Rejected For Anothers Mate

She still remembered that day.

It had rained and the soil was damp and smelled earthy.

Selly had been inside when she heard a knock. Deciding to answer the door, she wrapped herself with a scarf and headed out.

The sky was already turning into a mixture of black and golden-red hues, a promise of changing seasons.

The young woman who looked no more than twenty stood by the entrance. Spotting her late-hour visitor walking towards her with the help of a cane, she decided to meet her half way.

"Mother priestess," Selly's face lit up as she bowed at the older woman. "I have been thinking about paying you a visit lately but here you are.

At her words, a girly chuckle escaped the old woman's lips.

"The sky is rather colorful today that I felt like stretching these old legs of mine."

The woman bowed even deeper than she did, "Apologies for arriving unannounced."

Holding mother priestess' hand, she led her towards a pavilion by the garden.

Shortly, a maid arrived with a tray, the kettle emitting steam which was a stark contrast to the weather.

"Mother priestess." She greeted and left as quickly as she came.

The priestess nodded as her face crinkled at the fleeting maid, she walked too fast for a woman, she thought . She then reached for the kettle but Selly was quicker,

"Let me."

"You may be younger but I know my place." The woman persisted. "Please allow me to serve the keeper of Agal."

The fresh aroma of the tea wafted in the air and mingled beautifully with the different scents emitted by flowers that surrounded the pavilion, bringing in a sense of tranquility.

Selly leaned back on her chair, not wanting to make her stubborn guest uncomfortable.

"I see you have made up your mind." She said as she poured tea in Selly's cup then hers.

Selly did not respond.

What was the point of denying it when it was the priestess herself who brought it up?

Besides, no one could really hide anything from her. Not even the king of Erichon would hide his wildest of thoughts when she was around.

The old woman took a sip and sighed.

"Your mate yearns for you and has been trying to reach...you?"

At her words, Selly's calm facade crumbled and her eyes turned glassy with unshed tears.

"It is not in my place to stop you but if possible please do re-consider. There is too much at stake." She took her hand into her wrinkly ones.

"The kingdom of Erichon needs you."

Patting her hand, she wiped a lone tear from Selly's supple cheeks.

"It's unfair to you, I know. But it's also hard for everyone. After all, no one could have foreseen you getting a mate."

That's right. Regardless of which kingdom they were from, all previous keepers of Agal were never mated. Such was the life of keepers of their world, which was why Selly was overjoyed when she found out she had one.