Your majesty…!"
knock knock
"Your Majesty! It's urgent!"
The banging on the door of his bedroom woke him up from his sleepless night, he groaned in annoying, suddenly realise Yueyao still laying on his bed, he fast asleep on the chair.
He rubbing his eyes in sleepy, he lean his head against the chair. "What it is then?".
"It's urgent, your majesty, the refugees girl in prison already disappeared!"
His corner of his mouth curving up slightly, his eyes eyeing her on the bed, her soft lips in the morning, her white skin,….damn, this is heaven. "Come in".
The guard lung into the room, his step freezes when she saw the one who he finding now laying on his majesty bed. "There….she are…"
His face turn awkward, he bow in front of Wulfric: "Your majesty, I didn't know that…she already have permission to go out. No one announces that to me, I'm apologies for my mistake."
Wulfric tapping his finger on his temple, he humming as considering something. "It's okay, I have something to attend today, waking up soon one day is not a big problem.
"Come here." He command.
He whispered something in his ear make the guard nodding furiously and leave the room in hurry, closing door behind him and leaving the palace.
He slowly stand up and reaching the bed, he sat up and give her knuckle a kiss. "You will be okay today, I swear to you."
A sound clicking on the windows glass draw his attention. It's his eagle, he let out a heavy sigh. "It will be a long day."
He stand up, gathering her into his arms. He commanded the chamberlain to ready the horse car, he bring her to the coach and placing her gently on the soft mattress, he sit beside her, let her head laying on his thighs, his hand touching a soft hair.
Suddenly, a footsteps in hurry reaching their coach, the curtain being opened, Bjorn with his brightest eyes ever and wide smile greeting them with his usual expression.
"Where are you guys going?!"
Wulfric freezing in his seat, he annoyed, must be the chamberlain report this to him.
"You don't have anything to do this time, stay back." He replied coldly.
Bjorn climb in the coach and sit down opposite side of them, his smile still same make Wulfric annoying more increase, Bjorn knock the small door connect the driver and inside the coach."You can go!"
The coach start moving on the way to the main entrance.
Wulfric keep his face coldly and stare at Bjorn looking happily, his eyes eyeing Yueyao on Wulfric side, he try to touch her cheek but Wulfric slapped his hand away."Don't."
Bjorn let out a disappointment groans, he protest: "Come on, this is the first time I saw their human state, is look weird, if I have an essay about her anatomy system it would've nominate-…..
"Forget about that.." Wulfric staring at him.
Bjorn just smile and shrug. "Well, just wanted to remind you, she still under surveillance, and the thing you "kidnapped" her from prison can still be considered as escaping and against the rules."
Wulfric rubbing his temple with Bjorn presence, he just focus on her mostly from now on.
Bjorn smirking when he know he being ignored, he just open the letter and start a calmly and professional voice. " Well, I'm surprised that the Lady Alice's family—Eryndal tribe accepted to do such a ritual like that, especially for you, and for your little fox here."
Wulfric rested his chin against his hand, his gaze drifting to the road beyond the window. "Lady Alice isn't the one pulling the strings in that household. Her father holds the true power. If this little gathering can raise his standing in my eyes—if it can breathe life into his desperate bid to revive that crumbling clan—then so be it."
"At least you can protect her".Bjorn looking at Yueyao then back at Wulfric. "At least"
After travelling half of day, they reached the encampment where the ritual will be held.
The encampment unfurled across the steppe like a shifting constellation, tents of dark cloth and bone poles rising in a wide circle. Fires burned low at its heart, smoke curling with the scent of roasted meat and bitter herbs. Horses and camels lingered at the edges, their silhouettes restless under the sunset.
But it was more than shelter. Every tent was etched with runes, every rope tied with charms, the whole camp woven into a web of wards and curses. Strangers entering felt the weight of unseen eyes; even the wind carried whispers that might be spell or threat.
Wulfric stepped down the coach with Yueyao in his arms, Bjorn stepping in the main entrance and being blocked by two old nomad man holding knife and, can see them as a guard.
Bjorn raising hands up in case they will do something. Wulfric just stepping to him. The guards realised who are here and why he coming for.
"Rahi—move away."
The command rang out from behind, clear and unwavering. It was Lady Alice. The lady who would soon stand at the heart of the ritual, her role as crucial as the fire that would be lit to begin it.
She stood slender and tall, her posture both graceful and assured. Yellow hair tumbled over her shoulders, framing a face sharp and luminous under the sun, with eyes like storm clouds—deep, alert, and unflinching. Her garments were simple yet elegant, dyed in earthy tones that mirrored the steppe, and every movement she made carried the quiet confidence of someone born to roam.
