The next day.

Up above in the floating piece of land.

Esmeralda woke up to a bright new day.

The birds were chirping in the branches of the golden tree.

Ah, she sleeps for a long time. No worries...she has all the time in the world. Even if she sleeps for one week...nothing will change...the castle and its inhabitants will still stay the same.

Time to get up!

Esmeralda rose from the bed and exited the room.

After she got out of her room, she looks for Kate, she can't find her around the house.

"Kate, where are you?" she called out her name. Nobody answers her calling.

Where's that girl?

Maybe sitting under the shade of the tree?

She went out of the main door and looked at the tree, she's not there!

"Where is she?" her brows furrowed.

If she's not in her floating land, she's somewhere far!

Did she fall?

She went to the tree in a hurry. "Did you see the girl, Kate?" she asked the tree.

The golden tree shakes for a moment.

"The girl falls and a bird appeared out of nowhere saving her in the process. Unfortunately, another bird come in and a fierce battle ensued between the two birds resulting from the girl getting thrown out from the bird's back," the tree answered.

"So...where is the girl now?" asked Esmeralda.

"The last time I saw her, she was falling into the forest below. Probably dead by now, her dead body lying in the ground somewhere..." the tree concluded.

Esmeralda sighed. "Why you did not wake me up?"

"Because you told me before not to wake you up while you are sleeping," the tree reminded her.

"Okay," Esmeralda doesn't want to scold the tree.

She waved her hand and half of the tree's leaves disengaged from its branches and floated in the air. "Find the girl for me...ASAP!" she gives her command to the leaves.

The yellow leaves scattered from all directions and were gone from Esmeralda's eyes in seconds.

She went back inside the house.

One hour later.

The yellow leaves returned.

Esmeralda came out of the house.

She addressed the leaves floating in the air.

"Those who had a piece of concrete news for me, come forward!" she ordered.

One leave comes forward and began talking. "According to the tress in the forest. The girl fell into the arms of King Voyen of the centaur race. And after further investigation, I found out that the king's palace will hold a wedding ceremony tonight honoring the captive girl as the king's wife and queen. That's all the news I got..."

Esmeralda's brows furrowed. "Kate is going to marry the king of the centaur race? Interesting! Did they force her to submit to the king or the girl will marry the king willingly? If the girl was forced to marry the king then I will take her back, but if she is willing to marry the king then there's nothing I can do for her," she said loudly.

"You all return to your branches now!" she ordered the leaves.

The leaves came rushing back to the tree and attached themselves to the branches.

"It looks like I got a wedding to attend tonight! Let me make myself presentable to his royal highness," Esmeralda smiled. She went back inside the house while humming a song to herself.

~~~0~~~

Back in the forest.

The king's servant was already on their final phase of decorating the whole area with flowing flowers hanging from the branches of the trees. Wooden tables and chairs were laid outside in the open air.

Nearby, servants were roasting animals in the fire for tonight's feast.

The king's immediate family and close relatives were already gathering in the banquet hall. They were conversing with each other animatedly, after a while, they were joined by the king's presence.

The wedding is a grand event for everyone. It's a festive occasion for the entire centaur clan. The food, wine, and fruits will flow freely all night long. The rest of the centaur clan will also prepare foods in their own homes to celebrate with the king in marrying his queen.

Then three days later, after the wedding, the King and Queen will go on parade all over his kingdom so that the royal highness can introduce his wife to his subjects.

Inside the banquet hall, there were four long tables prepared exclusively for the fruits, and the roasted meat. And the other table is for the wine and assorted foods...the last table is where the gifts for the newlywed couple were being displayed.

Meanwhile, back inside the king's bed-chamber.

Kedes was busy attending to the bride, beautifying her, adorning Kate's hair with exotic flowers that adds more charm to her alluring beauty.

The flowing red yellow dress make's Kate looking like every inch a queen especially when Kedes finally attached the glittering crown on Kate's head, putting it firmly on her head with a pin.

"Look at you, you are the most beautiful Queen I'd ever seen!" Kedes praised the girl.

Kate looked at herself in the mirror, she feels weird, she feels like she does look different as if she was staring at someone else face!

"Granny, what is my name again?" she asked the old woman who was attending to her all day and making a fuss in everything.

"Silly girl! Why did you keep forgetting the name that I give you? I said...your name is Aurora and you are going to marry my grandson, the king! After your wedding, everyone will call you, Queen Aurora!" said the smiling Kedes.

Kate looked at herself again in the mirror and repeated her name over and over again. "My name is Aurora...my name is Aurora...my name is Aurora!"

"Yes, that's it, my dear. Your name is Aurora! Such a beautiful name you had!"

Kate smiled at the mirror liking her name.

Two hours later.

The night was already spreading in the forest fast, far and wide.

Time for the wedding ceremony to take place.

Everyone was already relaxing in their respective tables.

The king was sitting on his makeshift throne made of wood waiting for his bride to walk and join him in the vacant royal throne he set aside for her.

The servants began playing the drum roll announcing the start of the wedding.

Kedes pushed open the door of the king's bed chamber and Kate steps outside...walking slowly towards the banquet hall.

The servants and guests were mesmerized by her beauty as she walked passed by them, she was now a few meters away from entering the banquet hall.

Then all of a sudden... a floating apparition of a woman appeared above the banquet hall...the figure was wearing a purple flowing gown...blown by the wind behind her.

Everyone's mouth was agape, a look of surprise marring their faces...wanting to know who it was?

Esmeralda lowered herself into the ground blocking Kate's path. She looked at Kate wearing a crown on her head, looking beautiful and dignified.

"Who are you?" Kate asked the stranger standing in front of her, blocking her way.

Esmeralda raised her bows, she pointed her finger on her face. "Huh? You don't know me anymore?" she laughed a little finding everything amusing. "Kate, it's me. Your granny Esmeralda!" she reminded her.

Kate brows knitted together, she can't remember meeting the old woman before. "My name is Aurora. Sorry, I don't know you..."

Kedes went to Esmeralda's side. "I don't remember inviting you to the wedding, Esmeralda. This is a family affair, let me remind you that..."

Esmeralda looked at Kedes with a bored look on her face. "Well, I invited myself!" she retorted with a smile.

"Fine, suit yourself. Find a chair nearby, just please don't disturb the wedding ceremony," Kedes said politely.

Esmeralda obeyed and lowered herself on the nearest chair, pondering what to do next. It seemed Kate was under a spell right now that is why she can no longer remember her.

She watched as Kate continue walking slowly, entering the banquet hall.

She closed her eyes tightly.

A sudden gush of wind blew from all directions.

The torches and lamp that provided light to the whole venue went off, plunging the whole area into pitch darkness.

The guests were screaming...shouting at each other, demanding to put back the light on...they were panicking.

Pandemonium occurred, followed by total silence.