(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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Three days later…
The morning sun shimmered over the Clover Kingdom,
Bathing the palace courtyard with the sun rise.
The crisp spring air carried the faint scent of blooming flowers —
Fitting for the day of the Witch Forest's Spring Festival.
A line of royal guards stood at attention near the grand gate,
Where a luxurious black-and-gold carriage waited,
Pulled by four sleek mana-beasts that snorted faint traces of mist.
Ben stood beside it, adjusting the cuffs of his formal royal attire —
A dark green coat embroidered with golden threads that shimmered faintly with mana.
A silver emblem of the Clover crest glinted at his collar.
His usual relaxed demeanor was there,
But his eyes carried that calm,
Steady awareness that made everyone around him feel both safe and slightly nervous.
He looked up toward the palace entrance —
"...."
And smiled.
Charlotte and Dorothy emerged side by side,
Each radiating elegance in her own way.
Charlotte wore a deep-blue gown that matched her hair,
Her silver-blue eyes soft yet dignified.
The gentle wind made her long hair sway like silk,
And even her usual knightly composure carried a hint of shy grace.
Dorothy, on the other hand, had traded her oversized hat and pajamas for a flowing violet dress with golden runic trim,
Her short hair slightly tousled, giving her a mischievous yet refined charm.
She yawned once —
Yawn~
Habitually —
"...."
Before giving Ben a calculating glance.
Ben whistled softly, his grin widening.
Whistle~
"...."
Grin~
"Well, well… if the witches see the two of you, they might forget about me entirely."
Charlotte's cheeks flushed crimson at once,
Flush~
And she turned her head away slightly, trying to hide her smile.
"You're getting far too comfortable teasing me, Your Majesty,"
She murmured, her tone half-scolding but full of warmth.
Dorothy arched an eyebrow,
A knowing smirk tugging at her lips.
Smirk~
"Hmm. Getting bolder by the day, aren't we, King Charming?"
She teased, placing one hand on her hip.
"Careful — keep talking like that and the Witch Queen might think you're flirting with her next."
Ben chuckled lightly.
Chuckle~
"Let's hope she doesn't. I already have my hands full."
That earned him a quiet laugh from Charlotte and a soft snort from Dorothy.
Fufu~ Snort~
"...."
"...."
The coachman cleared his throat politely,
Signaling that everything was ready.
Charlotte stepped forward first,
Placing her hand gently in Ben's as he helped her into the carriage —
The gesture smooth, practiced, and filled with quiet affection.
Dorothy followed right after, muttering something about
"acting like nobles in a play,"
Though her lips twitched upward.
As Ben climbed in last and the carriage doors closed,
The mana-beasts let out a low rumble, and the royal convoy began to move.
The clatter of hooves echoed down the stone path as the capital faded behind them and then ascended into the sky,
Giving way to the mysterious forest ahead —
One shrouded in whispers, enchantments, and secrets.
Inside the carriage,
Charlotte sat beside Ben while Dorothy rested opposite,
Tapping her chin.
"I still can't figure out what the Witch Queen's planning,"
She said thoughtfully.
"She doesn't do social events. If she's inviting you personally, Ben… she wants something."
Ben's gaze drifted toward the passing trees.
"Maybe,"
He murmured.
"But until we meet her, all we can do is see what kind of festival this really is."
Charlotte looked at him softly.
"Just promise you won't act recklessly."
He smiled faintly, meeting her eyes.
"When have I ever done that?"
Charlotte laughed softly as the carriage rolled deeper into the forest.
After Travelling for some time...
The royal carriage descended gracefully from the clouds,
Its golden-lined wheels glowing faintly as they touched the mossy ground below.
The forest around them was unlike any other —
Towering trees with purple-tinted leaves stretched high,
Their branches shimmering with residual mana.
Wisps of light floated through the misty air like fireflies.
As the carriage continued along the narrow, winding trail, the atmosphere gradually shifted —
The mana in the air felt heavier, older, alive.
Soon enough, they reached a wide clearing marked by a great stone arch —
The entrance to the Witch Forest.
The moment the carriage rolled beneath it,
A dozen figures appeared from the shadows.
Cloaked in witch robes,
While the witches' eyes glowed faintly in hues of gold, blue, and violet.
"...."
"...."
"...."
The air grew tense as they raised their wands and brooms,
Their collective magic humming in warning.
The lead witch —
Tall, sharp-eyed, and clearly in charge —
Stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the carriage.
"Halt! No men are permitted beyond this point."
The carriage came to a smooth stop.
The door opened, and Ben stepped out first,
Adjusting his cloak with calm poise.
His presence, composed yet commanding,
Seemed to ripple through the air,
Making several witches instinctively straighten their posture.