"Your majesty, is our honour to have your presence here, also Lord Commander, is a pleasure to have two of your presence here"
Alice eyes flickering down the figure laying in his arms. "And this little temptation, what could be more precious or us". She spoke in low, husky voice. "Welcome everyone, we already prepared tent for your stay here.."
Alice turn to Wulfric. " And especially for her, we will handle her from now on, everything should be prepared before the right time." She signal the guards, but Wulfric suddenly hold her more tightly. "Why is the guards but not any special maids or servant for this occasion.".
Wulfric's gaze hardened as he watched them. He knew all too well—they saw her as nothing more than a vessel for the ritual tonight. A spark of anger lit in his eyes.
"Step back," he commanded, his voice low but carrying the weight of steel. "She is to be treated as an honored guest. If not… then tell your father he'd better think of more ways to please me, or he will lose every chance he has."
Alice bit her lip, torn between fear and defiance. She raised a hand, signaling the others to stop, before stepping forward. Without a word, she guided everyone to the private tent.
The guest tent stood larger and finer than the rest, its felt walls dyed in deep reds and ochres, stitched with spirals that caught the firelight. Inside, rugs softened the floor, cushions ringed a glowing brazier, and the air carried the scent of burning juniper. A carved chest, fresh garments, and a small tray of honeyed nuts marked it as a place prepared for him.
He slowly placing her on the bed mattress in the middle of the tent, tugging her in soft fuzzy blanket. "There you go.. ".
He pick up some nuts and chewing it just to save his momentarily hunger, special attendant bring food, wine and placing on the table. He eyeing the food on table then " Where's your master?".
"Your Majesty," she said with a bow, voice low but clear. "Lord Khan has not attended our gathering today. However, he sent word to Lady Alice—he will arrive before dawn."
She hesitated, then glanced toward Yueyao. "As for the lady…" Her hand moved in a graceful gesture. "Lady Alice has commanded us to see to her needs. We will prepare her for the ritual, I hope your understanding for-.."
"Well". Wulfric putting a wooden box containing her hair and a golden tube have her blood he took, carefully put on the table. "No need to worry about that, I already took it."
She stunned for a bit then carefully take it and put it in her basket.
Wulfric tapped a finger against his chin, his gaze fixed on her with a calculating glimmer, as though already weaving a plot behind those eyes.
"As for her preparation , I should watch over while she being taken care of."
The air in the tent thickened. The attendant start to get nervous by his request. " For privacy of the ritual…- I shall ask Lady Alic-…..".
He rose abruptly, his face darkening like a storm.
"Is this how little respect you hold for me? The ritual concerns my people," Wulfric said, his voice low and edged with frost. "Do I not have the right to ensure everything proceeds as it should?" The chill in his tone made her shiver despite herself.
He knew the effect of his anger. It always worked.
The attendant fell to his knees, bowing low. His voice trembled with urgency.
"Your Majesty! I beg your forgiveness for my unprofessional , is obviously that you have every rights to worry about it."
The attendants moved with practiced grace, their hands steady and reverent. They dipped soft cloths into bowls of fragrant water, wiping her skin as though cleansing not just her body but her spirit. When they were finished, they draped her in ritual garments—layers of embroidered cloth, heavy with symbols that shimmered faintly in the firelight
Wulfric sat in the chair, watching every motion of the preparation . He know their blind faith in the Godmother, in promises of a new empire, seemed to him nothing but a foolish curse.
But if he could not trust them now, who would save her from suffering?
His gaze lingered, cold and resolute. "If this ritual fails," he murmured, "I will make you happy… make you forget your miserable life…."
——————————————————————————————————————
Chap 8
Midnight settled over the steppe like a dark cloak, the stars burning sharp and cold above the encampment. Around the sacred fire, the nomads gathered in silence, their faces half-lit by the flames, half-swallowed by shadow. The air was heavy with the scent of juniper smoke and horsehide, and every breath carried the chill of the endless plain.
Drums began to pulse low and steady, echoing the beat of hooves on earth. Women in embroidered cloaks moved in a slow circle, scattering grains and drops of milk into the fire as offerings. The flames flared, painting their features in gold and crimson, while men lifted horns carved with symbols older than memory, chanting words that seemed to belong more to the wind than to any human tongue.
Bjorn looking around, this is why they said never doubt the magnificence of the gongs worshiping the Holy Mother. He in awe.
Wulfric still inside the private tent, he watching the last steps of preparations.
They laid Yueyao in a casket of finely carved wood, delicate patterns etched along its surface. Flowers were scattered around her, and a single bloom rested gently between her lips.
Wulfric stepped closer, his gaze lingering on her face—so calm, almost serene—that for a moment he forgot Alice was standing beside him.
"Everything is ready, Your Majesty," Alice said firmly, bowing. "It will be best if you leave the rest to us."
