Chapter 32: CHAPTER 24.0: Searching for Answers

Aqua’s POV I was in the great hall sitting across from Konn. “Okay now what was so important Aqua?”

I pulled out the photograph. “Don’t get mad at me, okay?” I didn’t want this to seem like an interrogation for Konn. I was worried about my mother’s disappearance. The dream didn’t exactly let me know if she was safe prior to the dream’s conversation. She could be in danger. I pushed the photo to him on the table. “Does she look familiar?”

Konn raised his eyebrows. “Where’d you get that from?”

Things were looking good judging by his reaction to the photo. “Is this my mother Mae?”

“Answer my question first.” It was clear to me that it had to be.

“I went back to the human world to visit my younger siblings.” I was afraid of how he was going to react to that. “I saw this in my adoptive parents photo scrapbook. She looks just like me. You sent me to live with my mother’s adoptive family.”

It would have been best for Konn to tell me everything he was holding back. “That’s how she looked the second time we met.” He was reminiscing. “Who took you to the human world? You shouldn’t be going back and forth Aqua, it’s not safe.”

I didn’t want to answer but what other choice did I have? “Lexus… please don’t get mad Konn.”

“I’m not mad Aqua but do you realize how unprofessional that is? The royal family aren’t here to do us favors. I would have rather you asked me instead of inconveniencing the prince.”

I frowned. “Aren’t we supposed to be friends? That’s already not exactly professional,” I defended myself. “I didn't inconvenience him, he’s the one who offered to take me because I missed my siblings.”

I pouted.

Konn’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Aqua…”

I looked away because of his expression and tone. “What?”

“You’re just as expressive as your mother. I have to ask.” He paused. “You would describe you and Lexus as friends?”

I held back a blush. “Well yeah… that’s not the point of this Konn.” I got up. “All I needed was to know if this was my mother so that I can find her with my abilities.”

Konn stood up. “You’re going to ignore what I said about not looking for her?”

I looked at her photograph. “She could be in trouble. Even her own family doesn’t know where she is.”

“She’s safe, I could take you to her if you’re going to be this stubborn about it. There’s no point in wasting time searching for her.”

My eyes widened. “This whole time you knew where my mother was and lied?”

Konn started walking to the door. “I needed time Aqua, I was going to tell you everything eventually.

She did disappear but I’ve always been in contact with her. You can’t tell anyone this, not Cade or Prince Lexus.” He opened the door to the great hall and Lexus was sitting down against the wall. He must have been waiting for me.

Lexus looked up at us. “Can’t tell me what?”

I let Konn speak. “You’re not expecting to come along, are you?”

Lexus stood up. “If you’re inviting me, I accept.” He looked at me. “Where are we searching first?”

I looked to Konn before I spoke just in case, he didn’t want me to. “He' knows where she is, he has this whole time.”

Lexus shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. “Ah I get it. You’ve been secretly seeing her this whole time Konn?”

Konn had an annoyed expression on his face when he looked back at us. He faced forward as he walked. “Not exactly no. We occasionally meet up, sometimes not for years. It’s been a few months.

She doesn’t know our daughter is here which is one reason why I didn’t tell you that I know where your mother is Aqua. If Lynn or Cade hears about this-“

Lexus cut him off, “You don’t have to worry about us saying anything Konn, we’re not that stupid.” He always made it seem like he looked up to my father, I liked that. “I did tell Cade we were looking for Aqua’s mother, but I wouldn’t mention anything about you still having an affair.”

“That’s fine just don’t say anything else about it. If he asks, I didn’t go with you to see her.” We followed Konn to a barely furnished room. “Why are we here?” I asked. I doubt anyone lived here.

Konn opened the drawer and pulled out an object. “This is a magical item; it was enchanted by a mage to open portals.” He said before using it to open one.

Lexus and I followed Konn through it. We were in a nice house; it was two stories and had a lot of magical trinkets. I walked to the window and looked out of it. The outside looked so magical, there were all kinds of creatures walking down the streets and even Pegasi flying in the air. “Konn? Is that you?” I heard a woman’s voice and it sounded exactly like the woman from my dream. “I told you to portal outside the door and then knock like a regular person.” I heard her footsteps on the staircase. “Why do you insist on always portaling right in-“ she stopped speaking when she got to the top of the staircase and saw me. “Konn…?” She stared at me with tears in her eyes. She knew who I was right away, then she looked at Konn. “Are you…” She had a plate in her hands with a tea kettle on it.

Konn shook his head. “No, I’m going to try to explain this as quickly as I can. My other children weren’t showing strong enough signs that they-“

“She’s the holder?” Mae asked. “Okay but why is she here?” She closed her eyes to collect herself.

“Why is she in this world, not why is she in my house.” She clarified then opened her eyes. I wanted to hug her, but I didn’t want to come on too strongly.