Zeph’s POV

At the same time in Zeph’s bedroom, Kilamin lay very still but awake.

"Are you comfortable?" I asked him.

"Yes, has Princess Serene gone to sleep?" Kilamin inquired.

"She has,"

Kilamin turned and stared directly into my eyes before speaking: "I know Princess Serene is in love with you. I don’t know what feelings or intentions you have for her. But bear in mind if you ever hurt her by any means, physically or emotionally I would kill you without any hesitation." The intense emotions of Kilamin were reflected in his shimmering eyes.

I gulped before answering: "Woah, calm down Azrael. I have no intention of doing that. Don’t go on making threats like that." What was wrong with men in Serene’s life? Why did all of them want to kill me? First Arlo now him.

Kilamin just turned to the other side without answering making me sigh as I slumped on the mattress trying to sleep. The tension filled the room.

The next morning everyone was up early. Serene helped Ana in making and serving breakfast. After breakfast, Serene went to take a shower and change while I went to check if things were calm and controlled over at Ralph’s so Serene could meet his father and then we would head over to the fair.

Serene was ready by the time I came back. The situation was contained so we decided to visit them again. Ralph welcomed us with a hearty smile and took us to their sitting area. It had a very similar setting to my house. But they had few armchairs and his father was sitting on one.

As Serene and I entered he got up to receive us. He had greying crimson hair and a kind pair of blue eyes. His face showed slight wrinkles and bulging eye bags. He wore a smile on his face while greeting us.

"Princess Serene, it’s so good to meet you." They shook hands. "Pleasure is all mine, Mr Pricard." She offered him a smile.

"Please, have a seat." He pointed to the chairs. We settled down and began having a light conversation. Ralph brought them fresh Jobaya juice; which was a small green fruit native to Folkshel Realm. It tasted tangy and had a certain zing to it.

"Ralph, it’s really tasty." Serene couldn’t get enough of it and gulped it all down. "Yes, it has a flavour of its own."

"So, how did you like our Realm? Pricard asked her respectfully. "I am enjoying it so far, it’s very different to our Realm though in terms of weather and topography. I think I am not a fan of oversized insects though." The last statement made everyone laugh.

Ralph’s younger brothers have come out of their room as well and seemed like they wanted to say something to Serene.

"Hey, Rian and Rumais." Serene waved at them. "They want to show you something," Ralph announced.

"Oh, for sure." She and I got up and went with the boys. They took us outside toward the back of their house. Into the small workshop with the wooden door. They lead us in. It was quite hot in there, the furnace had been built on one side while a forge lay in front of it, just like in our workshop. There were a few shelves and old tables which contained all kinds of bellows, tongs, anvils, hammers and other equipment needed to forge new weapons. Different kinds of weapons hung on the walls and some lay on the shelves. Ranging from swords to shurikens.

Rian went ahead a picked up a black bow about 2 feet long. He brought it to Serene and said: "We made this for you, hope you will like it." His cheeks flushed and he spoke almost in a whisper. Serene looked at him in bewilderment, it was hard to believe that 14 and 12 years old made her a bow.

"Really, that’s such a kind gesture. Thank you so much, guys." She took the bow from him and began to inspect it. It was very lightweight but the material used was durable. The elastic arc was slim but seemed to have perfect tensile strength. She aimed it at the wall and pulled the bowstring to check its flexibility. It had been made to perfection, with her name inscribed on the top corner in gold. The boys had really outdone themselves. She showed me and I was impressed by their hard work.

"This is so perfectly made, I will always cherish this gift with all my heart." She beamed at them and they both smiled shyly.

"Please, test it. We would love to see your powers." Rumais pleaded. Ralph had joined us too.

"Sure, let’s step outside." All of them stepped out in the sun. "Should we test it on Zeph?" Serene asked them mischievously. "Woah, why me? Test it on Ralph or something." I scowled at her.

"Since he is scowling, let’s make him happy." She took aim and a green arrow began to formulate as she shouted: "Arrow of joy and happiness," and released, it came straight at me and hit directly in the chest.

"Wow!!!" they exclaimed in joy.

The scowl instantly disappeared and I began to smile and laugh. "I feel so happy, seems like my whole body is filled with joy," I claimed giving them all hearty smiles, it was like I was being forced to laugh and smile. I have zero control over my actions.

She could see the expressions on their faces. The boys were perplexed and yet overjoyed at the same time. "You are so cool, Princess Serene. Does it hurt when you hit someone with your arrows?" Rian inquired.

"Thank you, only nasty ones give pain. This one is harmless." Serene explained to them. "Can your arrow cause death as well?" Rumais asked on a serious note.

"I have never conjured a death arrow, so I am not sure."

"Ok boys, that’s enough questioning. We should head to the fair before everything is sold out. I will go get the carriage. You guys go and fetch Zavrian and Kilamin." Ralph ushered them on. I was quietly coming out of my euphoria.

"You really had to make me the target," I asked her still smiling while Serene coyly blinked at me multiple times.

"Would you like to go on a horse with me to the fair?" I suddenly asked her and she blushed at my question before nodding. We went inside and took our leave from Mr Pricard and headed for the stable. Kilamin was standing outside.

"Kilamin, I will be riding with Zeph. You can fly above us because I know you won’t let me go alone. Will that be convenient?" Serene suggested.

"Yes, Princess Serene." He bowed slightly.

Once the boys had settled in the carriage and Serene was saddled on the horse with me.

Kilamin opened his wings making everyone go ’WOW’ as he flew in the air and the rest of the company followed them to the fair.