Russell's statement made me blush. His words were sweet, like little caresses to the heart. But it wasn't just him and me there.
I knew everyone expected more from me. So, taking strength from somewhere unrecognizable, I positioned myself in front of everyone and said loudly.
'My name is Gaia, I am the daughter of Gelon and Sheba, and finally, I'm home.'
The applause interrupted my speech but I continued.
'I will find the solution to our problems. I have reasons to believe that the fifth sign is in the place where Crescendo was located twenty years ago. With the sign, I will try to stop the curse, so that Bieno will stay away from this beautiful Kingdom. I will not allow them to come here, even if I have to give my life for it.'
Applause and shouts were heard acclaiming my courage.
Galaga looked at me with the intention of speaking and I nodded, not knowing what she would say.
'I Galaga, daughter of the great warrior Tullum, swear allegiance to Her Majesty and will go with you wherever you go.'
I did not have time to refuse, as everyone cheered in the same way that Tullum's daughter would have sworn loyalty to the heir to the throne.
Everything had gone out of control. There was no longer any way to stop them.
'Thank you all,' I said without letting anyone else swear allegiance to me, 'now, we will plan the expedition, I ask you to trust and pray to the Gods. Thank you very much.'
As if to say thank you had been an order to leave, the people of the village scattered back to their respective places. More than one kissed my hand, some even knelt down again.
I didn't think I could ever get used to being royalty.
We returned to the yellow house. The Laoch siblings, Galaga, Tryx and Cara waited for my statement.
'I do not agree that you should accompany me, but as I have noticed, nothing I ask of you is accomplished. So, do what you want,' I told them a little irritated by what I had had to go through.
'It was my fault; I shouldn't have opened my mouth.' Cara apologized to me. How strange it all was, the woman who had lectured me a few minutes earlier, now asked me for forgiveness as if she was a child in trouble.
'What's done is done,' I told her, not knowing what else to say. 'Now we have to focus on the mission. Galaga'.
Galaga turned her brown eyes towards me quickly.
'What is your plan?' I asked her, sure she already had one.
'Why do you think she's the only one with a plan?' Rich asked me. Quickly, he added. 'It's true, she's the only one with a plan.'
'I don't know if it's a good idea, but it's the safest.'
'Tell me.'
'The only way to get to Crescendo is with the help of... we need the lost men.'
'Lost men?'
I noticed the discomfort of the rest of the group.
Cara took the twins by the shoulders.
'The girls and I are going to let you talk alone.'
Lost men. That meant something else to everyone, something I obviously did not know. I hated the fact that I had grown up knowing nothing of the world around me, only lies and deception that King Lucius had told us.
Once Cara and the twins left the house, Russell approached me to offer me the very precious explanation that I was waiting for.
'We don't want to involve the lost men, they are... they are not to be trusted. Let's just say they're something like the scum of these realms.'
'I still don't understand. What do you mean by that?'
Tryx moved her hands over the dining room table and a book appeared before my eyes. It opened and the pages moved quickly to a particular page.
'Extraordinary.' The word escaped me unconsciously. My love for books took over my mind. I had never thought that books could be as magical as the one in front of me.
'This is our version of the book "Where We All Come From", it contains the true history of all the Kingdoms and here is all about the Lost Kingdom and the Lost men.' Tryx explained to me before moving to the side to let me admire it on my own.
The pages of the book were yellowish, the letters were golden. Although it was very bright, it was read perfectly. That's why I decided to read it aloud.
'After the war of the Fifth Element, magic was lost in all Kingdoms. Many of the inhabitants of the kingdoms could not stand life without magic, so they resorted to horrific maneuvers, killing, stealing and doing all sorts of crimes to regain the control they had lost after losing their powers. These people were banished from their Kingdoms, along with their families, and spread out until they found a place they called the Lost Kingdom. This is the only Kingdom that does not have a sign, but is one of the most dangerous Kingdoms, after the dreaded Bieno. This is because of its Lost men, who are capable of anything to get what they want.'
I raised my head to confirm if what I had read was true.
Yes, it was, I realized as I saw everyone's concern.
I asked Galaga directly, 'Do we have to ask these Lost men for help?'
It seemed crazy to me, but if Galaga had suggested it, there was a reason for it.
'They are the only ones who can move from Kingdom to Kingdom undetected. They're the only ones who can help us get to the old Kingdom without Bieno noticing.'
