The horse trotted carefully along the palace’s main path. As they crossed the main gate, the surroundings darkened under heavy clouds that had lingered since the afternoon, hastening the onset of gloom. The atmosphere mirrored the sombre feelings of those present.
Lights flickered along the path, illuminating the scene despite winter’s biting cold. Two figures—a man and a woman—were seen riding together on the horse. Behind them, a group of knights, vigilant in their duty, escorted them.
This was the first ti a fleeing prisoner was brought back to the palace with such respect. Typically, they would be hauled back with ropes tied to their hands and treated rcilessly for their actions.
However, in this case, none of the Knights of Neblim dared to do that to Anna. When they found her, she was already in the commander’s possession, and no one was allowed to approach.
Adam had taken it upon himself to safeguard the princess, keeping her close as if his purpose was to protect her rather than to capture her. The knights marvelled at how their commander had managed to secure her return in less than a day, a feat that spoke to his exceptional skills.
Yet, despite his remarkable achievent, he never boasted of it, maintaining a serious countenance that commanded respect.
Intimidated by the admiral’s fierce deanour, the knights hesitated to approach and dutifully complied with his commands. Their curiosity was piqued as they observed the young princess, who seed oddly serene amid the tension. It was puzzling; she appeared almost eager to return to the very place she had once sought to escape.
From a distance, another figure watched solemnly, shrouded in her cloak. She was filled with sadness over the unfolding events. The woman, Helen, had been discreetly trailing Anna and Adam, her heart heavy with concern.
"I don’t know what got into her or why she demanded this!" Helen voiced her frustration.
During their escape in the forest, Anna suddenly changed her mind, refusing to go to the sanctuary as Adam had proposed.
Instead, she insisted on returning to the palace to face her trial. No matter how much the admiral and the governess declined, the princess remained steadfast.
She refused to move and even begged Adam to take her back. The princess was aware of the potential consequences, yet stood firm in her decision, declaring she would walk on her own and surrender if they refused.
Adam initially disagreed. But once Anna shared her plan with him and Helen, he accepted. Although risky, the admiral believed it was worth it. Otherwise, he would have found a way to carry her away, regardless of her feelings on the matter.
Watching the scene with remorse, Helen murmured to herself, "I should report this to Her Majesty, Queen Elda. She might think I’ve failed the mission. Sir McQuinn also has to know!"
With that, the governess turned and withdrew from the scene.
***
"We have arrived, my lady," Adam said to Anna.
The princess nodded, acknowledging.
"I’ll help you down," the admiral offered, swiftly dismounting his horse.
He carefully assisted Anna as she descended, as her hands were tied, making her reliant on him.
Their journey had been slow, despite the short distance to the palace.
Adam had taken great care, considering Anna’s pregnancy and the difficulties of riding a horse. He had wanted to fetch a carriage, but they had continued on horseback due to ti constraints and the watchful eyes of others who would surely see them on the way back.
As soon as Anna’s feet touched the ground, Lord Jas and Sarah erged from the palace. The minister had led the initial search for the princess but returned earlier upon receiving a note from a knight escorting Adam’s group.
Adam had inford him of Anna’s capture, allowing the other search parties to stand down and return to the palace in anticipation of their arrival.
Lord Jas smiled smugly at his son’s success, flanked by Sarah. The fleeing princess was swiftly apprehended thanks to Adam’s capability as the Commander of the Knights of Neblim.
"Good job! You did well, Adam. Now hand that w*nch!" Lord Jas said proudly.
Royal guards began to surround the princess and the admiral, ensuring there would be no chance for her to escape during the transfer.
However, Adam responded firmly, "Stand back! No one touches her but !"
He wrapped his arm protectively around the vulnerable princess.
"Don’t worry! You can relax," Lord Jas said, misinterpreting the admiral’s stance as a display of dominance over the royal knights. "You must be tired from your journey. Let handle this from here."
The minister stepped forward, accompanied by his group of Knights of Neblim.
"I said, no one gets to hold her!" Adam raised his voice. "Move aside, Lord Jas!"
The admiral’s manner of confronting his father, formally addressing him by na, surprised everyone around them.
"What did you call ?" Lord Jas asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Lord Jas. We are in the palace and on official duty, not in private quarters. It is only proper for to address you formally. I would appreciate it if you would do the sa for . Additionally, I must insist that you refrain from using foul language against Lady Raychard. She is a mber of the royal family and has not yet been tried or proven guilty in court!" the admiral cautioned.
Lord Jas looked at his son in disbelief. What had changed him so much that he now spoke rudely to him? Sarah also glared at the princess, scowling at her.
"She must have cast a spell on brother. This concubine is just like that arrogant derian Prince’s mistress!" Sarah muttered, loud enough for others to hear.
"Watch your mouth, Lady Jas!" Adam reprimanded her, using a formal tone. "You are the chief lady-in-waiting for Her Majesty the Queen. Behave yourself, or I will take action!"
"His Majesty the King put in charge of detaining her! Surrender her to !" Sarah demanded.
"I will not!" Adam retorted.
Raging angrily, Sarah turned to her escorts and ordered, "Seize her imdiately!"
Adam quickly unsheathed his sword, pointing it at Lord Jas’s group of knights.
"Take one more step, and I won’t hesitate to act! I am the Commander of the Knights of Neblim! All knights under my command will follow my orders and stand behind ! Those who don’t will face severe punishnt!"
His voice rang out clearly, and imdiately, all the Knights of Neblim, including those with Lord Jas, gathered behind the admiral, showing their loyalty. Within monts, the minister and her daughter were left with only a few royal knights.
"How could you humiliate , brother?!" Sarah shouted at her brother.
"I am not. You are taking this personally. It is His Majesty King Kyden’s order to bring Lady Raychard back, and as the Commander of the Knights of Neblim who are tasked with this, I am only fulfilling my duty. Allow to pass and take her to His Majesty," Adam demanded. "If you refuse, I will command my n to use force against you for obstructing official duties."
Sarah’s face flushed with anger, but she was powerless in the presence of her brother. The Knights of Neblim braced themselves, ready to intervene at the slightest hint of resistance.
Upon hearing Adam’s declaration, the royal knights too took a step back, parting to allow the commander a clear passage.
The chief lady-in-waiting gritted her teeth in frustration. While Adam typically ignored her antics, he consistently opposed her on matters concerning Kyren. Stepping forward, she prepared to lash out, but her father quickly grabbed her hand to hold her back.
She turned to her father, surprised.
"Let him be... if that’s what he wants," Lord Jas said.
"But father—"
"The end result will be the sa anyway. Don’t worry about it," the minister replied confidently.
Sarah pressed her lips together, her hands forming fists as she held back her anger. She complied with her father’s demand, stepping aside to allow Adam and Anna to pass.
"We will co with you," Lord Jas said as the admiral walked by. "His Majesty is already waiting at the royal court with the other ministers."
"Fine," Adam replied. "Just keep your distance like my knights. Until she is presented before His Majesty, she is my responsibility, and I don’t want anyone near her."
"All right," Lord Jas agreed, though annoyed by his son’s demand.
He understood he couldn’t press the issue any further; King Kyden was already awaiting Anna’s arrival.
After receiving the admiral’s ssage, the minister promptly inford the monarch that the princess had been captured and was en route back to the palace.
The group entered the palace and made their way to the royal court. Adam led the way, taking Anna with him, followed at a distance by Lord Jas, Sarah, and the Knights of Neblim. Despite nurous escorts, the admiral still kept a protective hand over the princess’s shoulders.
"Thank you for shielding from them, Admiral Jas," Anna whispered.
"I gave you my promise, my lady. A knight’s vow represents his honour, chivalry, and commitnt," Adam replied.
"I’m aware. That’s why I appreciate what you did. I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position with your family," Anna said, apologising.
"Don’t ntion it. We will always be at odds when it cos to matters related to His Highness the Grand Duke. To , harming you is like harming him. I won’t allow that to happen."
Anna smiled faintly. Kyren certainly had a good choice of companions, and Adam was one of them, much like the Knights of Gerhard.
"I hope you know what you’re doing. Once I hand you over to His Majesty, I can no longer protect you," the admiral added.
"I understand the consequences, Admiral Jas. Don’t worry about ," she said.
The admiral sighed.
"You make worry even more by saying that. It’s as if you don’t value your life. No wonder His Highness gets worked up easily over your antics."
"I value my life even more now that I’m carrying another life within . I wouldn’t resort to this if I didn’t have sothing to bargain with. Running away won’t help . I must face this and prove my innocence," Anna explained.
"You should have told us from the beginning if this was your plan. Now your knight might think I deceived him," Adam said quietly.
"I’m sorry about that. I hesitated at first, but I’ve made my decision. It’s best for Sir McQuinn not to know. He wouldn’t allow to go, regardless of my reasons," she replied.
"He definitely wouldn’t. That knight cares for you deeply and would want nothing more than to take you away to keep you safe."
Anna smiled wistfully.
The Knights of Gerhard had always treated her gently and with respect. To them, she was like a delicate porcelain doll that needed special care, though she didn’t want to be seen that way.
"Sir McQuinn is kind, but I shouldn’t trouble him or the Knights of Gerhard any more. It’s ti for to stand on my own. I am a mother now," Anna said firmly.
She rested her bound hands gently on her stomach. Though she couldn’t caress it as she usually would, her love and care for the life within her far surpassed her own needs. The decision she made was rooted in what she believed was best for her baby.
The group pressed on in their determined footsteps until they arrived at the imposing front door of the royal court.
"This is it, Lady Raychard. Please be prepared," Adam whispered.
"I am ready," she replied steadily.
With a firm nod, the admiral addressed the doorkeeper, "Announce us!"
The doorkeeper promptly complied, and the grand door swung open.
Anna inhaled deeply, the weight of the mont enveloping her. There would be no turning back now...
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