Wulfric considering it then nods. "Then I will let you handle from now on, Lady Alice, thanks for your devotion for this important ritual, I can't never disappoint with Kang's daughter as his promise."
Lady Alice frown slightly to his approval, she slowly bow. "Its my honour to fulfill your majesty wish or at least playing a small role in your play." Alice eye flickering up to met his. His lips curving up. "Great job". Without any words, he leave the tent immediately.
Alice turned to look at Yueyao; her nose mirrored her own in a way that made her pause. She then faced the attendant. "Is everything ready?" she asked.
"Yes, Milady," the attendant replied, handing over a small box and a slender tube. "Here are her blood and hair…"
Alice's eyes widened slightly as she noticed the Celestial symbols etched onto them. A chill ran through her—who was this girl, she wondered, that Wulfric himself had chosen to attend the ritual directly?"
The night was thick with silence as the first sparks of the ceremonial fire pierced the darkness. Attendants moved with careful precision, arranging bowls of water, herbs, and offerings around the sacred circle. The smell of burning juniper drifted over the steppe, curling around the faces of those gathered.
The men carried the casket on their shoulders, each step scattering flowers across the ground. Wulfric's eyes never left it as they carefully lowered it to the earth.
Lady Alice stepped forward, holding a knife and a length of string. With deliberate calm, she placed them into Yueyao's palm, her gaze steady.
"Let the Earth Mother and Holy Mother lead her through the darkness, through the coming storm. May her soul be healed and soothed in their arms. Let her shadowed spirit find light under their guidance…"
Alice's voice echoed through the night air, low and reverent, carrying the weight of the ritual. She bent slowly, deliberately, and drank from Yueyao's blood, as if sealing the invocation with each drop.
The moment her younger taste her blood, her mind like being sink in darkness endless hole, the scenery surrounding her now just a blank black space, is felt unreal.
Suddenly, a heavy stink breath sweeping through her, it sending chills through her spine. She slowly turn to look being her.
She froze, every instinct screaming, as a shadow shifted behind her. Slowly, impossibly, a massive fox emerged from the darkness—its fur like molten fire, eyes glowing with an ancient, furious intelligence. The air around it seemed to warp, carrying the sharp tang of ozone.
"How possible a mortal like you trespass in my domain…?" The fox deep voice coming from nowhere echoing loudly. Alice just can freeze in her stand, she cover her mouth, her hands shaking…
"Alice!"
"I didn't means to…". Alice fluttered.
"Alice!!"
"I just drink her blood for the ritu-…"
"ALICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Alice let out a heavy gasp, her eyes flew open, she holding her chest, she breathing heavily. All the fellow and spell caster look at her with worry, in front of her is Yueyao laying peacefully.
"What on earth did I just experienced…?". She glance up at Wulfric standing afar from the crowd, her eyes wide in terror…, but she still have to continue the ritual.
She holding her hair up and burn it on fire, make it turn into ashes, she throwing it all over Yueyao body.
Alice and all the spell caster start to mumbling something in her mouth, her body still shaking slightly but she holding herself together. They sat there a long time then she stand up and throw the first black sand into the casket.
All peoples gathering and start throw sand on it until she being buried deep all in black sand.
Wulfric mind racing with worry but Bjorn just smile nonchalant "Well…if she not make it through, we don't need to make a grav-…".
"You don't need your tongue anymore?". Wulfric glaring at him, but Bjorn not affected much, he still smile nonchalantly.
Alice slowly walk away through the crowd giving bless to the little girl who now staying deep down the earth, this is the most risky ritual that the result is all up to her. If she will succeed or not.
Wulfric step to the head of the hole, then he throwing sand on it. "Don't disappoint me, Snowflake.". Then turn to leave to his private tent. Alice already waiting inside, she standing near the table, her hand holding an orb of life.
"Your majesty, I have something to tell you before give this orb to you." . Alice softly, but her eyes seriously.
Wulfric just step passed her and sit down on his bed. He slowly pouring tea out in his cup. Then speak. "How much is the possibility ….will she wake up?".
Alice explained. "I cannot say without knowing exactly when, at least one week, or it can be year, or years….or…a decade."
Wulfric hand gripping the cup hardly, his face emotionless. "Well then, in the worst possibility that she never can awake….i will take all of your heads as for compensation. At least it can sooth her mother soul, but still….it cannot sooth your dad hatred and my revengeful habit."
Alice staring in the void, but her mind racing with thoughts.
"Well then, I accept."
Wulfric just smirking, he know where is her weakness is…and he not mind to use it against her father reputations.
Alice placed the orb carefully on the table. Any flicker or shift within it could be a sign—either that Yueyao was still alive, or that she had given up.