The Crimson Throne

Elaine returned the scroll to Alexander. He repeated the same procedures as her and dripped a drop of blood onto it. His blood hit the surface and intertwined with hers, enveloping the soul contract in crimson color. The scroll then swirled in a rapid motion and shrunk itself into two tiny red dots. Each red dot sprung from the table and disappeared inside Elaine's and Alexander's foreheads.

"If there are no other matters, please allow me to return." Elaine touched her forehead, still in awe of all that had happened. She just signed away a part of her soul and will suffer the consequences if she deviated from the contract. But besides the current method, Elaine could not conceive of another way to gain his trust.

"Certainly, milady. We will soon have plenty of other opportunities to catch up." Alexander clapped his hands twice. From outside, the servants opened the door and started trickling in.

"Well then, Your Highness, it has been a pleasure." Elaine rose from her seat.

"I hope you enjoyed our time together, Lady Estella. And please remember our agreement." Alexander also stood up and leaned in to kiss her hand.

Her hand recoiled, declining his touch. "Please rest assured, I will not forget."

"Of course, I trust that Lady Estella will know what is most beneficial." Alexander took no offense, returning to his position, and smiled. "Crowle will take you to the court magicians, and they will send you back to the magic tower." He glanced at the older knight standing in the far corner.

Crowle walked up and kneeled before them. "Please do not worry, Your Highness. I will make sure the Princess reaches her destination safe and sound."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Elaine performed another curtsy and, along with Cecil, followed the older knight. He led them outside the manor toward a ziggurat-shaped structure. Similar to other magic towers she saw, Elaine could feel an intense concentration of magic emanating from it. "We've arrived at the magician's library, milady," Crowle informed them.

Below the steps stood two men. Based on their appearance, Elaine was confident they were magicians, but unlike their peers, they did not cover their faces. The taller magician walked toward them and inclined his head. "It is a pleasure to serve you, milady. The Third Prince already notified us of your destination." While he talked, his partner mumbled an enchantment, and a black door emerged. It appeared identical to the red door Elaine traversed to reach the palace.

"You can now go through, Lady Estella."

Elaine nodded and entered the door. On the other side, her escorts were waiting. "Welcome back, milady." 

She glanced up and studied their expression. Though they tried to conceal it, Elaine could feel the curious gaze permeated by the men opposing her earlier. 

I will not tell you anything. "Let us return." She smiled and ordered.

"Yes, Princess." They all replied.

A magician came toward her. "Please wait inside the carriage, milady. We will open the port-"

"NO!" Elaine shouted. Her reaction caught everyone off guard, even herself. Still traumatized by the incident she encountered inside the portal, Elaine did not want to experience it again for a long while. "I have never traveled outside the portal before. However, since this is a rare opportunity, I would like to try it at least once." She gripped her dress, searching for an excuse.

"We cannot allow that, milady. It is too dangerous. Our dukedom has many enemies, and we cannot guarantee your safety once we venture outside." The escorts protested. Behind her, even Cecil furrowed his brows.

"I am not asking for your permission. It is an order." Elaine understood her current unreasonable and reckless request, but her fear triumphed over all other senses. "You two in the back, go buy supplies enough for ten days. Everyone else, prepare for the journey."

The two men nodded and ran into town. The remaining escorts wanted to continue their objection, but she used her authority to silence them.

"Lady Estella, if I may interject." A magician stepped forward.

"Thank you, but I will not need your service any further." She put up her hand, refusing to hear his words.

"I understand, milady." The magician shook his head and retreated.

"Sir Ascania, please take down the Croix insignia from the carriage. Also, everybody will need to cover the symbol on their outfit." She directed. Elaine wanted her entourage to remain inconspicuous while traveling through the standard method. 

After an hour, the two men brought back the required supplies. Elaine inspected everything, then stepped inside the carriage. She tapped on the door. "We can depart."

"We wish you a safe journey, Princess." The magicians bowed as Elaine's carriage rode into the distance and returned to their tower.

Elaine and the escorts agreed to bypass towns and cities to keep a low profile. Instead, they will cross a nearby forest, a roundabout, but easier to avoid detection. Hours passed by, and although the ride through the woods was bumpy, exhausted from her interaction with Alexander, Elaine fell asleep. 

A sudden tremor knocked Elaine from her seat, waking her up. Then she heard loud shouting and sword clashing from outside. An arrow tore through the roof, narrowly missing her position.

"What is going on?" She called out.

"Please stay inside, milady. We are in an ambush." It was Cecil, wariness and alert in his voice. He was fighting against someone.