Forbidden Desires: Conquering Kingdoms And Women In a Fantasy World! Chapter 25: Back To Millbrook Village

The decision to escort the three rescued captives to Millbrook village had been swift and necessary. Arlos might have fled, but I couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that he might return—likely with reinforcents and a thirst for revenge.

Walking beside Lisa, I beca acutely aware of the weight of three pairs of eyes boring into my back. Their gazes felt almost physical, a constant prickle between my shoulder blades that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun filtering through the canopy above. I could practically hear their unspoken questions buzzing in the air like persistent insects.

It was Riley who finally broke the awkward silence. "Why do you have white hair?"

I glanced back to see him staring at with the unabashed curiosity that only children possessed, his light brown eyes wide with fascination. Behind him, both Judith and Zoey wore nearly identical expressions of barely contained interest, though they were trying to appear more dignified about their curiosity.

"Because my mother has white hair," I replied simply.

Riley’s brow furrowed as if this explanation sohow raised more questions than it answered. "But why do you have pink eyes?"

I suppressed a sigh. "Because my mother has pink eyes."

Princess Judith, who had been maintaining what she probably thought was a regal silence, finally couldn’t contain herself any longer. "I have never encountered individuals with such... distinctive features," she murmured.

Her admission gave pause. If even royalty—soone who presumably had access to the most diverse courts and traveled extensively—had never seen this combination, then perhaps my appearance was more unusual than I’d realized. Back on Earth, unusual hair and eye colors were just genetic quirks, but here... here it might an sothing more significant.

The thought of my mom, Isabella flickered through my mind. She had always been evasive about her family, her past, deflecting Rosaluna’s and my inquiries with gentle smiles and subject changes. Even now, I had no idea where these distinctive features ca from or what they might signify in this world.

"Well," I said, shooting Judith a pointed look, "I’ve never seen a princess get herself kidnapped before, so I suppose we’re all encountering new experiences today."

The effect was imdiate and dramatic. Judith’s pale cheeks flushed a deep crimson that spread all the way to the tips of her ears, and her mouth opened and closed several tis before she managed to sputter out a response. If looks could kill, I would have been reduced to ash on the forest floor.

Riley, apparently feeling the need to defend his own honor, puffed out his chest and began shadowboxing the air with surprising vigor. "He just caught us off guard! Otherwise, I would have beaten him up!"

"I seriously doubt that. You should be grateful he chose to kidnap you instead of killing you outright."

The shadowboxing stopped abruptly.

"Why should we be happy about being kidnapped?" Judith demanded, her voice rising with indignation.

"Because," I said, stepping over a fallen log and offering a hand to help Lisa across, "you were fortunate enough that we happened to stumble across you and save your royal behinds, Your Highness."

The strangled gasp that ca from Judith was almost comical. "You—! How dare you speak to with such insolence! I’ll have you executed for such disrespect!"

Her face had gone from pink to red to a shade that practically matched Riley’s hair, and she was trembling with what I assud was outrage. Lisa shot a look of pure horror, clearly mortified by my casual disregard for royal protocol.

I supposed I should have felt so remorse for my lack of etiquette, but the truth was, I didn’t. In my previous life, the concept of divine right or royal blood had been relegated to history books and fairy tales. Everyone was equal under the law, regardless of their birth circumstances. Old habits, it seed, died hard—even when transplanted to an entirely different world.

"Um... thank you for saving us."

The soft voice belonged to Zoey, who had been quietly observing our exchange with wide eyes. Unlike her companions, she seed genuinely grateful rather than entitled or belligerent.

I offered her a genuine smile. "You’re welco, Zoey."

She ducked her head, a blush spreading across her freckled cheeks as she quickly averted her gaze. From the corner of my eye, I caught Judith’s expression darkening further, though whether from continued anger or sothing else entirely, I couldn’t tell.

The remainder of our journey passed in relative peace. The forest gradually gave way to familiar farmland, and by the ti Millbrook’s humble collection of buildings ca into view, the sun was already beginning its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose.

As we approached the village outskirts, I noticed we were drawing quite a bit of attention. Lisa and I were well-known faces around Millbrook but our three companions were complete strangers, and their appearance told a story that had the villagers whispering among themselves.

We made our way through the curious crowd, ignoring the stares and murmured questions that followed in our wake. The village chief’s house sat near the center of Millbrook, a solid structure of stone and timber that, while not as large as the ho I’d recently built, still one of the finest buildings in the settlent.

