The owners of the farmhouse also heard the fighting but went into hiding. After all, thieves were common in the village whenever wealthy guests arrived. The farm house owner never got himself or his family involved. He always hopes that the thieves would leave without thinking about them or the guest would defeat the thieves.
Anastasia did her best to help, even though the commander advised her to get so rest. She rejected his suggestion, knowing she would not be able to sleep. By early the next morning, the n sent ahead to check the ship had returned.
"Everything looks fine. We watched all night and did not see anything suspicious," they reported.
"That’s good. Your Highness, you did not rest well. Shall we set out later in the day after you have slept?" the commander asked.
Anastasia considered his words. She still felt uneasy about boarding the ship, so she called the commander aside.
"Since these people seem to be from Gube, I doubt they are just thieves. How about we divide the group?" Anastasia suggested.
"This?" The commander hesitated. "If we separate, we will only make ourselves easier targets. They could pick us off one by one."
The other soldiers agreed. Given the attackers’ skill, dividing their forces might not be an advantage.
Anastasia took a deep breath. "You said they seed to be looking for sothing?"
"Yes," the commander replied. Although he had been focused on fighting, he had noticed their unusual behavior.
"Then, we must divide the group. Don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be an equal split. Besides those of us in this room, no one else needs to know," Anastasia said firmly.
She felt certain that whoever was plotting against the royal family was extrely cautious. Since she was heading north, they had co after her. The enemy might not be sure of her role but was unwilling to be careless. If this was the case, then she was likely the target, but to cover their tracks, they had staged the attack as a simple robbery.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she beca. Soone must have betrayed the kingdom and was aiding foreigners. After all, not long after the crown prince was forced to go north, the king had been poisoned.
Anastasia did not have inside information, but it was common knowledge that the kingdoms of Nixel and Gube had been in peace talks before Gube suddenly launched an attack. With the king now poisoned, it all seed connected.
"I have a fear of water, so I will take a quarter of the provisions and hire a few guards to protect . These two n have already scouted the ship, so they can accompany ," Anastasia said.
The commander was surprised and concerned. As the crown princess, she could not be put at risk.
"No, Your Highness. We can divide the group as you suggest, but the water route is much safer. With more people, Your Highness will be better protected," the commander argued.
Anastasia sighed. She could not tell him that the queen had entrusted her with sothing of great importance, after all, she did not know how trustworthy he was.
"Let’s do it this way," she insisted. "These people might be from Gube. What if they are after ? If I get kidnapped and they use to threaten the prince, it would be disastrous."
Since she could not reveal the treasure she carried, she could only remind them that she might be the true target.
The commander and the two scouts exchanged uneasy glances. Her words were reasonable, but they only made them more worried about the dangers Anastasia might face on the road. Although taking the provision safely to the north was important. The princess life was also important. It would be a sha to allow the kingdom of Gube have a leverage against them.
---
Royal Palace
"Your Majesty," Queen Mary greeted the king that morning. She ca to see the king as soon as she cleaned up.
She had noticed a change in her husband since the seer’s visit the previous day. Though the foul sll lingering around him remained, he seed healthier. More importantly, a glimr of hope had returned to his eyes; sothing she had not seen in a few days.
"Has there been any news from our daughter-in-law?" the king asked.
The queen was surprised by his question. It was only the third morning since the princess had left. By now, they should be boarding the ship at sea.
"Not yet, Your Majesty. They are traveling by water. Soone will send a ssage once their boat leaves shore," she replied.
Until now, the king had not asked about the travel arrangents. Queen Mary assud he was rely concerned about getting the items safely to their son.
"That’s good," the king said. "If she manages to reach the north safely, I will die in peace." He gaze held no extra aning.
At first, when he had learned from the seer that Anastasia’s blood could purify the royal family, he had been furious at himself for sending her away. But upon reflection, he realized the heavens were helping him.
Even if Duke Thompson lacked significant power, Anastasia was not soone he could sacrifice at will. Given the delicate state of the kingdom, there was no need for internal strife.
After much thought, the king concluded that having Anastasia kidnapped by unknown n would be the best outco. Her death would be justified, and it would have nothing to do with the royal family.
He could even spin the narrative, claim the crown prince wife had been assassinated by Gube spies. That way, the noble lords who had wanted to sue for peace would abandon the idea.
Regardless of whether they liked or approved of Anastasia, she was the crown princess. Killing her would be an undeniable insult to the throne and their kingdom.
Thinking of how much trouble he could avoid with this plan, the king found himself in a good mood.
The seer had intervened, snatching the King from the grips of death using his own life; there by tying their fates together instead. He felt that as long as Anastasia was successful brought back and the ritual was perford both their lives would be speared.
King George although still at death door was no longer in so much pain. He was not sure what the seer did but when he slept the previous night he had no nightmares.
"Your Majesty, shall I bring you breakfast?" the queen asked, noticing the liveliness in his expression.
The king had barely eaten in two days. He would take only a few bites before stopping. But since his condition had improved, Queen Mary had stopped pressuring the physicians.
She did not care if her husband ever regained his full strength. As long as he lived, everything else could be managed.
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