please don't be mad at me anymore..." Darius pleaded with his begging eyes as soon as their gazes met.

She inwardly smiled. It would seem that the wall she had put up against him was already working properly. Feeling Darius firmly hold onto her hand, she decided to not pull it away from him just this once. Hopefully, Aurelia had some good news for her later so that she could surprise Darius with it after making him feel anxious like this for too long.

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