-------Lisa’s POV------

I don’t know if I can trust these people. From what Elena described, she seems to be an average girl but on the other hand I only know the things she said about Cleon. He said that don’t know about his identity, It’s hard to make out whether it’s true or not but he could have said that he’s just a commoner instead of saying that he doesn’t remember about himself which itself looks a bit suspicious. Either he thinks people could be fooled by such a obnoxious lie or he is really telling the truth. I think I’ll take my chance and believe him; I've got no other choice anyway.

Both Cleon and Elena were staring at me. I finished questioning Cleon and now he’s the one interrogating me.

I looked at Cleon and said “I have no problem in answering your question, but it’s upto you whether to believe it or not”

He didn’t say anything and I continued

“My full name is Elisabeth de Evreux, I am the Princess of Gliania. I was a child the king had with his concubine. After the death of the Queen, the king took my mother as a concubine. I was raised as though a real princess albeit being born of a concubine. The queen had two sons before her death. Growing up in the Royal family my step brothers got intoxicated by their position and privilege and power. My step-brothers didn’t like my father very much as father was always criticizing them for their behaviors, my father also favored me over them which further infuriated them.

One day my father called me to his chambers and with a sorrowful expression he told me that my brothers are not fit to succeed the throne. He then told me that he has decided to make me the queen and that I should choose an appropriate king. I was initially reluctant to agree to such a preposterous suggestion but my father was reluctant and I had to abide his decision. After a month my father made the announcement in the throne room shocking everyone present. Both my step brothers were shocked and protested endlessly. Father heard none of it and was firm in his decision.

That day was start of my misfortunes. My brothers started courting me hoping to ascend the throne. They put their men to spy on me and my activities. Their possessiveness went to such lengths that they secretly assassinated the men I associated with, even the florist that I occasionally talked with while buying flowers was not spared. I distanced myself from my Step brothers and even avoided seeing them. Sometimes their frustration rose to such heights that they even tried to assassinate me on multiple occasions. I was able to impede their attempts because I knew witchcraft which my grandmother taught me as I was growing up coupled with the magic training I had from the best instructors of the Royal family.

I frequently visited neighboring towns and villages as an envoy to distance myself from my brothers. While on such a visit to a remote village, I was informed that father had been killed in his bed chambers. I rushed to the castle only to be obstructed from seeing my father. My brothers had instructed them not to let me see fathers body until I had talked with them. I was furious at their impudence. I was led to the throne room where my bothers sat on the throne. It seems both my brothers had formed some sort of alliance while I was away. I asked them what this was about and elder brother spoke to me.

He told me that I had to marry him else face the consequences. I told him that I wouldn't marry him even if he was last man alive in the country. I was now the queen of the country and the positions of my brothers are beneath me, they cannot force me to obey them. I thought I had the upper hand, but my brothers’ calmness was rather foreboding. He told me that I would regret my decision and left the throne room followed by the younger brother. After that I was allowed to see my father. I stayed by my father’s side until he was entombed.

Immediately after the burial of my father, Soldiers surrounded me. My Elder brother announced that I was charged with heresy for practicing witchcraft. Sure witchcraft was condemned by the masses but nowhere was it deemed guilty for prosecution. I protested because my bother neither had authority nor the legality to take action against me. He laughed maniacally and told me that Father passed the law on the day he died; he further explained that he is to act as an authority under law of succession until I was coronated according to fathers' will. He told me to plead guilty and petition for mercy before the throne. By the collative decision of advisors and the Royal family, If was granted mercy I was to be dethroned otherwise I would be burned at stake before the masses.

I knew that my fate was sealed either way. My brother was a scheming man and I knew that I would be granted mercy only if I agreed to marry him. I ran… ran as fast as I could from the very country I was to rule. My brothers reluctant to let me escape commissioned mages after me, I escaped into this forest and was sealed here by magic of the five powerful mages.

It’s been seven years since I had been sealed. The magic is such that it doesn’t let me leave the forest not does it let me come into contact with others. If others were to near me or I near them, the forest would create such circumstances that would prevent me from contacting them. I lead a lonely life for the past seven years doing nothing but strengthening my magic. That’s why I was surprised on seeing both of you, I thought that the seal had weakened and tested it this morning by trying to find a new path of exit but failed. After seeing that you had demon book I thought that you were possessed by a demon which would explain why the seal didn’t held against you but now that conclusion is also out of the question.

I used the blood of the wolf you carried yesterday to create a spell to protect the cottage against the beasts that wander nearby. Those circles are part of the spell. That is conclusion of my story and I believe I have answered all your question”

------MC’s POV------

I listened to the entire story patiently. It’s hard to imagine herself as a princess given her behavior but I can't blame her after having lived so long out of the reach of society. Sealed by magic hun.. Can’t come into contact with other humans? They why was we able to meet her. The more I try to make sense of things, the more the questions pop up. For now I have to believe her story, she doesn’t have any benefit in deceiving us.

I looked at her for a few seconds and the asked ”Is there any way to break the spell?”

“If there was then I would’ve gone from this place long ago.” She replied to me.

There was a silence for a few seconds then she continued “I believe that the spell could be broken by casting counter spell by the mages that casted the spell in the first place”

“Does it have to be the same people who casted the spell or someone else could cast the counter spell” I asked her.

“I believe it had to be the same mages, the sealing spell they used is quite complicated and it takes their aura into account. The chances of others destroying the seal is almost negligible” she told me in a depressed tone.

We stood there for several minutes until Lisa went to cook. I sat there procession this new pieces of information. If all that she said is true then Lisa is indeed in need of help, least she die alone in a place such as this. I wanted to help her if I could but I don’t think that I have the persuasive powers to convince the mages to undo the spells, ofcourse that comes after finding all of them. Heck I don’t even know who they are to begin with.

Sigh.. Lisa maybe the most unfortunate among us. Atleast me and Elena can move forward and face our problems but Lisa, She’s stuck here in this forest with no way of escape. Seven years… seven years of solitary life, I don’t know if I could even stay sane in such a situation.

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Sorry for the delay but I have got a perfect reason for my tardiness and that is the Art work I promised the other day. I was so engrossed while doing the art that I forgot to write a chapter. I love art so much and when I am at it I tend to forget things around me. Do check out the Art work which I am going to post in a few minutes as a next chapter. Let me know if you like that version of Elena.