Sarmán turned and walked to the edge of the porch, saying to those below: "The Princess has passed the test, you may return. Remember to tell the Queen to absolutely keep her promise."
Anya cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted: "Excuse me – Great Mage sir – when – can we visit the Princess –?"
"Three months from this day." After speaking, Sarmán walked into the temple without looking back, and the main door closed behind him with a "bang".
While Anya and Luna were still stunned, Reza looked at the steps, thinking about the Princess's appearance at the time, and muttered to himself: "What a pity."
Anya was the first to snap back: "What's a pity?"
Reza did not answer: "Let's go, I'll escort you back."
Luna pouted behind them, mumbling: "Talking in halves again."
Reza, Anya, and Luna returned to the Rohan Royal Palace. The three of them walked across a small square and arrived at a two-story building with red tiles and white walls, which was the exclusive building of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
However, on the second floor, in the innermost room, was the King's private study, where all matters related to Princess Messiah were discussed.
And now Anya and the others were about to report back to the King here.
A guard and two soldiers stood watch at the door of the study.
The King sat in a high-backed chair behind his desk. Because the window was behind him, he was in silhouette, making it impossible for everyone to discern his expression.
Today, the King wore only a silver and black robe. As there were no outsiders present and no need to see anyone, he did not bother to trim his very thick hair and beard, let alone wear a crown.
The Queen wore a simple, deep purple long dress. Although she did not wear a crown, she had tied up her hair and secured it with a light purple hairpin. Without makeup or adornments, she stood gracefully to the side.
Reza stood rigidly at the forefront, while Anya and Luna stood with their hands clasped.
It was Anya and Luna's first time here. Upon entering, Anya inadvertently glanced towards the window and saw a corner of the roof of the Princess's sleeping quarters.
It was likely that this building directly faced the Princess's sleeping quarters, which felt like surveillance and made one uncomfortable.
Anya thought to herself.
Reza reported the situation of escorting the Princess to the King and Queen, but concealed the fact that the Princess had sworn. Anya and Luna chose to remain silent.
"Hahahaha, she is indeed my daughter! Hahahaha, it's exactly as I said back then!" The King threw his head back and laughed heartily.
The deafening laughter echoed throughout the study, shaking even the 6-meter-high ceiling, which creaked and groaned. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling swung back and forth, comparable to a magnitude five or six earthquake.
Reza seemed accustomed to this, still standing rigidly to the side, but his eyes did not meet the King's gaze.
Anya endured it, standing slightly behind Reza with her head bowed slightly; Luna hid behind Anya, pressing her elbows tightly against her sides, covering her ears with her hands.
The Queen also felt the King's voice was too loud but did not dare to remind him. She held her right elbow with her left hand and her forehead with her right hand, sighing helplessly.
But she could not stand it any longer. She patted the King's shoulder, signaling him to be mindful. Only then did the King stop laughing, pretend to cough, and say earnestly: "She must have suffered a lot, right?"
Reza nodded and said: "Yes, but Her Highness the Princess endured it all and never spoke discouraging words."
The King sighed and said: "It's a pity she's not a boy, otherwise..."
The Queen standing beside him interrupted: "Aren't men and women the same? Don't dwell on it anymore." She then patted the King's shoulder.
Anya took the opportunity to step forward, bowed slightly, and said: "Your Majesty the Queen, I have something to report: The Great Mage asked me to inform you that you must keep your promise. Please forgive my presumption, but may I ask what the promise is?"
The King heard this and slammed the table, shouting: "How dare you!"
Just as he was about to continue, he was gently stopped by a pat on the shoulder from the Queen.
The King turned to look at the Queen, who gave him a look telling him to calm down.
The Queen looked at the three of them, especially Anya, and then spoke: "Although you are only employed by the Royal Family, we will have to ask for your help later to visit Princess Messiah on behalf of the King and myself."
Anya curtsied and nodded: "Your Majesty the Queen is too modest. If you command us, we will obey. Moreover, the Great Mage has already permitted the three of us to visit the Princess in three months."
"It seems he has already anticipated it." The Queen's voice was low. "The Great Mage said that Princess Messiah has been cursed for too long. The curse has been spreading slowly in her body, making her gradually gain weight until she cannot move... It's all my fault. If only I had discovered it earlier..."
The Queen suddenly choked up, covered her mouth with her hand, and could say no more.
The King stood up, embraced her, and led her to sit on the sofa.
"I will tell you the rest," the King also sat on the sofa, sighing. "It will take three years to completely eradicate the curse..."
"Ah?!" Luna exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this.
She immediately covered her mouth and lowered her head. No one else paid attention to this; only Anya gave her a reproachful glance.
The King composed himself and continued: "During this period, she cannot interact with relatives, nor can you bring anything to her. Therefore, we will have to send you to visit the Princess on behalf of the Queen and myself."
Reza, seeing this, said: "Your subordinate obeys! If there is nothing else, we shall take our leave."
The King waved his hand, and the three of them withdrew from the study.
As soon as they stepped out of the study, Luna breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Three years! Staying in that cursed place for three years, and not being able to see her parents, she'd go crazy! I..."
As Luna was muttering to herself, Anya, walking behind, said to Reza: "General Reza, we may have to trouble you then."
"No need to worry. Even if I am occupied, I will send reliable people to escort you," Reza said, glancing at Anya. "I have something to attend to, so I must leave." With that, he left through another large door facing the main entrance downstairs.
Coincidentally, Luna turned around and saw Reza leaving, saying: "Why is he leaving? I still have something to ask!"
Anya flicked the back of her head saying, "Ask what! Do you know you lost your composure just now? Go back and reflect properly!" Without looking back, she walked towards the Princess's sleeping quarters.
Luna rubbed her head and chased after Anya's back, saying: "Sister Anya, I know I was wrong, wait for me, don't walk so fast!"
The two of them disappeared into the building's corridor, one after the other.