SPELLBOUND

Zolan was rendered speechless, not only because of the shocking thing that the princess had revealed about their dream but also from the way she spoke and brought herself. Was it even possible for a person to grow so much overnight? But then again, thinking back, Zolan realised that the princess had been maturing and changing over the course of time when she had been with the prince.

Looking up at her at that moment, Zolan suddenly felt his entire being wanting to bow down to her. He did not know if she had unconsciously done something to him again for him to feel that way, but all he knew was that, right then, she had made him believe in her. He trusted her when she said with such conviction that their Lord was not dead. 

"He's alive…" he heard her murmur in now a soft yet faithful voice. "Somewhere… wherever he is right now... we will see him soon…" she turned her back to him again and looked up at the clear blue sky. Evie was very convinced in her beliefs now. For a moment, she had panicked and gotten flustered. But when she sorted out her thoughts, she had come to this conclusion. The latest vision she had seen in her dream had shown him and that was more than enough for her.

Evie just smiled and looked back at Zolan and the rest of the men. "My husband… your prince is very much alive and would be making his appearance soon."

"D-don't tell me you are planning to go look for him…" Zolan immediately panicked. He was quite relieved now with how the princess was managing herself and most importantly because of the new hope she had lit up in all of their hearts. But the thought of her traipsing around these foreign lands in the hopes of looking for His Highness had brought his anxiety rushing back in an instant.

"Do not worry. I am not so stupid to waste the opportunity my husband had created for me by rushing out of this place to look for him. Even I know better than to be running around this place blindly, not knowing a single thing about how things work here." Evie replied calmly and Zolan sighed in relief.

However, Zolan was not looking at her face as her back was facing him, but Evie's lips began to tremble a little. But she bit down on it ruthlessly and struggled inwardly to stay calm and composed. When she had gathered herself once again, she continued. "I don't want him to be disappointed in me… I won't waste his sacrifice just because I am dying to see him and worried to death for him."

Then she looked down at Zolan again. "Gather everyone close, I have something very important to tell you all."

Elias had arrived with food in his hand and approached the princess. She obediently followed the butler and silently, she sat down on the round reddish stone where Elias had pointed to her to sit.

Zolan stared at her for a while before he finally moved as she commanded.

Once Zolan was off carrying out her orders, Evie silently ate her food. She could hardly taste anything, but she mechanically continued putting food into her mouth, chewing carefully and then swallowing it. Though everything tasted like dry cardboard to her right now, she knew she had to eat. She had to keep up her strength and health for Gavriel's sake. It would do no good for them to finally meet up but then having him find her in flailing health and weak to her bones. That would only serve to cause more heartache to Gavriel. Thus, she knew where her priorities were.

She headed to where Gavriel's men were gathered the moment she finished. There were a few other male vampires with them, and the duchess was with them too.

As she approached the group, Evie looked around again and saw the children and women scattered around. She knew that this was the same safe place Gavriel had brought her to visit that night. She could tell that that lake was just behind those bushes not far from here.

Evie figured that Zolan had brought everyone here because the beasts could not infiltrate into this area. She silently agreed on his decision as it was such a relief that none of them would have to worry about the beasts attacking anyone while in this spot.

Upon standing before everyone, Evie did not waste any moment and she immediately began. Even though every single one of them had just experienced the greatest lost and pain of losing their home and their loved ones, she did not have the luxury to console anyone right now. She could not afford to… because if she did… she felt that she too, might crumble… and she knew it was not the right time for any of that.

"I am going to go on a journey." She declared immediately. Surprising everyone, most especially Gavriel's men.

"J-journey? To where?" the duchess asked.

"To the heart of this land."

The duchess gasped and the men were speechless. They knew how dangerous the outside of this forest was and the princess had just announced that she was going to go on a journey to the heart of this land? That was literally the same as going on a journey towards the deepest part of hell! What was actually going on in the princess' mind? These were the thoughts of the men, including the duchess who had never witnessed all the things the princess had done.

Only Gavriel's men were the ones that knew she was not planning something ridiculous, most especially Zolan as he had already deduced the reason behind her desire to go on this journey.

"P-princess –"

"I don't want to delay any longer." Evie cut the duchess off before she could even say anything further. "I have to leave as soon as possible."

"We will definitely come with you wherever you are planning to go, Princess." Zolan said and all of Gavriel's men stepped forward without any hesitation nor questions or doubts. They knew that Prince Gavriel would want them to protect her with all that they have. It was a given.