Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
I glanced at my father who nodded his assent. “Very well. Return to the Imperial Villas. High Priest, assist Rina and go with them.”
“I should stay with Lady Alicia, Your Highness,” he argued.
“Why? You cannot treat her. It makes no difference if you stay or not.”
“What’s wrong with my lady?” Rina tried to sit up and failed, collapsing back onto the table instead.
“Rina, go with High Priest Dhaesis,” I ordered, pressing my fingers against my forehead. “I want a full report of what happened when your arm is treated.”
“But I—”
“That’s an order, Dame Draper.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nobody said anything as they exited the tent, leaving only me, Allie, and my father behind.
“I’m surprised the marquess hasn’t come to check on her,” Father said, taking a seat in one of the other chairs, undoing his cape.
“I’m not. Allie is under the impression he sold her off to me, and she suffered greatly at the hands of the marchioness and her sister. They don’t have the greatest of relationships.”
“Hmm. I’m disappointed.” He stroked his chin. “We’ll move her back to the villa when everyone else has left. Those nobles have enough to chatter about without seeing her like this.”
I nodded slowly, turning my attention down to her. She still had no colour in her cheeks, but she really did look like she was sleeping. The High Priest wouldn’t have made an incorrect assessment of her injuries, so where did that blood on her dress come from?
“She’ll be all right, son.”
I looked over at my father. He smiled warmly, but it couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes.
“It doesn’t matter if she’s all right or not, not for the person who did this,” I replied, sliding off the chair and kneeling next to her. I linked my fingers through hers and kissed her knuckles. “Father, when we find out who’s responsible for this, their life belongs to me.”
His gaze lingered on our clasped hands for a moment, then he gently laid his hand on top of my head. “I trust you’ll deal with them swiftly, Kalon.”
***
“I see,” I said, pressing my fingertips together. “So, that’s what you were doing so close to the forest.”
We arrived back at the Imperial Villas not long before the mages were done creating the antidote for Rina’s paralysis. She’d come to Allie’s room almost immediately after regaining full use of her arm to give me the report on how they’d come to be near the forest.
Why had Allie followed Lillia that far out?
“Did she know where she was going?” I asked.
Rina shook her head. “I don’t believe so, sir. Honestly, their conversation didn’t seem all that friendly. I kept my distance at her request, but from the little I heard, it was Lady Armand provoking my lady.”
“Provoking her? How so?”
“I believe you were the topic of discussion.”
I sighed, dropping my forehead to my fingers. “I didn’t expect Lady Armand to approach Allie. Had I known, I would have instructed you not to leave them alone.”
“May I ask why, Your Highness?”
“Lady Armand offered me her handkerchief earlier today, and Allie happened upon the scene. I had hoped that Allie’s stern words at the time would have been the end of it.”
“If I may say so, I don’t think Lady Armand has any intention of listening to my lady’s warnings.”
“Do you think she took her there deliberately, Rina?”
Rina paused, looking over at Allie. “I can’t say for certain, but the path they took was one that wasn’t marked as being outside of the rest area. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t realise until it was too late, and I will accept any punishment Your Highness sees fit. I failed to protect my lady.”
I shook my head, letting my hands fall to the table. “You were severely hurt and have to live with the knowledge that you made the wrong choice. You know that a lone knight can’t take on a wraithhusk of that size, Rina. You made a bad call and knowing that is enough of a punishment. Even with that said, nobody could have predicted a wraithhusk would be here. The monsters that were present to be hunted were young, low-level creatures that a trainee knight could easily dispatch. The only people responsible for Allie’s condition are the ones behind the incident.”
“Your grace is more than I deserve.”
“Besides, Allie would never forgive me if I punished you.” I rubbed my hand down my face, laughing hollowly. “Go and rest. You may be healed now, but you’ve been through a lot.”
“Yes, sir.” She stood, bowing her head. “I will return to my duties tomorrow.”
“You will rest for two days at least.”
She sighed, but acquiesced with a deeper bow and left the room. Hayes walked in right after, closing the door after him.
“I’m surprised you let her leave here in one piece,” he quipped.