Chap: 2: Who?

They all then went downstairs. It was still dusty and there was dirt all around. Though that was of no concern as the princes could cast spell and they did. They cleaned the whole castle in the blink of an eye with some sort of magic that could be found only in Wistaria Kingdom.

 

Oh! They nearly forgot they could use magic. The members of 5 royal families of 5 different kingdoms had magical powers. Though their power had limits.

 

They all sat down on the chairs surrounding a long dining table.

"What do you think these princes are up to?", Iris whispered in Elina's ear.

"Dunno. They seem kinda strange. May be, they are the reason that our parents didn't let us enter this castle?", Elina said.

"But, why could it be?", Iris asked. But, before Elina could answer, Eren cut her off.

 

"Did you all came here by yourself, I mean without any royal guards? Generally, royal family members don't travel without guards.", Eren said showing concern.

 

"Our guards are always with us. Though, my parents told me to bring royal guards but I denied. They don't have any clue we came here though.", replied Iris.

 

"What do you mean by your guards?", asked Zen with curiosity.

 

The Princesses showed the pendants hanging from their neck."We meant these. These have been with us since birth and protecting us."

 

The princes were taken aback by the pendants and murmured among themselves. After calming down Eren said, "So,let's dig in."

 

Noone had an appetite as they had breakfast before coming here. So, they just took a bite or two.

 

After some time,

 

"So, let us escort you to your rooms where you can rest." , said Erwin with courtesy.

Harlin had butterflies in her stomach thinking Erwin escorting her. 

 

"We didn't came on a vacation here. We came to deal with something. On top of that, not informing our parents. So, you don't have to be so troubled. There is only one thing we ask for.", said Iris.

 Harlin broke out of her fluffy dream.

"And what is that?", asked Eren with concern.

 

"Please, permit us to investigate this castle."

 

"We aren't anybody to permit you.", said Zen with vacant eyes.

 

"What do you mean? This castle is yours, right?"

 

"No, nothing. You can investigate all you want.", said Erwin permitting them.

 

"So, shall we start?", Harlin said with an excited voice.

 

"Yes"

 

They all took the stairs to go up the 2nd floor. The 2nd floor is still spooky-looking. They all stood in front of the first room.

 

"I wonder what is awaiting us inside", Harlin said with a chill coming down her spine.

 

"There is nothing to wonder about. We will know as long we open the door.", Iris said with no expression.

 

"Yeah, that's true. Let's just go inside.", Aylin agreed.

 

Iris twisted the door handle. But, it didn't open. She pushed a bit. But, it still didn't work.

 

"What's wrong?", Aylin asked.

 

"I don't know. It's not opening. And there is no key-hole. So, probably it's not locked.", Iris said as she tried to push the door open.

 

"May be it's not opening because of rust?", Elina suggested.

 

"Could be it. You all help me out too.", Iris said.

 

They all started trying. But, there was no luck in it.

 

"I don't think it will open this way. We have to find another way.", Elina said with her hands on the waist.

 

"But what way?", Aylin asked.

 

Suddenly, Elina's eyes got stuck on a piece of wood on the door. A rectangular shaped wood piece. They didn't see it at first. But, the interesting part is there is a hole in the wood and it's just the shape of their pendant.

 

Seeing Elina focused on something, everyone followed her eyes and saw the wood piece.

 

"Are you thinking the same thing as me?", Elina asked looking at them.

 

"May be yes"

 

As Iris started putting off her pendant Aylin exclaimed,

"Hey, what are you doing? Don't put off the pendant. It's forbidden, you know. Just do what you have to do while wearing the pendant."

"Okh, mamma." , Iris said laughing mockingly.

Iris placed the pendant in the wood piece and it clicked. The door shut open and a lot of bats came flying at them from the room. But, to their surprise, the bats couldn't even touch them.

They entered the dusty room. It was mostly dark. Light couldn't enter the room because of soot. It seemed really dirty because of all those dust and cobweb.

There was a cabinet in one corner. Iris went and started observing the cabinet. Even it's color couldn't be seen because of the thick dust covering it. She tried to twist the knob. But, it didn't open. She thought of the door awhile back and observed the whole cabinet. But, it was hopeless. She was kinda frustrated that they can't cast spell outside their own kingdom. But, the princes could.

"Hey, look at this.", Iris said loudly so the others would just come there from whatever they were looking at. They went to Iris.

"Anything interesting you found?", Aylin asked.

"Yeah, look at this cabinet. There might be something. But, it's not opening."

"Just try looking for something like that wood thingy, dummy.", Elina said trying to look for another wood piece.

"Do you think I'm dumber than you? I already looked for it. "

"Oh, so, what do you plan on doing? We can't force open it with magic." Elina said scratching her chin.

"The princes might help us. What do you think?", Harlin suggested as she portrayed Erwin casting spell on the door lock. She once again had butterflies in her stomach. 

"Ok, let's try.", Aylin said.

Aylin and Harlin went downstairs in hope that the princes will help them. The three of them were discussing about something. 

"Ehem- ehem. Can we ask for a help?", Aylin asked politely.

"Anything for you, princess.", Eren said with a flirtous smile.

"What is it?", Erwin asked .

"Kindly let's go to the 2nd floor. We will explain there."

The 5 of them went to the 2nd floor. Iris explained everything.

"So, you want us to unlock the cabinet?", asked Eren.

"Yeah."

"We will try."

The 3 princes discussed something among themselves and started chanting something. After sometime,

"Now, try to open it.", Eren said.

Aylin went ahead and twisted the knob. It was a success this time.

 

 

Chapter end