Chapter Twenty-Two: To Burn The Flower
Azval
"The Emperor has already sent additional troops to the second lair to aid our knights and the South's," Duke Reynold stated as he handed me the reports.
We are now inside my study discussing the matters with the dragon. As soon as possible, we should make a move already. We have sent troops in the first lair, not to battle with the dragon, but to inform us about it. Every keen detail and observation should be reported to us.
But we miscalculated the fact that there would be at least one idiot who thinks that he could take down that dragon and charge at it. Especially since I was still here and waiting for Lorcan's order because he still hoped that Erend would lend their help. Most of our knights had died because of that reckless act. Even the thought of it makes me furious.
I looked at the report the Duke gave me. It was stated that the ancient dragon had already moved and in just a matter of weeks, it would land on its second lair.
If that happens, this matter would be difficult for us.
The first lair is located to the South where the dragon has woken up, that is where the dragon made its first stop. The second one is in between the South and East border. The third one is located near the East. The moment the ancient dragon reached the third border will be the reason, East would be wiped out in the Kingdom. Specifically the Kingdom of Astorias.
"We should leave as soon as possible, Your Highness." The Duke advised as he looked at me with such stern gaze. I put down the report paper and clenched my jaw.
"Inform the officials. I will alert the Knights. We leave the day after tomorrow, at dawn."
"Yes, Your Highness," he replied and stood up from the chair he was sitting on.
"You may now go," I instructed while I waved my hand at him and went back to reading the reports in front of me. In case I have missed a detail regarding the dragon.
He bowed his head and was about to leave when suddenly, he went back to ask another question.
"Did the Crown Prince already manage to get Erend on our side?" he asked.
"No," I replied while still reading the paper, "yet rest assured that everything will be well. After all, the Emperor will show himself."
"But that is not a solid guarantee, Your Highness. We both know that even the Emperor would have a hard time defeating the ancient dragon."
"What are you implying, Duke?" I put down the report and gazed at him coldly.
"The descendant of the Holy Saintess is here. We might be able to use her—" He wasn't able to finish his sentence when I slammed the table hardly using my left hand.
If my brother hears about this, Duke or not, he will be sentenced to treason.
"She won't be joining this hunt and if things go south, it will be my brother who will decide if the Princess will partake in this war."
"But Your Highness, sacrificing the Princess will save thousands of our Knights and will end this hunt as soon as possible. Not only that, the rias that will be invested in this would not be put to a lot of cause."
I know that the Duke is just trying to make the resources of this dragon hunt available because, with that, the possibility that we would successfully take down the dragon and protect our Kingdom is high. I know but it is not the decision that I am to make. The Duke is wise but it would clash with my brother's plans for his future Queen.
I made a vow to my brother that I will be at his side to make the Kingdom be stronger as he leads it but right now, I may disagree with the Duke but I cannot turn a blank mind on what's he trying to suggest. His suggestion would lead us to victory.
"Do you hear yourself right now, Duke of Zenonis? This is the Princess, about to be this land's Queen, that we are talking about," I said as I massaged my head using my thumb.
"We should not be fools here. We can't beat the dragon without the help of Erend or the person with Holy Powers. They are trained for this, Your Highness and you know that. I wonder what the Officials think if they knew that the rias they put into this hunt would be at a greater stake of losing. The Princess of the West must do her duty."
"What of the Princess' duty?"
"Lorcan," I said as he entered my study. Duke Reynolds greeted him with a bow but also excused himself after. Yet before the both of them left each other's throats, they gave each other a glare.
As soon as Lorcan sat in front of me, I sat down again and explained to him about the reports and the reason why the Duke was here.
"It has already been decided. I will not let the Princess risk her life. I am doing my best to negotiate with the Great Master. Tsk, if only I could track where Master Hagas is. He would definitely be of help," he said. It is visible on his face that he's controlling his anger.
I let out a deep sigh because I know that at this point, we don't have a definite plan to kill the dragon. We're relying on my brother's negotiation with Erend which failed a lot of times already and the fact that there's a possibility that the Emperor won't be able to arrive on the Grafgue Forest on time.
If someone would want my real answer about the situation, I would say that 'Damn, this life'. I just want to go back to the days when I was fooling around in the night market with Miss Estelle.
"I would leave with my troop, the day after tomorrow. The Duke and I have decided that it's best to ambush the ancient dragon in its second lair. We need to arrive there before the dragon does and make the preparations."