As we approached the front door, it swung open to reveal Aldan himself. The village chief took one look at our unusual party and his weathered face imdiately settled into stern lines.

"What is the aning of this?" He asked.

Before Lisa could formulate a response, Judith stepped forward.

"I am Princess Judith of Briaran," she announced. "Royal Princess and Heir to the throne of Briaran."

The effect on Aldan was imdiate and profound. His eyes widened in shock, and I watched as his gaze traveled over her appearance—taking in the fine bones of her face, the quality of her clothing, the unconscious way she held herself. Years of dealing with people from all walks of life had clearly taught him how to read the signs of true nobility, and everything about Judith scread royal blood.

"May we have a discussion inside?" Judith continued, her tone perfectly polite but carrying an undertone that suggested this was more a courtesy than a request.

Aldan seed to shake himself from his stunned state. "Yes, of course, Your Highness," he replied quickly, stepping aside and gesturing for us to enter. "Please, co in."

I followed the group inside, noting how Aldan’s deanor had completely transford from stern authority to nervous deference in the span of a few seconds. The interior of his ho was comfortable and well-appointed, with sturdy furniture and colorful tapestries that spoke of modest prosperity. Fortunately, both Rumia and Alric were absent, which ant we could speak freely without worrying about additional ears.

"Please, take a seat, Your Highness," Aldan said, gesturing toward his best chair while shooting a quick, questioning glance.

I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to piece together how I’d managed to show up at his doorstep with royalty in tow. His expression clearly said ’what have you gotten us into now?’ but I simply shrugged in response.

Give a break, I thought. It wasn’t like I’d gone looking for trouble.

Judith straightened in her chair, her hands folded gracefully in her lap as she prepared to recount their ordeal. The transformation was remarkable—gone was the flustered, angry girl from the forest path, replaced by soone who carried herself with the poise and dignity befitting her royal station.

She drew a asured breath, her green eyes eting Aldan’s gaze. "What I’m about to tell you must be handled with the utmost discretion. The circumstances that brought to your kingdom are... complicated, and not sothing I can discuss at this ti."

Aldan nodded gravely, understanding that so matters of state were beyond the scope of a village chief’s concerns.

Judith continued, her narrative flowing fluidly as she recounted the events from their capture onward. She spoke of Arlos, described their imprisonnt with clinical detachnt, and detailed our rescue with surprising eloquence. What caught completely off-guard, however, was how she portrayed my role in their salvation.

Gone was any trace of her earlier irritation with my informal manner. Instead, she painted as so sort of heroic figure—praising my tactical thinking, my combat skills, and what she generously terd my "decisive leadership" during the rescue. Her description was so glowing that I almost wondered if she was talking about soone else entirely.

Lisa? She told them sothing more I guess but Judith was clearly exaggerating I an she didn’t even see fight.

It was, I had to admit, remarkably mature of her to set aside her personal feelings in favor of giving credit where it was due.

"That is why we would like to remain here until my mother’s search party locates us," Judith concluded, her hands smoothing the fabric of her torn dress unconsciously. "It would be most helpful if you could dispatch so of your people to assist in the search for Her Majesty as well. I’m certain she’s looking for us, but the forest is vast, and additional eyes would be invaluable."

Aldan’s response was imdiate. "Of course, Your Highness. I’ll send riders out at first light to comb the surrounding areas and spread word to the neighboring settlents." He paused, his weathered face creasing with concern as he considered the logistics. "In the anti, you’re most welco to stay in my daughter’s room—she’s away won’t return for several weeks."

"That’s very generous of you," Judith replied with genuine gratitude, then surprised everyone by glancing toward her two companions. "But what about Riley and Zoey?"

Both looked stunned that she had spoken up for them. Riley’s mouth actually fell open slightly, while Zoey’s eyes widened with sothing that looked like wonder. It was clear they hadn’t expected the princess to concern herself with their accommodations, and the gesture seed to touch them both deeply.

Judith was probably feeling guilty as they got dragged because they tried to save her.

Before Aldan could formulate a response, Lisa stepped forward. "I’ll take them to my house, Your Highness," she said. "I have plenty of space, and they’ll be comfortable there."

Riley’s face imdiately flushed a deep red at Lisa’s attention, and he bobbed his head in an enthusiastic nod that made his red hair bounce. Zoey, anwhile, cast a quick glance in my direction—though what she was looking for, I couldn’t quite determine.

