Next morning. Ariana, Arnold and Allen were ready to go outside. Allen already prepared three horses for them when Aria approached from behind.
"Sister, are you going outside?" Aria asked.
" Yeah"
"We also want to go too" Aria said.
" But you have to go back today Aria. Mother and father don't allow you" Ariana said leaning below, cupping Aria's cheek.
"No, not. We talked with father that we want to spend more time with you so he agreed. We are not going now-only father and mother are" Aria said-calm, cute.
"Then, let's go" Arnold said. Aria and Aiden hugged him tightly with joy.
After some time they went on a small town.
" It's our honour that His majesty and her majesty is here today in our town" A villager name kayl greeted bowing his head.
Many people went there just to see her majesty. Murmur fill on the town and in only minutes, people start approching them.
"How is everything going here?" Allen asked to Kayl.
" Everything is fine here. We are doing great. Our town is growing in farming and trade. If everything will go like this then it will be very beneficial for us and for the kingdom" kayl replied.
Many girls surrounded near Ariana and approached her. Many compliment her and other asked her about her kingdom.
" You are so beautiful, your majesty" Amma said.
" What's your name, your majesty?" Amaya asked.
"So you are from Minoan kingdom, right? So tell us about it. I heard, there are many varieties of tea leaves there and it is very famous for tea farming?" Allesia asked.
Question, question and only questions. Ariana was confused, which question is first and then she did something which was perfect on that time-a polite smile and said " Hey! hey! hey! I will be honored to give answer of your every question but first, take some breath and ask one by one. So please continue".
Aria and Aiden start playing with the kids of the town and Rowan-he stand there alone watching them with Allen.
Then suddenly, Aiden and Aria grab his shoulder and start pulling him to play.
"Hey let's go!" Aria said.
"I don't play with kids" Rowan replied.
" OH! So you are saying yo are adult now, huh?" Aiden said teasing Rowan.
" Even if you are mature now Rowan but you are still a kid and you have to enjoy your childhood. Because it is the best part of our life and you can't get the chance again to enjoy when you really become an adult" Allen said, ruffling Rowan's hair and suddenly Rowan felt something-the warmth he was ignoring from a long time and then he went there to play with others.
" He afraid that someone will notice his loneliness and pain if he spend time with others" Arnold approached.
"He just don't want to look weak or others to think that he is weak" Allen said. " He is really mature now" Allen said.
" But he will be alone if he always run from it. He have to face it now or later but he has to" Arnold said, calm, composed.
After some time, they went from the town.
" Where are we going now, brother Allen?" Rowan asked.
"In Tomo village" Allen replied.
The road from town to Tomo village was full of silence but the peace shattered with the soind of hurried footsteps-robbers.
Clad in black and masked, they moved live shadows, weapons in hand.
" Aiden, Aria, Rowan! Wait for me here. I will come soon and don't be afraid. Allen! Take care of them" Ariana said, stepping forward with her sword.
"Do you want to join the fight?"
"How can i miss the opportunity like this" Arnold replied.
"Then let's go!"
The first robber lunged at them-Ariana spun gracefully, dodging the blade and striking him down with a swift slice of her sword.
Arnold sword clashed with another robber's axe. Sparks flew with a powerful sweep, he disarmed the attacker and kicked him to the ground.
More came.
Ariana rolled across the grass, slashing another thief's leg, then rose, face fierce with fury. Side by side, back to back, they fought like legends. He blocked high. She struck low. Their rhythm was perfect, like a royal dance of war.
The robbers began to falter, fear in their eyes.
Once tried to escape but Ariana threw her knife through the air. It struck the leg of the robber and he fall on the ground.
Then Arnold turned saw many bags of gold, foods and many things.
"They are not just any robbers, they came with plan and the bags, the sources are not just from any one person, it is stolen by something big. Is it…is it from-"
" Where is Aria?" Ariana said interupting arnold. Arnold turn and Aria was not there. Ariana screamed her name.
" I am here sister and look who is with me" Aria said coming from behind a tree. And behind her was two little girls-one was carrying the another on her back.
" Who are you? Where is your home?" Ariana asked ruffling the hair of the girl.
" I… i am Ana and she is my sister mary" the girl said, tears were falling from her eyes.
"When is your home little girl? Don't afraid of us. We don't harm you so just tell us. You are safe now" Ariana said, making sure the little girl was comfortable. "Were the robbers kidnapped you?" Ariana asked.
"We are from Tomo village" Ana replied.
" But why are you in this jungle?"
"Yesterday, the robbers came to our village and …and killed everyone. They also killed our parents. Our parents hide us so they couldn't find us and we survive."
"What! Allen take them all to the palace safely. I am going on the village to see the situation" Arnold ordered.
"I also go with you" Ariana said.
"Ok"
They both headed to the village and when they reached there- they saw only blood everywhere. Some houses were burned and some houses condition was very bad. No onle was alive there.
Arnold fall on the ground " I…I am not a goid king. It's all my fault. It's all because of me? Why?…why?" he screamed hitting on the ground. Ariana seat after him and hugged him.
"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. Don't make uncle to question himself for his decision to give all his responsibilities on your shoulder. Don't show hom that you are weak. We do funeral of all of them and send them with peace and respect for their next journey. Don't cry, you need to be brave after all"
After two days, they dod their funeral with grace and smile- they send them respectfully.
" Are Ana and Mary can stay with us?" Aria asked.
"Why not. From now on, they stay here with us and my…daughters"
" really?"
"Yeah, but I want to ask to arnold if he has any problem with this?" Ariana asked turning towards Arnold.
"No, i don't"