Chapter 309: A Call to Leave

Tangerine hurriedly went back from where Lady Lena was resting after their long walk. She was still carrying the apples she had picked moments before she overheard the conversation between the Evil Queen with the potential assassin involving the plot to kill the father of the Duke of Suffronage, no less than Prince Herenius himself.

"The Evil Queen is here, Mistress," Tangerine immediately said upon arrival, in a loud manner but carefully hushed voice. "She wanted to kill The Prince Urban, just like what you saw in the vision. I guess the curse of the Seer of Endor is working again. We must flee from this place quickly before the assassin could ever find his assigned target."

Lady Lena acknowledged Tangerine's report with a worried and utterly defeated face. Her eyes seems tired, and the look of her face was obviously conquered by fear and disappointment. She stood up from the log where she was currently sitting, took a deep breath from the freshly blowing wind, and then spoke in a low voice.

"I do not wish to flee anymore, Tangerine, after what happened at the foiled investiture. I feel that I have been totally incapable of containing this curse for having been responsible for the fall of two kingdoms now, and I do not wish to go on further with another death or the theft of another throne." 

"But, princess, (I mean my Lady)," Tangerine replied with a sad face. "What will happen to you if you will not fight back from the effects of this unfortunate curse? Princess Snow White will fall into ccomplete darkness, and the Mirror on the Wall will spell the certainty of doom, ready to manipulate anyone who has gained its trust. We cannot let the Evil Queen conquer the domain of the forces of love, and the impetus of the Agreements, in general. My Lady Mistress, please be faithful!"

Lady Lena has shed overflowing tears as she started to sob. "I already feel tired and useless, Tangerine. At times, I still manage to gather my strength in order to fully fight the curse involuntarily bestowed upon me. I know how horrible this dark magic is, and I will never allow any other person to endure its ruthless effects. It must end with me, and not with another person. I cannot allow to simply transfer the curse to an innocent character. But in some other instances, I also feel tired to the point of hopelessness, and I feel fully exhausted in trying to be responsiible in containing this immense power all within my soul."

Tangerine nods vigorrously; she understands the predicament loud and clear.

"I have picked the sweetest apples, Mistress. This will help you calm your nerves as we try to maneuver a way out of the woods. By then, we will be able to track the movements of the assassin."

Tangerine then flashed a wide grin. Lady Lena smiled back while petting Tangerine on the head. "Let me take care of the map, my Lady Mistress, while you are eating these delicious apples. You will need all the energy you can possibly get."

"Of course, Tangerine. These apples all look ripe. Thank you for accompanying me on this sacred but difficult journey. I will try to contain this power even if it eventually kills me. I guess I have no real choice but to face this curse straight in the face."

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