"Excellent," Judith said, seeming genuinely pleased with the arrangent. She turned back to Aldan with renewed focus. "Now then, I’d very much like to be shown around your village and discuss certain... practical matters regarding our situation."

The way she said it suggested there were aspects of their circumstances that required private discussion—matters of security, communication with the capital, or perhaps political considerations that went beyond simple hospitality.

"Of course, please allow to show you around," Aldan replied imdiately, already moving toward the door.

I watched them go, noting how Judith had seamlessly shifted into what was clearly a well-practiced diplomatic mode. Whatever she wanted to discuss with Aldan was none of my concerns anyway.

"Co along, you two," Lisa said gently, addressing Riley and Zoey. "I’ll show you to my house and get you settled in properly."

Riley’s blush deepened to an almost alarming shade, and he managed another vigorous nod. The poor guy was clearly developing quite the crush on Lisa.

Zoey, however, lingered for a mont, her eyes finding mine with an expression I couldn’t quite read. There was sothing there—gratitude, certainly, but also a kind of curiosity that went beyond re interest in my unusual appearance.

"I’m heading ho," I said, stepping toward the door myself.

"Harold," Lisa called out just as I reached the threshold.

I turned back to see her standing in the doorway.

"Thank you," she said simply.

"You’re welco," I replied, matching her smile with one of my own before stepping out.

The walk ho gave ti to process the day’s events, and by the ti I reached our front door, I was already feeling better thankfully.

The mont I stepped inside, I noticed that both Isabella and Rosaluna were there.

"Oh, there you are, Harold," my mother called from the kitchen.

She was standing at the large wooden table, sleeves rolled up to her elbows as she worked on what appeared to be preparations for dinner.

Rosaluna glanced up from where she sat curled in her chair, a thick volu balanced on her knees. The mont her pink eyes t mine, I could practically see the questions queuing up behind them.

"So," she said, closing her book and setting it aside with more force than necessary, "how was your little... expedition with Lisa?"

The way she said Lisa’s na—with just the slightest emphasis that managed to convey volus about her feelings on the subject—made it clear this wasn’t simple sisterly curiosity. There was definitely an edge there.

I couldn’t help but wonder how she’d react if I told her the complete truth: that we’d been attacked by bandits, that I’d been stabbed, that I’d kissed Lisa and oh, by the way, we’d also rescued a princess and two other children from kidnappers.

Instead, I decided on a course of strategic mischief.

"Very well, big sister," I replied with cheer, allowing my smile to grow just a touch too bright, too satisfied. "Very well indeed."

The effect was imdiate and dramatic. Rosaluna’s teeth clenched, her pink eyes flashing with sothing that might have been jealousy, concern, or possibly murderous intent—it was hard to tell with her sotis.

She bit her lower lip and then stood abruptly and stalked toward her room sulkily.

I turned to my mom with what I hoped was an expression of innocent confusion. "Is she angry with about sothing?"

Isabella sighed. "She’s just... protective of you, Harold. And perhaps a bit concerned." Her own expression grew thoughtful, almost troubled. "I sotis think I may have sheltered her too much over the years. She spends so much ti with Isadora and her studies that she hasn’t had much opportunity to understand... well, matters of the heart."

"I see," I said thoughtfully, then moved closer to where she stood at the preparation table. "Do you need any help with dinner?"

I reached out to steady the knife in her hand, my fingers brushing against hers in what should have been a simple, innocent gesture of assistance.

Isabella’s reaction was as swift as it was unexpected. She jerked her hand away from mine as if she’d been burned, the knife clattering onto the wooden surface as she stepped back with a sharp intake of breath. For just a mont, her carefully composed expression cracked, and I caught a glimpse of sothing raw and vulnerable in her pink eyes—fear.

"Mom?" I looked at her worried, though internally I was filing away every detail of her reaction.

"I—it’s nothing, Harold," she stamred, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I’m fine, really. You should go rest... you’ve had a long day."

Her hands were trembling slightly as she turned back to the vegetables, and there was a tension in her shoulders that hadn’t been there monts before.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" I pressed gently, keeping my voice soft and concerned. "You seem upset about sothing."

Mother’s shoulders hunched slightly, and she couldn’t quite et my eyes when she glanced back at . The guilt written across her features was so plain it might as well have been painted there.

"Yes, don’t worry about ," she said quietly. "I’m just... tired."

I nodded slowly, allowing my expression to remain concerned for a few more seconds before turning toward my room. But as I walked away, I couldn’t quite suppress the small smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth.