Sylvia’s heart raced as the mansion’s gatekeepers hurriedly opened the secure back entrance. Despite Drystan’s instructions for her to wait in her chamber, the noble lady’s overwhelming anxiety made her unable to remain idle.
Determined to seek news, Sylvia sought out the steward, Anryr. He inford her that the knights had gone on a search-and-rescue mission in the forest and that Anna and Kiev had been found. Noah had previously returned and went again with arranged transportation to bring them ho. This news brought her a sense of relief.
"Are they the ones coming, Anryr?" Sylvia asked, not yet seeing any arrivals.
"Yes, of course. This secluded path is reserved for ergencies and is off-limits even to the royal guards. It has been open recently only for them," Anryr replied.
Sylvia nodded, anticipation building. Anryr then signalled a servant to notify Ayden and Clara of the knights’ return.
The assistant healer, who had fallen asleep in the treatnt room the previous night after attending to Noah, had overslept and only just realised the knights had departed on their mission upon arriving at the backyard. He then went to retrieve the knightess, Clara, to administer her dication.
Though their relationship had grown strained, Ayden continued to attend to Clara professionally. Grateful for his care and wishing to avoid further tension, Clara accepted his assistance without objection.
Soon, the rescue party arrived in two carriages at the back entrance. The gatekeepers quickly closed and sealed the path as they went through, followed by the knights. The guards and gatekeepers then returned to their positions.
Kiev exited the first carriage, followed by Rafe. He then opened the other carriage and went inside. The derian Prince carefully lifted the unconscious Anna into his arms, taking her out. Callis and Jessy trailed behind, escorted by the knights, as they walked up to the mansion’s back door.
"Oh, my goodness! What happened to her?" Sylvia cried out in alarm, rushing to her friend’s side.
"Stay back! No one is to touch the lady until it is safe," Drystan warned. "The lingering effect of dark magic could be dangerous."
Understanding the threat from her own grandfather’s experience, Sylvia took several steps back.
"Should we take her to the treatnt room?" Anryr asked, concerned.
"No," Kiev replied. "She only needs rest and nourishnt, so I’ll bring her to her chamber instead. Also, I want her place off-limits to everyone except my sister and her nanny. I must ensure no one else is affected by the dark magic."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Anryr said, bowing in compliance.
"I can prepare a refreshing concoction. That should help replenish your energy and hers more quickly," Rafe offered.
"That is kind, but only prepare it for the princess. I won’t be needing it," Kiev replied. "Our new companions provided with so dicinal herbs, which are sufficient. I just require a good rest after this."
"Very well then," the healer agreed, excusing himself to the kitchen.
"We’ll escort you to the princess’s chamber," Noah suggested to the derian Prince.
"Only two of you. Don’t make it too crowded, or the royal guards might take notice," Eric cautioned, pointing to Noah and Drystan.
"Please, may I co along as well? I promise I won’t get in the way," Sylvia pleaded.
Noah agreed. Soon, he, Drystan, and the noble lady followed Kiev, Jessy, and Callis to Anna’s chamber while the others remained with Eric.
"Mr Foster, allow to introduce our guests. This is Mr Saures, Mr Thalgar, and Mr Vaelen. They bravely rescued Sir Mills, Prince Kiev, and Lady Raychard from danger. They will be staying with us for now. So, please provide them with hospitable accommodation," Eric said.
"Oh, thank you so much for your help! The mansion is in your debt. You shall be treated well here," Anryr said gratefully.
"Please, no need for formality. In our tribe, we use only given nas, not titles," Saures responded. "It is only reserved for our noble warriors and their families."
"Ah, very well. I shall respect your wishes," Anryr said. "Now, if you’ll excuse , I’ll oversee the preparations for your accommodations myself."
The steward then summoned a servant to attend to the tribesn.
Eric then turned to the remaining knights.
"The rest of you, check on the royal guards and ensure they haven’t noticed anything unusual. We need to keep this discreet while we sort out the situation."
The knights nodded in acknowledgent and quickly dispersed to discreetly monitor the royal guards, maintaining the secrecy of the recent events.
