Chapter 44
King Archer jumped down from the horse not wanting to believe what the mysterious lady had said.
He raised his brother's head to see his eyes shut tightly and his body now cold and pale, his brother was indeed dead! Prince Ray died in his arms.
King Archer blinked back the tears that were about streaming painfully down his cheeks as he turned to the mysterious woman.
"Who are you?" He asked coldly as the woman giggled now in a baby's voice as she made a step towards him making him slide his sword out of his armour.
"I am someone no one knows, I belong everywhere my king, I don't have a home" that same line she recited the first time they met at the boundary between Noviran and Prussiate, who is she exactly and why couldn't he see her face clearly.
"Well I am here to help you once again or don't you want my help as usual?" She asked as she slightly raised her head but it seemed like the higher she raised her head the more her face turned darker.
"Definitely I need your help, mysterious lady," Archer replied curiously as he slightly walked towards her.
"Your late brother tried saying something to you before he died but couldn't let the word out, I got his message and has been sent by the ghosts to help deliver it to make him rest in peace, Your late brother has requested you bring his family to Guham and take care of them as your own"
King Archer couldn't believe all the lady said but still had to believe as she isn't a human being, he turned to his lifeless brother on the horse and wondered what to do with his corpse hence he is dead.
The tradition forbids burning the corps of someone who died in a war front as the person died shamefully and doesn't deserve respect.
If only King Archer could change that one rule, but unfortunately it is unchangeable as it has been a stamped one.
"And for his corpse? Leave it by the side of the four branches tree" She said as if she had read his thoughts, possibly she had.
Before King Archer could say a word the mysterious woman was gone, he really wanted to know who she was even if he didn't see her face he could bet she wasn't a human being she was a goddess or something.
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It was already getting late as I could feel but no sign of anyone, no one was back and that got me worried hoping they haven't been killed.
My eyes drifted to Sage who was already fast asleep, obviously tired. I couldn't sleep at all. I wasn't even feeling dizzy one bit. Anyways, how will I sleep when Archer obviously isn't sleeping at the moment.
My heart was troubled and all I could think of was how to leave this underground and go find Archer and Ray. I won't dare try to climb the stairs because my waist will hurt so bad.
My throat felt so dry and I was hungry, hungry to the extent that I couldn't endure.
I didn't want to interrupt Sage's slumber just because of my personal interests but still I needed to eat, I hesitated a little as I tapped her softly on her arms as she jerked up immediately.
"Ohh I'm sorry my queen, I should be looking after you instead of sleeping and…" I paused her.
"No need to apologize for sleeping, we are both humans and we get tired so you should feel free, I am sorry for waking you up but I really need to eat and drink water" I said making a sad puppy face rubbing my belly.
"Oh no! I'm sorry for keeping you hungry my queen, I actually brought enough food for you" she hurried down to the bags she brought as she took out a plate of food and kept it on the counter where chemicals are kept.
The sight of the food gave me hope as the aroma filled the air, I quickly opened the food to sight a mouth watering red sauce pasta as sage immediately served me my drinking water.
"You should also eat Sage" I said with a fork full of pasta in my mouth.
"A maid can't dine with her Royal mistress my Queen, I will eat when we are out of here" she said as I glared at her making a fake frown.
"Do you mean that if we are gonna stay here for a week you will starve for a week?" I asked, staring closely at her as she kept mute obviously not knowing what to say "I order you to eat now, Sage!" I commanded as I heard a sudden steady foot step above us which got me scared.
Are they the guards of Prussiate? Are they here looking for me? I thought as I pushed my food aside, staring at Sage if she heard what I heard and obviously she heard the footsteps and she was also scared as I was.
"Please my queen don't freak out, no one can find us here" she assured, trying her best to be strong. I could feel hot sweats rolling down my forehead as the entrance opened.
"Is the queen and her hand maid alive!?" That was a very familiar voice, it was that of Arlo, hearing the voice calmed my nerves down.
"Yes we are!" Sage replied as the guard climbed in as he bowed to me, he looked really pale with sword cuts on his skin which affected his face badly.
"My queen I am here to take you out of here, we are back and the war was a victory" Arlo said as a wide smile curved on my lips as tears streamed down my eyes which I quickly wiped off.
"Where is the King?" I asked softly as he signed.
"The King has gone to the doctors house to get Prince Ray treated, Prince Ray was attacked badly"
"Did he go alone?" I asked curiously as he nodded slowly.
"King Archer decided to go alone hence none of the warriors were in good shape" I suddenly got scared, it is really late and it is never advisable for a king to be out alone, what if something or someone attacks him!
My dream just wants to come to pass by all means possible.
"Help me out of here, I can't climb the stairs"
I was finally out in the earthly atmosphere as I sat facing my wide crystal clear mirror, the smoke from the fire lamp made my face black but well that doesn't matter at the moment all I could think of was Archer and Prince Ray.
It was already getting to midnight and they weren't still back and that bothered me so much. I had mixed feelings about their return. I wasn't quite sure they were still alive… Just the thought of that made air seize around me.
"How is my Queen and the heir doing?" I heard that familiar voice as I turned to the door to see King Archer standing beside it. I didn't even notice his entrance but all the same I was so relieved to see him.
His smile assured me that all was fine as I hurried to him, grasping him in a tight hug which he accepted warmly caressing my hair.
"I lost hope of seeing you again my King" I said, pulling off from the hug as I cleaned my tears. He looked so weak and pale but he pretended to be strong… Obviously it was a pretense he is human anyways, who will go on a war and come back still strong except a daemon.
"I told you that all will be fine, why do you think a warrior like me will easily be defeated? I'm a strong King and trust me we came back with victory" he said in a really wide smile which made me smile back.
"Please don't ever fight again all battles can't be same"
"There will be no war" he said as he tucked my strands of hair behind my ear as I nodded.
"You're definitely tired and hungry if not I have lots of questions to ask you, it'd be better after you have taken care of yourself and now relaxed" I said as he gave me that curious glare.
"Hmm…okay then, I will go back to my room now to have a warm bath" he said as he knelt down and pecked my belly "Do not stress yourself Pearl" he said as I nodded in agreement watching him retreat through the exit.
"Forgot to ask my King'' I said as he turned back, raising his eyebrows at me "Heard that Prince Ray was attacked badly. How is he doing now? Hope the bleeding has stopped. Did you leave him at the Doctor's house?" I asked many questions at once as king Archer just stared at me speechlessly obviously looking for words to use.
His silence was quite suspicious and I was suddenly scared of hearing whatever news he had.
"Ray didn't survive" That sounded like a bee sting to my ear as tears smudged my view.
@pop precious