'Yes, and they're the only ones who can murder us in the middle of the woods without anyone knowing as well.' Aaron had been pretty quiet so far. Being the older brother, he was always focused on what was important, and he didn't waste words without reason. 'Aaron is right, my princess, they are mercenaries, they do what the highest bidder tells them to do,' Russell added, looking at me.
Although I was not used to being royalty, I loved it when he called me princess. He, and no one else but him.
'I don't think we have anything to offer them, Crescendo doesn't have as much money as other kingdoms,' he added, noting my attention to every word that came out of his mouth.
Those details were going to be of importance in my life from now on. The economy, the citizens' lifestyle, being sovereign was not just about wearing a crown.
The responsibility went far beyond being called a princess.
But if the so-called "lost men" were our best option, I had to think of something. Something they would want so badly to help us.
'The book says they started doing all those bad things because they didn't have their powers. What if that's what we offer them? If we tell them that we will get their magic back, that they will have their powers back. That they can go back to their Kingdoms, and be what they once were. What if that's what we offer them?'
My idea did not seem to please everyone, but Galaga's nod was enough.
'It can work.'
Before I could go any further with the plan, the door of the house was opened wide.
Four men walked through it.
They wore golden suits with black details. The brothers, Galaga and Tryx leaned forward when they saw who they were. I repeated their gesture, not knowing what else to do.
'I never thought that a Princess of Crescendo would bow to those who are her humble servants.'
At this statement, I raised my head. One of the four had spoken to me. He was a thin, ghost-like man.
'She is the spitting image of Sheba,' exclaimed another man, smaller than the one who spoke first.
'Excuse me, who are you?' I dared to ask, I was the princess, after all.
'Comrades at your service Your Majesty.'
The four of them knelt before me.
'Comrades?' I repeated, still without understanding. Instantly, they stood up and an older looking one commented to the others.
'I told you that she has no idea about our customs or traditions, it will be a difficult road to teach her everything from scratch.'
'She'll learn, after all she's Gelon's daughter, there's nothing she can't do.' The last of the men smiled at me. Without hair or eyebrows, he seemed the nicest of all. 'We Comrades live to serve Your Majesty, to advise you, to protect you.'
'Thank you, I guess,' my answer caused Rich to laugh, but he kept his head down like the rest of my friends.
'It was quite a surprise that you should appear, Your Majesty,' the fourth man continued to speak. 'Oh, right, how disrespectful to you, my name is Rythel. These are Sir Oskel,' he said pointing to the oldest of them, 'Sir Gwen,' the shorter bowed again, 'and Sir Tlinar.'
The thin and strange Sir Tlinar stepped forward.
'We were your father's advisors, before he decided to leave us. And we are here to offer the same loyalty to his heir.'
'I appreciate it very much but...'
I knew I was wrong the minute I said the last word. Something told me that no one would refuse something the Comrades said.
'But, we have everything under control, we have a plan.'
'When you say "we" do you mean you, Your Majesty, and the young people in this room?' Sir Gwen asked me.
'Exactly, you know Galaga, daughter of Tullum, and the others are...'
'With all due respect to Your Majesty,' Sir Oskel could not help himself, 'I do not think you understand the importance of your return to the Kingdom and the responsibility that comes with being our sovereign.'
'I do understand,' I replied fearlessly, 'that is why I am going to make sure I get the magic back.'
'And how do you intend to do that?' Sir Oskel poured authority into his every word. He made me feel like an absurd and ignorant child.
'I will go to the old kingdom to recover the lost sign.'
'No, you won't,' he replied and. You are the Princess, but soon we must follow protocol and crown you as Queen. If you want to get the sign, you must send someone else, perhaps one of your friends, but you, you cannot put yourself at risk.'
'I...'
'You are the sovereign of a Kingdom, you cannot risk your life just like that. So forget about going there. Well, we'll wait for you in the center of town, there is our house. You must start your studies as soon as possible.'
'But the curse...'
'Someone else will take care of it. We'll see you later, Your Majesty.'
'Welcome back,' said Rythel with half a smile.
They left as quickly as they arrived. My friends surrounded me, asking me questions and talking to me at the same time.
I had not understood what it would mean to be a Princess until that moment. But I would not spoil everything. My father said I was the only one who could save them. I wouldn't risk the chance for these men, for anyone.
'Galaga, find the Lost men, tonight we leave for old Crescendo.'