The second-in-command knight then addressed Saures, "I know we all want to pursue the Bargesians as soon as possible. But given the current situation, please give us so ti. I’ll call a eting of the knights afterwards."
"Understood," Saures replied.
The servant then invited the tribesn and Eric to the parlour for refreshnts. Just before they made a move, Ayden arrived, pushing Clara in a wheelchair.
"Sir Navin! Finally, you’re back!" Ayden exclaid.
"Are they all safe?" Clara interjected.
"Yes, everyone is safe!" Eric assured them.
Clara’s eyes suddenly darted to the three unknown n accompanying the second-in-command knight. Their back were facing her. Sohow, their attire seed strangely familiar to her.
As the tribesn turned to look at the assistant healer and the knightess, their expressions shifted to surprise.
"Sss-sky?" Clara uttered, her voice trembling as she looked at Saures.
"Lady Ammara?" Saures exclaid in disbelief.
The other two tribesn also appeared shocked upon recognising the knightess.
Eric watched, bewildered, as Clara and the tribesn’s leader addressed each other by unfamiliar nas.
"What’s the matter?" Ayden asked, noticing the fear on Clara’s face. "Do you know them?"
He was about to ask about the whereabouts of the other knights when he heard the knightess’ words, which made him change his questions.
Clara’s lips quivered.
"They... they are my tribesn!"
"Your tribesn?" Eric interjected, equally surprised by the revelation.
Ayden’s face imdiately fell. He rembered Clara’s story of fleeing her tribe after a murder she had committed. These n would surely try to apprehend her and take her back for judgnt, which would likely an her death.
Realising this, Ayden stepped protectively by Clara’s side, clutching her hand tightly.
"You can’t have her! If you want to touch her, you’ll have to go through first!" he declared, glaring at the tribesn.
Saures stepped forward, eyeing Ayden sternly.
"Who are you to her?" he asked firmly.
The assistant healer felt his heart racing as he searched for a plausible excuse. He knew he had to give a good reason to protect Clara from the tribesn.
’Think, Ayden! Think! Co up with sothing!’ he urged himself, swallowing hard.
"I am Ammara Cerva’s betrothed. We are engaged to be married!" he suddenly declared.
"What??"
The exclamation of surprise echoed from all the n... including Clara herself.
***
Kiev gently placed Anna’s limp body onto the soft bed. As he released her, a chilling wave of pain surged through him. His brow furrowed in discomfort, but he tried to suppress it.
"We need to talk," Callis said sternly. "How could you not tell that the ’beast hunting’ you went on with the grand duke was actually about pursuing the Bargesians?"
Kiev was not surprised that his sister had found out by now.
"Who else knows about this?" he asked.
"Almost everyone! Even Lady Rogers knows now. Sir Navin revealed everything yesterday," Callis responded, clearly upset.
"I didn’t anticipate their return. We thought they had died after falling into the ravine," Kiev explained.
The derian Princess’s expression grew more concerned.
"And Anna... you said she doesn’t even know she’s pregnant?"
Kiev winced, the pain in his body intensifying once more. He understood that he needed to retire.
"We’ll talk about it later. I must go," Kiev replied.
"But this is important!" she insisted.
"Callis, please... Stay with her, will you? She’ll be fine after today. I need ti to gather my strength. Allow to retreat to my chamber," he requested.
"Princess, His Highness is right. He needs rest. Let him go," Jessy interjected, noticing Kiev’s pallor returning.
"I’m sorry! Please forgive . You’ve been through a lot, brother. Have a good rest," Callis bowed.
Kiev nodded and left the chamber. Outside, Noah, Drystan, and Sylvia were waiting for him.
"Callis and Jessy will care for Princess Anna now. Please excuse ," Kiev inford them.
"Rest well, Your Highness," Noah said, nodding. "I’ll watch over her."
"Let escort you. You don’t look well," Drystan said, concern evident in his eyes.
"I’m fine," Kiev insisted.
"Your Highness, please," the knight pressed, rembering the derian Prince’s past health scares.
He had seen Kiev vomit blood before and couldn’t shake off his concern, even though the derian Prince repeatedly assured everyone he was fine.