In preparation, I am talking about traps that we need to set up.
"Great. After your departure, I will be sending back Princess Sina to the West with me. I'll accompany her," Lorcan said and sat comfortably in the chair resting his head. "I'll be visiting her chambers after this to let her prepare."
"The officials would be in dispute," I replied remembering how the Duke reacted earlier. Princess Sina is really a benefit for us in this matter.
"I will take care of them," he said. I let out a deep sigh in return.
Yeah, as you always do. You rascal.
"What about the West? We both are aware that the preparation for your wedding is just an excuse. A cover-up. They sent the Princess here to perform her duty."
The West is taking advantage of the fact that the Royal Wedding will be held just months away from now but even the Princess knows that the reason why she's here is because the dragon in the Garfgue Forest woke up. It's just that my brother won't accept the fact that her fiancee is being sent here to do her duty instead of preparing for their wedding. A wedding that is vague to be happening from the moment we knew about the ancient dragon.
"To hell with the West! I'll be going with the Princess and the moment we step off to the Kingdom's land, that's when they will know we have arrived. Letters are not needed as they will just retaliate." I saw him make a fist on both of his hands as he stood up and headed to the door. "The Princess is much safer in the West."
He headed out and just as I was left alone in this room, Ferran entered. I told him to let know the knights about the plan. Brother didn't say anything to postpone it so it is sure that he agrees to it.
I let out a deep sigh as I stood up and started banging my head on the walls.
This is too much thinking for someone like me.
I would rather slice off that dragon's head this instant. I am filling up with rage.
That night, I decided to visit Ardiham Palace, where my brother resides and where the princess' chambers are located. The moment I entered his study, he knew that it didn't bear any good news.
"Duke Reynolds has told the officials about the Princess not joining the hunt. They requested that her presence should still be there. Even as a contingency plan," I started and as I expected, his face was unbearable for me to look at right now.
"Tsk! My answer is still what it is. If they adore their positions so much, tell them to hold their tongues."
"Yes," I answered shortly. I really would you scoundrel!
Because if they would still run their tongues about the matter regarding the Princess, I'll be the one who'll be assigned by this person to cut their literal tongues one by one.
The last thing I want to do as a knight is for my well-crafted sword to touch their filthy saliva!
A word from Nicholas, Lorcan's butler, cut our conversation when he said that Princess Sina was on the other side of the door now. He gestured to let her in and that was the cue for me to stand up and head to the door.
"You called for me?" Princess Sina said as soon as she entered the door. I bowed in her presence. She gave me a sweet smile yet I ignored her gesture and acted as if I didn't notice it. I walked out the door and did a last glance at her while talking to my brother.
Heh, she's the real deal.
I let out a smirk. Now, that I am here maybe I should have the chance to meet the fake one.
While walking to the hallways in this palace, I will always be greeted by the servants if I would meet one. I would take it as an advantage to ask where the chambers of the Princess are. I didn't state any reasons but I am sure that they would think that I am to inspect the area to ensure safety. They are not a hundred percent wrong though I am admitting that I am really there to find Miss Estelle.
I was not disappointed. The moment I arrived in the vicinity, I already saw a woman's back standing just meters away from me. I am sure it was Estelle but my attention was stolen by the spell that surrounded her and someone that she was talking to right at that moment.
I should not be mistaken.
That invisible layer that was cast around them can be only cast by one magician in this kingdom— Master Hagas and the only people who can be able to see the inside layer are his apprentices, thus including the Royal Family. It is a powerful and dangerous ancient lost spell that was not taught to us how to perform it but only to see what's inside of it.
Master Hagas sensed my presence and the moment both of our eyes met, he disappeared. Along with that, his spell vanished too. Leaving Miss Estelle standing there. I took it as an opportunity to walk towards her.
"You're here, Your Highness.," she greeted the moment she turned around and faced me. It didn't seem like she was shocked so definitely, Master Hagas told him that I was here.
Your Highness? Keeping the Princess act, huh?
The royal guards around us acted so shocked and taken aback when they noticed our presence. Who wouldn't when suddenly 'Your Royal Highnesses' just appeared suddenly in front of you all? But the good thing in this setting right now is that it is not a dark, suspicious meeting place. Just two royalties that happen to walk by on the same path.
I put both of my hands behind my back and gave her a frivolous grin. Let's see what kind of act she will do this time.
This stirs my blood.
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