Serene’s POV

Lunch had been served when we reached the dining table. Grandma and Crimzon were waiting for us. All my favourite dishes adorned the table, ranging from kebabs, and chicken roast to chocolate cake.

"Yummy," my mouth watered looking at so many dishes. "I had them prepare all of your favourites," Grandma replied sweetly. "Thank you, Grandma you are the best." I kissed her cheek before settling down beside her.

Arlo sat next to Zian on our other side. Everyone carried out a light conversation as we ate and laughed around. Zian tried to embarrass me more by telling Arlo some of my childhood mishaps.

"Once she cried for an hour when I joked that her hair would stop growing when she will reach the age of 10 because her type of hair only grows till that age and she believed me," Zian told him in fits of laughter. Arlo laughed slightly while I rolled my eyes at Zian: "Laugh while you can," but that didn’t stop him.

"Another time she fell while running and I told her that her nose has fallen as well and there is a gaping hole there. If she will touch her face her nose will never grow back." Making everyone at the table laugh out loud except me.

"Right, if that’s how you wanna play it. Once Zian got dumped by a girl he went to ask out, the reason being he ’TOO SHORT’ as compared to her." I smirked and raised my eyebrows at him. Crimzon and Arlo were laughing.

"Ok, that was a low blow," Zian muttered. "You started it, I have many such low blows. Crimzon you wanna hear more." I looked at her knowingly.

"Why not," a mischievous smile was playing on her lips. "Ok, ok I will stop. I won’t say anything more." He raised his hands as if giving up and I gave him a triumphant smile.

"By the way, Arlo stood first in our midterm exams," I informed everyone at the table and everyone congratulated him which he accepted with a humble nod.

"Serene, did pretty good herself as well too. She secured the second position." He replied with a smile.

"That’s my girl, I am so proud of you." My grandma lovingly stroked my head. Zian got up and hugged me tightly his happiness evident on his face. Crimzon politely congratulated me as well. Then we continued chitchatting for a while.

After our late lunch, Arlo wanted to leave and head back to his realm. Zian and Grandma insisted that he should stay the night.

"I would like to thank you for your immense hospitality. But, my parents will be waiting for me, so I would like to head back." He graciously replied.

"Then I wish you the best of luck and thank you for taking care of my granddaughter. You are always welcome here." She stroked his head lovingly as he took his leave bowing his head. Grandma then went to the room to lie down and get some rest.

I wanted to go with him to the portal but he told me to stay in the castle. "Zian and Crimzon would go with you and I will send a royal guard as well." I didn’t want to ask Kilamin so I told Zian to fetch one of the guards guarding the main gate to accompany them. Zian and Crimzon stepped outside the hall to call him.

Then I called Agatha and whispered something in her ear. She left quickly. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He took me to the side once I had made the necessary arrangements and said: "Tell your family everything and stay with at least two people or a guard at all times. If you ever need me don’t hesitate to send me an urgent letter. I will be here for you. Don’t make any rash decisions just believe in yourself that you can overcome this ordeal. I would have invited you to my realm but it’s not a safe place for you. So, I am hoping we will meet at the institute."

"I will try my best and thank you for being there for me." Agatha had returned with a small purple-coloured velvet box. She handed it to me and left the dining room.

"Here, this is for you. I can’t let you go empty-handed." I handed him the box.

"What’s this?" he asked curiously. "Just a token of my gratitude." As he extended his hand to take the box and opened it.

It contained a purple crystal from our crystal tree, it was shaped like a teardrop and was the size of an almond. Purple crystals were known to have enhancing and protective properties. It enhanced users’ powers and protected them by casting a thin shield during an enemy attack. They needed to be touched with a bare hand to activate their properties. So, utmost care was always taken to harvest and mould them. Only the wearer can touch his or her crystal to activate the properties.

"Umm... Serene, I cannot accept such a gift. These are extremely rare, you should use this for yourself." He looked astonished and the look on his face said that he knew of its properties.

"We have two crystal trees in our realm and every few years we get one purple crystal. You deserve to have this. I already have my shield so I don’t need it. It’s untouched so it will activate once you touch it. After that, it won’t matter who touches it. No one will be able to harm you ever again." I smiled at him. He instantly wrapped his arms around me and hugged me. "Thank you," he whispered in my ear before letting me go.

"Time to go," Zian called and we said our goodbyes. My heart somehow felt heavy seeing him leave and I hoped this was not our last meeting.

"Agatha," I called. "Yes, my princess," she quickly appeared. "Wash and dry Arlo’s clothes and place them in my cupboard and clear the guest room," I ordered her. She nodded her head and left while I made my way to my room to try and get some sleep before Zian would come back and haggled with me about all the stories.