"Very well," Kiev relented.
"What about ?" Sylvia suddenly interjected.
Drystan turned to her.
"You should return to your chamber and rest. I’ll co to you after I’ve escorted His Highness."
"All right," Sylvia conceded, not wanting to interfere.
Given that everyone was already on edge and exhausted, she should patiently wait for the situation to calm down and for moods to improve.
The two n moved forward but then stopped in their tracks when they realised the noble lady was following them.
"Why are you following us?" inquired Drystan.
"I’m not! It’s just that my chamber is in this way," she explained.
"I see... then, co along with us," invited Kiev.
A spark of excitent lit up the noble lady’s face. The derian Prince led the way, with Drystan walking behind alongside Sylvia.
As they went through the hallway, the noble lady whispered to the knight, "Is it all right if we inquire him about healing my grandfather?"
The knight was then reminded of their main purpose in visiting the mansion – to implore the derian Prince to rid and heal the Marquess of Sylvere from the prolonged effects of the dark magic he had endured for so long.
"I don’t think now is a good ti," Drystan replied softly, mindful of Kiev’s weakened state and his need to heal first.
"I understand that well. I can wait. It’s just that it’s been on my mind... Since he managed to banish the dark spirit possessing Anna, perhaps he could also cure my grandfather. What do you think?" she inquired.
Drystan took a mont to consider. Her words were valid. Kiev had demonstrated great prowess in wielding Ramios, protecting them with his barriers while battling with the possessed princess and persistently safeguarding her in the forest. No one from the knighthood was able to do what he did.
The knight nodded.
"I know this is our primary reason for being here. Let discuss healing the Marquess of Sylvere with him later, all right? I’ll inform you of the outco," he proposed to her.
"All right," Sylvia agreed.
Their progression halted as the noble lady announced, "My chamber is here."
She paused at a pristine white door embellished with a gleaming brass handle.
"Very well. We’ll see you soon," replied Drystan.
Sylvia curtsied to Kiev and the knight. Once she disappeared behind the door, the two n resud their journey.
Drystan now walked beside Kiev. Suddenly, the derian Prince’s steps faltered. His hand swiftly grasped the knight’s shoulder for support as he bent over in discomfort.
Drystan promptly steadied him.
"Your Highness! What’s wrong?" he asked urgently.
"I... I don’t feel well," Kiev’s voice erged weakly.
He had been enduring the pain for so ti, but it had beco unbearable. He had expected this to happen as he feared. Thankfully, he didn’t fall before the rest of the knights.
"You need help! Let get the others!" Drystan insisted.
"No!" Kiev gripped the knight’s shoulder tightly.
"But..."
"Please! Just take to my chamber," he implored.
Drystan felt a wave of guilt wash over him. If he had known the extent of the derian Prince’s suffering, he would have sought dical attention for him much sooner.
"Please, Sir Mills... I can’t bear it any longer. I need to lie down," Kiev pleaded as dizziness and sharp pain coursed through him, causing his body to tremble.
"All right. I’ll carry you on my back!"
Drystan guided Kiev’s arm over his shoulder and carefully positioned the derian Prince’s body on his back. Once Kiev was securely in place, the knight straightened up and carried him.
Suddenly, a loud shout echoed down the hallway. Elis ca running, followed closely by Arl.
"What happened? Why is he like this?" she exclaid in alarm as she observed the pale derian Prince.
"I believe he’s utterly exhausted. We must get him to his chamber at once!" Drystan explained.
This was his first return to the mansion since the mid-autumn celebration day. He had been away and staying at the Count of dhir’s mansion upon Kyren’s request to tend to the Marquess of Sylvere.
Unsure of the exact location of the derian Prince’s chamber, Drystan surmised it must be one of the luxurious chambers reserved for the mansion’s distinguished guests.
"Please... don’t let anyone see like this," Kiev pleaded, his breath ragged.
"I know of a secluded path away from the others," Arl said. "Follow , and I will guide you there."
Drystan nodded, and they hastened to the chamber. Upon arrival, he carefully laid Kiev on the bed. Elis swiftly fetched a basin, filled it with water from the nearby bathroom, and dampened a small towel to cool the derian Prince’s fevered brow.