Charlotte and Dorothy followed behind, their auras subtly protective.
Ben's expression was calm but respectful as he reached into his coat and produced a black envelope sealed with a crimson wax sigil —
The mark of the Witch Queen herself.
He held it out to the lead witch.
"I'm aware of your rules,"
He said evenly,
"but your queen personally invited me."
The witch hesitated, then took the envelope carefully.
"...."
As she opened it and read the elegant script glowing faintly with mana,
Her eyes widened. She turned to her companions,
Exchanging startled glances.
"...."
"...."
"...."
"This… this is genuine,"
She murmured.
"The Witch Queen herself has summoned him."
A tense silence followed as the other witches whispered among themselves.
One of them stepped closer and said,
"Then, King of Clover… the Witch Queen welcomes you. However—"
Her tone turned firm,
"—you alone are permitted to enter. No other man is allowed within our sacred lands."
Charlotte frowned immediately,
Frown~
Stepping slightly in front of Ben.
"That's unreasonable. He shouldn't go alone into unfamiliar territory."
Dorothy, who had been watching quietly, sighed and rubbed her temple.
Sigh~
"That's how it's always been here. The Witch Queen doesn't bend her laws — not even for kings."
Ben looked between them, then gave a small, reassuring smile.
"It's alright," he said softly.
"I'll be fine. The invitation wouldn't have been written in her own hand if she meant harm And she didn't say I couldn't bring female companions."
Charlotte paused its seems like she had overreacted,
But she knew she couldn't argue with him here —
Not in front of the witches.
Dorothy, though still frowning, gave him a subtle nod of warning.
Nod~
"We need to be carefull. The Witch Queen doesn't do anything without a reason."
Ben turned toward the witches, his expression now serious but steady.
"Lead the way, then."
The lead witch gave a respectful bow,
Her tone shifting from guarded to formal.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. The Witch Queen awaits."
The witches led them deeper into the forest —
The air growing thicker with mana the further they went.
Twisted trees draped in glowing vines loomed above,
Their leaves shimmering like faint embers in the dim green light.
Strange runic patterns pulsed softly on the ground beneath their feet,
Marking the territory of the Witch Queen.
After several minutes of walking,
The dense foliage gave way to a vast clearing —
And before Ben's eyes unfolded a sight unlike any other.
"...."
The Witch Forest settlement stretched out across the clearing like a living, breathing town.
Small wooden and crystal dwellings clustered together beneath the canopy,
Their rooftops shaped like mushroom caps or flower petals.
Glowing lamps and floating cauldrons.
Witches of every age moved about —
Some riding broomsticks overhead,
Others bargaining for ingredients in open markets,
Their laughter and chatter echoing through the air.
Above it all, towering in the distance, stood the Witch Queen's Castle —
A structure carved from black stone and living crystal because it whole body was covered by a huge tree,
Its spires spiraling upward like enchanted thorns.
The castle shimmered faintly.
Ben walked calmly, observing everything with quiet fascination.
Charlotte and Dorothy flanked him, though both were tense —
Dorothy, having grown up here, could already feel the eyes on them.
Charlotte's hand subconsciously hovered near her grimoire.
As they passed through the bustling town,
Whispers began to ripple among the witches.
"Who is that… a man?"
"Impossible — no men can enter the forest."
"Did he sneak in?"
"No, look — he's being escorted! They're taking him to the Queen!"
"Maybe the Queen captured him to punish him…"
"Or maybe…"
One younger witch giggled behind her hand,
Giggle~
"the Queen invited him~."
That last comment drew a dozen curious stares toward Ben,
"...."
"...."
"...."
Who simply smiled faintly as though he'd heard every word. His calm demeanor —
Not boastful, not afraid —
Only deepened the intrigue.
Charlotte noticed the glances too and clenched her jaw.
"They're talking nonsense,"
She muttered, her tone icy.
Dorothy sighed beside her.
Sigh~
"That's normal here. You can't drop a single hair in this forest without everyone knowing by nightfall."
As they continued down the main path,
The witches cleared the way —
Bowing slightly, not out of respect,
But out of fear and curiosity mingled.
The magic in the air thickened near the castle's perimeter.
A massive stone gate covered in scarlet runes loomed ahead, guarded by two high-ranking witches whose aura alone was enough to make the air vibrate.
One of the escort witches stepped forward,
Presenting the sealed invitation to the gatekeepers.
They examined it, their expressions shifting to shock as the runes glowed and opened the path.
"The Queen is expecting you,"
One of them said, bowing lightly.
As the gates swung open,
A burst of warm wind laced with the scent of burning incense rolled out from within.
The crimson light from the castle's interior flickered across Ben's face, casting sharp shadows.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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