Queen Kohra

They travelled all night through the forest. Zoma kept running and the couple on her back was silent throughout. They even jumped through portals to get to where they were going.

They arrived at a huge manor made out of white marble. They rode to the gate and it opened as soon as the guards saw Kohra.

The owner of the house, a Governor, came out to greet them.

"Queen Kohra, you're safe. Thank the Cosmos"

"Governor Marielle. I'm in need of your assistance"

"Anything you need your majesty"

"I need some disguises and a caravan headed towards the Northern mountains"

"Your majesty, you're not running away, are you?"

"No. I'm travelling to the coldlands. Don't ask me any other question"

"Alright. Go get the Queen what she needs" Governor Marielle ordered her servants.

She served the both of them tea.

"Anor" Kohra called out. Her shadow guard appeared in front of her on her knees.

"Your majesty"

"Take Zoma and return to the palace. Protect Jeir"

"Your majesty, it is my sworn duty to protect you"

"Well, as your Queen, I order you. You are not to follow me"

"With all due respect your majesty, the last time I left you alone, you were almost taken away"

Kohra's cup broke into a thousand pieces while she stared deeply into Anor's eyes.

"Take Zoma and return to the palace"

Lesker watched as an unwilling Anor rode away with an equally unwilling Zoma. He looked back to see Kohra inspecting the caravan and her growing annoyance.

"Governor Marielle, I thought I told you to get me a Caravan?"

"Yes your majesty, that is what I've provided"

"This 'Caravan' you have brought me consists of all your loyal guards and servants, am I correct?"

"Yes your majesty"

"Honestly....I can't win with all of you"

"Your life is very important to us and you must be protected at all costs. Even at the cost of my life, I will protect you"

Kohra glared at Governor Marielle while the latter stood her ground. Lesker was just surprised someone could defy Kohra and hold their ground against her. Kohra eventually caved.

"Fine! Where's my ride?" she said and was led by the leader of the caravan.

"Governor Marielle, I haven't been able to properly greet you"

"No, it's fine. It is an urgent situation after all Prince Consort Lesker"

"I must say, it is admirable, what you did"

"It is also admirable you followed her all the way here"

"I didn't have a choice. I was dragged along" He says with a smile.

The governor had given both of them a proper bath and change of clothes. He was grateful to her but he feared the journey ahead.

The horse given to Kohra was resisting its new owner but Kohra calmed it down and formed a temporary bond with it. She pet the mane of the horse, smiling.

"Don't be too surprised. Kohra's a woman of many talents. She happens to be excellent with animals, especially horses and cats"

"Is that so? There are no cats in the palace though"

"That's because Sephira and Kitari are allergic to cats"

"That's tragic. There used to be a lot of cats around the monastry. Burmi is a fan of cats"

"Oh yes. I heard you used to live in a monastry. Quite surprising Kitari would choose you"

"I think so too. I'm not the most handsome, courageous or charming. I'm just a plain scholar"

"Yet you're here, accompanying the Queen who hates men into the coldlands. While it is true you're not courageous, neither are you charming, you're a looker and you're smart. You've proved yourself to be the perfect husband"

"I don't understand"

"Of course you don't. Kohra's hatred of men is both superficial and deep. However, Kohra's also a fair person.

I don't know what happened to her but if any man so much as touches her or stares at her, he would lose his life. They have to stay a distance of at least 5 meters away from her and never look straight into her eyes.

With this strict rules of hers, Kohra despises opression and partiality. So she made it possible for the species she hates to at least live properly without opression. That's why she's confusing. It's not hard to tell what she's thinking but it's not that easy either.

However, for the past year, you've stayed at her side and she hasn't tried to kill you. I would say Kitari made the right choice"

"I don't know much about that. I feel useless, like a decoration around her. Even so, I'm still hanging around her"

"Kohra's smiling. You should know she doesn't do that often. I don't know what you're doing Consort Lesker but I want to thank you"

"What?"

"Oi, Lesker. Let's go" Kohra shouted at him from the top of her horse. Lesker looked back but the Governor wasn't behind him anymore. He could only place the matter aside and climb his own horse.