Suddenly, Kiev sat up and grimaced, turning to the side of the bed.
"Urghh!"
Blood spilt from his mouth onto the floor.
"Oh, dear Lord!" Elis exclaid in horror.
"I’ll summon Mr Amares imdiately!" Drystan declared upon witnessing Kiev’s deteriorating condition.
However, before he could rise, the derian Prince grabbed his hand, halting him.
"Don’t! Don’t let anyone know I’m like this!" Kiev implored urgently.
"You need help! Don’t be so stubborn," the knight shouted back.
Arl, standing at the bedside, also looked equally alard.
"I am... not stubborn! If news about ... being like this... spreads, it will be dangerous! The Bargesians... they are still at large... and possess magic... don’t take any risk!" Kiev explained, his chest heaving with exertion.
"But we can’t leave you like this!"
"This is due to mana depletion... I just need ti to restore my energy... No dication or treatnt can aid ," the derian Prince clarified.
"Then, let’s get Mrs Amares!" Elis suggested.
"No!" Kiev turned to her, his face drained of colour. "Her mana reserve isn’t as vast as mine... Besides... she expended much of it... yesterday. She won’t have much left."
"What should we do then? Please, tell !" Elis asked, worried.
"I need to rest... that’s all I require," Kiev stated.
Drystan sighed.
"I guess there’s nothing much we can do about this, Miss Canton. It’s his body, and this effect is due to his magic usage. He would know best how to get through it," Drystan said to Elis. He then turned to Kiev and told him, "Rest well, Your Highness."
The derian Prince nodded weakly.
Then, unexpectedly, he inquired, "The young lady just now... she’s the granddaughter of the Marquess of Sylvere, isn’t she?"
"Yes, she is," the knight responded succinctly.
"I overheard your conversation with her," Kiev paused, gathering his breath before continuing, "I’m sorry, but... I cannot help her. If I were to attempt to dispel the dark spirit’s influence once more, it could lead to my death," he confessed.
"Don’t worry about it, Your Highness. I won’t be asking you to do that. It’s not a crucial matter. Just have your rest and focus on recovering quickly. No need to think of anything else," Drystan reassured him.
"Close your eyes, Kiev. I’ll stay by your side," Elis said gently, holding his hand.
The derian Prince nodded. Gradually, his eyelids drooped, and he drifted into slumber.
Arl cleaned and removed the bloodstains as Elis and Drystan gently tended to Kiev, refreshing and changing him into a clean nightgown.
Exhausted, the derian Prince was lost in sleep, uninterrupted through the entire process. Once assured of his comfort, Drystan and Arl quietly excused themselves and left.
Later, the knight made his way to Sylvia’s chamber. Gentle knocks on the door prompted the noble lady to open it and greet him.
"How is everything?" she inquired.
"His Highness Prince Kiev is resting," Drystan replied, purposefully omitting the details of the derian Prince’s predicant from her knowledge.
"He must be exhausted," Sylvia mused.
"Yes..." Drystan nodded.
He hesitated montarily before gazing into the noble lady’s eyes. Then, he made up his mind and steeled his resolve.
"Sylvie," he began.
"Yes?" she responded.
"His Highness overheard us earlier... and he has given his response," Drystan carefully relayed.
"Really?" Sylvia’s eyes widened with hope. "What did he say?"
The knight shook his head slowly, conveying the ssage with his body language. The noble lady’s hope quickly faded.
"Why?" she questioned.
"He has his limitations, and attempting it would risk his well-being," the knight explained solemnly.
"I understand..." Sylvia’s eyes fell. "It’s all right. At least we tried."
Despite her composed words, the knight sensed her disappointnt.
"Sylvie," he called to her once more.
"Yes, Drystan?" she looked up at him.
"Do you trust ?" he asked abruptly, his gaze fixed on her. Their eyes t.
"Of course I do. You’ve always been there for ," she affird.
"With all your heart?"
"With all my heart," she confird.
"In that case... let’s go with your plan."
"My plan?" she asked, confused.
"Yes. Let’s get married."
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